Overview of Georgia’s Interoperable Communications System By Dr. Douglas Cobb (Presenter), Doug Cohen and Jay Sexton Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI)

Discussion Topics n Background – GTRI and Georgia n Overview - LETPP Interoperable Communications Project n Lessons Learned n Questions

GTRI and Project Team n Nonprofit applied research organization n Integral part of Georgia Tech n 1290 employees; 547 Research/Faculty – 72% hold advanced degrees n Project team from Communications Network Division (CND) of the Information Technology and Telecommunications Laboratory (ITTL) n CND develops and evaluates communications systems for the DOD; local, state, federal, and tribal governments; private industry; and others

Georgia Background n Land Area: 57,906 Square Miles (Largest state east of the Mississippi River; 24 th largest overall) n Population: 9,072,576 (2005 Census Bureau estimate) n Borders: 5 States (Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee) n Coastline: 100 miles n Number of Counties: 159 (2 nd Most)

Georgia Background (Continued) n Over 55% of population lives in 28 counties of metro Atlanta n Majority of communications is VHF n Larger urban areas migrating to 800 MHz digital systems n Major Radio Infrastructure Vendors: Motorola, M/A-COM, Kenwood n Previous state-wide public safety communication efforts terminated before implementation

LETPP Solution n Provides interoperable communications for first responders throughout the state n Uses existing Radio Frequency infrastructure n Achieves “on demand” interoperability through overlay additions to the current RF infrastructure: IP network backbone, IP network components and Mobile Communications Units n Allows interoperability between disparate radio system technologies n Will not increase RF coverage, channel capacity, eliminate technology obsolescence

LETPP Solution n Interoperable communications for first responders at the local level n Interoperability with neighboring jurisdictions n Dispatch back-up capability with other agencies for continuity of operations n Dispatch conferencing with other departments and agencies n Interoperable communications state-wide in major events

LETPP System n Is flexible and scalable n Achieves functionality with both fixed and mobile communications assets n Will be completed by December 2007 n Is budgeted for approximately $11M n Will be administered by three working groups: Task Force Requirements Analysis Group, Technical Working Group, Operations Working Group

Administrative Model

Project Stakeholders n Georgia Sheriffs Association n Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police n Georgia Emergency Management Association (GEMA) n Georgia State Patrol (GSP) n Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) n Georgia Directors n Georgia Association of Fire Chiefs n Georgia Technology Authority (GTA) n Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) n Local Governments

Local Government/Agency Responsibilities n Make Facilities Ready for Equipment n Provide Own Radio Resources for Gateway Units n Obtain Necessary MOAs n Develop and Support System Operational Procedures n Support Training and Exercise Programs

Network Enterprise n Georgia State Patrol - Business Owner & Network Administrator n Local Governments/Agencies – Operators n First Responders – End Users

Planning n Technical and Financial Feasibility n Marketing n System Requirements n High-Level Project Planning n Procurement (RFQC and RFP) n Detailed Project Planning

Procurement n Managed by Procurement Officer in the Georgia Technology Authority (GTA) n State of Georgia Procurement Process n Contract and Legal Support – GTA, Attorney General’s Office, GEMA n RFQC, RFP Development and Evaluation – GTRI (lead), GTA n Six calendar months n Controlling documents – contract, RFP, RFP Responses n No Protest

Motorola MOTOBridge n Comprised of 4 basic components: n Operational Management Control (OMC) Server n Keeps track of network configuration and is used to manage entire system n Two redundant systems (main and backup) n Session Initiated Protocol (SIP) Server n Sets up calls on the system n Two redundant systems (main and backup) n Radio Gateway Unit (RGU) n Connects the radio systems into the network n Resides in every jurisdiction (usually in communications center) n Work Station Gateway Unit (WSGU) n Gives dispatcher access to the system n Resides in every jurisdiction (usually in communications center)

MOTOBridge Technology SIP Server System A System B OMC Server MPLS Dispatch 911 Dispatch VHF 800 MHz UHF RGU WSGU VHF MCU

Project Organization

Project Responsibilities n GEMA – Overall Program Management n GTRI – Project Management, Consulting Services n Motorola (Motorola Shops, SpaceNet) – Project Management, MOTOBridge Gateway Products & Services, Satellite Services n GTA (AT&T) – Project Management, Multi Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) Services

Design n Data network specifications n Network resource naming and addressing n Network security n Core site design n Mobile Communications Unit design n Training, technical support, test procedures, standard operating procedures n Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) n Methodology n Detailed design

Project Evolution n Pilot Phase n 4 PSAPs n 1 MCU n 2 OMC Servers n 2 SIP Servers n Phase 1 (Additions) n 64 PSAPs n 1 MCU n Phase 2 (Funded Additions) n 37 PSAPs n Phase 3 (Estimated Additions) n 40 PSAPs

PSAP Design & Implementation

PSAP Design Activities n Site Walk by GTRI n Survey current power, data connectivity, space, and radio systems in use n Identify space, power, rack requirements, data connectivity and schedule required for LETPP n Identify Agencies dispatched n Interoperability Workshop facilitated by GTRI n PSAP staff internalizes interoperable needs through completion of Agency Interoperability Matrix (AIM) n Row 1 – Agencies Dispatched; Column 1 – Desired Interoperability; Cells – How accomplished n Assign Radio Resources by type and quantity to satisfy AIM n Create Interoperability Roadmap © Copyright Georgia Tech Research Corporation Atlanta, Georgia ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

RGU Interoperability 4W+Tone Remote Control Serial (RS232) (Enables Radio controls, Emergency Notification and Wireless Data) 4W+E&M/Tone Remote Control SmartZone 800 MHz System P MHz System MPLS Network MPLS Network CEB BIM 4W Serial (RS232) Station Conventional/ Trunked PSTN Consolette 1 to 8 interface Connections per RGU Cell LMR System Aviation

AIM and RGU Agency/ Agency County Dispatch Cherokee SO Holly Springs PD Pickens County DispatchPSTNR-GU/VHF RadioR-GU/VHF Dawson County DispatchPSTNR-GU/VHF RadioR-GU/VHF GSP Dispatch PSTN, WS-GUR-GU/NET RadioR-GU/NET Ports1234 Resource TypeVHF-H MAConsole I/F 800 MHz A/D Radio ResourceControl StationConsole I/F Control Station CDM-1550 XTL-5000 Source of ResourceStateLocal © Copyright Georgia Tech Research Corp. Atlanta, Georgia ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Project Provided: $132,000 n PSAP Equipment n RGU, WSGU, Workstation, VHF Radio System n Network Connectivity n Common System Equipment (share) n OMC Servers, SIP Servers, MCUs n Network Connectivity n Common Services (share) n Procurement, Technical, Project Management, Training, Support Local Government Provided: $5,500 (average)  Control Stations, Dispatch Console Interfaces PSAP Investment Summary

Workstation Installation

Rack Installation

MCU

n Radio Resources n 1 VHF repeater n 5 channel 800 MHz Trunking Capable Repeater System (MCU #1 only) n 1 Aviation Radio n 2 Amateur Radios n MHz Control Stations n 2 VHF Control Stations n 2 UHF Control Stations n 1 Low Band Control Station n Cache of MHz and 25 VHF portables n Operational Modes n Interconnected to LETPP MPLS via satellite n Free standing

n Factory Acceptance Test n Site Tests (PSAP and Core) n Mobile Communications Unit Acceptance Test n Pilot Acceptance Test n Overall System Acceptance Test System Testing

Standard Operating Procedures n PSAP (End User) n Core Sites (Network Administrator) n Business, Technical n Mobile Communication Unit n Gateway Vendor n IP (MPLS) Network n Reseller, Service Provider n Satellite Service Provider

Vendor Training n End Users (Train the Trainer) n System Administrators n System Engineers n MCU Operators LETPP Exercises n Local n Regional n State-wide Training and Education

Marketing n Presentations to Stakeholders n GEMA Newsletters n Project Kick-off Meetings n Presentations and demos at Georgia Emergency Management Conferences n Print media interviews and articles n Television interview and news clip

Coverage Map

Interstate Interoperability n Muscogee County – Phenix City, AL n Catoosa County – Chattanooga, TN n Columbia County – Aiken, SC (In Discussion) n Richmond County – SC (Palmetto 800 Network) n TBD County – Florida (Florida Interoperability Network)

Project Time Lines n Feasibility Complete – 12/04 n Project Start – 2/05 n Procurement Complete – 9/05 n Pilot Project Start – 11/05 n Phase One Production Start – 7/06 n Phase Two Production Start – 2/07 n Phase Two Production Complete – 12/07 n Phase Three Production (estimate) – 1/08 to 12/08

n Draw on the experience of others n Use executive sponsor to deal with political issues n Create a synergistic environment for combined project teams n Deliver consistent messages n Invite elected officials, local government administrators, public safety chiefs to project kickoff meeting Lessons Learned

n Tune the implementation process periodically and with any significant change n Thorough documentation is critical to project success n Be prepared for delays due to redesign – system of systems Lessons Learned

n Local radio shops are key to project success n Gateway training for shops should be timely with multiple representatives per shop n Expect implementation quality variations in shops - minimize with better documentation Lessons Learned

n Involve local finance personnel in kickoff meetings and allow project time in the decision process for a board meeting n Involve the shops in client meetings, particularly interoperability workshops n Teach solution value by involving the client in the PSAP design process n Project should address technology, associated business processes and necessary organizational structure Lessons Learned

Questions?

Contact Information Douglas Cobb – Doug Cohen – Jay Sexton –