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Overview of Georgia’s Interoperable Communications System

Overview of Georgia’s Interoperable Communications System . By Dr. Douglas Cobb (Presenter), Doug Cohen and Jay Sexton Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI ). Discussion Topics. Background – GTRI and Georgia Overview - LETPP Interoperable Communications Project Lessons Learned

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Overview of Georgia’s Interoperable Communications System

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  9. Administrative Model

  10. Project Stakeholders • Georgia Sheriffs Association • Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police • Georgia Emergency Management Association (GEMA) • Georgia State Patrol (GSP) • Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) • Georgia 9-1-1 Directors • Georgia Association of Fire Chiefs • Georgia Technology Authority (GTA) • Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) • Local Governments

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

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

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

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

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

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

  17. Project Organization

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

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

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

  21. PSAP Design & Implementation

  22. PSAP Design Activities • Site Walk by GTRI • Survey current power, data connectivity, space, and radio systems in use • Identify space, power, rack requirements, data connectivity and schedule required for LETPP • Identify Agencies dispatched • Interoperability Workshop facilitated by GTRI • PSAP staff internalizes interoperable needs through completion of Agency Interoperability Matrix (AIM) • Row 1 – Agencies Dispatched; Column 1 – Desired Interoperability; Cells – How accomplished • Assign Radio Resources by type and quantity to satisfy AIM • Create Interoperability Roadmap © Copyright 2005-2007 Georgia Tech Research Corporation Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0415 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  23. Serial (RS232) (Enables Radio controls, Emergency Notification and Wireless Data) 4W+E&M/Tone Remote Control Aviation Cell PSTN Conventional/Trunked P-25 800 MHz System Consolette CEB BIM Station MPLS Network 1 to 8 interface Connections per RGU LMR System 4W Serial (RS232) SmartZone 800 MHz System RGU Interoperability 4W+Tone Remote Control

  24. AIM and RGU © Copyright 2005-2007 Georgia Tech Research Corp. Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0415 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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

  26. Workstation Installation

  27. Rack Installation

  28. MCU

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

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

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

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

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

  34. Coverage Map

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

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

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

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

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

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

  41. Questions?

  42. Contact Information Douglas Cobb – 404-407-6343 douglas.cobb@gtri.gatech.edu Doug Cohen – 404-407-6985 douglas.cohen@gtri.gatech.edu Jay Sexton – 404-407-6653 jay.sexton@gtri.gatech.edu

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