Progress 09/15/04 to 09/14/07
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Catalyst Communications Technologies, Inc. (CCTI) has successfully completed the USDA SBIR research project, "Peer-to-Peer VoIP Link for Radio Interoperability, Fire Management, and Security." We have completed the research, have results from field trials, and have completed the comprehensive prototype. Demand for these solutions is substantial. Catalyst has sold solutions incorporating technologies developed under this SBIR to many different customers across the United States. Our commercialization efforts are producing significant interest from the market and are helping to fund additional work and features that extend beyond the scope of this project. Catalyst has met the three primary objectives of this project. We have enhanced our Phase I prototype to support eight simultaneous radio systems in each link and have demonstrated this capability in the field. We have analyzed the performance of our prototype on heavily loaded networks and repeatedly demonstrated its tolerance of single point failures. We have researched and prototyped techniques to make the technology easy to use with little training in stressful environments. Additional user interface work is required to integrate this technology with our evolving product family. Catalyst and our partners at Virginia Tech have successfully completed each of the five research and development tasks. Our research of error correcting codes has clearly demonstrated the right approach for a new design to make critical voice more understandable when computer networks are very busy with competing traffic. This technology was so extensively simulated in the research phase of the project that we were able to circumvent the prototyping stage and are ready to proceed with commercialization. Catalyst has made great strides in researching and prototyping user procedures and techniques to optimize the man-machine interface. We have completed the design and prototyping of an intelligent patching interface that builds on and expands the capabilities of the Phase 1 patching interface. The capacity has been expanded; we enhanced the queuing capability, and have implemented Network Address Translation and multicasting. The order of commercialization of this work has been largely market driven, as we are able to sell these new capabilities and get field data and incremental revenues. As a result, most of these design changes are not only working in the laboratory, they are working in the field, providing support to public safety organizations. Catalyst has conducted extensive validation of these new capabilities, testing in our laboratory, in the field, and at Virginia Tech. PARTICIPANTS: George Washington National Forest Bexar Metro, San Antonio TX Beavercreek Township Fire Department, Ohio Dr. Scott Midkiff, Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University Michael J. Schools, Engineering Manager, Catalyst Communications Tech Inc. Michael M. Minkler, Engineer, Catalyst Communications Tech Inc. Robin W. Grier, President, Catalyst Communications Tech Inc. TARGET AUDIENCES: Our target audience includes 2.5 million U.S. federal, state, and local public safety first responders in Fire, EMS, and Law Enforcement, as well as thousands of other dispatchers and radio communications users. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
As a result of this research program, technology has been significantly advanced in Catalyst's products, which is having a direct impact on public safety through enhanced communications between government agencies across the country. Catalyst is actively marketing and selling field proven versions of our product to public safety agencies across the country. We currently have shipped the standard product to a large number of customers that serve fire, law enforcement, and other public safety agencies across the country. One customer in Erie, PA has fielded a system that contains 59 radio gateways across a large county containing disparate radio systems from a number of manufactures and technologies. The Catalyst system saved this customer millions of dollars by avoiding the purchase of a completely new radio system and providing for the ability to centralize their radio dispatch and interoperability operations to a single location. Catalyst is marketing the product both directly and through third parties. Recent promotions of the product included demonstrations at several national and regional trade shows as well as through presentations at these events. A similar campaign will take place over the next twelve months including demonstrations and presentations at the International Wireless Communications Expo in March and the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials in August. We have also been able to sell increasingly sophisticated and specialized versions of our system. For example, our solution is being used extensively in Southwest Ohio to create interoperability between multiple fire fighters as well as law enforcement officers and other public safety officials. Originally implemented by the Beaver Creek Township Fire Department, several surrounding agencies have purchased their own Catalyst solutions and these systems can be operating autonomously from Beaver Creek's or in conjunction with it. This system is used on a daily basis and for major regional events (see Publications below). As another example, the Florida Highway Patrol uses the products created from this research to restore basic communications (operability) and to create cross agency communications (interoperability) through out the state. FHP has installed Catalyst Gateways in a mobile command vehicle and in fixed locations and can route critical voice communications as Voice over IP via landline, commercial data systems, and even via satellite. Major Williams from FHP described the impact that this technology is making for his Florida residences while presenting a paper at the 2008 International Wireless Communications Expo (see Publications below).
Publications
- Wiendorf, Joe; Abdul Osman, and Robin Grier. "WiMax for Critical Public Safety Dispatching & Interoperability." International Wireless Communications Expo, February 2007.
- Roberts, Mary Rose. "Ohio Township's Interoperability Network Adds Users." Mobile Radio Technology news brief May 24, 2006. http://mrtmag.com/news/beavercreek_interoperable_communications_05240 6. Also papers presented.
- O'Chester, Jeff and Robin Grier. "An Interoperability Case Study: Intelligent Interoperability Implementation at Beavercreek Township Fire Department." International Wireless Communications Expo, May 18, 2006.
- Hiester, Nathan. "Interoperability on the Fly." Urgent Communications, Sept 2008.
- Careless, James. "Radio over IP: The Next Big Thing in First Responder Communications." EMS, August 2008.
- Williams, Steven A. and Robin Grier. "Disaster Recovery: Pushing the Envelope with Wireless IP." International Wireless Communications Expo, February 27, 2008.
- Adelman, Robert M. and Robin Grier. "Stretching Homeland Security Dollars for Interoperability and Back-Up Dispatch." APCO International 72nd Annual Conference & Exposition, August 2006.
- Roberts, Mary Rose. "Texas County Builds Interoperable System." Mobile Radio Technology news brief August 11, 2006. http://mrtmag.com/news/texas_interoperable_apco_081106. Also papers presented.
- Midkiff, Scott and Robin Grier. "What's Coming Next in Network Based Interoperability" International Wireless Communications Expo, April 2005.
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Progress 10/01/05 to 09/30/06
Outputs
Catalyst Communications Technologies, Inc. (CCTI) continues to make excellent progress on the USDA SBIR research project Peer to Peer VoIP Link for Radio Interoperability, Fire Management, and Security. We have completed virtually all of the research portions of the project, have received valuable feedback from marketing and customers on our user interface demonstration software, and are in the initial stages of testing portions of the comprehensive prototype. The following describes progress to date for each task. Task 1 - Research Error-Correcting Codes, Advanced NATing, and Multicast. Catalyst completed these tasks in the previous reporting period. Task 2 - Research Administrative, Security, and Coordination Issues. Catalyst has completed the research effort and is moving into design and prototyping. Evaluation of a new technique for creating interoperability patches between disparate radio systems has been accomplished by creating a software application that
demonstrates the conceptual design of the user interface. This software has been used by customers, engineers, and market experts to evaluate the feasibility of these techniques that will be used to create, manage, and examine intelligent patching of radio channels in disparate radio systems. The novel design uses a familiar dispatch console look and feel to provide an intuitive method for constructing complex patches that can be unidirectional and/or link specific talk groups to other talk group in virtually any combination. A shortcut naming concept is introduced that allows radio systems and talk groups to be abstracted for novice users. User feedback has been very positive and the demo software will be used as a starting point for implementation of the prototype. Task 3 - Design Second-Generation Product. Catalyst has made significant progress in the design of a second-generation Radio over IP interoperability solution. Leveraging our Phase I prototype, our field experience with
it, and the research from tasks 2 and 3, we have made refinements to the design of the NATing and multicast solutions. The design for patching of disparate radio systems has been conceptually accomplished through the demonstration application created in Task 2, though some detailed design work continues. Task 4 - Develop Test Bed Software We have incrementally implemented the second-generation design by evolving our Phase I prototype. Additional refinements have been made to our radio system queuing and the framework for varying network latency based on some initial field testing. This refined first phase of the software has been completed and is performing well. Incorporation of infrastructure and messaging changes to support Basic NATing functionality and multicast into our prototype has been completed. Extensive user interface software was written as part of the task 2 demonstration application and provides an excellent starting point for incorporation of this function into the
prototype. Task 5 - System Validation Test Preliminary testing is an ongoing process. Validation Testing will commence when we have incorporated all key components from our research and design into the prototype.
Impacts
This project addresses one of the critical needs for battling wild fires and maintaining homeland security: radio interoperability. Today, federal, state, local, and other first-responder organizations use two-way radios restricted to one of five different bands of channels. Radios designed to operate on one band of channels cannot talk directly to those designed for a different band. Thus lives and property are at risk, because organizations cannot communicate during a crisis. Items addressed during this reporting period to tackle the interoperability challenge involve a new way of creating patches between disparate radio systems. This novel way of linking radios allows one way patching so that the police department, for instance, can hear fire department traffic on one of their channels, but the fire department cannot hear police radio traffic. The solution also leverages intelligent radio control to allow a few radios to route calls between many talk groups, creating
a very cost effective solution. Early adopters have already used less sophisticated predecessors of this flexible solution for interoperability as well as for backup dispatch. For instance the Beaver Creek, OH Fire Department has deployed this technology and has been using it nearly every day since fall 2004 for interoperability. Since that time Catalyst has provided several software upgrades to address technical issues and enhance its capability. Beaver Creek's neighbor, Springfield, OH, has recently installed additional Catalyst equipment to extend the interoperability capabilities in the area.
Publications
- Roberts, Mary Rose, 2006. Ohio township's interoperability network adds users, MRT Magazine daily news brief, http://mrtmag.com/news/beavercreek_interoperable_communications_05240 6/
- Roberts, Mary Rose, 2006. Texas county builds interoperable system, MRT Magazine daily news brief, http://mrtmag.com/news/texas_interoperable_apco_081106/
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Progress 09/15/04 to 09/15/05
Outputs
Catalyst Communications Technologies, Inc. (CCTI) is making excellent progress on the USDA SBIR research project Peer to Peer VoIP Link for Radio Interoperability, Fire Management, and Security. We have completed significant portions of the research, have results from field trials on portions of the work, and are moving forward with the comprehensive prototype. The following describes each task and our progress to date. Task 1 - Research Error-Correcting Codes, Advanced NATing, and Multicast Catalyst has completed these tasks and developed several novel approaches that will improve the performance of Radio over IP systems. Most significantly, we have identified a specific Error Correcting Coding algorithm that best compensates for network disruptions that would normally distort two-way radio voice communications. We ran simulations using two different error correcting techniques. Our research also shows that the MOS can be improved approximately one-third of a point
by using the optimal packet size versus the one used on our Phase I prototype. We have conducted in-depth discussions with IT professionals from a variety of agencies regarding Network Address Translation (NAT) and deploying multicast across disparate networks as well as an associated academic study on the same topic. These efforts have yielded design recommendations for addressing both of these issues. Task 2 - Research Administrative, Security, and Coordination Issues Catalyst has conducted research on the procedures of public safety organizations and their needs to create and manage links between disparate radio systems. Catalyst has completed a requirements document for this user interface and is continuing to review it based on marketing feedback. Task 3 - Design Second-Generation Product Catalyst has made significant process in the design of a second-generation Radio over IP interoperability solution. We have leveraged our Phase I prototype, our field experience with it, and our
research to redesign our software-based approach to routing two-way radio audio between disparate systems. Catalyst has completed a draft of a series of design documents describing both the user interface and the engine for this functionality. Task 4 - Develop Test Bed Software We have incrementally implemented the second-generation design by evolving our Phase I prototype. Initially we expanded the capacity of the interoperability link from four to eight radio systems. We enhanced the robustness of the links with new messaging and other applications level changes. Next we implemented the new design for radio system queuing and the framework for varying network latency. This first phase of this software has been completed and is performing well. Task 5 - System Validation Test The System Validation Test process is a continuous activity as we incorporate new modules into our software solution, evaluate their performance, and provide that functionality to public safety agencies for
field testing.
Impacts
This project addresses one of the critical needs for battling wild fires and maintaining homeland security: radio interoperability. Today, federal agencies as well as state, local, and other first-responder organizations use two-way radios that are restricted to one of five different bands of channels. Radios manufactured to operate on one band of channels cannot talk directly to radios manufactured to operate on a different band. As a result, lives and property are at risk, as first responders from different organizations are unable to communicate during a crisis. The need for a solution to radio interoperability is so great that several organizations have already deployed our Phase I prototype technology to gain access to the initial benefits that can be derived from the proof-of-concept version of this novel technology. The key innovation here is that the Catalyst system establishes low-cost, seamless, real-time compatibility among disparate radio systems without
the need to make any modifications of the radios themselves. Rather, it focuses on a central radio transmitter and receiver that interface with an existing computer network from any manufacturer. There is a great need for this solution; the National Institute of Justice, there are 2,500,000 Public Safety First Responders in the U.S. today, including 28,713 Fire and 6,034 EMS Departments with 960,000 firefighters and 830,000 emergency personnel, and 15,221 Law Enforcement Agencies with 710,000 Law Enforcement Officers.
Publications
- Grier, R.W., 2004. "Industry-University-Government Partnership Tackles Interoperability," Private Wireless Magazine, August 2004, pp. 16-19.
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University Mobile & Portable Radio Research Group, 2004. "MPRG Teams with Catalyst to Address Critical Homeland Security Issues," The Propagator/Volume 14 Number 2, pp. 6,11.
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