New Intelligent Gateway Technology
Soft Switch Economically Connects First Responders
A breakthrough in wireless communications technology may mean that public
safety agencies will no longer wonder whether they will be able to talk
to each other when they arrive at an emergency scene.
With Motorola’s new Soft Switch Radio Network (SSRN),
agencies at any government level will have the ability to talk with one
another regardless of the type of systems or frequencies they normally
use. Because of its advanced IP-based design, users also can access many
of the additional features they regularly depend on such as Emergency
Unit Identification.
Historically, a gateway switch provided a simple, economical way to create
a voice link between different communications systems so that personnel
at an emergency or large event could talk with one another. The interoperability
these gateways created was invaluable, but the limitations also were significant.
Gateways typically do not provide advanced calling features such as emergency
identification and have few if any system management features. Typical
gateways also suffer from having a single control point that would terminate
interoperability if a failure occurs at that point.
Among its many technological and configuration advantages, the new SSRN:
- Can be implemented by agencies of any size and can be expanded as
needs change. The system has the capacity for more than 10,000 talk
paths;
- Uses standard IP protocol;
- Can operate over Mission Critical, independent user IP and commercial
IP networks, eliminating additional IP overhead and support;
- Offers distributed control points, helping to ensure that there is
no single point of potential system failure;
- Provides instant recall, making it possible to immediately replay
a conversation without additional system components.
The flexibility and sophistication of the SSRN also means agencies have
innovative communications options. For example, dispatch centers throughout
a network or across different agencies and jurisdictions can be connected
quickly, allowing full duplex conversations for better coordination among
dispatchers or to enable a “group call” to all dispatchers in
a large-scale emergency.
Also, because the IP-based SSRN displays the identification of all units
operating on the network, dispatchers know instantly which field units
are requesting assistance. Agencies using deployable communication vehicles
also can be linked to the network while on scene, using standard IP connectivity.
“SSRN helps agencies to dramatically increase their interoperable
communications capabilities immediately, even as they consider more sophisticated
solutions for the future,” said Chuck Jackson, vice president and
director, system operations, for Motorola Communications and Electronics.
“If an agency chooses to move to a system-specific roaming or standards-based
shared solution for its routine communications in the future, the agency
still can use its SSRN system to connect with other agencies responding
to an emergency. That capability alone may make SSRN one of the most important
communications tools available to any public safety agency.”
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