Tactical Radio Interoperability for Emergency Response Personnel

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Tactical Radio Interoperability for Emergency
Response Personnel

• Incident Commanders Radio InterfaceTM ICRITM

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The ICRI Solution to a multitude of tactical
problems

• Interconnects municipal public safety radios,
  state and federal radios, land-line/cell/satellite
  telephones, and military radios in moments
  through the unmanned ICRI.
• ICRI provides a rugged, highly portable, radio
  cross-band (VHF, UHF, 800MHz), cross platform
  (digital/analog, trunked /talk-around, AM/FM)
  capability for mutual aid operations.
• Enhance the radio link between an emergency
  response team operating in areas of poor RF
  propagation (inside-outside buildings, tunnels)
  and remotely located C2 personnel by serving as
  a rapidly field-able repeater.

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ICRI - An effective and low cost solution

• Establishing immediate C2 with the dissimilar
  radios of Special Response Teams including USAR,
  police, medical triage, WMD-CST and other
  supporting agencies
• Enhancing in-building and below grade radio
  communications

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The Equipment (Patented)

• Small (10 x 3 x 7), rugged package/circuitry
• Highly portable (3.5 lbs)
• Rapidly deployable (under 5 minutes)
• Multiple radio interconnect without adding
  technical complexity
• Minimal operator training
• Wide range of power sources (including AA
  batteries)
• Low cost in equipment and allocated manpower

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ICRI in Action
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Additional Details1

• A small, lightweight interconnect assembly for
  dissimilar radios (models/frequencies,
  clear/encrypted, talk-around/ trunked) used by
  the multiple organizations/teams at an IDLH
  incident.
• A rugged assembly that can be transported to an
  incident without special transport or power
  requirements.

• The device will provide an audio matrix interface
  between multiple commercial/military land mobile
  radios (LMR) or different types and operating
  frequencies, and a land-line/ cellular telephone.

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Additional Details2

• The maintainer (e.g. a Battalion Chief) of the
  ICRI is not required to maintain radios other
  than his own, as each supporting organization
  that arrives on-scene brings one extra of its
  own radios to be mated to the ICRI for the
  duration of the incident.
• Additional matrix/radio ports are provided for
  in the design to permit additional IC radios to
  join the IC voice network. Each audio input
  port, except the telephone port (where it is not
  necessary), uses a voice activation radio key
  and receive priority circuitry.

• Power requirement for the ICRI is 7-20V, 0.08
  Amps so that 8 AA batteries will power the ICRI
  for more than 24 hours under 100 operating load.

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Additional Details3

• Two talk-groups can be established by toggle
  switch.
• Encrypted voice can be passed cross band/cross
  platform.
• Remote all call can be enabled by telephone or
  two-way radio.
• Alternate power sources 115-220V AC 50/60 Hertz,
  vehicle-supplied 12 volts DC.
• Two ICRIs can be joined in the field--without
  tools--to expand the number of linked radios.
• Optional Pelican cases with diecut foam insert
  provides water-proof, decon-able operational
  capabilities, and checked-baggage transport.
• Optional audio delay circuitry available to
  address channel access delays in trunked radio
  systems.
• Talk group monitoring/recording capability for
  training and archiving.
• Five (5) year warrantee for parts and labor

Rack-mount version with ALL-CALL feature
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Standard Application

• Frequency/channel is agency defined, not
  stipulated by ICRI
• Radios supplied by individual supporting teams
• Connect through radios external speaker mic jack

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ICRI with Attachments (Not to scale)

• 1. Ports are not radio specific (mobiles or
  portables)
• 2. User instructions on top cover
• 3. Interconnect cable technical notes on bottom
  cover

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Alternate Applications

• Below grade/in-building link to trunked repeater

Repeater body wire signal
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Capacity to build out for more than just L-O-S
communications interoperability
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Additional Details3

• Two talk-groups can be established by toggle
  switch.
• Encrypted voice can be passed cross band/cross
  platform.
• Remote all call can be enabled by telephone or
  two-way radio.
• Alternate power sources 115-220V AC 50/60 Hertz,
  vehicle-supplied 12 volts DC.
• Two ICRIs can be joined in the field--without
  tools--to expand the number of linked radios.
• Optional Pelican cases with diecut foam insert
  provides water-proof, decon-able operational
  capabilities, and checked-baggage transport.
• Optional audio delay circuitry available to
  address channel access delays in trunked radio
  systems.
• Talk group monitoring/recording capability for
  training and archiving.
• Five (5) year warrantee for parts and labor

Rack-mount version with ALL-CALL feature
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C-AT solves a critical and growing issueInterop
Unit ID and Remote Control DTMF
C-AT has developed the Interop Unit ID and
Remote Control DTMF features for the ICRI in
response to the critical disruption of radio
communications that can occur when more than one
"bridge" device links radios with identical
frequencies, causing heterodyning. Both bridges
and all radios connected to them become locked up
and rendered useless until the bridge is removed.
These features radically simplify the task of
locating the owner of the interfering bridge and
in shutting the device down. The Interop Unit
ID is a digitized speech message programmed by
the user organization / agency. The ID is
transmitted when the unit is first powered up
on all talk groups and then at preset intervals
of 0, 5, 10, or 15 minutes and will
automatically waits to broadcast if there is
any radio activity at the interval mark.
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Expanding The ICRIs Capabilities

• Interior building/below grade radio interface
  cable reel and mount for hand-held radio. Up to
  1000 of cable runs have been successfully used
  in the subway and mall incidents.

Circuitry emulating a telephone handset station
signal level and impedances for VoIP gateways
Use standard CAT5 cable to link multiple ICRIs
up to 200 apart
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Expanding The ICRIs CapabilitiesICRI-E

• 7.0 lbs
• 10.5 x 9.5 x 6.0
• WATERPROOF, SAND-PROOF
• Internal housing for eight (8) AA
  alkaline/primary batteries provide an 24 hour
  duty cycle also uses external DC (7-31V)
• Uses standard military connectors and
  compatible with the H-25-/350 green gear
  handset

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Expanding The ICRIs CapabilitiesICRI-WF

• 2.7 lbs
• BACK PACK-ABLE
• 10.5 x 9.5 x 1.0
• Internal lithium ion rechargeable batteries
  provide an 8 hour duty cycle also uses the ICRI
  8 AA alkaline battery pack providing a 24 hour
  duty cycle

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Expanding The ICRIs CapabilitiesICRI-2P

• 2.7 lbs
• Tactical Repeater
• 7.5 x 9.5 x 1.5
• Two Radio I/O ports telephone port
• Internal 9V battery housing provides a 5 hour
  duty cycle also uses the ICRI 8 AA alkaline
  battery pack providing a 24 hour duty cycle

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Expanded Capabilities ICRI-4TG, 5 Radio Port

• Total weight 4.5lbs
• 4 talk group selection for all ports
• Rugged, welded chassis (7 x 10 x 3.5)
• 5 radio ports, handset or headset port, telephone
  port
• Cell and land-line telephone (POTS/PSTN)
  compatible
• Commercial and military satellite compatible
• Low band, VHF, 220-900MHz legacy and P25
  portable/mobile compatible
• Operates on external 6.5V-20, 115/220 AC
• Low current drain 100mA _at_12V, 10 radio bridge
  200mA _at_12V
• 5 year warranty, includes prepaid expedited
  shipping

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Expanded Capabilities ICRI-4TG, 10 Radio Port

• Total weight 20lbs
• Integrated, water-proof Pelican case
• 10 radio ports, handset or headset port,
  telephone port
• 4 talk group selection for all ports
• Cell and land-line telephone (POTS/PSTN)
  compatible
• Commercial and military satellite compatible
• HF, UHF, VHF, 700-900MHz and P25 portable/mobile
  compatible
• Low current drain
• 5 radio bridge mode 100mA _at_12V,
• 10 radio bridge mode 200mA _at_12V

• Operates on 8 or 16 AA batteries, external
  6.5V-20 (24-31VDC option), 115/220 AC

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Expanding The ICRIs CapabilitiesFour Talk
Group, Rack-Mount Configuration

• Total weight15lbs
• 19 2U rack-mountable
• 5 or 10 radio I/O, handset/headset I/O
• 2 or 4 talk group selection for all ports
• Fully compatible with low band, VHF, 220-900MHz
  legacy and P25 portable/mobile radios
• Cell and land-line telephone (POTS/PSTN)
  compatible
• Commercial and military satellite compatible
• Bridge Unit ID
• Bridge All Call
• VoIP options include DTMF pad/hook/flash switch
• Operates on external 6.5V-20, 115/220 AC
• Low current drain 200mA _at_12V
• 5 year warranty, includes prepaid expedited
  shipping

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Expanded Capabilities ICRI-4TG, 10 Radio Port
with VoIP

• 10 radio ports, handset or headset port,
  telephone port
• 4 talk group selection for all ports
• Cell and land-line telephone (POTS/PSTN)
  compatible
• Commercial and military satellite compatible
• Low band, VHF, 220-900MHz legacy and P25
  portable/mobile compatible
• VoIP options include DTMF pad/hook/flash switch
• Operates on external 6.5V-20, 115/220 AC
• Low current drain 200mA _at_12V

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ICRI Integration

• Transit Case with VHF, UHF, and 800MHz Radio as
  configured for State of New Jersey SIEC

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Integrated Interoperability Suite (IIS)

• Provide seamless interoperability between
  emergency services communications networks,
  including agency two-way radios, with
  satellite-based extensions to public or private
  networks. The IIS enables agencies to communicate
  via satellite to available infrastructure
  communications. Voice and Data services are fully
  supported as well as VPN.

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Integrated Interoperability Suite (IIS)

• Highly portable (45 lbs)
• Minimal operator training
• Wide range of power sources
• Rapidly deployable (under 5 minutes)
• Small (25 x24 x20), rugged package/circuitry
• Low cost in equipment and allocated manpower
• Multiple radio interconnect without adding
  technical complexity

After considerable research for an integrated
solution to our region's tactical communications
interoperability needs, I found that the
EdgeAccess/ICRI solution to be simple, affordable
and effective. This solution provides us
unprecedented tactical interoperability with
virtually anyone in the world and can be set up
in minutes. The choice was a "no
brainer". Charles L. Werner, Deputy Fire Chief,
Charlottesville VA wernerc_at_charlottesville.va.us
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Comments from the FieldCharlottesville (VA)
Fire Department

• The ICRI provides the immediate ability to
  achieve radio interoperability between any
  wireless radio and/or wireless device.  The
  unique feature of the ICRI is that not only can
  it meet the Rapidcom requirement of being
  deployed within one hour of an incident it can
  literally be setup within 5 minutes.
• Key to successful implementation, this device can
  be used to achieve interoperable communications
  with very little training and no technical
  assistance which is particularly important to
  adapting to new agencies or devices that need to
  connect.  It is scalable and provides and may be
  used in an extended capacity through the use of a
  wire cable allowing interoperability to be used
  in buildings, basements, below grade/confined
  space and tunnel incidents.

The ICRI is portable and can be used practically
anywhere (in any vehicle, in a facility,
etc.). From a cost perspective it is one of the
most competitive devices for this functionality
on the market and is generally 1/3 the price of
similar market products. It has been tested,
accepted and is being deployed in military,
public safety and emergency management settings
around the world. Fire Chief Charles Werner
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Comments from the FieldHouston (TX) Police
Department

• I currently serve as the Co-Chair of the
  Interoperability Committee along with Assistant
  Chief Smith of the Houston Fire Department. Last
  year I was requestedto research and evaluate
  different pieces of radio equipment that would
  allow the various Public Safety Agencies in the
  Houston / Harris County area to speak directly
  with each other by radio despite the incompatible
  radio networks.
• What I found was the Incident Commander Radio
  Interface (ICRI) was the most suitable piece of
  equipment for rapidly deployable, day-to-day use.
  The City has since purchased 10 of these units
  and distributed them to the Police and Fire
  Departments.
• Since taking delivery of these units I have had
  the opportunity to use them twice to coordinate
  large, muti-agency searches for armed suspects.
  In both instances the unit allowed Houston Police
  Officers to communicate directly by radio with
  the other agencies participating in the search
  alongside themWhen searching a several acre area
  for multiple armed suspects the necessity for the
  patrol officers on the ground, the officers in
  the helicopter, and canine handlers to be able to
  speak directly to each other in real time is
  clear.
• Lieutenant S. F. Casko

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Comments from the FieldCoalition Warrior
Interoperability Demonstration (CWID 05)

• In all, CWID '05 had 49 trials with 39 of them
  applicable to USNORTHCOM and its HLS/D coalition
  partners missions. This After Action Report
  (AAR) details the assessment results for 26
  trials we identified as most promising from a
  HLS/D perspective. Of the 26 trials, USNORTHCOM
  recommends 3 trials for JFCOM consideration as
  input to the Transformation Change Proposal (TCP)
  process for further evaluation and funding. The
  nominated trials highlighted in this AAR are
• Weapons of Mass Destruction Common Operational
  Picture (WMD COP)
• Multi-level-secure Information Infrastructure
  (MI2)
• Incident Commander Radio Interface (ICRI)
• Use of ICRI will enhance relationships between
  USNORTHCOM, its subordinate JTFs, the National
  Guard and local and state emergency operations
  centers by providing the ability to rapidly link
  the communications systems used by civil agencies
  and those systems used by military first
  responders.
• HQ USNORTHCOM, CWID 05 After Action Report

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Comments from the FieldAEC Summit County (OH)
ARES

• Responding to the mock disaster scene in support
  of the EMS units and the American Red Cross, our
  local Amateur Radio Emergency Service, SumCo
  ARES, opted to use a repeater operated by Pioneer
  Amateur Radio Fellowship, which reaches all the
  hospitals but only has marginal coverage in the
  valley. There was no problem getting out of the
  valley with a 25 watt mobile and an elevated
  antenna, but HTs were marginal at best, forcing
  most traffic to be related through the mobile.
  This method is prone to errors because messages
  have to be relayed to net and then the response
  relayed back to volunteers using HTs. Ideally, a
  mobile with cross-band repeat would be ideal in
  this environment but none was available among the
  ARES volunteers responding to this drill.

The perfect solution to solving all the above
problems is the Incident Commanders Radio
Interface (ICRI) which was demonstrated at the
ARES/EMA state meeting this past spring by John
Chapman, WD8INY, Ohio SEC. At that meeting, ARES
ECs and AECs from throughout Ohio gathered for
emercomm updates from the Ohio EMA and the ARRL.
Chapman had borrowed the unit from the
manufacturer, Communication-Applied Technology,
Reston, VA, which primarily markets the ICRI to
the military and public safety forces. Unlike
cross-band mobiles, the ICRI can cross link to
five radios using HTs or mobiles. This is a
decided advantage in a large scale
disaster. Walt Heeney N8LJM
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Comments from the FieldGreenville (SC) EMA

• We originally looked at the ACU-1000, and I
  worked with the two representatives sent here to
  plan it out its deployment in this jurisdiction.
  My recommendation was that the ACU-1000 was much
  too expensive and large for us to effectively
  use, and that it would not fully meet our
  interoperability needs. That's when I started
  looking for an alternative, and found the ICRI.
  Since then, we've found the ICRI to be a valuable
  resource, and we have done business exclusively
  with C-AT ever since.
• Robert Ward

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Cost

• Complete, multi-agency, communications
  interoperability does not need to cost 100K, or
  even 50K
• Configure a quickly deployable ICRI to link
  portable radios, mobile radios, iDENTM phones,
  and cell phones for 4,000 to 10,000.
• Configure a quickly deployable IIS for
  55-65,000. including the satellite dish.
  Configure a quickly deployable IIS for
  55-65,000. including the satellite dish.

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For Additional Information

• G. Seth Leyman
• Communications-Applied Technology
• 11250-14 Roger Bacon Drive, Reston, VA, 20190
• Voice 703-481-0068 Fax [phone]
• e-mail leymans_at_c-at.com
• Website www.radiointeroperability.com
• CAGE Code 0EEY2, TIN 54-1215868
• DOL Small Business SIC 3669