Title: Mobile Data Workshop.ppt
1Law Enforcement Information Technology Mobile
Data Laptops 2004 COPS Technical Assistance
Conference Dallas, TXNovember 9, 2004
2Agenda
- Introductions
- Workshop Objectives
- Core Technology Components
- Wireless Infrastructure
- Mobile Data Software
- Mobile Data Devices
- Mobile Data Costs
- Successful Case Studies
- Captain Woody Sandy, North Carolina Highway
Patrol - Deputy Chief Ron Glensor, Reno Police Department
- Issues and Challenges
- Discussion and Questions
3Introductions
Ron Glensor Assistant Chief Reno Police
Department
4Workshop Objectives
- Develop a common understanding of mobile data
technology terms - Improve understanding of current technologies
being used and considered by conference attendees - Identify technology alternatives for potential
short and long term improvements - Familiarize and demystify mobile data technology
- Share best practices on core mobile data
technology planning issues
5Core TechnologyComponents
6Background
- Mobile data is the transmission and receipt of
information using radio frequency signals - Several types of users are supported by wireless
technologies - Mobile/portable users
- Remote users
- Telecommuters
- Benefits include
- Immediate access to critical information
- Field personnel safety and empowerment
- Reductions in voice radio traffic
- Increased time in the community on patrol
- Remote interactive access to business
applications - Work order processing
- Maintenance Management and Inventory
- Project Management
- GIS
- Office automation (email, etc.)
7Wireless Infrastructure
8Key Considerations
Cost
Grade of Service
Application Requirements
Coordination And Partnerships
Migration Path
POTENTIAL NEEDS
Funding
Coverage
Interference
Interoperability
Network Management
Standards And Technology
Security
9Mobile Data Networks
- Agency-Owned Networks
- Telco Networks
- iDEN
- CDPD
- GPRS
- EDGE
- CDMA 1xRTT
- Other Mobile Data Technologies
10Agency-Owned Networks
- Private radio networks owned by agencies
- Limited data speeds currently available
- Often able to re-use key components of voice
infrastructures - Packet switched, message based technologies
- Dedicated access for users
- Can be conventional or trunked technology
- Wide-area coverage system providers include
Dataradio, EF Johnson, M/A-COM and Motorola - High-speed data applications will require
agencies to secure spectrum in the 700 MHz and
4.9 GHz bands
11Agency-Owned Networks
- Advantages
- Optimizes existing infrastructure
- Agency control
- Dedicated use
- Potentially lower recurring costs
- Can provide coverage where needed (everywhere)
- Disadvantages
- Requires radio frequencies
- Additional administration and maintenance
responsibilities - Moderate data rates
- Requires fixed infrastructure throughout entire
coverage area - Capitalizing on technology advances can be costly
- High initial costs
12Telco Networks
- No agency frequencies required
- Minimal up-front costs
- Lower hardware and software costs
- Higher monthly recurring costs
- Migration paths more feasible and economical
- No site development required
- Ability to provide for wide area roaming
- Most providers to not offer priority access for
public safety users - Maintenance and service not the responsibility of
the agency
13Telco Networks - iDEN (Nextel)
- Integrated Digital Enhanced Network
- Motorola packet-switched technology
- Throughput of 14.4 Kbps
- No migration path decisions made to date
- Nextel has submitted consensus plan to FCC for
refarming 800 MHz spectrum
14Telco Networks - Cellular Digital Packet Data
(CDPD)
- First commercial service widely adopted by public
safety agencies - Utilized for traditional mobile data applications
- Dispatch, status and vehicle-to-vehicle messaging
- Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL)
- Database inquiries
- Maximum throughput of 19.2 Kbps actual speeds
typically 10-14 Kbps - Service is available in most metropolitan areas
- Two major carriers offering national CDPD service
plan to discontinue the service - Verizon Announced that CDPD service will end in
2005 - ATT Wireless (Cingular) Announced that CDPD
service will end in June 2004. Recently
retracted this statement however, they still
plan to shut down the network in the near future. - Not a viable alternative due to coming
obsolescence
15Telco Networks - GPRS
- General Packet Radio Services
- Most widely deployed wireless technology
worldwide - Maximum throughput of 115 Kbps actual speeds
typically 30-50 Kbps - Security concerns due to dynamic IP addressing
- Major carriers include ATT/Cingular and T-Mobile
- Part of GSM migration path to faster data speeds
that will minimize technology replacement costs
for agencies
16Telco Networks - EDGE
- Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution
- Backward compatible with GPRS only modem
replacement required - Maximum throughput of 384 Kbps actual speeds
typically 80-128 Kbps - Successor to GPRS
- Rollouts to begin in 2004
- Migration path leads to UMTS (Universal Mobile
Telecommunications System) throughput of 2 Mbps
17Telco Networks - CDMA 1xRTT
- Code Division Multiple Access Single Carrier
Radio Transmission Technology - Digital spread spectrum technology efficiently
uses spectrum - Competing technology to GPRS and EDGE
- Major carriers include Verizon and Sprint
- Maximum throughput of 144 Kbps actual speeds
typically 40-60 Kbps - Migration path leads to CDMA 2000 up to 2.4
Mbps in throughput
18Other Mobile Data Technologies
- Wireless Local Area Networks (Cisco, 3COM,
Alvarion, Intermec, Nortel, Proxim, Symbol, etc.)
- Mesh Networks (Tropos, Mesh Networks, 5G,
Alvarion, Cisco, Lockheed Martin, Proxim, Vivato,
etc.) - Satellite (Motient, Globalstar, Iridium,
Teledesic, etc.)
19Wireless Local Area Networks
- Quickly becoming integrated into wireless
infrastructures throughout North America - Relatively inexpensive off-the-shelf technologies
- Able to carry data at speeds up to 11 Mbps
- Operate in unlicensed frequency bands above 2 GHz
security issues can be a concern - Used for short-range communications (100 to 500
feet) - Not intended for mobile vehicles seeking seamless
coverage across a wide area - Commonly deployed by placing Wireless Access
Points (WAP) at locations where mobile data users
operate (major routes, stations, service shops,
etc.)
20Mesh Networks
- RF packet technology (802.11x)
- Large number of low power repeaters
- Wider scale than traditional wireless LANS
- Transmission across very wide bandwidth
- Wireless repeaters distribute traffic throughout
network - Wired Access Points (WAP) connect network to
internet - Up to 500 Kbps
- Good for metropolitan areas
21Mesh Networks
.5 to 2 mi.
WAP
WAP
22Geosynchronous Earth Orbit Satellite
- Orbit the earth at 22,300 miles
- Rotates with the earth
- Provide ubiquitous coverage
- Propagation delays experienced
- Service has focused on video (DirecTV, Dish
Network), broadcasting and long-hall
transportation - Mobile data rates are low speed 4.8 to 9.6 Kbps
23Low Earth Orbit Satellite
- Orbit the earth at 300 to 900 Miles
- Require ring of orbiting satellites to provide
continuous coverage - Ubiquitous coverage
- Low data rates of 2.4 9.6 Kbps
- Iridium experienced significant financial
problems, rescued by US government - Initial promise has not emerged as originally
hoped (Teledesic, etc.)
24Satellites
Globalstar
Teledesic
25Mobile Data Software
26Mobile Data Software
- Mobile data software is best thought of as an
extension of an existing desktop application
(i.e., CAD) - Selecting a provider can be simple if an existing
vendor offers a mobile component that meets an
agencys needs - Decision becomes more difficult if the vendor
does not offer a mobile component and integration
or if total replacement is necessary - Network considerations
- Is the software network capable and wireless
friendly? - What are the minimum bandwidth requirements?
- How will the software react to a loss of network
connection? - Software functionality
- Important to confirm and test all required
functionality - Mobile clients are often streamlined versions of
the network clients with less functionality
27Mobile Data Software Functions
- Dispatch Messaging
- Status Messaging
- Vehicle-to-Vehicle Messaging
- Administrative Messaging
- Local, State and National Inquiries
- Citation Issuance
- Accident Reporting
- Automated Field Reporting
- Mapping
- Automatic Vehicle Location
- Magnetic Stripe Reading
- Fingerprint Scanning
- Office Automation
- Internet Access
28Key Considerations
29Automated Field Reporting
Stage 1 - Word Processing
Stage 2 - Field-Based Editing
Stage 3 - Paperless
30Things to Remember
- Mobile data software is comprised of multiple
layers - Client
- Server
- Interfaces
- Managing integration of the various layers is
central to a projects success - Several mobile data software applications are
proven today - Dispatching
- Messaging
- Queries
- AVL
- Communications center monitors unit location
- Recommend units to dispatch based on closest unit
- Able to send help to last location of vehicle
- Field units and Watch Commanders able to monitor
unit location - Field Reporting
- True paperless completion and approval of field
reports is still in developmental stages
31Things to Remember
- Mobile data software can be purchased in multiple
ways - Stand-alone
- As part of an overall CAD/RMS solution
- As part of overall mobile data infrastructure
solution - Failure to match mobile application needs to
mobile infrastructure needs often leads to
project failures - Critical policy decisions to make include
- Voiceless dispatching
- Handling of signatures
- Assignment of MDCs to officers versus vehicles
- PDAs
- Mandatory versus voluntary use for reporting
- Ongoing user and system administrator training is
critical to successful implementation
32Things to Remember
- Data integrity is critical to success
- Maintenance
- SLAs
- Vendor support
- Separate maintenance contracts
- Software versus solution support
- Upgrades
- Policies and procedures must be addressed before
the rollout of mobile data software - Signatures
- Approvals
- Routing
- Change from paper
- Computers DONT solve all problems
33Mobile Data Devices
34Devices
- Laptops
- Dumb terminals
- Tablets
- Handheld (Palm, iPAQ, Visor, etc.)
- Pagers (two-way alpha numeric)
35Peripherals
- Magnetic stripe readers
- Bar code readers
- Digital cameras
- Scanning devices
- In-vehicle portable printers
36Key Considerations
37Things to Remember
- Devices are the most interchangeable component of
the overall mobile data solution - Agencies should pay great attention to user input
when selecting mobile data devices - Involve fleet operations in planning and
selection - User acceptance can make or break an entire
project - Ergonomics are critical
- Mobile data printers are prone to problems
- Applications should drive mobile data purchases
- Identify life cycle costs leasing is a growing
trend - Budget for replacement costs every 3-5 years
- Strongly consider pilots when conducting
evaluations
38Mobile Data Costs
39Mobile Data Cost Components
- Infrastructure
- RF infrastructure
- Towers
- Interconnectivity
- Shelters
- Base stations
- Others
- Network access charges
- Fixed rate versus per megabyte pricing
- Software
- MDS application
- AFR application
- Third-party communications (network, IP,
security) - Application interfaces
- Upgraded connections (i.e., frame relay to 128
Kbps)
40Mobile Data Cost Components
- Hardware
- MDC unit
- Peripherals
- Modems
- Antennas
- Internal cabling
- Replacement batteries
- Services
- Hardware and software warranties
- Maintenance
- Integration
- Installation
- Project management
- Refresh costs for all components
41Successful Case Studies
42Successful Case Studies
- Captain Woody Sandy, North Carolina Highway
Patrol - Deputy Chief Ron Glensor, Reno Police Department
43Issues and Challenges
44Issues and Challenges
- Many of you received funding to purchase
MDTs/MDCs in your police vehicles. Few agencies
anticipated or planned for all the issues related
to installing this new technology. - List all of the issues that should/must be
addressed before implementation can be
successful - 1.
- 2.
- 3.
- 4.
- 5.
45Questions?
Asst. Chief Ron Glensor glensor_at_ci.reno.nv.us (775
) 334-3860 Captain Woody Sandy woody.sandy_at_ncshp.
org (919) 662-4440 Brian Hudson bhudson_at_thayerco
nsulting.com (213) 247-2243