https://urgentcomm.com/wp-content/themes/ucm_child/assets/images/logo/footer-new-logo.png
  • Home
  • News
  • Multimedia
    • Back
    • Multimedia
    • Video
    • Podcasts
    • Galleries
    • IWCE’s Video Showcase
    • IWCE 2022 Winter Showcase
    • IWCE 2023 Pre-event Guide
  • Commentary
    • Back
    • Commentary
    • Urgent Matters
    • View From The Top
    • All Things IWCE
    • Legal Matters
  • Resources
    • Back
    • Resources
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
    • Reprints & Reuse
  • IWCE
    • Back
    • IWCE
    • Conference
    • Special Events
    • Exhibitor Listings
    • Premier Partners
    • Floor Plan
    • Exhibiting Information
    • Register for IWCE
  • About Us
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Statement
    • Cookie Policy
  • Related Sites
    • Back
    • American City & County
    • IWCE
    • Light Reading
    • IOT World Today
    • Mission Critical Technologies
    • TU-Auto
  • In the field
    • Back
    • In the field
    • Broadband Push-to-X
    • Internet of Things
    • Project 25
    • Public-Safety Broadband/FirstNet
    • Virtual/Augmented Reality
    • Land Mobile Radio
    • Long Term Evolution (LTE)
    • Applications
    • Drones/Robots
    • IoT/Smart X
    • Software
    • Subscriber Devices
    • Video
  • Call Center/Command
    • Back
    • Call Center/Command
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • NG911
    • Alerting Systems
    • Analytics
    • Dispatch/Call-taking
    • Incident Command/Situational Awareness
    • Tracking, Monitoring & Control
  • Network Tech
    • Back
    • Network Tech
    • Interoperability
    • LMR 100
    • LMR 200
    • Backhaul
    • Deployables
    • Power
    • Tower & Site
    • Wireless Networks
    • Coverage/Interference
    • Security
    • System Design
    • System Installation
    • System Operation
    • Test & Measurement
  • Operations
    • Back
    • Operations
    • Critical Infrastructure
    • Enterprise
    • Federal Government/Military
    • Public Safety
    • State & Local Government
    • Training
  • Regulations
    • Back
    • Regulations
    • Narrowbanding
    • T-Band
    • Rebanding
    • TV White Spaces
    • None
    • Funding
    • Policy
    • Regional Coordination
    • Standards
  • Organizations
    • Back
    • Organizations
    • AASHTO
    • APCO
    • DHS
    • DMR Association
    • ETA
    • EWA
    • FCC
    • IWCE
    • NASEMSO
    • NATE
    • NXDN Forum
    • NENA
    • NIST/PSCR
    • NPSTC
    • NTIA/FirstNet
    • P25 TIG
    • TETRA + CCA
    • UTC
Urgent Communications
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Home
  • News
  • Multimedia
    • Back
    • Video
    • Podcasts
    • Omdia Crit Comms Circle Podcast
    • Galleries
    • IWCE’s Video Showcase
    • IWCE 2023 Pre-event Guide
    • IWCE 2022 Winter Showcase
  • Commentary
    • Back
    • All Things IWCE
    • Urgent Matters
    • View From The Top
    • Legal Matters
  • Resources
    • Back
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
    • Reprints & Reuse
    • UC eZines
    • Sponsored content
  • IWCE
    • Back
    • Conference
    • Why Attend
    • Exhibitor Listing
    • Floor Plan
    • Exhibiting Information
    • Join the Event Mailing List
  • About Us
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Cookie Policy
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Statement
  • Related Sites
    • Back
    • American City & County
    • IWCE
    • Light Reading
    • IOT World Today
    • TU-Auto
  • newsletter
  • In the field
    • Back
    • Internet of Things
    • Broadband Push-to-X
    • Project 25
    • Public-Safety Broadband/FirstNet
    • Virtual/Augmented Reality
    • Land Mobile Radio
    • Long Term Evolution (LTE)
    • Applications
    • Drones/Robots
    • IoT/Smart X
    • Software
    • Subscriber Devices
    • Video
  • Call Center/Command
    • Back
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • NG911
    • Alerting Systems
    • Analytics
    • Dispatch/Call-taking
    • Incident Command/Situational Awareness
    • Tracking, Monitoring & Control
  • Network Tech
    • Back
    • Cybersecurity
    • Interoperability
    • LMR 100
    • LMR 200
    • Backhaul
    • Deployables
    • Power
    • Tower & Site
    • Wireless Networks
    • Coverage/Interference
    • Security
    • System Design
    • System Installation
    • System Operation
    • Test & Measurement
  • Operations
    • Back
    • Critical Infrastructure
    • Enterprise
    • Federal Government/Military
    • Public Safety
    • State & Local Government
    • Training
  • Regulations
    • Back
    • Narrowbanding
    • T-Band
    • Rebanding
    • TV White Spaces
    • None
    • Funding
    • Policy
    • Regional Coordination
    • Standards
  • Organizations
    • Back
    • AASHTO
    • APCO
    • DHS
    • DMR Association
    • ETA
    • EWA
    • FCC
    • IWCE
    • NASEMSO
    • NATE
    • NXDN Forum
    • NENA
    • NIST/PSCR
    • NPSTC
    • NTIA/FirstNet
    • P25 TIG
    • TETRA + CCA
    • UTC
acc.com

Wireless Networks


Get your ducks in a row

Get your ducks in a row

Don't wing it when planning a system migration.
  • Written by Urgent Communications Administrator
  • 1st August 2009

Earlier this year, I was at a trade show in Las Vegas to give a presentation on successful land mobile radio (LMR) system migration. I had some free time, so I decided to try my hand at blackjack. Well, on my third trip to the ATM, it dawned on me that my game strategy might be flawed. I had the basic information down (how to hit and stand and the goal of getting cards to add up to 21), yet I did not quite understand all of the rules, all of my options, or where to go for expert advice.

As I returned to the table feeling less confident and more confused, my presentation topic popped into my head, and I realized how similar this feeling must be to not having a well-thought-out system migration strategy.

There are several reasons to migrate your legacy system, but before you can start, it’s important to accept that change really is inevitable. Former British Prime Minister Harold Wilson once said, “He who resists change is the architect of decay.” For your system migration to be successful, you will need to know two basic things: What your system looks like today, and what you want your system to look like tomorrow.

Much like blackjack, understanding your starting point is critical to making the right decisions for your system migration. The first step is to conduct a formal inventory of your current communications systems equipment, including portable and mobile radios with their model types and feature capabilities. For system infrastructure, create a site inventory of every piece of equipment in use, from base-station equipment to dispatch consoles. Record all of the available information, including the dates of installation, software versions, and physical quantities of equipment and users. This information will be important to track what equipment may be reusable and, therefore, help to lower migration costs.

Radio system migrations take place to increase user benefits, meet regulatory mandates or to update obsolete technology — or a combination of the three. While investing in a system migration can be a difficult decision, there is great value to the public-safety community in accepting the evolving world of communications. Benefits include additional spectrum available to first responders, increased levels of interoperability and features to make communication more efficient. These benefits can lead to a safer community because of the increased capabilities of its first responders to communicate.

In blackjack, the preferred destination — 21 — is a given, but in the world of LMR, there are many system choices for public-safety decision-makers to consider. Many users are moving from analog to digital, some from conventional to trunking, while others are migrating from proprietary to open-standards-based systems.

Analog to digital

Our technical world has become “digital,” and digital technologies are everywhere. Chances are you wake up to a digital alarm clock, you talk on a digital cell phone and, as of June 12, you watch digital television. The digital migration is taking place for good reason, as performance and features are enhanced in a digital environment. Some experts will state that coverage is reduced in a digital footprint and that analog radios will outperform digital radios in a high-noise environment. But, for most users, leaving analog behind and advancing to the digital world is a must that brings more benefits than detractions.

Wideband to narrowband

The basic goal of the narrowbanding mandate is to allow more users to use the available spectrum. On Jan. 1, 2013, the FCC will require that all systems below 512 MHz operate at 12.5 kHz efficiency. Many users today operate at 25 kHz, and the narrowband mandate means more users will operate within that fixed amount of spectrum. While many agencies have prepared their systems for this mandate, many remain unchanged. Complying with the FCC mandate sooner than later is highly recommended to avoid loss of license and incursion of FCC penalties, and to remove the risk of jeopardizing first responders’ ability to communicate. Furthermore, while there is no formal order yet to operate at a 6.25 kHz efficiency below 512 MHz, it is recommended that owners purchasing new systems investigate 6.25 kHz options or invest in systems that can easily migrate to a 6.25 kHz-efficient solution.

Conventional to trunked

With the majority of public-safety users currently operating on a conventional system, there will be many systems that get upgraded from conventional operation to trunked operation. The trunked environment enables flexible talkgroups and efficient channel use, and delivers a feature-rich system. The important key to a successful migration is preparing the users for the change in system operation. With such a dramatic shift in the inherent way the system works, the added complexity of a trunked system can leave some users preferring the legacy system. With proper training and ongoing communication, users will understand and benefit from the use of trunked radio technology.

Proprietary to standard

Migrating your system to one based on accepted technical standards provides the basis for effective interoperability and gives the power of equipment choice back to the system owner. By migrating to a standards-based system, such as those based on APCO Project 25, system owners can achieve multi-vendor operation and are no longer forced to comply with the upgrade demands of a single vendor.

Your system migration may encompass more than one of these conditions, which compounds the complexity of the change. For example, you may be migrating from an analog, wideband, conventional system to a digital, narrowband, trunked, standards-based system. Understanding the pros and cons of all the options can be tricky, and this is where the expert help becomes most valuable. Help is available for system owners looking to migrate. Much like in the game of blackjack, where you can simply request advice from the dealer, vendors and consultants are available to assess needs and provide recommendations. The experts can help collect information and evaluate risk as it relates to your project.

While system migration can be a daunting task, remember that a solid migration strategy is the key to success. Keep these steps in mind when planning your migration:

  • Inventory your system so you know what you have today.
  • Know what options are available to you.
  • Know your desired destination.
  • Use expert advice.

Following these steps will not only save you time and frustration, but will likely save you from making multiple trips to the ATM.

Todd Perdieu is a manager of system solutions engineering for Harris RF Communications Public Safety & Professional Communications Division.

MIGRATION PROS AND CONS

Migration type Pros Cons
Analog to digital Audio quality Feature enhancement Configuration flexibility Coverage perception Noise filtering
Wideband to narrowband Efficient use of frequencies More channels for users Equivalent voice performance Possible reduction in coverage Reduction in data throughput
Conventional to trunked Controlled system access Better channel use Enhanced system features Talkgroup user structure More complex system User training
Proprietary to standards-based Multi-vendor interoperability Customer choice One size doesn’t fit all User needs may go beyond the standard

Related Stories

  • The devil, as always, is in the details
  • Proprietary legacy systems can limit P25 migration choices
Tags: Interoperability Call Center/Command Public Safety Wireless Networks

Most Recent


  • House members introduce $15 billion NG911 funding bill
    Key U.S. House members introduced bipartisan legislation that would provide $15 billion in federal funding to support 911 centers nationwide as they make the transition from legacy technology to an IP-based next-generation 911 (NG911) platform. Standalone legislation that had not been assigned a bill number as of Friday night, the “Next Generation 9-1-1 Act of […]
  • ADRF: Sun Kim discusses company's new hybrid in-building wireless solution
      Sun Kim, ADRF’s director of product engineering, talks about the FiRe-78-8-U, the company’s channelized 700/800 MHz repeater with a built-in and fiber DAS head end in a single unit. Each unit has been certified as meeting the UL 2524, second edition, standard and supports as many as 8 remote units. IWCE attendees can learn […]
  • U.S. cell towers and small cells: By the numbers
    The Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA) recently published perhaps the most definitive look at the wireless infrastructure landscape in the US, showing 142,100 cell towers and 452,200 outdoor small cell nodes across the country at the end of last year. Because WIA’s report segments infrastructure by type, it offers a clearer picture of the 5G marketplace […]
  • Verizon, NTT among service providers narrowing private 5G focus
    While private 5G network hype hasn’t slowed down, service providers are starting to narrow their focus as some enterprise verticals are easier to enter than others. For example, manufacturing is frequently touted as a use case for private 5G, but Omdia analysts have said manufacturing is historically slower to adopt new technology. “The verticals where companies are […]

Leave a comment Cancel reply

To leave a comment login with your Urgent Comms account:

Log in with your Urgent Comms account

Or alternatively provide your name, email address below:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Content

  • Unfinished Business: Why NFPA and IBC fire codes need to kill the fire phone
  • What “smart city” means for 2021: How digital twins, AI and other innovations drive smart transformation
  • U.S. telecom groups warn of network construction delays from chip shortages
  • Rakuten says chips crunch 'much worse' than expected

Commentary


Updated: How ‘sidelink’ peer-to-peer communications can enhance public-safety operations

  • 1
27th February 2023

NG911 needed to secure our communities and nation

24th February 2023

How 5G is making cities safer, smarter, and more efficient

26th January 2023
view all

Events


UC Ezines


IWCE 2019 Wrap Up

13th May 2019
view all

Twitter


UrgentComm

House members introduce $15 billion NG911 funding bill dlvr.it/SlS0Lr

25th March 2023
UrgentComm

ADRF: Sun Kim discusses company’s new hybrid in-building wireless solution dlvr.it/SlRtSQ

25th March 2023
UrgentComm

U.S. cell towers and small cells: By the numbers dlvr.it/SlRn6N

25th March 2023
UrgentComm

Verizon, NTT among service providers narrowing private 5G focus dlvr.it/SlQjJH

24th March 2023
UrgentComm

Report: Technology is encouraging unprecedented collaboration in local-government organizations dlvr.it/SlQZT1

24th March 2023
UrgentComm

Insurance challenges to partial-autonomous-vehicle safety dlvr.it/SlQTHS

24th March 2023
UrgentComm

Whatever happened to the Hyperloop? dlvr.it/SlQQTL

24th March 2023
UrgentComm

Siyata to showcase new PTT device with body camera during IWCE 2023 dlvr.it/SlL0mS

23rd March 2023

Newsletter

Sign up for UrgentComm’s newsletters to receive regular news and information updates about Communications and Technology.

Expert Commentary

Learn from experts about the latest technology in automation, machine-learning, big data and cybersecurity.

Business Media

Find the latest videos and media from the market leaders.

Media Kit and Advertising

Want to reach our digital and print audiences? Learn more here.

DISCOVER MORE FROM INFORMA TECH

  • American City & County
  • IWCE
  • Light Reading
  • IOT World Today
  • Mission Critical Technologies
  • TU-Auto

WORKING WITH US

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Events
  • Careers

FOLLOW Urgent Comms ON SOCIAL

  • Privacy
  • CCPA: “Do Not Sell My Data”
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms
Copyright © 2023 Informa PLC. Informa PLC is registered in England and Wales with company number 8860726 whose registered and Head office is 5 Howick Place, London, SW1P 1WG.