Mobile Data Workshop.ppt

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Law Enforcement Information Technology Mobile
Data Laptops 2004 COPS Technical Assistance
Conference Dallas, TXNovember 9, 2004
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Agenda

• 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

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Introductions
Ron Glensor Assistant Chief Reno Police
Department
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Workshop 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

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Core TechnologyComponents
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Background

• 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.)

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Wireless Infrastructure
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Key Considerations
Cost
Grade of Service
Application Requirements
Coordination And Partnerships
Migration Path
POTENTIAL NEEDS
Funding
Coverage
Interference
Interoperability
Network Management
Standards And Technology
Security
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Mobile Data Networks

• Agency-Owned Networks
• Telco Networks
• iDEN
• CDPD
• GPRS
• EDGE
• CDMA 1xRTT
• Other Mobile Data Technologies

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Agency-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

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Agency-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

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Telco 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

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Telco 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

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Telco 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

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Telco 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

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Telco 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

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Telco 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

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Other 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.)

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Wireless 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.)

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Mesh 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

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Mesh Networks
.5 to 2 mi.
WAP
WAP
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Geosynchronous 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

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Low 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.)

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Satellites
Globalstar
Teledesic
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Mobile Data Software
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Mobile 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

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Mobile 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

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Key Considerations
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Automated Field Reporting
Stage 1 - Word Processing
Stage 2 - Field-Based Editing
Stage 3 - Paperless
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Things 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

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Things 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

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Things 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

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Mobile Data Devices
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Devices

• Laptops
• Dumb terminals
• Tablets
• Handheld (Palm, iPAQ, Visor, etc.)
• Pagers (two-way alpha numeric)

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Peripherals

• Magnetic stripe readers
• Bar code readers
• Digital cameras
• Scanning devices
• In-vehicle portable printers

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Key Considerations
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Things 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

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Mobile Data Costs
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Mobile 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)

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Mobile 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

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Successful Case Studies
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Successful Case Studies

• Captain Woody Sandy, North Carolina Highway
  Patrol
• Deputy Chief Ron Glensor, Reno Police Department

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Issues and Challenges
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Issues 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.

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Questions?
Asst. Chief Ron Glensor glensor_at_ci.reno.nv.us (775
) 334-3860 Captain Woody Sandy woody.sandy_at_ncshp.
org [phone] Brian Hudson bhudson_at_thayerco
nsulting.com [phone]