Analog E&M Radios Are Now over IP Networks

In the US telecommunications industry, one of the traditionally used types of line signaling is E&M. With the advancement of technology, E & M over IP is now available to make signal transmission more robust, reliable, and secure. 

What Is E&M Signaling

E&M signaling is when a direct-current signal is sent along two separate leads, namely the E lead and M lead. These letters can stand for ear and mouth, recEive and transMit, or earth and magnet. 

Any radio communications systems provider would know that E&M signaling is embedded in the traditional communication system. The E&M interface, in fact, is the most common form of analog trunking. For each connection in the communications system, it defines two different sides: the trunk circuit side and a signaling unit side. The E component is the signal wire linking the former side to the latter while the M component is the signal wire from the signaling unit side to the trunk circuit one. It's also the component responsible for generating tone when using E & M radios to perform voice-based communications. 

Originally, this was developed to facilitate signaling between PABXs (or Private Automatic Branch Exchanges) located in various geographical sites over an analog private circuit. Then it was extended to be used even on digital carrier systems. 

What Is E & M Over IP

Before digitization took over, people conduct voice communication over an elaborate network of telephone wires and transmission towers. 

With Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), the sound waves of the voice are transformed into digital packets that can be sent over the Internet. Radio over IP applies the same principle in two way radio dispatch system. RoIP gateways merge analog and Internet, providing a new and powerful way to transmit radio signals. 

While many organizations are building VoIP and RoIP communication systems, it's vital to keep original communication networks. This is when E&M over IP technology comes in. 

Alongside VoIP and RoIP, this communications technology is known for its interoperability. It can be used to facilitate communication among various types of radio devices, both analog and digital. 

E&M over IP interfaces have a PCM CODEC, the component that digitizes analog voice bands. This digitization is necessary for the signals to be transported over the Internet. 

This technology has several applications, but today, it's commonly used to convert voice-grace circuit interfaces with Push-to-Talk devices, allowing radio base stations involved in public safety and emergency response to communicate better. Apart from enhanced reliability, it boasts high-resolution analog-to-digital conversion that helps maintain the original quality of the audio signal. 

When you integrate this kind of digitization into E&M signaling-driven communication devices, you can also benefit from its scalability. Depending on what your organization's current needs are, you can cost-effectively add or remove devices — minus the hassle of expensively modifying your infrastructure. 

Today, there are products available designed to integrate analog radios into Internet-powered communication systems seamlessly. The key lies in finding a provider that offers the very technology, service, and gadgets you need at competitive rates. 

Key Elements of Dispatching Software

In a fast-moving society, having a reliable radio dispatch system is essential for organizations with delivery operations. From food and beverage businesses to e-commerce ventures and other logistics providers, many rely on radio dispatch or a PTT over IP system to deploy their drivers cost-effectively and promptly to the field. 

A dispatching software is designed to help with driver routing and vehicle tracking. It’s helpful not only in making operations more efficient but also in enhancing the overall customer experience. This article discusses the key elements of dispatching software. 

Tailored dispatching

Most organizations that perform dispatching have unique needs. These depend on several things, including the current size of their fleet and roster of drivers, dispatch locations, and other delivery requirements. 

With a digital dispatch system, dispatching decisions can be customized depending on your current considerations. It also allows for both automated and manual dispatch options, so you can intervene manually whenever needed. For instance, there’s a customer with a unique query that must be addressed immediately. 

Automated scheduling

Automation is an often heard word when it comes to optimizing various business operations. Automation technology is also beneficial for appointment scheduling. If this aspect is digitized, you can easily track vehicle progress and send timing updates to customers that may have requested SMS updates.

For instance, if your customer selected a 24-hour delivery option, you’ll automatically know that a specific product has to be delivered in one day to that customer. Instead of dealing with customer calls and manually keying in data to a database, an automated scheduling feature can help you significantly save time and effort. 

Optimized route selection

Groups that use a radio dispatch system and software also benefit from the element of optimized routing. This tool allows you to determine the most efficient route for your fleet, taking into account various factors such as distance, current traffic conditions and time needed to complete various delivery phases. 

Together with route optimization, this software also has a smart batching element that collates orders that fall in the same delivery windows. This will make your dispatching more streamlined and cost-effective. 

Easy tracking across the delivery process

From the time an order is taken out of inventory to the point that it gets fulfilled, your drivers could face several (unexpected) barriers. Dispatch software can help facilitate easier tracking across the various points in your delivery flow.

You can also use this tool to alert or notify your customers (e.g., the exact location of your driver, estimated time of arrival, unavoidable cause of delay, and what you are doing to cope with it). This helps improve their overall experience of doing business with you. 

Reliable communications

If you have a digital dispatch system, it’s imperative to have a strong communications system as well. Today, push to talk (PTT) over Internet Protocol (IP) is being used by many clients because of its accessibility, interoperability with cellular systems, and scalability. With a simple press of a button, one of your staff can directly communicate with another person. 

Every device with access to your PTT software will be able to talk through it. In addition, its reliability is highly commendable because PTT software has a short latency time (down to 100 ms if you have a 4G network). Meaning, you can easily reach out to a person out in the field and relay any information, critical or not.

Dispatch Consoles Need to be Compatible, Customizable & Scalable

In any public service sector or field service industry, no matter what the size of the organization is, communication with your remote employees is key. Especially if you’re managing huge operations. You will need to have a command center and mobile configuration that has reliable radio communication channels. This is where a properly configured dispatch radio console provides hefty advantages.

For you to ensure that all teams are well-coordinated, your dispatch systems must be developed for you to communicate across different radio systems, frequencies, cellular networks and more traditional VoIP networks.

The Basic Components of an Ideal Dispatch System

For a dispatch system to work smoothly, it must have the following basic components:

Console. This is the core component of your system because they are equipped with facilities to control either one or multiple remote stations.

Two-way radios. For quicker and more direct communication, digital mobile radios with PTT capabilities are essential. It allows users to bypass the console operator or command center when necessary.

IP Gateway and the LAN or WAN networks you can tap into.

The Advantages of a Dispatch System

There's a several good reasons why public safety organizations who have mission-critical communication centers rely on a high quality dispatch radio console system.

Police, fire, ambulance, transportation, electric or utility workers require a single point of contact since there are many moving parts to public service that needs to be orchestrated by someone with a cool head. Often the person voicing the need initiates a call request by telephone. Emergencies then need to be put through a verification and triage process to validate and prioritize the need before remote units closest to the scene can be dispatched. The operator uses an IP-based dispatch console that may have to interface with all types of legacy analog radios, digital P25 radios, a VoIP telephone network and data applications. Not all dispatch consoles offer a seamless experience for the end-user.

Changing Communication Needs

While a dispatch system, in its most fundamental form, is superior to not having a single point of contact, it’s best to invest in a system that can accommodate your changing communication needs. Especially when it comes to the console, which is the core component of your system.  Your radio dispatch system should be customizable and scalable. It should be compatible with all mobile devices you already have deployed plus flexibility to accommodate newer devices that you may purchase over the next ten years.

Therefore, you have to identify your current and future equipment needs. How is the equipment being used? Who will be utilizing it? What are your organization’s future goals -- and how can your equipment be used to help achieve those goals? Which features are most suitable to your demands?

Of course, you also have to consider what your budget is. Consider a dispatch radio console system that is within your financial reach. For you to get the most value from your money, you have to choose the best two-way radio dispatch equipment that has longevity. Choose a supplier that offers radio interoperability solutions that align with your current resources. This way, you can guarantee that they can supply a dispatch system that can be customized and scaled according to your current and future needs.