Radio Systems That Operate Over Secure IP

Despite the emergence of modern ways to communicate, many organizations still rely on radio systems. But thanks to the advancement of radio over IP technology, gone are the days when communication via radio devices would be hindered by distance and other barriers just to get the other party to talk to the one on the receiving end and vice versa. Radio over Internet Protocol or RoIP and Push to Talk or PTT over IP are some technologies that allow voice data transmission between devices with the aid of the Internet. 

What Is PTT And Radio Over IP

Before the birth of Voice over Internet Protocol or VoIP, people would traditionally call each other through radio frequencies (UHF & VHF) or the analog phone system. The infrastructure was costly to maintain and scale. Newer technology has allowed people to exchange voice data via the Internet. 

RoIP is basically VoIP, only that it's incorporated in two-way radio devices. As long as there's an established Internet gateway , voice data can be sent and received by radio device users. With a reliable radio dispatch console and digital mobile radio devices, dispatchers and field personnel can easily coordinate with each other. This is especially helpful when communicating in cases of emergency. 

Push to Talk over IP is essentially RoIP, but with the particular use of PTT devices (PTT devices are handheld radio devices equipped with a button to be pushed before a person can talk. Today, PTT apps are also available for mobile phones). Additionally, unless the PTT button is released, the other person or group of persons can't talk — ensuring that the current speaker won't be interrupted. 

Their Advantages

There are many benefits of using radio systems that operate over secure IP, such as RoIP and PTT over IP. One of which is interoperability. 

An RoIP system can be easily integrated with other tools of communication such as cellular telephones. This system can also be used in conjunction with PTT devices. As long as they're enabled by IP, users will be able to transmit packets of voice data to each other. This interoperability is also particularly helpful to those manning the control center. With the aid of a radio dispatch console, a dispatcher can seamlessly communicate with field personnel with secure communication systems and RoIP encryption. 

Linked with interoperability is scalability. With this type of communication system, you can add or remove device users and components without shelling out money to cover for infrastructural changes. If you need to expand your operations, you can simply upgrade your software and have your devices configured accordingly. Because of its cost-effective flexibility, you can focus on how you can grow your organization — instead of worrying about installation and running costs. 

While remaining cost-effective, you can boost the productivity of your organization. With faster and more efficient communication, each staff member can collaborate better and, ultimately, deliver better output. 

All this comes with improved security. These radio systems are equipped with RoIP encryption technologies and IPsec Secure protocols for mission critical applications.

Radio Dispatch Systems Using IP Networks

When you call 911, a public safety communications operator is often plugged into a radio dispatch system that has the ability to communicate with emergency management personnel while keeping you on the phone. This is just one of the many useful applications of an Internet Protocol (IP)-based dispatch radio console system and its related accessories. 

Over the past few years, this communications innovation has moved from a frequency based network to an IP based network and has been proven to be beneficial for many sectors. Apart from public safety, it is also utilized by utility companies that need to manage a fleet of trucks, educational institutions that oversees a network of buses, and private businesses that dispatch drivers and vehicles (e.g., taxi companies). 

What Is A Radio Dispatch and How It’s Used

The radio dispatch console is designed to connect Emergency Communications Centers (ECC) with responders who are in the field. These can refer to first-aid providers, firefighters, and law enforcement officials. 

Interfaced with a land mobile radio (LMR) system, the console conveys voice and the caller’s ID and emergency status. Thanks to technological advancements, it’s now also possible to relay where the field units are located. 

In small ECCs, it is the public safety telecommunicator (PST), or the person who answers the calls and performs the dispatching. In larger centers, there is a separate PST who takes the call and another who dispatches. These two groups of PSTs are linked by a computer-aided dispatch system. 

When a field unit is dispatched, they use a tactical LMR channel to communicate with the ECC. With this approach, the ECC can guarantee that their main dispatch channel is available and unobstructed for succeeding dispatches. 

In any center, PSTs are supervised by a senior official. Another administrator is assigned to oversee the operations of the center and liaise with suppliers or vendors. They also report to a head agency for whom the ECC provides its services. 

In ECCs where a dispatch radio console system using IP networks is employed, dedicated technicians and specialists are assigned to manage and maintain the modern systems being used. 

The Advantages of IP-powered Radio Dispatch Systems

When organizations use a radio dispatch console using radio over IP interface, they can save on equipment costs. Compared with costly leased lines, IP connections are more cost-effective. This system allows radio dispatchers to operate remotely and have more flexibly, eliminating the need to maintain larger control centers. 

Additionally, digital dispatch systems are more reliable. Analog radio communications require a network of receiving antennas, repeaters and signal relays. This equipment is costly to acquire and deploy. IP-powered systems are advantageous because they are field-tested, and use existing LAN, WAN and virtual networks that are already established for computing and telecommunications. Radio over IP is not affected by signal transmission barriers, which are a common issue with analog radio communication devices. 

The radio interoperability solutions for commercial and service companies are customizable to your own specific needs. . If you are just switching to radio over IP (RoIP) from a PTT over IP solution, the process is even easier.  By simply connecting one or two consoles with a single local area network (LAN) using a radio of IP gateway your digital mobile radios in the field can be connected to the dispatch base station. From there, you can expand to a geographically distributed Wide Area Network (WAN), depending on your organization’s current demands.

Is Tactical LTE a Good Fit for Field Communications?

Are you interested in a long-term evolution of your tactical field communications? LTE technology has a lot to offer communication teams in military, commercial, law enforcement, municipal and similar mission critical organizations. However, whether is it a good fit and a worthwhile investment is a more complex question than the features it offers.

Is Your Operating Environment a Good fit for Tactical LTE?

Consider the weather, terrain and consistency of the operating environment. Ask yourself these questions:

• How common is intense weather such as heavy storms and low clouds?

• What are the common natural barriers such as mountains, valleys and bodies of water?

• How much control does your team have over the environmental conditions?

LTE is an excellent choice in stable, domestic settings. However, it can face challenges in tumultuous areas, regions with significant natural barriers and very remote areas. Line-of-sight obstructions may make tactical use of LTE challenging.

Nonetheless, the technology can be useful in tactical situations. The U.S. Navy began using LTE in 2012. Furthermore, when combined with satellite communication in a redundant system, LTE can be highly effective even in challenging environments.

What Are Your Alternatives?

Evaluate your alternative technologies. These may include government and private-sector satellite communications, civilian cellular networks, UHF radio communications and other similar options.

Typically, the most effective field communication solutions combine two or more alternative technologies. Relying on any single solution can be a significant risk. The security of communication networks is an important consideration. Over-reliance on private-sector and civilian networks may expose you to unnecessary vulnerabilities. A closed LTE network could be a viable answer to security concerns.

How Can Tactical LTE Be Deployed?

If tactical LTE seems like a viable solution for your circumstances, it may be time to take steps towards its application. This process is often easiest with an experienced communications systems company working to provide insight and guidance.

One key challenge is ensuring communications interoperability for radios. If you have a communication system that leans on a radio dispatch console for routing LTE, radio frequencies and satellite, you want to avoid a situation in which your users need significant technical knowledge to use the system. The ideal situation is one in which the communication needs can be routed through a command and control console, enabling the communications team to manage which networks are used when.

This approach alleviates the need for field operators to make determinations about their communication methods. It can also help you make sure your technologies are used as efficiently as possible. This is particularly important in turbulent environments such as warzones or during severe weather.

LTE can be a powerful tactical-communications tool. However, it is only effective when deployed in a thought-out and fully developed model.