A multi-band, networked approach to public safety communications

14 March 2012 Dr Andrew Kerans Executive Manager Spectrum Infrastructure Branch, ACMA

Introduction

The ACMA is the Australian regulator for:

Broadcasting Internet Radiocommunications Telecommunications

Radiocommunications regulation
Spectrum planning Spectrum management Licensing Interference management and investigations

Spectrum Management in the ACMA

Guided by the Radiocommunications Act 1992 Spectrum Management:

The technical and regulatory foundation for the efficient and effective use of the radiofrequency spectrum
Undertaken by both governments (national spectrum management) and spectrum users (i.e. Defence)

Spectrum management contains elements of:

Why manage the spectrum?

It is a finite resource limited by interference Interference management Quality of Service (QoS) Standardisation and harmonisation (ITU, ETSI, IEEE)
Economies of scale owing to global harmonisation

Government and community needs (e.g. Defence, public safety)

Australian Spectrum Planning

Australian Radiofrequency Spectrum Plan (ARSP)

Largely shaped by international factors

ITU/APT-harmonised frequency bands

Standardisation

Various other instruments and mechanisms (eg. RALIs, embargos, FYSO) Copies of regulatory instruments available at www.acma.gov.au

Australian Spectrum Planning

Public Safety Communications

Object of the Act to make adequate provision of spectrum for agencies responsible for defence, national security, law enforcement and provision of emergency services ACMA must balance these needs with those of the broader community Economy wide perspective in determining where spectrum should be allocated

Public Safety Communications

Public safety needs are highly variable Competing and varying operational drivers lead to wide variations in technical requirements, including: Coverage Bandwidth Topology

Availability/criticality
Security

Public Safety Communications

Demand for services and bandwidth is time-variant and nonhomogenous there is no one size fits all Flexible, reticulated, multi-band approach is essential Analogous to hierarchical command structures End result is voice/data where and when the operator needs it This necessitates a system of systems architecture

System of systems

Combination of building blocks

Low, medium and high bandwidth systems Varying topologies: Fixed Wide area mobile Cellular mobile Local ad-hoc Peer-to-peer/mesh Varying levels of supporting infrastructure and spectrum demand

Low bandwidth systems

Voice and text-based data, supporting:

Mission critical voice Tasking/dispatch Positioning

Supported by fixed and deployable base stations (star topologies) Relevant ACMA work Recent review of the 400 MHz band Proposed VHF review

Medium bandwidth systems

Text-based and rich data services and low-medium quality mobile video, supporting:
Detailed tasking and reporting Database interrogation (reachback) Graphical/sensor-aided situational awareness

Supported by fixed and deployable base stations(cellular topologies)

Recent ACMA work:

Participation in PSMBSC 800 MHz review

High bandwidth systems Localised rich data and (multiple) video streams, supporting numerous localised/mobile applications:
Incident response/command support LANs Multi-sensor linking Short-term, wideband video linking (eg. air surveillance) Fixed backhaul for low/medium bandwidth systems* * (Using non-public safety spectrum) Fixed video/other sensor linking*

Deployable base stations or peer-to-peer/short-term fixed Fixed infrastructure on standby (if desired)

Recent ACMA work: 4.9 GHz review

400 MHz review

The ACMA recently replanned the 400 MHz band, with an emphasis on provisions for Government use Final decision paper released in 2010 NCCGR taking a leading role in managing the implementation for Government users
Have drafted a RALI to guide implementation

Commonwealth security agencies into 380-400 MHz

Public Safety Mobile Broadband (PSMB)

ACMA member of the multi-agency PSMB Steering Committee Committee set up to examine how an allocation of 800 MHz spectrum could help realise a PSMB capability Gibson Quai-AAS engaged to examine and report on:
Data demand requirements Deployment models and costs Required amount of spectrum

Public Safety Mobile Broadband (PSMB)

Some baseline assumptions:

Cellular topology LTE-based Part of a broader Public Safety communications eco-system

Pre-requisites for an allocation of spectrum

Sufficient demand National (all jurisdiction) commitment to deploy Inter-jurisdiction interoperability Spectrum to be used efficiently

Potential PSMB delivery models

Various combinations of: Using private, fixed infrastructure in dedicated spectrum Using private, transportable infrastructure in dedicated spectrum
Coverage for out-of-coverage areas Supplementary capacity for in-coverage areas

Access to commercial networks via SLA

Roaming when PSMB network not available or fully-loaded Negotiated prioritisation of public safety traffic

Public Safety Mobile Broadband (PSMB)

Candidate spectrum between 805-825 MHz paired with 850870 MHz

3GPP standardised for LTE (bands 26 and 27) Recognised under ITU Res 646 as a PPDR band

The ACMA will not make an allocation of spectrum for:

Contingency purposes As a substitute for infrastructure Demand that can be met by existing provisions

The ACMA will take an economy wide perspective when considering if/how much spectrum is to be set aside for PSMB

800 MHz in Australia and the 850 expansion

The 4.9 GHz band

4940 4990 MHz to be made available for public safety use

NOT for non-emergency purposes such use will not be authorised

Primarily for responders, however access may be granted to other entities

Under agreement from an authorised responder For support of emergency response only On a short term basis only

Ideal for short range, high-capacity comms Already in use in the US

COTS public safety equipment available

Potential applications in the 4.9 GHz band

Incident RLANs/command support systems Short-haul, high bandwidth sensor linking (eg. video) Coverage extension/meshing in remote areas Supplementary capacity for PSMB
Particularly where there is high, locally-concentrated demand Analogous to data-offload from commercial to home wireless networks

4.9 GHz planning implications

Already in use in the US equipment available now Class licensed ACMA will specify technical conditions and provisions for access ACMA cannot dictate operational details such as:
Channel assignment for whom and for what purpose? Prioritisation Interoperability provisions

Public safety at national/jurisdictional level will have a planning role

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Multi-band overview

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Multi-band overview

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Multi-band overview

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Multi-band overview

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Multi-band overview

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Multi-band overview

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Multi-band approach example applications

Coverage and capacity, when and where needed

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Multi-band approach example applications

International planning

ACMA contributes to studies and planning for public protection and disaster relief (PPDR) comms under ITU Resolution 646 This includes participation in relevant ITU working groups (under Working Party 5A) and regional fora (AWG) Aim of participation in these meetings is to achieve a degree of regional/international harmonisation in Australian public safety bands, which lead to:
Better economies of scale for devices and hardware (PPDR-spec or otherwise) Improved scope for interoperability

International planning

Res 646 recognises that PPDR uses narrowband and broadband systems 806-824/851-869 MHz used for PPDR in Region 3 This band is NOT limited to narrowband this is a myth
One ITU recommendation contains nband channel plan in this band for Region 3; however This is not the only relevant ITU recommendation The band is being standardised for bband by 3GPP Administrations can choose to accommodate either, or both, within the band

WRC-12 Resolution to study PPDR bband spectrum needs

Summary

The ACMA is committed to providing the necessary spectrum to meet public safety needs Spectrum is in high demand and limited supply
Demand growth is exponential Improved technology and sharing/ancillary access mechanisms will mitigate supply constraints, but only partially

The ACMA must balance the spectrum needs of all sectors In an environment of constrained spectrum availability, public safety needs are best met through a multi-layered approach
Hierarchical, multi-band system of systems

Questions/discussion

A Conder Plot used for coordination of a satellite Earth station with co-frequency X band microwave fixed links