visioncomms™ answers the need for resilient interoperable mobile communication systems

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VisionComms™ Answers the Need for Resilient Interoperable Mobile Communication Systems

By Eddie Smith

James A. O'Brien and George M. Marakas, in their book entitled Management Information Systems defines interoperability as: Being able to accomplish end-user applications using different types of computer systems, operating systems, and application software, inter-connected by different types of local and wide area networks. Interoperability is also defined as a property of a product or system, whose interfaces are completely understood, to work with other products or systems, present or future, without any restricted access or implementation.

Unfortunately the definition within the first responder community has come to mean simply the ability to communicate between differing radio frequencies and thus many first responder agencies have purchased communications systems built around this primary asset and find themselves to be not truly interoperable in the true sense of the definition.

The National Incident Management System (NIMS) has mandated interoperability and compatibility of first responder communications systems. However, even after millions upon millions of dollars have been funded to correct the disastrous voids realized during the 9-11 incidents, much of the United States still does not have access to fully interoperable mobile communications. The vast majority of first responders and agencies are limited in their ability to communicate or even collaborate with one another. Another aspect, especially in the current economy, is the fact that most systems are expensive and out of the reach of many budgets. Many times these systems are so complicated that they require extensive on-going training and even on-site IT support to manage, not to mention the extended time period required before going live.

DHS (Department of Homeland Security) has been quoted as saying “closing the gap is mandatory. The NIMS mandate for interoperability is unattainable without a cost-effective, easy-to-implement system that provides a framework for the interoperability of data and video between responders and ERO’s. Data is as critical as voice communications within an incident site...Maps and other information needed at the incident site must get to the response team without


…many first responder agencies have purchased communications systems … and find themselves not truly interoperable...

The vast majority of first responders and agencies are limited in their ability to communicate or even collaborate with one another.

The NIMS mandate for interoperability is unattainable without a cost-effective, easy-to-implement system…

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the need to deliver files physically via courier, currently the most widely-used solution.”i

A good example was highlighted in an online article by Common Cause relating to the after-math of Hurricane Katrina - "Outside [the Jefferson parish] mobile headquarters truck, two officers grip a stepladder while a third stands on the top rung waving his mobile telephone in the air, searching for a signal." (Report from New Orleans, three days after Hurricane Katrina made landfall)

The image is almost comical. But it's no joke: Our police, fire and rescue personnel face enormous problems simply communicating with each other in emergency situations. Hurricane Katrina once again highlighted the failures of the emergency communications system: Police officers were unable to communicate with each other because their

radio channels were overwhelmed. Supplies and workers were prevented from coming into New Orleans

because city officials could not coordinate with police to authorize vehicles into restricted areas.

Rescuers lacked basic information about stranded residents, areas that needed to be searched, and floor plans of hospitals and nursing homes.ii

The good news is that there products available that afford viable solutions. VisionComms, a division of VT Hackney, has developed such a solution by addressing each of the established criteria for resilient interoperable portable communication systems and system of systems (SoS). The foremost architectural aspect for development of all VisionComms products was to make them first responder user friendly. Essentially, after one-hour or less of training, any first responder is capable of establishing a fully operational communications network providing voice, data and video connectivity in under 5-minutes (about the time required to boot the server and acquire satellite connectivity). All mobile communication systems, whether deployed in a transportable case, in the back of a SUV or ATV or rack-mounted in a conventional command vehicle, are activated by depressing a single activation switch. Everything (other than satellite connectivity) is brought on-line automatically through a multiplexed sequencer. There are no missed steps or forgotten sequences to remember when the adrenaline is flowing.

The second requirement deals with whatDHS classifies as Resilient Portable Communications Kit or RPCK. TheVisionComms MCS100 meets the established criteria, which states that theRPCK be hand-carried to the incident site,


Our police, fire and rescue personnel face enormous problems simply communicating with each other in emergency situations. Hurricane Katrina once again highlighted the failures of the emergency communications system…

…a fully operational communications network providing voice, data and video connectivity in under 5-minutes…

All mobile communication systems…are activated by depressing a single activation switch.

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transported by car, helicopter or small watercraft and be able to provide voice, video and data communication peer-to-peer among first emergency response providers (FERP’s) at the incident site as well as capability across any available network.

The MCS100 is battery powered from either its own battery pack or from a vehicular battery source. It can also be plugged into any available 115VAC outlet. IP connectivity can be established from a conventional cellular aircard, if that infrastructure is available, or through satellite via a BGAN antenna when all other connectivity sources are unavailable. All that is required is to depress a single power switch that activates a powerful integral PBX server. Once the system is booted up and operational (less than 4-minutes) incoming or outgoing telephone calls can be made/received through a private local or toll-free phone number providing connectivity anywhere in the world. The MCS100 establishes a WiFi hotspot that can support up to twenty-five hand-held WiFi phones inside the network and/or establish data service through any WiFi enabled laptop, tablet (such as iPad), or smartphone. An option is available to incorporate a four-channel radio gateway that will permit integration of any frequency two-way radio into the network.

The RPCK works seamlessly with the VisionComms’ MCC400 Mobile Command and Communications system which, in essence, provides the central field communications hub for larger incidents. The MCS100 RPCK’s can reach back to the central comms hub within the established VisionComms 802.11 mesh network or through cellular and/or satellite connectivity.

The VisionComms MCC400 is a scalable system that can be mounted in most any type of transport vehicle as a module or rack mounted. The entire system requires very little power and can operate from an auxiliary battery supply, vehicular battery source or shorepower/generator. Scalable means the system can be configured to support existing requirements and easily upgraded as communication requirements expand.

The MCC400 fulfills the definition of interoperability. The system of systems (SoS) provides the ability to interconnect


The MCC400 module can be mounted as shown on a slide rail in the back of a SUV,

pickup or ATV, etc. or rack mounted in a conventional command vehicle.

All that is required is to depress a single power switch that activates a powerful integral PBX server.

The MCS100 establishes a WiFi hotspot…

The MCC400 fulfills the definition of interoperability.

…ability to interconnect any radio frequency, not only between two-way radios but between radios and VoIP and/or cellular phones.

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any radio frequency, not only between two-way radios but between radios and VoIP and/or cellular phones. Further the SoS integrates seamless movement of data and video between the incident command center and interagencies outside the perimeter, as well as inside the incident perimeter through mesh networking.

Since VSAT connectivity is costly, if other connectivity resources are available, such as 3G/4G, Ethernet or fiberoptics, those can be utilized as well, permitting activation of the VSAT only when other connectivity sources are not available. Again, in keeping with the mandate for simplicity and user friendly operations, selection of connectivity sources does not require reconfiguration of any sort.

The VisionComms systems address the “Existing Systems Shortfalls” outlined in the DHS Commer-cialization Office – Pilot Operational Requirements Documentiii as follows:1. Most systems are not resilient. The VisionComms

platforms are designed to communicate on any open architecture that can be accessed through an internet connection. No proprietary software is utilized, unless it is a software application specified by the end-user to be incorporated into the operating system.

2. Systems are too expensive. Using mandated OTS (off-the-shelf) protocols, systems scalability, eliminating the requirement for communications technicians, and single-source integration, VT Hackney has developed the VisionComms products to be significantly less costly than most equally capable systems. Systems are scaled based on specific requirements. The modular concept permits expanding capabilities as the end-users requirements change by facilitating simple future expansion. The VT Hackney family includes several leading technology based companies, most notably VT iDirect, a world leader in satellite and enterprise connectivity; Intellect, a manufacturer of communications hardware including the SuperneT® radio gateway utilized in the VisionComms system; VT Miltope, the primary supplier of ruggedized laptop computers and related peripherals for the US military; and VT MÄK, a leading software developer for simulated warfare. These “family” technology companies allow VT Hackney’s VisionComms division to produce cost efficient customized


MCC400 shown rack mounted in command vehicle

…in keeping with the mandate for simplicity and user friendly operations, selection of connectivity sources does not require reconfiguration of any sort.

VisionComms plat-forms are designed to communicate on any open architect-ture that can be accessed through an internet connection.

VT Hackney has developed the VisionComms products to be significantly less costly….

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communication systems without compromising content or current technology capabilities. And, finally, adaptation and incorporation of commercialized and off-the-shelf (OTS) electronic technologies, dramatically reducing integration cost.

3. Systems are too complicated. Quoting from the above DHS document – “For example, one major provider of systems that any ERO iv would deem reliable is selling a solution that requires several certified technicians to operate. The ERO may have a powerful system that may in fact cost more in five years to operate than it cost to purchase.” VisionComms has designed its systems to be extremely first responder friendly. It does not require certified or any other type of technician or IT personnel to operate. Initializing the system requires activation of two buttons: Button #1 starts the deployment of the VSAT antenna, which goes through automatic acquisition, locks on to the satellite and acknowledges readiness; and Button #2 activates the sequential start- up of all integrated components in the engineered sequence. When the computer monitor displays the systems ready logo, the operator is ready to communicate. The entire simple process takes a maximum of four to five minutes to be fully functional.

4. Many systems will fail to provide resilient communications because they are so cumbersome they require dedicated power and transportation, rendering them useless to the FERPv in the first critical minutes of a response. The VisionComms systems have been engineered to minimize this issue as well. For instance, the MCC400 fully interoperable communications module requires less than 400-watts peak. The cabinet is small enough to fit into the back of a conventional SUV, on the rear platform of an ATV; on board a helicopter or other small aircraft or conventionally rack mounted in any mobile command vehicle. Today’s advanced technologies have reduced most all components in size from up to 4RU down to 1RU, consuming very little rack space. In fact, a system utilizing eight radio transceivers, PBX server; Windows® based computer, VSAT modem, radio gateway and WiFi networking will consume not more than 8RU of space. A pretty small footprint for such a powerful system!

5. Most ERO’s have system networks that are IPv4 and not IPv6 compliant. VisionComms has addressed this rapidly advancing protocol by incorporating compatibility as compliancy requirements emerge.

It is imperative that both large and small communities be able to establish interoperable communications immediately after a disaster or other incident


VisionComms has designed its systems to be extremely first responder friendly.

…the MCC400 fully interoperable communications module requires less than 40- watts peak.

…advanced tech-nologies have reduced most all components in size from up to 4RU down to 1RU, consuming very little rack space.

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arises. Time is crucial and waiting for regional, state and federal assets many times is not a viable option. These assets are critical for long term incidents that require interagency coordination, but in the interim, the local first responder organizations must establish a coordinated response effort. If the local communications infrastructure has been disabled or even not available in a remote locale, viable alternative communication solutions are critical.

VisionComms provides simple, first responder friendly solutions that can be deployed by local or federal agencies that are completely interoperable with no proprietary platforms that restrict interagency communications. The system further provides an immediate WiFi network that permits large numbers of first responders to communicate either by conventional radios or via WiFi telephones and/or smartphones inside the network. It permits restricted laptop access for moving data and video throughout the network or backhauled via 3G/4G and satellite connectivity to the outside world.

When you need to communicate intra-agency or inter-agency and even with the outside world and you have no other means to make that happen, VisionComms systems provide the resources to meet determined needs today and tomorrow.

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Ed Smith is Director of Sales and Marketing for VT Hackney’s Emergency Vehicles and VisionComms Group with over 35 years of experience in the emergency vehicle manufacturing industry. VT Hackney is a company of VT Systems, a diversified global company providing integrated engineering solutions to the commercial and government markets in the aerospace, electronics, land systems and marine sectors. VT Systems’ innovative solutions, products and services include aircraft maintenance, repair and modification; software solutions in training and simulation; satellite-based IP communications technology; network solutions that integrate data, voice and video; rugged computers and computer peripherals; specialized truck bodies and trailers; weapons and munitions systems; road construction equipment; and ship design and shipbuilding. Headquartered in Alexandria, VA., VT Systems operates globally and is a wholly owned subsidiary of ST Engineering.


VisionComms provides simple, first responder friendly solutions …completely interoperable with no proprietary platforms that restrict interagency communications.

i Commercialization Office – Pilot Operational Requirements Document, page 3, paragraph 5ii www.commoncause.org, Washington, DC – “A Failure to Communicate”iii Commercialization Office – Pilot Operational Requirements Document, page 13iv ERO – Emergency Response Organizationv FERP – First Emergency Response Provider

visioncomms™ answers the need for resilient interoperable mobile communication systems

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