NPSTC, Radio PCR Working Group Presentation to TIA TR8 Committee Dan Robinson, Radio PCR Working Group Chair Thursday, February 2, 2017 The member organizations of the National Public Safety Telecommunications Council are grateful to the Department of Homeland Security s Science and Technology Directorate, Office for Interoperability and Compatibility (OIC) and the National Protection and Programs Directorate, Office of Emergency Communications (OEC) Points of view or opinions expressed are those of the originators and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
PAM Tool Development Radio Programming Compatibility Requirements (Radio PCR) Working Group under NPSTC Technology and Broadband Committee, 2012 Committee Chair: Tom Sorley, City of Houston Working Group Co-Chairs: Dan Robinson, State of Michigan and Ken Link, State of New Jersey Manufacturers Represented: Motorola Solutions, Harris, EF Johnson, Icom America, Kenwood, Thales, RELM Wireless, Midland and Tait Communications The Working Group examined short term and long term solutions to minimize radio programming errors. The Working Group formed following several high profile incidents in which radios did not function during an emergency due to programming errors. communications and interoperability through collaborative leadership. 2
PAM Tool Overview An excel spreadsheet was created to assist with programming of different vendor radios in a multi-vendor radio environment. communications and interoperability through collaborative leadership. 3
PAM Tool Overview Creates a normalized set of radio programming data field names and translates each data field correctly between manufacturers. Is not designed to replace any vendor s programming software. Is designed to help minimize errors in manual programming. Fixed data set was designed to allow vendor development of an import/export function within their software. communications and interoperability through collaborative leadership. 4
PAM Tool Overview Current Status First version of PAM Tool was released in 2014 Release V3 has been available, www.npstc.org/radiopcr.org Release V7 pending publication: NIFOG information updated to current version (1.6.1, 2016) Includes new introductory language Additional manufacturer added Coordinating with the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology and Office of Emergency Communications to validate the PAM Tool and place it on Public Safety Tools website. communications and interoperability through collaborative leadership. 5
Future Action Use of Excel spreadsheet continues to be problematic Transition of user data when new versions of the PAM Tool are released. Reliance on manual programming of all radio data fields. Future of the PAM Tool mission is best accomplished with a standardized import/export function within each manufacturer s programming software. Removes the need for a middle ware solution Minimizes the manual entry to data when programming radios communications and interoperability through collaborative leadership. 6
Why are we here? Request for TIA Technical Bulletin Request: TIA create a technical bulletin that will define a standardized data exchange format for basic radio programming information. This technical bulletin is the missing link for manufacturers to provide import/export functionality within their software. NPSTC s 16 member Governing Board voted to support the request for the technical bulletin during their conference call meeting on January 24 th. communications and interoperability through collaborative leadership. 7
Why are we here? Request for TIA Technical Bulletin RELM Wireless has assisted the Working Group and created two draft XML schemas which will standardize basic radio data programming fields; one XML data string for conventional channels A separate XML data string for trunking systems. communications and interoperability through collaborative leadership. 8
Technical Bulletin This schema needs to be validated, but is offered to illustrate the requested action. communications and interoperability through collaborative leadership. 9
Questions, Comments, Discussion communications and interoperability through collaborative leadership. 10
Follow-Up from Meeting The following action items occurred as a result of the TIA TR8 meeting held on February 2nd: The bulletin was submitted to the TIA's TR-8 Private and Personal Radio Standards Committee Discussion concluded with the establishment of a review period which closes on 28 February. Once the comments from the review have been resolved, then the committee will generally vote to move the revised proposal to a ballot. During the ballot process, interested parties are given the opportunity to comment and another comment resolution process begins. At the completion of the ballot process, a vote would normally be taken to publish the proposed document. Additional TIA meetings will occur in mid June. communications and interoperability through collaborative leadership. 11