Interoperability Update

For more information on communication technologies, see our Communications Resource Guide.

          Radio interoperability products are constantly being improved and upgraded. Here are some of the latest ones worth noting.

HARRIS' UNITY XG-100 RADIO

     Harris RF Communications has introduced the next-generation Harris Unity XG-100 full-spectrum multiband radio for public-safety communications. The Unity XG-100 is the first in a family of Harris RF Communications radios designed to deliver interoperable communications among federal, state and local agencies, and is aimed at EMS officers communicating on analog or digital frequencies.

     The XG-100 offers full-spectrum frequency coverage from 136-870 MHz, and operates in four public-safety frequency bands, including VHF, UHF, 700 MHz and 800 MHz. Compliant in both conventional and trunking modes with Phase 1 of the Project 25 standard, the Unity XG-100 is easily upgradable via software updates to support evolving P25 standards (Phase 2), future capabilities and changing communication requirements. This kind of "future-proofing" can make a big difference to departments trying to make wise long-term equipment purchases.

     "The Unity XG-100 is an advanced multiband radio that will provide public-safety personnel with direct communications interoperability whenever and wherever necessary," says Dana Mehnert, president of Harris RF Communications. "As a result, federal, state and local first responders will be able to unify their efforts and provide a better, more coordinated response to emergencies."

     The XG-100's built-in capabilities include extended battery life, noise suppression for operation in high-noise environments, GPS receiver for position tracking and rapid response, and secure Bluetooth technology for wireless operation.

     The Unity XG-100 should begin shipping in the fall. For more information, check www.rfcomm.harris.com/talkasone/Unity_XG-100.asp.

C-AT'S ICRI-4TG/10P

     Communications-Applied Technology (C-AT) has built its interoperability reputation on the ICRI. Short for Incident Commanders' Radio Interface, the basic ICRI allows up to five radios and one phone line to be plugged into the same portable unit, with the audio being switched between these units for instant interoperability.

     Recently, C-AT released a new expanded version of the ICRI designed for larger incidents. Called the ICRI-4TG/10P, this device has ports for 10 radios plus one cell phone/telephone and one satellite link, and can support up to four talk groups (the original ICRI supports two). The ICRI-4TG/10P complies with the National Incident Management System (NIMS). It is designed to be rack-mounted. For those wanting true portability akin to the original ICRI, the new ICRI-4T comes in a similar portable case.

     All ICRI units can be modified to work with C-AT's new Radio over IP (RoIP) software, which allows the ICRIs to be ported into a first responder's IP network for wide-area distribution. See www.c-at.com.

CATALYST'S INTELLILINK

     The typical low-tech solution to connecting incompatible radio systems is to use a switch box to patch together push-to-talk (PTT) audio from disparate systems. These can literally be patch cords that connect one family of public-safety radios to another. They can also be actual devices like an audio bridge into which disparate radios all connect, like an old-fashioned telephone exchange.

     One problem with this solution is that the originating radio system has no knowledge of the destination radio system, which hampers its ability to provide reliable transmission. For instance, the target channel on the destination system may be busy with another transmission, but without this knowledge there is no way to buffer the audio until the channel is free, which will cause portions of audio to be lost.