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
…many first area networks. Interoperability is also defined as a property of a product or
responder agencies system, whose interfaces are completely understood, to work with other
have purchased products or systems, present or future, without any restricted access or
communications implementation.
systems … and find
themselves not truly
Unfortunately the definition within the first responder community has come to
interoperable...
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 vast majority of
The National Incident Management System (NIMS) has mandated
first responders and
agencies are limited
interoperability and compatibility of first responder communications systems.
in their ability to However, even after millions upon millions of dollars have been funded to
communicate or correct the disastrous voids realized during the 9-11 incidents, much of the
even collaborate United States still does not have access to fully interoperable mobile
with one another. 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
The NIMS mandate
support to manage, not to mention the extended time period required before
for interoperability
going live.
is unattainable
without a cost- DHS (Department of Homeland Security) has been quoted as saying “closing the
effective, easy-to-
gap is mandatory. The NIMS mandate for interoperability is unattainable
implement system…
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

VisionComms™ Answers the Need for Resilient Interoperable Mobile Communication Systems 1
 the need to deliver files physically via courier, currently the most widely-used
solution.”i
Our police, fire and
rescue personnel A good example was highlighted in an online article by Common Cause relating
face enormous to the after-math of Hurricane Katrina - "Outside [the Jefferson parish] mobile
problems simply headquarters truck, two officers grip a stepladder while a third stands on the top
communicating rung waving his mobile telephone in the air, searching for a signal." (Report
with each other in from New Orleans, three days after Hurricane Katrina made landfall)
emergency
situations.  The image is almost comical.  But it's no joke: Our police, fire and rescue
Hurricane Katrina personnel face enormous problems simply communicating with each other in
once again emergency situations.  Hurricane Katrina once again highlighted the failures of
highlighted the the emergency communications system:
failures of the  Police officers were unable to communicate with each other because their
emergency radio channels were overwhelmed.
communications  Supplies and workers were prevented from coming into New Orleans
because city officials could not coordinate with police to authorize vehicles
system…
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.
…a fully VisionComms, a division of VT Hackney, has developed such a solution by
operational addressing each of the established criteria for resilient interoperable portable
communications communication systems and system of systems (SoS). The foremost
network providing architectural aspect for development of all VisionComms products was to make
voice, data and them first responder user friendly. Essentially, after one-hour or less of training,
video connectivity any first responder is capable of establishing a fully operational communications
in under 5- network providing voice, data and video connectivity in under 5-minutes (about
minutes… 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
All mobile sequencer. There are no missed steps or forgotten sequences to remember
communication
when the adrenaline is flowing.
systems…are
The second requirement deals with what
activated by
depressing a single DHS classifies as Resilient Portable
activation switch. Communications Kit or RPCK. The
VisionComms MCS100 meets the
established criteria, which states that the
RPCK be hand-carried to the incident site,

VisionComms™ Answers the Need for Resilient Interoperable Mobile Communication Systems 2
 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.
All that is required
is to depress a The MCS100 is battery powered from either its own battery pack or from a
single power
vehicular battery source. It can also be plugged into any available 115VAC
switch that
outlet. IP connectivity can be established from a conventional cellular aircard, if
activates a
powerful integral that infrastructure is available, or through satellite via a BGAN antenna when all
PBX server. 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,
The MCS100
establishes a WiFi
tablet (such as iPad), or smartphone. An option is available to incorporate a
hotspot… 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
The MCC400 communications hub for larger incidents. The MCS100 RPCK’s can reach back to
fulfills the the central comms hub within the established VisionComms 802.11 mesh
definition of network or through cellular and/or satellite connectivity.
interoperability.

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
…ability to can be configured to support existing
interconnect any requirements and easily upgraded as
radio frequency,
communication requirements expand.
not only between
two-way radios
The MCC400 fulfills the definition of The MCC400 module can be mounted as
but between
interoperability. The system of systems shown on a slide rail in the back of a SUV,
radios and VoIP
pickup or ATV, etc. or rack mounted in a
and/or cellular (SoS) provides the ability to interconnect
conventional command vehicle.

VisionComms™ Answers the Need for Resilient Interoperable Mobile Communication Systems 3
 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.
…in keeping with
the mandate for Since VSAT connectivity is costly, if other connectivity resources are available,
simplicity and user such as 3G/4G, Ethernet or fiberoptics, those can be utilized as well, permitting
friendly operations, activation of the VSAT only when other connectivity
selection of sources are not available. Again, in keeping with the
connectivity mandate for simplicity and user friendly operations,
sources does not
selection of connectivity sources does not require
require
reconfiguration of any sort.
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: MCC400 shown rack
1. Most systems are not resilient. The VisionComms mounted in command
platforms are designed to communicate on any openvehicle architecture that can
VisionComms plat-
be accessed through an internet connection. No proprietary software is
forms are designed
to communicate on utilized, unless it is a software application specified by the end-user to be
any open architect- incorporated into the operating system.
ture that can be 2. Systems are too expensive. Using mandated OTS (off-the-shelf) protocols,
accessed through systems scalability, eliminating the requirement for communications
an internet technicians, and single-source integration, VT Hackney has developed the
connection. 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
VT Hackney has
notably VT iDirect, a world leader in satellite and enterprise connectivity;
developed the
VisionComms
Intellect, a manufacturer of communications hardware including the
products to be SuperneT® radio gateway utilized in the VisionComms system; VT Miltope,
significantly less the primary supplier of ruggedized laptop computers and related
costly…. 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

VisionComms™ Answers the Need for Resilient Interoperable Mobile Communication Systems 4
 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
VisionComms has
is selling a solution that requires several certified technicians to operate.
designed its
The ERO may have a powerful system that may in fact cost more in five
systems to be
years to operate than it cost to purchase.” VisionComms has designed its
extremely first
responder systems to be extremely first responder friendly. It does not require
friendly. 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
…the MCC400
fully interoperable takes a maximum of four to five minutes to be fully functional.
communications 4. Many systems will fail to provide resilient communications because they are
module requires so cumbersome they require dedicated power and transportation, rendering
less than 40- them useless to the FERPv in the first critical minutes of a response. The
watts peak. 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
…advanced tech- most all components in size from up to 4RU down to 1RU, consuming very
nologies have little rack space. In fact, a system utilizing eight radio transceivers, PBX
reduced most all server; Windows® based computer, VSAT modem, radio gateway and WiFi
components in networking will consume not more than 8RU of space. A pretty small
size from up to footprint for such a powerful system!
4RU down to 1RU,
5. Most ERO’s have system networks that are IPv4 and not IPv6 compliant.
consuming very
VisionComms has addressed this rapidly advancing protocol by
little rack space.
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™ Answers the Need for Resilient Interoperable Mobile Communication Systems 5
 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, VisionComms provides simple, first responder friendly solutions that can be
first responder deployed by local or federal agencies that are completely interoperable with no
friendly solutions proprietary platforms that restrict interagency communications. The system
…completely further provides an immediate WiFi network that permits large numbers of first
interoperable with responders to communicate either by conventional radios or via WiFi
no proprietary
telephones and/or smartphones inside the network. It permits restricted laptop
platforms that
access for moving data and video throughout the network or backhauled via
restrict
interagency 3G/4G and satellite connectivity to the outside world.
communications.
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.

_________________________________________________________

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™ Answers the Need for Resilient Interoperable Mobile Communication Systems 6
i
Commercialization Office – Pilot Operational Requirements Document, page 3, paragraph 5
ii
www.commoncause.org, Washington, DC – “A Failure to Communicate”
iii
Commercialization Office – Pilot Operational Requirements Document, page 13
iv
ERO – Emergency Response Organization
v
FERP – First Emergency Response Provider