The Evolutionary Role of Communication Technologies in Public Safety Networks

Existing networks for publio Safety communications are mostly based on systems such as teJTestrial Lnmked radio (TETRA), TETRAPOL and Project 25. These systems are mainly designed to support voice services. However, public safct)' communication nef.worl<s are challenged to expand their scope way beyond their 01i ginal [unctions toward more sophisticated devices and suppo11 new services including packet data communications. Therefore. governments, public safety agencies and research communities are continuously working together and are making significant progresses toward improving p.ublic saf'e1)~ communications capabilities. Next-generation mobile technologies are the enablers for meeting the new requirements of the public safety community. Public safety and commercial systems are typically designed and deployed to fulfill different needs and have different requirements, which are directly affecting the quality or service or the communications. The unique and vital nature of public safety affects the technical decisions that are necessary to guarantee connectivity for everyone. anywhere ~nd anytime. For Lhis reason, recent enhancements of the 4G long tenn evolution (LTE) iu the field of public safet)i communications, such as device-to-device nod group communications for mobiles in physical proximity, accrue a great oppo1tunily to bring new services and a high-level of tecpnological innovation lo the public safety workers or first responders. We describe dud analyze the evolution of public safely communication systems from the technical standpoint providing a complete overvie" of what is available in the market and a glimpse of future trends. Furthem1ore, we discuss the challenge$ to efficiently deploy. operate and interoperate present and future technologies for public safely communication networks and describe how these technologies can help public sal't:I) agencies to meet their expectations.