Technology Assessment Program Trunked Radio Systems: NIJ Report 200-90

• NCJ Number: 190640
• Author(s): L. T. Jones; P. C. Smith; W. J. Ingram
• Date Published: August 1993
• Length: 36 pages
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Report (Technical Assistance)

Annotation

This report describes the basic principles of trunked radio systems, with emphasis on topics relevant to public safety radio users, and summarizes a study directed by the Associated Public-Safety Communications Officers, Inc. (APCO), to specify the system performance capabilities that public safety users may require.

Abstract

Telephone systems have used trunking for many years. However, land mobile radio systems have only recently started using trunking, mainly as a means of providing improved service quality through reduced blocking probability and enhanced spectral efficiency. In addition, trunked radio systems provide operational features not previously available in land mobile radio systems. An important consideration in the purchase of a trunked radio system is its operational capability. The document called APCO 16-A provides a useful summary of mandatory and desirable features, while acknowledging that all users may not need all the mandatory features. Features of trunked radio systems include improved quality of service, addressing capability, dynamic regrouping, queuing, prioritizing communications, and propagation considerations. The main considerations in selecting trunked systems are whether the system is needed at all, the features needed, encryption requirements, system size, and the choice of vendors after the initial procurement. Figures, bibliography listing 23 sources, 19 references, and appended APCO report