Abstract
New public safety applications requiring higher bandwidths stress the existing wireless networks in many cities. Advanced reporting, computer-aided dispatch, automatic license plate recognition, in-field fingerprinting, mug-shot database searches, and video surveillance require higher bandwidths than the 19.2-56Kbps wireless networks used by cities for years.
The goal of this project is twofold: 1) to design and implement a wireless first responder infrastructure meeting the bandwidth requirements for new applications, and, 2) to achieve the stringent security requirements for public safety networks.
Solution development incorporated a standard three-phase methodology: 1) requirements gathering, 2) design, and 3) testing. In each phase, the solution incorporated the combined input from multiple agency personnel to ensure an effective solution.
This project proves it is feasible to build an effective, standards-based, secure, wireless network to service the needs of the first responders within a city, using readily available hardware and software. The built network is secure, scalable, resilient, manageable, and meets the requirements of the applications used by city personnel.