Mobile Emergency Communication System Architecture

In this paper, emergency communications past and present are discussed. The current public safety issues of non-interconnected separately owned and operated Land Mobile Radio (LMR or private mobile radio (PMR)) networks to the presently designed systems for interconnected from agency to agency use radio systems that are created by unifying communication resources providing public safety agencies local, regional, and national services. These proposed interconnected systems are called mobile responder communication networks (MRCNs). Many groups have explored how to accomplish interconnecting existing and new infrastructure, from small devices to larger, interconnecting public to private networks. A particular focus of this paper will also explore a newer technology called WiMAX, a bridging technology that can expand the useable spectrum of services currently available. The infrastructure, including WiMAX, can bridge services and also enhance current ones. MRCNs can use a common IP-based network service intelligent session control to bridge commercial networks as well with LMRs. Thus, this would allow for the support of multimedia services, broadband access via high data rate access, and mission critical group voice and other services not available with current LMR technologies during emergency responses.