TRIP REPORT

Date: June 8, 2015

Author: Harvey M. Gates, PhD, PEAerospace Engineering Sciences (AES)1, and theResearch and Engineering Center for Unmanned Vehicles (RECUV)2

College of Engineering and Applied ScienceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder (UCB)3

Conference: Public Safety Communication Research (PSCR) 2015 Public Safety Broadband Stakeholder Meeting, The Omni Hotel, San Diego, CA4

Conference Dates: June 3-5 2015

BACKGROUND

This annual conference was organized and sponsored by the PSCR program headquartered at the U.S. Department of Commerce (DoC) laboratories in Boulder, Colorado5. The PSCR program is a joint effort between the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration and its research and engineering arm, the Institute for Telecommunications Sciences (NTIA-ITS). The purpose of this conference was to bring together public safety stakeholders in matters associated with communication research and development (R&D), operation research (OR), test and evaluation (T&E), deployment, and operational issues and concerns. Representatives were from local, State, and Federal agencies and organizations, National laboratories, industry, and academia. Over 500 attended this 2015 stakeholder conference.

Forefront conference topics centered around issues associated with migration strategies and challenges facing the National Public Safety Broadband Network (NPSBN) and FirstNet6, broadband communications, smartphones, public safety Band Class 14 (BC 14) , and the “ilities” (interoperability, security, availability, compatibility, etc.) given their evolving strategies and current infrastructure of Land Mobile Radio (LMR).

1 http://www.colorado.edu/aerospace/2 http://www.colorado.edu/recuv/3 http://www.colorado.edu4 http://www.pscr.gov/about/highlights/psbb_062015/5 http://www.pscr.gov/index.htm6 http://www.broadband.gov/issues/public-safety.html

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During the UCB 2015 Spring Semester, Capstone students from the Interdisciplinary Telecommunications Program (ITP)7 briefed members of the PSCR on their presentation titled “Avalanche Search, Rescue, and Recovery Using Smartphones, An Enterprise Class Small Cell System, and An Unmanned Aerial System (UAS).” In continuing discussions and updates, representatives from this Capstone team were extended an invite to attend and display their program materials at this Stakeholder’s Conference with an offer to cover travel expenses. We were told conference planners were not allowing any vendor/supplier exhibits, per se, only invited table displays and a parking lot transportable command and communications center demonstration – THOR Shield8. The Capstone team members accepted this kind offer for a table display.

CAPSTONE CONFERENCE DISPLAY

Capstone representatives and attendees included:

Harvey Gates, Faculty AdvisorStefan Tschimben, ITP Capstone Graduate StudentMason Ryan, ITP Capstone Graduate Student

Per the terms of the invite, the team assembled the appropriate demonstration equipment and systems. Radio equipment included a flight worthy Global Wireless Technology (GWT) 054 high performance Enterprise class Small Cell platform9 provisioned for 4G LTE public safety radio BC 14 that included an IEEE 802.11 WiFi short range backhaul capability. The Capstone UAS displayed at this conference was the 22-pound Leptron Industrial Robotic Helicopters system called the Avenger10. Though part of the Capstone equipment inventory, the Sonim Technologies XP7 Smartphone11 also BC 14 enabled remained behind for additional system bench testing and system integration.

The Capstone team arranged to print three backdrop banners and approximately 24 graphs, diagrams, and photographs. A larger banner was titled “University of Colorado Boulder, College of Engineering and Applied Science.” Two smaller banners were titled “Interdisciplinary Telecommunications Program (ITP), Engineering, Computer Science, Economics, Business, Policy and Law” and “Research and Engineering Center for Unmanned Vehicles.”

7 http://beboulderanywhere.colorado.edu/itp/courses-and-programs/interdisciplinary-telecom/tlen-5710-capstone8 http://www.intrado.com/THOR9 http://www.globalwirelesstech.com/products/small-metro-cells/054-2/10 https://www.leptron.com/corporate/products/avenger/specs.php11 http://www.sonimtech.ca/xp7/xp7.php

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Upon arrival, the Capstone attendees realized our display was the only non-Federal Government conference table (actually two tables) and the centerpiece of the main conference lobby and break area. Attachment 1 shows several pictures of the assembled equipment, the display table, and one of the conference sessions. Two remaining tables displayed PSCR projects.

Needles to say, these days UAS (drones) generally draw attention. Given the small number of table displays and the nature of our research project, our Capstone hands-on display drew a great deal of attention and interest. The UAS with its communication payload could be carefully inspected and handled. Colored photographs, charts, graphs, University associated handouts and brochures, and equipment data sheets made for lively discussions that basically kept our Capstone team busy during all three days of conference breaks. Some conference attendees left sessions to come spend more time with our team for questions and answers (Q&A). A flipchart and stand were locally procured for added “chalk talk” discussions. Many attendees took pictures of the UAS and payload. Many left their business cards that have been scanned and attached.

TAKEAWAYS

1. Most public safety communication officials are familiar and have experiences with wireless carrier cell-on-wheel (CoW) systems and they understand their concept of operation, benefits, and advantages.

2. A few public safety communication officials are becoming aware of how this CoW technology can meet their particular NPSBN and FirstNet needs as was demonstrated in this year’s General Dynamics (GD) demonstration and deployment of a Band Class 14 CoW system during the 2015 World Alpine Ski Championships at Vail and Beaver Creek, Colorado12. Last report indicated this system is still in place.

4. Clearly, many public communication officials have not given much thought to small cell systems13 and potential small cell system applications.

5. Many public safety organizations and individuals have given some thought and have selected experiences with smaller UAS particularly with respect to evolving aerial video and photographic support.

6. Some public safety individuals and organizations are somewhat familiar with evolving UAS flight issues and constraints being imposed by the FAA.

12 https://sites.google.com/a/state.co.us/firstnetcolorado/home/news/fis-awsc-lte-demonstration-network13 http://www.thinksmallcell.com/System/what-is-a-small-cell-or-femtocell.html

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7. Only a few public safety communication officials at this conference had any experiences with airborne communication systems. Specifically their experiences have been with tethered aerostats14. None had any serious thoughts or considerations of UAS communication deployment options.

8. The general concept of search, rescue, and/or recovery using smartphones, an Enterprise Class small cell system, and an UAS was viewed as novel, refreshing, and had a great deal of potential within the domain of public safety.

9. Commercial carrier participation and enthusiasm in the NPSBN and FirstNet are currently tempered with what appears to be a “let’s wait and see” approach.

10. The concept of an airborne small cell deployed under any circumstances drew skepticism. However, the Capstone team was encouraged to contact and coordinate this research with their respective advanced technology and R&D organizations.

11. Several Public Safety communicators were enthusiastic about both the concept of using UAS for both SAR as well as supporting SAR and SAR-related communications and see the value of quickly deployable systems.

12. There is no question next generation public safety mobile airborne communications issues will in all likelihood capture more interest and appear in future PSCR NPSBN and FirstNet meeting agendas.

13. It is clear in this area of pursuit that operating in the BC 14 for continued R&D makes a great deal of sense before attempting to cooperatively move into commercial carrier bands.

14. In the future, carrier cooperation appears to be imperative.

14 http://ravenaerostar.com/products/aerostats/tethered-aerostat-overview

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Attachment 1 –Conference Photographs

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Attachment 2 – Business Cards

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Attachment 2 – Business Cards (Continued)

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