The direction of urban communications networks in Texas.

[texasemt13]

I just ran across this document that's been sitting on my computer for awhile now, and took the time to browse over it again. The document is quite long so I'm going to hash out the important topics into separate posts. The following posts are from the Texas Statewide Communications Interoperability Plan revised in August of 2010 (so bear in mind it almost a year and a half old).

 

[texasemt13]

Houston UA

The City of Houston is building a new 700 MHz interoperable public safety radio system. This system will be integrated with the existing Harris County/H-GAC Regional Radio System. The two systems will provide capacity, coverage and signal strength needed for the Houston area. The Harris County/H-GAC Regional Radio System surrounds Houston and provides interoperability to more than 500 agencies and 33,000
users. Harris County is currently upgrading the regional system to standards-based P25, and also needs to implement additional sites to increase capacity and coverage. With the implementation of the City of Houston system, Houston and Harris County will partner in providing standards-based interoperable communications throughout the multi-county region.

 

[texasemt13]

Dallas/Fort Worth/Arlington UA

The City of Dallas plans to upgrade an analog, trunked 800 MHz communications system to include 700 MHz, which will provide interoperability to the Dallas public safety agencies as well as public works agencies. This system will serve a population of 1.25 million people and provide communications for approximately 3,500 first responders and 4,000 support and public works personnel. The goal for the UASI area is to have seamless interoperability among metroplex systems, such as the Dallas and Fort Worth systems. A multi-phased approach is being considered, due to the high cost of implementing new systems in the UASI area. The project currently being evaluated is the installation of a 700 MHz P25
system overlay of the Region (3-6 channels) for agencies to roam outside their jurisdictional boundaries. This system would utilize existing computer hardware to allow multiple systems to connect for interoperability and economic purposes. Using new technologies that will allow interfacing older technologies to the newer standards based infrastructure will ease the migration to a “system of standards-based systems.” Until this is achieved, the use of gateways and console patches will continue, unless there are shared channels on common systems. Dallas recently installed a network of wireless video surveillance cameras. It is expected that the coverage will be expanded to more areas in the Dallas/Arlington/Fort Worth UASI when funding is identified.

 

[texasemt13]

San Antonio UA

San Antonio plans to enhance their existing 800 MHz coverage area by consolidating several non-simulcast sites into new simulcast sites. This will improve coverage, especially in the rapidly growing southern areas of the county due to Toyota. This consolidation will also add capacity and flexibility and enable the area re-utilize frequencies at other existing sites and build-out several new sites in adjoining counties based on population growth. They also intend to migrate their infrastructure to more recent technology that will allow them to make the transition to P25 quicker and easier over the next several years. In addition, they plan to improve system interoperability by creating 700 MHz interoperability overlays and establish switch-to-switch connections with several public safety and critical infrastructure agencies (LCRA, VIA Transit, Corpus Christi / Nueces County, American Electric Power [AEP]) locally and regionally. These overlays and connections will leverage existing 800 MHz and 900 MHz coverage areas, existing infrastructure and resources throughout multiple regions but especially along major evacuation routes, logistical support corridors and between regional medical centers. In addition, placing Texas shared interoperability channel infrastructure in the rural
areas adjacent to San Antonio will provide both operability and interoperability for local, regional, state and Federal agencies.

 

[texasemt13]

Lcra

Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA)
• Implementation of 700 MHz overlay to existing LCRA system. Install two redundant master switches with conventional gateway, ISSI interface, IP gateway and console. This equipment will allow for a seamless integration into existing regional systems, as well as the agencies’ existing conventional systems for interoperability.
• 700 MHZ channel equipment installation at 46 existing sites that will consist of three RF channels and accessories to provide approximately 37,000 square miles of RF coverage that consist of all or part of 54 counties in central Texas.

 

[texasemt13]

Brazos River Authority

Brazos River Authority (BRA)
• Replace current infrastructure to meet gateway/patch interoperable VHF communications requirements for Authority lake rangers (licensed peace officers).
• Replace all old repeaters, base stations and consoles with P25 compliant equipment.
• Add a base station, tower, antenna and associated cabling equipment to the Central Office facility.
• Add ACU-1000 gateways for connection between BRA VHF and various mutual-aid frequencies.
• Purchase and install mobile data terminal communication systems at Possum Kingdom Lake, Lake Granbury and Lake Limestone for specialized law enforcement data and voice capabilities.
• Purchase and installation includes laptop computers, radios, power supplies, towers, antennas, mounting brackets for law enforcement vehicles, and associated cabling.

 

[texasemt13]

Tabc

Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC)
• Replacement of 120 VHF High-Band Portable two-way radios to meet FCC narrow band requirements, that also would be P25 digital capable for interoperability with state, county and local law enforcement agencies statewide.
• Replacement of 250 VHF High-Band mobile two-way radios to meet FCC narrow band requirements, that also would be P25 Digital Capable for interoperability with state, county and local law enforcement agencies statewide

 

[texasemt13]

Texas DPS

To address the Department’s immediate and critical communications interoperability issues, DPS needs three interface switches to create an infrastructure to network existing resources and provide sufficient capacity to allow local and regional radio systems to interface. These switches will also provide redundancy in the event one or more become disabled. The first switch would create a network along the TexasMexico border and the Gulf Coast region. The remaining switches will expand the network to all areas of the state. To connect with other state, local and regional agencies a gateway device is needed. Additionally, procurement and installation of a master site switch will provide optimal interoperability and begin the infrastructure for an all state agency trunked hybrid system utilizing 700 MHz where feasible.

 

[texasemt13]

El Paso UA

The El Paso Regional Strategic Plan will also strengthen existing connectivity to the state of New Mexico. El Paso is linked to the City of Las Cruces, New Mexico’s analog 800 MHz radio system via a base station located at the City’s 3 Hills Tower Site back to the District 911 Dispatch Center which utilizes the City of El Paso’s analog Public Safety 800 MHz Radio System. The Far West Texas and Southern New Mexico Regional Advisory Council on Trauma connects three of the six Region 08 Texas counties to the entire State of New Mexico’s UHF radio network back to the District 911 Dispatch Center/City of El Paso Radio System.
The plan identifies current coordinated efforts with New Mexico’s Office of Emergency Management, OEM and New Mexico State University, to mesh the New Mexico statewide P25 VHF system to the City of El Paso’s proposed P25 800/VHF Radio Master Site. This Regional Master Site will incorporate P25 800 MHz, VHF, UHF and 700 MHz capabilities. The initial design will provide P25 800 MHz and VHF functionality. The plan will promote a user friendly and cost effective “Talk Group” functionality for the region and the neighboring state of New Mexico.

 

[nd5y]

They revised it again in August 2011. I haven't checked to see if any of what you quoted was changed.
It is Appendix F here: TxDPS - Communications Security Interoperability Report

The TSIEC web page still has last year's version: Texas State Interoperability Executive Committee Home Page

 

[texasemt13]

Thanks Tom, I didn't find it on a Google search.

 

[texasemt13]

It basically looks the same, a lot of information can be found beginning at page 53.

 

[IAmSixNine]

Good info. Thanks