A voice over IP solution for mobile radio interoperability

While performing their duties, emergency service personnel in mobile units from various departments need to communicate with each other. Currently, unless every department has identical radios, this is impossible due to lack of radio interoperability. This research addresses the need for these non-interoperable mobile units to communicate with one another. It is not financially possible for these agencies to each purchase new, matching radios; instead a solution is being developed using voice over IP (VoIP). This solution involves establishing a network consisting of a single central server and clients located at each of the departments. Interfaced to each client is a radio that is compatible with the individual department's mobile radio units. Each client runs an H.323 compliant application developed using Microsoft's Telephony Application Programming Interface 3.0 (TAPI 3.0). A prototype system has been developed and preliminary testing has proven that the system operates successfully. Further testing methods for determining voice quality are being evaluated.