General

This document provides a framework for interoperable public safety broadband data communications standards. These standards form the basis for a variety of broadband data services suitable for mission-critical Public Safety applications and compatible with the 4.9 GHz Public Safety band. These standards might potentially be applicable to other broadband spectrum. Standards derived within this framework are based on broadband IEEE 802 protocols. The goals of these standards are to: (1) enable user interoperability including at the air interface level in accordance with FCC systems authorization and product certification requirements; (2) leverage COTS wireless standards to 4.9GHz; (3) enable interchangeability of public safety equipment from multiple vendors; and (4) leverage the vast body of Internet based network and application protocols for use in systems based on these standards. These standards will maximize the application of commercial off the shelf (COTS) capabilities and standards in order to enable interoperability among users and interchangeability across vendors providing compatible products.

Interchangeability in this context is an operational definition meaning that equipment from multiple vendors which are designed to TIA-1065 will be able to communicate at the PHY/MAC layer in much the same way that 802.11 Wireless LAN equipment operates (i.e., a public safety entity could buy an AP from one vendor and a client laptop from another and the units could communicate with each other with no special configuration/intervention required). As such, interchangeability enables user interoperability which, in addition, requires interoperability of higher layer protocols, services and applications. Notwithstanding any elements or features mandated by these standards, equipment/software that embodies a compliant PHY/MAC might need to be configured by the customer a priori to enable interoperability.