Software radio technology and applications to law enforcement

Law enforcement use of radio includes the rapid creation of networks for the dozens of law enforcement organizations who come together in situations as diverse as the TWA 800 disaster in New York or the SunFest celebration in Palm Beach(1). The software radio is a proven technology for rapidly building such interoperable networks, including seamless bridging across sub-networks of different frequency bands, channel modulations and information formats. In addition, law enforcement must manage the costs of related radio base station infrastructure, mobile units and handsets. The software radio is a collection of engineering techniques for creating radio infrastructure that can be programmed for new standards and that can be dynamically updated with new software personalities even ''over the air'', reducing the need to purchase new hardware to remain current with emerging radio interface standards. Although relatively expensive today, continuing DoD, federal and commercial investment in software radio technology will bring products within the reach of law enforcement applications within the next few years. The Modular Multifunction Information Transfer Systems (MMITS) Forum provides further impetus for cost reductions through the market efficiencies of open architecture. This article summarizes software radio technology and key trends in the marketplace including the progress of the MMITS form. Expanded law enforcement participation in this forum would accelerate the availability of low cost products for law enforcement.