Joaquin I. Deleon Guerrero

Supervisor

SmartNet Trunked Radio System

The SmartNet Trunked Radio System, is designed, engineered and installed by Motorola for the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas government. The turnkey project was tested and completed in 1993. It is a 15 channel 800MHz (operating spectrum 811.26250-856.26250 MHz) SmarNet Trunked Radio System which includes transmitter, receivers, antenna system, microwave and an advanced system controller with computer hardware and software to control and monitor the system. For the best possible coverage, this system is located on Mt. Tapachou the highest peak in Saipan.

Total communications requirements of the CNMI are now met. System up-grade (up to 20) channel expansion for the future as required by load demand.

Design Concept:

FCC Docket No.18262 mandated the advent of trunked systems and combining this development with technically feasible and economic digital addressing techniques permits an entirely new approach to Public Safety and other emergency communications systems for the CNMI.

These techniques make possible the growth of a single agency system (EMO) into one capable of supporting all of the mobile and portable radio requirements for the CNMI while maintaining necessary operational prerogatives and privacy of individual departments.

This offers a multi-channel communications system that employs digital addressing techniques and frequency switching systems to optimize user flexibility and channel access.

The SmartNet Trunked Radio System consists of following four basic hardware sub-systems:

1.                  Repeaters (transmit/receive):

15 total and can be added up to 20 repeaters total.

The transmit and receive antenna are mounted on a 200 feet tower with overall

elevation of 513.6 meters (AMSL).

3 repeaters are use for control channel (redundant) which is the data link between System Central Controller and all mobile, portable and console.

This repeaters are operating at 800MHz (UHF) spectrum with full rated solid state 75 watts continues RF power for optimum coverage.

2.                  System Central Controller:

SCC is a microprocessor based control unit, which directs the operation of and provides the organization for the system. It is responsible for arranging the flow of communications between system users. This includes processing call requests, gathering statistics and status and alarm reporting.

3.                  Radios:

All users equipment consists of all mobile and variety of portables. User option depicts the type of radio to be use. All CNMI radios can be programmed to operate on their own department talk group.

4.                  Console:

System Watch can be located at any dispatch site and is a tool in providing real time activity, error messages and control channel diagnostic. It is consist of a Trunk Control Channel Radio, software and a computer with enhanced color CRT and keyboard. No time is wasted in decoding information such as activity by user, type of call and channel. System Watch is a desktop diagnostics and system-monitoring unit that monitors the control channels and downloads system information such as:

Talkgroup Affiliation

Caller’s Unit ID

Call type (General, Priority/Emergency)

FCC Channel Designation

Time of channel is granted

Length of busy (if occurred)

Find individuals who misuse the system

Interrogate the system when undesirable occurrences are reported

Alert with audio/visual alarm for a specified caller or call type.

Information storage by automatically storing system activity to the hard disk for later off-line system analysis.

Responsibility:

The SmartNet Section under the Emergency Management Office (EMO) is responsible for the maintenance and repair of the SmartNet Trunked System.

This section consisted of one SmartNet/Maintenance manager and 3 electronic technician.

The SmartNet Trunked System is essential and vital to the CNMI Government as it supports all agencies (except CPA, CUC and the Mayors Office) with their daily operation and emergencies and/or tactical operation.