MUTUALINK, INC. — Department of Homeland Security SBIR Phase I: DHS221-004

Description

Everything over IP and wide area cellular networks has not entirely solved the interoperability issues found in public safety communications. Prioritized public safety communicators are not able to connect with one another across major wireless carriers.We propose a systematic approach to identify an architecture and a set of standardized protocols forming a platform of interoperability. The purpose is to present a step towards standardization by defining an interoperable implementation of a cross-domain, extensible way of connecting the entire suite of public safety PTT devices as required, regardless of origination. The work consists of a development of a set of services and architecture considering existing commercialized systems, working group standards, public safety requirements, authentication, and overall security. Our findings and results will be a synthesis of software development, partner discussions on infrastructure and capabilities, industry working group requirement roadmaps, and software development on protocols and architecture favoring standardization.Federal, state, local and tribal users of wide area network land mobile radio, mission critical push to talk services from wireless and broadband networks, and private corporate wireless providers represent the prioritized community requiring the interoperable services. Commercial wireless network carriers and private network owners are also prime candidates for core server and client services working across networks.