Emerging Public Safety Wireless Communication Systems

With the increasing need for more effective and efficient responses to man-made and natural public safety threats, the necessity for improved private mobile and commercial wireless digital communication systems has become apparent. This one-of-a-kind resource describes today's public safety communication requirements and radio systems from a technical perspective, and shows you how communication systems are evolving to meet the growing demands of multimedia wireless applications.

This text explores the movement toward shared radio networks for public safety communications in the U.S. and Europe, including the technologies and standards they employ, and the challenges of shifting from independent systems to a shared system. Case histories of local, regional, state and national systems are presented, spanning a full range of development, implementation and operating approaches. The book is intended as a reference for all public safety communications professionals, engineers and program managers involved in shared land mobile radio and commercial wireless networks, and is suitable as a textbook in graduate courses on wireless communication systems. The five authors are specialists from the fields of communications, public safety and engineering. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

David R. Smith is a professor at George Washington University (GWU) and a consultant for SAIC among other companies. He holds a Ph. D. in electrical engineering from GWU, an M.S. in electrical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology, and a B.S. in physics from Randolph-Macon College.

William D. Speights is the Public Safety Program Manager at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. He has a B.S. in General Engineering at the United States Naval Academy.

John R. DiSalvo is a senior transmissions engineer for SAIC and was formerly the Wireless Communications Bureau Chief for the State of Florida. He holds an M.S. in electrical engineering from Louisiana Tech University and a B.S. in electrical engineering from the University of Florida. He is also a registered professional engineer in Florida.

Richard J. Dewey is a Director for Telecom Consultants international (TCI). He holds a Ph. D. in microwave engineering from the University of Southampton and a B. Sc. in electrical engineering from University of London, Kings College.