Benefit of Trunked Radio Technology Trunked radio systems take advantage of the probability that with any given

number of users, not everyone will need channel access at the same time. Therefore with a given number of users, fewer discrete radio channels are required. From another perspective, with a given number of radio channels, a greater quantity of users can be accommodated. The quantity of simultaneous conversations is limited by the number of discrete channels, minus one. Trunking does not increase the number of possible concurrent radio conversations beyond the quantity of discrete radio channels. Rather, trunking permits the discrete channels to be dynamically assigned in a manner that is more efficient than nontrunked systems i.e., everyone has access to idle channels Should a channel fail in a trunked system, the affected radios can possibly be automatically moved to another channel with only a slight degradation of service. Trunked systems offer some security features, as radios have to be registered before they can be used. Incidental features include the ability to individually disable a radio if it's lost or stolen, and to silently transmit an identifying number with all broadcasts made from a mobile or potable radio. Trunked radio systems work by sending computer data between a mobile radio and a central controller. When a mobile radio user presses the push-to-talk button, the radio sends a digital message to the system controller requesting a channel assignment. If a channel is available, the system controller sends a message back to the mobile radio with the channel assignment information, and also broadcasts a similar message to other radios in the fleet so that they can tune to the designated channel if necessary. A voice conversation can occur after the channel assignment process is completed. Trunked radio systems can be designed to use analog or digital modulation for voice, even though the control channel is used for data. A good analogy is to think of a trunked radio system working like the waiting line in a bank. Customers typically wait in one line for the next available teller. Conventional (non-trunked) radio systems work more like a supermarket, where customers queue up behind a checker that they choose. Rules of queuing theory prove that more customers per hour can usually be handled with a single line such as in a bank, but practicality often dictates that the supermarket model often works better. The Downside of Trunked Radio Systems Radio systems take on an added dimension of complexity when coupled with computer software that controls channel assignment. This complexity offers some benefit, but it also has a downside. The benefit should be carefully compared to its problems and risks. Generally speaking, the best radio systems are those that are sufficiently complex only to meet the business requirements. Complexity beyond that point is detrimental to overall effectiveness. Technical Issues

Trunked radio systems rely on a centralized computer controller to make channel assignments. Trunked systems will fail or be severely impaired when malfunctions of the controller occurs. Problems with the controller affect all radio users in the system. Most trunked radio systems are dependent on the building facilities where the controller is located. For example, trunked systems will fail or be severely impaired if electrical power problems occur, or there are temperature or humidity problems, or structural problems with the building itself. Non-trunked systems can be made diverse by locating comparators and other common equipment at multiple locations, so as not to be dependent on a single building. Trunked radio operation will be unavailable or severely compromised if the central controller becomes isolated from its remote radio sites. Equipment at remote radio sites is typically connected to the controller (and related equipment at the controller location) via microwave radio facilities and/or telephone circuits. Well-designed conventional radio systems are typically built using a compartmentalized approach so as not to be dependent on a single building or facility. Trunked systems typically serve a large number of users over a large geographic area. Small problems can have a major impact on radio system users. It's rarely talked about, but well-known by public-safety radio engineers. It is possible for a sophisticated hacker to maliciously craft digital messages to confuse or disable trunked radio systems. This is much more damaging than mere jamming of the control channel(s). This vulnerability can be partially mitigated by encrypting the control channel messages; however this is expensive and can make regional interoperability impossible or much more complex. Trunked radio systems have a significant delay from the time a radio push-to-talk button is pressed until the user can start talking. This delay occurs while the trunked radio system is finding and assigning an appropriate channel. Trunked radio systems can handle a finite number of simultaneous conversations. The number is usually limited by the quantity of discrete radio channels, minus one. Users will hear a busy signal if all channels are in use. The audio latency through a digital trunked radio system can be quite high. To put this in perspective, consider a law enforcement tactical operation where the operatives rely on hand signals as well as radio communication. A team member could raise his arm to touch his PTT button, speak a message, then put his arm down - all before the other team members hear the message. The audio and visual communication is incongruent, resulting in potentially critical error. Business Issues

Most trunked radio systems rely on proprietary software. Unlike conventional (nontrunked) radios that allow various brands of radios to seamlessly communicate, most trunked radios contain software that is licensed exclusively by the manufacturer. Most trunking software is viewed as a trade secret by radio manufacturers. For the most part, trunking-capable radios cannot be competitively procured. Radio pricing is established without the benefit of competition. Once an agency commits to a particular product, the manufacturer can set any price it desires for add-on products, software upgrades and services. Interoperability with radio systems that use different trunking technology (different brand of equipment and/or different software versions) is complex. Trunked radios cost between three and five times more than non-trunked radios over the life of the equipment. System operators often view the radio system as a source of revenue that will exceed the cost of operating the system. Sometimes trunked radio systems become profit centers for government entities. Trunked radio systems are similar in many ways to managing complex computer networks. Change management policies must be developed and enforced. Software upgrades will need to be purchased and installed. Upgrades will have to be carefully managed to avoid disruption to critical services. A highly skilled team of engineers and technicians will be required to manage a complex trunked system. Incremental replacement of infrastructure equipment is often impossible because of the need to use compatible software and firmware versions in all equipment. Current software often won't work in older hardware, even though the older hardware may be in excellent condition. Hardware that is in good condition must be replaced at considerable expense. It is technically and politically complex, and very expensive to expand coverage or make changes to trunked radio systems. Since trunked radio systems are intended to serve large groups of users, consensus must be developed for even simple changes. Trunked radio equipment has a comparatively short life cycle due to planned obsolescence. Equipment will need to be replaced due to software obsolescence rather than traditional wear and tear factors. Trunked System Software Reliability There is also a lesser, but still considerable, issue of software and firmware reliability. The greater simplicity of fixed circuit-based logic means conventional systems can generally be perfected to a very high standard of reliability before leaving the design lab. Short of physical hardware deterioration, nothing typically alters the state at a later time.

In the vastly more sophisticated world of software and firmware, not all bugs can be identified in the time manufacturers are willing to spend on pre-release testing. This places the onus of beta-testing on the users. While its certainly possible to eliminate all bugs from a software or firmware environment given adequate time, this possibility tends to be thwarted by the irresistibility of constantly changing (upgrading) software and firmware code after manufacturing. Every new feature brings more bugs. Even bug fixes can introduce new bugs. Well-designed conventional (non-trunked) systems offer greater reliability through simplicity of design. Conclusion Trunking is a compromise that may be warranted when a certain set of business issues exist. If those issues don't exist, then trunking is an unnecessarily expensive and complex technology that should be avoided.