Reconfigurable Radio Systems for Public Safety: New Generation Public Safety Ict

Reconfigurable Radio Systems (RRS) is a subject which is becoming more and more interesting in that represents an affordable and effective solution for the integration of applications for first responders involved in Public Protection and Disaster Relief (PPDR). These End Users are more and more involved in operations of protection to people environment and properties, addressing a large number of threats both natural and man-made, acts of terrorism, technological, radiological or environmental accidents. Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) have always played an important role in the Public Safety domain. The capability of exchanging information (e.g., voice or data), in particular group calls and situation related data with the required level of security is essential to improve the coordination of Public Safety officers during an emergency crisis and improve their situational awareness. In this paper we focus on the target of interoperability and broadband connectivity in Europe, which are currently the main concerns of Public Safety organizations. This paper explains the specific operational conditions and related main features, the rational for adopting reconfigurable architectures and the level to apply reconfiguration on network components, finally the structure and components of an applicable Business Model is proposed.