Cisco 3200 Series Rugged Integrated Services Routers

In 2003, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) allocated 50 MHz of spectrum in the 4.9 GHz band to public safety services1. Public safety agencies can use this 4.9 GHz band to implement wireless networks with advanced services for the transmission of mission-critical information such as streaming video, data access, maps, and missing person images. The FCC intended to accommodate a variety of new broadband applications such as high-speed digital technologies and wireless LANs for incident scene management, dispatch operations, and vehicular operations.

Cisco Systems® supports 4.9 GHz technology through its 3200 Series of wireless and mobile routers. Providing a best-in-class solution, the Cisco 3200 Series is an ideal platform for U.S. public safety agencies to use in taking advantage of this new licensed spectrum. Cisco 3200 Series routers can be deployed as rugged outdoor wireless routers with integrated support for 4.9 GHz wireless interface cards (WICs), creating high-speed wireless coverage areas. These high-speed wireless networks are referred to as Cisco Metro Mobile Networks (MMN), combining state-of-the-art Layer 2 wireless and Layer 3 mesh topology IP networking to deliver citywide and statewide broadband wireless access. The Cisco 3200 Series can also be deployed in public safety vehicles to create a mobile network, giving users "always-on" connectivity even while roaming between multiple wireless WAN technologies.

4.9 GHz can be used to connect the vehicle network with high-speed data connectivity, avoiding some of the challenges of unlicensed technologies when deployed in an outdoor environment. The Cisco 3200 Series can provide network connectivity to multiple devices in the vehicle such as laptops, video cameras, printers, and digital video recorders. It can also create a vehicle hotspot with an integrated 4.9-GHz or 802.11 access point. This allows the user wireless access in and around the vehicle with a laptop or handheld device, with the ability to connect to the main network through the router even if that device does not have a 4.9-GHz radio. As part of a Metro Mobile Network solution, the Cisco 3200 Series, now with 4.9-GHz support, provides a scalable, secure, broadband wireless networking solution for public safety agencies.

For more information on Cisco 3200 Series wireless and mobile routers, visit http://www.cisco.com/go/3200.

All state and local government entities that provide public safety services (defined as being focused on the protection of the safety of life, health, or property) are eligible to apply for a 4.9-GHz license. Entities that do not meet these eligibility requirements, but that provide services in support of public safety (for example, private infrastructure companies), can negotiate sharing agreements with license holders.

A 4.9 GHz band license gives the licensee authority to operate on any authorized channel in this band within the applicant's legal jurisdiction (city, county, state, etc.)2. The 4.9 MHz band is shared by all licensees, who must coordinate usage of the band with other licensees within their areas of authority. Licenses are granted for a term of 10 years. See section below for additional details on the license process with the FCC.

The license gives authority to construct and operate:

The 4.9 GHz band ranges from 4940.5-4989.5 MHz and can be broken out using 1, 5, 10, 15, and 20 MHz of bandwidth. Table 1 illustrates 1-MHz channel bandwidth.

The FCC adopted two emission masks for use in the 4.9 GHz band: the DSRC-A mask for "low-power" applications only, and the DSRC-C mask for "high-power" applications4. The DSRC-A mask is identical to the mask defined in the widely used 802.11Wi-Fi standard, which is mostly used for in-home wireless LANs and consumer "hotspots" in businesses, ranging from coffee shops to airports. In general, these applications use low-power devices that require less stringent fidelity and limited range. These devices are readily available on the market and reduce cost and time to market for wireless deployments. Higher power units (of above 20 dBm of power output) are required for deploying MMN networks and need to employ the DSRC-C mask.

The transmitting power of stations operating in the 4940-4990 MHz band must not exceed the maximum limits in Table 2.

Table 3 gives a brief overview of the 802.11 and 4.9 GHz technologies.

The Cisco 4.9 GHz Wireless Mobile Interface Card (WMIC) is fully compliant with the FCC regulations. The Cisco 4.9 GHz WMIC employs a high fidelity "high power" mask for all transmitted data. This results in higher signal quality and reduced inter-channel interference, which facilitates flexibility in channel reuse and increased Metro Mobile Network scalability.

An application for a license to operate at 4.9 GHz is filed using the FCC's Universal Licensing System (Figure 1). To file for a license, log onto the FCC's Universal Licensing System at http://wireless.fcc.gov/uls/.

When you click on `Online Filing,' you will be prompted to enter your FCC registration number (FRN). If you are not registered with the FCC, you can register using your Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN). The Webpages will guide you through the remainder of the process for filing for a 4.9 GHz license.

To gain a more thorough understanding of the range of applications that wireless communications allows for public safety agencies, please visit the National Regional Plan Guidelines, Appendix A, which describes several scenarios of typical public safety operations: http://www.apco911.org/frequency/4-9GHz/documents/FINALNPSTC4.9GuidelinesTemplateforMay212004.pdf

The Cisco 4.9 GHz Wireless Mobile Interface Card (WMIC) for Cisco 3200 Series routers provides the foundation for 4.9 GHz-based broadband wireless metropolitan networks. As a licensed wireless technology, 4.9 GHz eliminates interference from unauthorized users, and facilitates large-scale wireless deployments for public safety applications.

For more information about the Cisco 4.9 GHz WMIC and Cisco 3200 Series wireless and mobile routers, visit http://www.cisco.com/go/3200 or contact your local account representative.