Cell-Tel White Paper Contact: Pete Fekke Phone: 904.363.1111 Email: [email protected] Web Site: www.cell-tel.com

MilWave® Secure GSM Wireless Communications System

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Introduction Cell-Tel Government Systems, Inc. (Cell-Tel) is providing this White Paper to discuss secure wireless communication requirements. In command and control (C2), the scope of direction of forces and dynamic coordination of resources is paramount to the successful completion of the assigned mission.

This dynamic coordination approaches a level of synergy with the mission when

commanders and staff can maintain mobility through responsive, flexible communications and information systems.

Government organizations must provide assured communications that will interact with all response organizations in order to accomplish their missions. Government responders use an array of communications systems to include various wireless communications – privatized cellular systems, tactical communications (UHF and VHF), Two-way Land Mobile Radios (LMRs), High Frequency (HF) radios, Satellite telephone systems and terrestrial public broadcast switches (PBXs) – all enhance the capability to plan organize, direct, and monitor mission status and effectiveness.

Cell-Tel offers the capability to provide program, engineering and technical support to meet the range of government secure wireless communication requirements. The MilWave Secure GSM Wireless Communications System provides an integrated fixed or portable communications system and associated equipment that meets our understanding of the goals and objectives of the government’s secure wireless communications requirements.

Operational Concept

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The government needs to provide assured secure communications to all elements of government particularly within specified regions or areas. This includes a comprehensive system package consisting of: •

Secure wireless cellular

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REDCOM International Gateway exchange for Command and Control (IGX-C)

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Ancillary equipment and support, as well as optional

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Connectivity to legacy communications systems via Emergency Deployable Interoperable Communications System (EDICS) connectivity.

The following figure displays the system requirement:

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Scope of System Capabilities Cell-Tel’s MilWave® Network is capable of supporting the full spectrum of government operations. The MilWave® Network supports military and civil mission areas by providing robust fixedsite, easily expandable, initial entry communications and immediate reach-back capability. This reach-back capability extends government communications services, providing voice and data connectivity to civil and military senior, operational, and tactical personnel.

The MilWave® Network enables the timely exchange of information, data, decisions and orders. It provides the ability to gather, process and disseminate an uninterrupted flow of reliable and precise information. It is designed to support secure wireless communications as well as rapid deployment with joint and multi-national interoperability capabilities.

The MilWave® Network supports users as part of a daily fixed site operation as well as when a deployment sequence is initiated. Then, MilWave® mobile systems provide a rolling interoperable communications infrastructure for rapidly expanding or deploying forces (to include shipboard).

The General Dynamics Sectera Secure Wireless handset provides key leaders with National Security Agency (NSA)-approved Type 1 secure voice capabilities through commercial and military satellite access. With future advancements the handset will provide data, video and imagery capabilities.

centers or those that arrive with deploying forces. Together with commercial Satellite, Wideband Page 1 Phone 904.363.1111 Fax 904.363.0032 www.cell-tel.com

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Conceptually, the first MilWave® assets to be used may be fixed-site at key operational

HCLOS and multi-channel Tactical Communications Satellite (TACSAT) providing "reach-back" to the standard entry nodes and access to sustaining base networks, the Transportable Subscriber Node provides the full suite of subscriber services to the user. The subscriber node’s wideband High Capacity Line-of-Sight (HCLOS) radios provide the high-speed Internet backbone.

Wide Area

Network (WAN) Nodes and Transmission Relay Terminals expand the backbone and extend connectivity to subscriber nodes, integrated subscriber nodes, mobile users and the countries communication networks. Full voice, data, imagery and video are available to the key operational centers.

Access to specialized services such as mobile satellite service, defense message systems, global broadcast systems and interfaces to joint and coalition forces are all provided through the MilWave® infrastructure. Integrated nodes at key operational centers receive voice and data capabilities via wide band radio providing true Command and Control On-the-Move (C2OTM). The Sectera Secure Wireless handset accesses secure tactical cellular systems backed up by satellite coverage.

As initial forces arrive at the objective to secure airstrips, ports or other key assets, the Sectera Secure Wireless handset and other MilWave® assets, such as wideband multimode Line-ofSight (LOS) and bandwidth managed satellite, provide reach-back to the sustaining base of operations.

Deployment of heavier assets begins from strategic airlift and Roll-on/Roll-off transport ships

Subscriber nodes can use the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) cellular overlay as Page 2 Phone 904.363.1111 Fax 904.363.0032 www.cell-tel.com

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or other modes of transportation. Government support platforms equipped with MilWave® Integrated

well as OMNI HCLOS, Wideband radio, Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System (SINCGARS) and Enhanced Position Location and Reporting System (EPLRS) to establish immediate voice and data connectivity amongst the fighting force. Wireless LANs interconnect operations centers and data systems providing a common situational awareness and data transfer during tactical operations.

As response forces continue to flow into the areas of interest, the MilWave® Network’s common infrastructure throughout all echelons expands the network and allows seamless information flow from platform to sustaining base.

System Overview MilWave® GSM Secure Wireless Communication Systems developed by Cell-Tel meet wireless communication requirements at a fraction of the price of current commonly installed commercial cellular infrastructure. Cell-Tel has adapted the philosophy and architectures to networks, applied it to wireless telecommunications networks, and made it turnkey. MilWave® is unique in its compact design and unsurpassed in its robust performance. It delivers a full Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) network within an enclosure that is about the size of a personal computer (PC) tower. Attachment A lists the principal components and technical specifications of a MilWave® Network-in-a-Box.

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Cell-Tel’s MilWave® GSM wireless network solution offers a host of benefits compared to traditional wired or cellular infrastructure. The main benefits include:

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A distributed architecture that maximizes efficiency and allows for service extension and capacity expansion at a lower capital expenditure and operational costs.

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A scaleable growth path that can start with just a few components and add incremental capacity based on demand.

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An unmatched speed of deployment that offers a significant competitive edge.

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A patented technology that provides seamless integration with existing public or private networks while still meeting open industry standards.

MilWave® is a multi-spectrum system that operates within the three spectrum segments and offers additional GSM compliant features and services including:

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Prioritized service ensuring system availability according to chain of command,

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User managed access and hierarchical routing;

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Multi-party and specialized conferencing,

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Supports US National Security Agency (NSA)-approved Type-1 Future Narrow Band Data Terminal (FNBDT) digital encryption,

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Global broadcast and text messaging.

All MilWave® Network products are developed on the same core operating system using

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extensible Application Programming Interface (API). This architecture enables the rapid introduction

of enhanced services in a cost-effective way ensuring quick response to user requirements and increased differentiation of service offerings.

The modular architecture of the MilWave® Network platform allows for easy node transformation since a common hardware platform is used for all GSM functionality. The Mobile Switching Center (MSC), Base Station Controller (BSC) and Base Transceiver Station (BTS) are interchangeable even in the field in any combination through software configuration allowing unmatched speed of deployment and operation.

The network grows by just adding additional nodes linked in daisy chain, hierarchical or peerto-peer. The products are incrementally scalable from just a few users to over several thousand subscribers.

Secure cellular communications are accomplished with the MilWave® Data Protocol Management System/Interworking Function (DPMS/IWF) server that incorporates the use of NSAcertified Type 1 secure GSM cellular handsets utilizing Cell-Tel’s proprietary Secure Node Application Program (SNAP) software.

The MilWave® Network offers a full range of compliant GSM features and services including: Home Location/Visitor Location Registers (HLR/VLR)

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Support for billing record transfer and Call Detail Record (CDR)

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Subscriber management

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User authentication

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•

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Performance statistics

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Call handling features such as call delivery, incoming call barring, call forwarding, abbreviated and intelligent call routing.

The MilWave® Network switching platform employs a patented intelligent traffic management feature that provides transparent connection between existing networks and MilWave®'s distributed networks. Cell-Tel is committed to the evolution of GSM networks to 2.5G General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), 3G (third generation) and beyond. GPRS offers standard interfaces and competitive feature sets. With Cell-Tel’s GSM product, the operator has a choice to either deploy GSM and GPRS now or deploy GSM services first and later upgrade to GPRS via an easy software upgrade.

As part of the GPRS turnkey solution, Cell-Tel offers a compact GPRS Support Node (GSN) plus other core network support components tailored for GPRS networks. MilWave®’s GPRS products can also be configured as a Base Station System (BSS) connecting over standard interfaces to an existing Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) or can be configured as a standard GPRS network with intelligent switching capabilities. Operational requirements today emphasize the need for small, lightweight, interoperable communication systems that are easy to deploy, set-up, operate and maintain. Cell-Tel designs and implements these exact systems.

The MilWave® Network can interface with available Private Branch Exchanges (PBXs) — including proprietary interfaces to the REDCOM IGX — providing the connectivity and interoperability to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), Defense Switched Network (DSN), available

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tactical entry nodes, Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSATs), IRIDIUM and similar trunks, Land

Mobile Radios (UHF and VHF), SINCGARS and tactical radios, Air-to-Ground radios, High Frequency (HF) and vehicular mounted radios.

In addition to other cellular handsets, connectivity is provided to analog and Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) telephones sets as well as to secure telephones (STU/STE/STE-R). Type 1 secure communications from point of origin that will be available soon featuring the Sectéra handset that uses FNBDT algorithms.

Core components of the MilWave® Network consist of wireless, wireline and microwave transmission modules. The modules are built out in ruggedized military standard ECS Composite allweather transit cases. The communications network featuring a distributed switching architecture built in to each network subsystems allowing a scalable and incremental approach to maximizing efficiency and maintaining cost-effectiveness by allowing user capacity growth and footprint coverage expansion.

The MilWave® System interfaces with a variety of Class 5 compliant digital telephone switches including Nortel Networks, Avaya and REDCOM. Typically these switches with their latest version of software are utilized for both secure and non-secure operational environments.

Network expansion is implemented through the use of multi-mode manageable microwave or fiber network. Multiple E-1, T-1, 10/100 BaseT Ethernet ports and MPEG 1 and 2 streaming video nodes can be simultaneously deployed and managed over the DS-3/OC-3 backbone. The drop and

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insert, point-to-point and point-to-multipoint design allows the MilWave® Network to be distributed to

In summary, each MilWave® GSM system provides a private cellular network and is designed for current and future specialized government needs. Available features include prioritized service to ensure system availability according to chain of command, multi-party and specialized conferencing, video conferencing, facsimile transmission, and digital encryption to protect users from unauthorized monitoring and restrict system access – features critical to any government communications system.

A “broadcast” feature has also been programmed that allows text messages to be sent to individuals and predefined groups. Global messaging alerts all users simultaneously and can be sent over existing Local Area Network (LAN) connections. Because the system is flexible and transports voice and data, it integrates current and future communication mediums including satellite, microwave, fiber optics, radio and traditional copper. Existing and future special features can easily be added to MilWave® Networks based on user needs.

Secure Cellular As stated, the MilWave® Network is an interoperable communications system incorporating modular, scaleable GSM wireless voice and data technologies. Developed by Cell-Tel, this system features the capability to rapidly deploy and commission an autonomous robust voice and data network that supports Type-1 GSM FNBDT secure cellular telephones and Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) terminals.

handsets, STU-IIIs, STEs, STE-Rs, and Motorola Omegas through user established dialing Page 8 Phone 904.363.1111 Fax 904.363.0032 www.cell-tel.com

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These NSA-approved FNBDT devices are used to make secure digital calls to other

sequences.

A secure enclave permits decrypting the voice and data for re-encrypting through

ANDVT, KY-100, KY-99, KY-58, AN/CSZ-1A for access to tactical and strategic command and control land mobile and celestial networks. Placement of non-secure calls within and through the network is accomplished identically.

The MilWave® GSM Network provides inherent evolution for migration to 2.5 General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), 3G (Third Generation) and beyond. Third party 802.11 secure devices, such as Fortress, provide Data Encryption Standard (DES)-III encryption to send and receive secure full motion video and data at broadband rates in an outdoor or rugged environment.

Handsets with Secure Sleeves Handsets include the General Dynamics/Motorola P280i with the General Dynamics Sectera Type 1 secure sleeve.

Type 1 Sectera Secure Wireless Phones for Global System for Mobile

Communications (GSM) provide high assurance end-to-end security. Other features include:

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Designed for use by government & military

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Secure and non-secure calls from same handset

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Interoperates with FNBDT-compatible secure devices

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Operates in 900/1800/1900 MHz bandwidths worldwide

REDCOM The REDOM ISDN Gateway Exchange for Command and Control (IGX-C) is an interoperable voice switching system.

It supports an unmatched suite of international and defense signaling

protocols and combines radio, wireless, tactical and cryptographic interfaces, unique command

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dispatch consoles, specialized ISDN Basic Rate Interface (BRI) phones with integrated push-to-talk,

and REDCOM’s Extreme Conferencing. With its modular and scalable design and cabinet or open rack packaging, the IGX-C also brings global capabilities to fixed and strategic locations including command centers.

See Attachment B for a detailed list of REDCOM IGX specifications and features.

Radio Frequency (RF) Analysis With wireless systems, it is very difficult to predict the propagation of radio waves and detect the presence of interfering signals without the use of test equipment. Even when using omnidirectional antennas, radio waves do not travel the same distance in all directions. Instead, walls, doors, elevator shafts, people, and other obstacles offer varying degrees of attenuation that cause the RF radiation pattern to be irregular and unpredictable. As a result, Cell-Tel will perform an RF Site Survey to fully understand the behavior of radio waves within a facility or area before installing its wireless network access points.

The ultimate goal of an RF Site Survey is to supply enough information to determine the number and placement of access points that provides adequate coverage throughout the facility or area. In most implementations, "adequate coverage" means support of a minimum data rate. An RF Site Survey also detects the presence of interference coming from other sources that could degrade the performance of the wireless network.

The need and complexity of an RF Site Survey will vary depending on the facility or area. For

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example, a small three-room office may not require a site survey. This scenario can probably get by

with a single access point located anywhere within the office and still maintain adequate coverage. If this access point encounters RF interference from another nearby wireless network, choosing a different channel will more than likely eliminate the problem.

A larger facility such as an office complex or campus environment generally requires an extensive RF Site Survey. Without a survey, users usually end up with inadequate coverage and suffer from low performance in some areas.

When conducting an RF Site Survey, Cell-Tel follows these general steps: 1. Obtaining a facility diagram or blueprint if available or preparing a floor plan drawing that depicts the location of walls, walkways, etc.

2. Visually walking through and inspecting the facility noting any potential barriers that may affect the propagation of RF signals such as metal racks and partitions (items that blueprints generally don't show).

3. Identifying user areas by marking the areas of fixed and mobile users which illustrate where mobile users will and will not roam.

4. Determining preliminary access point locations by considering the location of wireless users and range estimations of the wireless products to be used and approximating the locations of access points that will provide adequate coverage throughout the

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user areas. Cell-Tel will plan for some propagation overlap among adjacent access

to be far enough apart to avoid inter-access point interference. Cell-Tel will consider mounting locations that could be vertical posts or metal supports above ceiling tiles and identify suitable locations for installing the access point, antenna, data cable, and power line.

5. Verifying access point locations by identifying the associated access point, data rate, signal strength, and signal quality. Installing an access point at each preliminary location, and monitoring the site survey software readings by walking varying distances away from the access point. Cell-Tel will take note of data rates and signal readings at different points when moving to the outer bounds of the access point coverage. In a multi-floor facility, tests will be performed on the floor above and below the access point.

6. Document findings by identifying on the facility diagrams recommended mounting locations and providing a log of signal readings and supported data rates near the outer propagation boundary of each access point as a basis for future redesign efforts.

In general, RF propagation varies widely. For example, an 8-watt GSM system with antenna heights from 12 to 36 meters would have an expected radius of operations from 7 to 0.7 km depending on the environment (rural, sub-urban, or urban).

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Coverage See Attachment C for some examples of anticipated coverage.

Frequencies Systems that emit electromagnetic energy have to be approved and coordinated to be operated in the environment. This is true for the base stations and mobile stations (cell phones) that comprise wireless networks. Commercially, elements of the MilWave® system are approved, as they are COTS items that are used worldwide.

A specialized agency of the United Nations (UN), the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), coordinates international standards, regulations, and promotes the efficient use of the spectrum to maximize the use of the potential for telecommunications services worldwide.

ITU

statutes guide the user overseas use and those established by the host countries.

The applicant is responsible for requesting frequency assignments from the local frequency manager in the proposed area of deployment. Cell-Tel would speculate that a two-step process is used to operate the equipment — first obtain a frequency allocation for the equipment, and second coordinate a frequency assignment for each use.

The MilWave® Network’s GSM system has very broad frequency agility. It system works in the 900MHz, 1800Mhz, and 1900MHz spectrum. One full duplex channel is made up of a pair of carriers. One is for the uplink receive and one for the downlink transmit. The duplex distance, between uplink and downlink carriers varies – 45MHz for 900 spectrum, 95MHz for 1800 spectrum,

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and 80Mhz for 1900 spectrum. Carrier separation is 200KHz. Each TRX needs only one channel.

Hence, there is ample spectrum potentially available to use.

In addition, the cell size is quite

controllable so that potential interference is minimal (not to mention the tactical advantage of reduced footprint).

The system is designed to work with or autonomous within host nation cellular systems. The system is quite flexible in a number of areas like spectrum application, channelization, and transmission power agility. Working within other countries should not cause a problem though it is acknowledged that some countries are easier to work with. However, the GSM standard is designed to be quite interoperable and should easily be useable in any country. The R2 and ISDN protocols are used for direct connections and converters if otherwise necessary. As you know, it depends on the particular situation in the country of interest. For example, in Greece both ISDN and Q-sig interfaces are being used with the cellular system.

The MilWave® Network operates in all three GSM spectrums – 900/1800/1900 MHz. If you need to change from one frequency to another (if you need to), you will have to change the transceivers (TRX) and Reference Frequency Distribution (RFD) cards. Then with the Operations and Maintenance Center (OMC), you change the band selection and channel assignments. This process takes just a few minutes. Another option is to have another module ready already configured in this way. Then a quick swap of the rack-mounted element can be made. If the GSM elements of the system are case mounted, you would just deploy the appropriate system to support the operational requirement. When changing between the three spectrums, you will want the proper antenna installed or multiband antennas. The Sectera Type1 handset that you will probably be using

dual band (900 and 1800MHz) instrument. Page 14 Phone 904.363.1111 Fax 904.363.0032 www.cell-tel.com

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is a tri-band phone that operates in all three spectrums. The GSM telephone normally provided is a

Ancillary Equipment Several pieces of ancillary equipment complete the MilWave® Network. These products are listed in the cost proposal.

This includes the Microwave System that provides the needed

connectivity, the Power System with battery back-up, the Mast System with telescoping masts and antennas (although existing structures are often used when available).

EDICS Overview The Emergency Deployable Interoperable Communications System (EDICS) is a transportable communications system mounted in transit cases made up of Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) equipment.

EDICS provides secure and non-secure communication between deployed

response team elements and other federal, state and local agencies. In addition, EDICS provides the connectivity from a government-provided ground entry point (government or commercial satellite system).

EDICS is fully interoperable with other government and commercial communications

systems including satellite communications systems. The EDICS shall be transportable via ground, sea, or air vehicles.

The approach to use the EDICS capability is highly dependant upon the systems of interest. A separate quote can be provided when the details of the connectivity requirements have been specified.

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Summary Our understanding of the government’s wireless communications requirements is that it needs to provide assured secure communications to all elements of government. This includes a comprehensive system package consisting of secure wireless cellular, a state-of-the-art interoperable digital voice switching system, and the necessary ancillary equipment and support. Expandability and growth, to include connectivity with legacy communications systems, will provide needed support for government communications in the future.

The Cell-Tel MilWave® Network will meet this requirement. It is capable of supporting the full spectrum of government operations. The MilWave® Network supports military and civil mission areas by providing robust fixed-site, easily expandable, initial entry communications and immediate reachback capability. This reach-back capability extends government communications services, providing voice and data connectivity to civil and military senior, operational, and tactical personnel. The Network enables the timely exchange of information, data, decisions and orders. The MilWave® Network is designed to support secure wireless communications as well as rapid deployment with joint and multi-national interoperability capabilities.

Estimated Cost See Attachment D for cost breakdown of the proposed system. The “conceptual drawing” shown below illustrates generally how the MilWave Network and RD3C are deployed in New Orleans supporting FEMA activities. The RD3C is located at the FEMA Primary Federal Operations (PFO) center at the dock area in downtown New Orleans.

PSTN

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connectivity is provided by FEMA to the MilWave Network. A microwave link connects the RD3C to

Hotel. From this point connectivity can be made to other areas within the operation area as needed. The RD3C satellite dish communicates with a commercial satellite to provide for high speed data services.

About Cell-Tel Government Systems, Inc. Cell-Tel Government Systems, Inc. is the premier integrator of fixed, mobile and transportable wireless communication networks for military and government applications. Cell-Tel is headquartered at 8226 Philips Highway, Suite 290, Jacksonville, Florida, and can be contacted at www.cell-tel.com or toll-free at (800) 737-7545. For further information on this or archived press releases, please contact Michael Starling: [email protected]

CELL-TEL GOVERNMENT SYSTEMS, INC. 8226-B Philips Highway, Suite #290 Jacksonville, Florida 32256 USA DUNS: 073570314 Cage: 1UHG6

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