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Municipal
Wireless by AES Intellinet FAQ
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| AES-IntelliNet
Radio Network Systems - The Future is Now!
By Dale Gigandet, P. E.
Increasingly,
fire departments are being asked to do more with less.
Fortunately, new technologies become available that
answer their call. One such technology is 2-way, wireless
radio network systems for fire alarm reporting. This
technology not only offers superior performance and
reliability over traditional means of fire alarm reporting,
but the cost to install and maintain a system is significantly
less than other systems in use today. The following
discussion provides some answers to the most frequently
asked questions by fire departments about 2-way, wireless
radio systems and the AES-Intellinet Radio Network System.
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| Q:
What is an AES-IntelliNet Radio Network System? |
| A:
It is a 2-way, wireless data network that utilizes intelligent
routing technology to transmit alarm signals to a Supervising
Station. There are two basic elements to this data network;
the radio transceiver unit and the radio receiving equipment.
The radio transceivers are located at the protected premise
and connected to the local alarm panel or any open contact
device if no panel exists. The radio receiving equipment
is located at the Supervising Station and is used to monitor
the incoming alarm signals from each radio transceiver
in the network. |
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| Q:
What is intelligent routing and how does it work? |
| A:
Radio transceivers form an intelligent web of protection
throughout the network area, which may cover hundreds
or even thousands of square miles. Because every transceiver
is also a repeater, alarm signals are retransmitted among
transceivers using the shortest, most reliable route available.
If an alarm signal cannot be relayed by one route, the
next best route is automatically selected. The transceivers
dynamically adapt themselves to changes in the network,
continually optimizing the system for best performance. |
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| Q:
What is the benefit of 2-way data transmission? |
| A:
With 2-way radio systems, alarm signals can be verified
and acknowledged back at the Supervising Station. With
conventional, 1-way radio systems the alarm signals can
be verified (1-way), but not acknowledged, hence, there
is no way to determine if the alarm signal was received
or if anyone was listening at the Supervising Station.
This makes 2-way radio systems more reliable. |
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| Q:
How are radio transceivers connected to local alarm panels
at the protected premise? |
| A:
Radio transceiver modules include 4-, 8-, or 16-zone input
modules, intelligent panel interface modules for various
intelligent panels, digital dialer input modules, or an
IP-Link for LAN, WAN, and Internet access. |
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| Q:
Can remote relays at the protected premise be activated
from the Supervising Station? |
| A:
Yes. Because radio transceivers transmit and receive signals
(messages), relay output modules (up to 64) may be added
to turn on/off building systems (e.g., pumps, lights,
locks, etc.) from the Supervising Station. This is another
significant advantage of 2-way, wireless systems. |
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| Q:
Are alarm signals received in a timely fashion? |
| A:
Yes, and because of the redundant and adaptive radio network,
signals are generally received at the Supervising Station
within seconds, and normally faster than a hardwired dialer
can finish dialing a phone number or a telegraph box can
finish sending one round of code. |
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| Q:
Are radio towers and repeaters required? |
| A:
No. Every installed radio transceiver in the network acts
as a repeater, and the strength of the network grows with
each transceiver installed. Once a transceiver is installed
at the protected premise, alarm signals will find the
shortest and best path to the Supervising Station, and
the system is always learning and adapting to changes
in the environment. With conventional, 1-way radio systems,
if the signal path is blocked the signal will not be received,
thereby requiring physical adjustments and/or relocation
of the antenna. |
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| Q:
Are radio transceiver antennas difficult and expensive
to mount? |
| A:
No. Most radio transceivers utilize an 18-inch antenna
that mounts right on the transceiver unit and is located
within the building. Other antenna mounting arrangements
are available for areas with unusually difficult terrain.
Conventional, 1-way radio systems generally require more
complicated antenna mounting arrangements due to line-of-sight
requirements. |
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| Q:
How do radio transceivers compare with telephone and cellular
phone systems? |
| A:
Radio transceivers are less expensive, more reliable,
and provide faster data transmission than traditional
digital communicators (dialers) and cellular phone systems.
There are no telephone line connections to install and
no monthly phone service charges. Also, radio transceivers
are less susceptible to tampering and general failure,
which can occur with telephone systems |
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| Q:
How do radio transceivers compare with conventional radio
and telegraph box systems? |
| A:
Radio transceivers are more reliable and provide better
performance than conventional radio and telegraph box
systems. They are also dramatically less expensive to
install and maintain. Anyone who has installed or maintained
a conventional radio or telegraph box system will immediately
see substantial savings in material and labor costs. Savings
that can often run as high as 70% of a conventional radio
or telegraph box system. This is clearly a win-win situation
for not only the installer and the end-user, but also
the local fire department. No more expensive master boxes
to mandate, and no more radio towers/repeaters or metallic
hardwire systems to service and maintain. |
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| Q:
Is the AES-IntelliNet radio equipment compliant with the
new Federal (NTIA) requirements for narrowband devices? |
| A:
Yes. All AES-IntelliNet radio devices – past and
present – are narrowband devices and thus comply
with the new NTIA requirements. Unfortunately, many non-compliant
radio systems installed over the past 30 years are still
in operation and will eventually have to be replaced.
The new NTIA standards were enacted to promote the efficient
use of the federal radio spectrum, and will take effect
as early as January 2005 for some bandwidth assignments. |
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| Q:
What is Easton Electronics doing to help existing municipalities
who have non-compliant radio systems? |
| A:
Easton Electronics is working with fire departments and
municipalities to bring them into compliance through on-site
surveys, training classes, and a gradual conversion to
an AES-IntelliNet Radio Network System. |
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| Q:
Can a municipality set up a Supervising Station to monitor
alarm signals? |
| A:
Yes, and this is an area that Easton Electronics has developed
a particular expertise. Because existing alarm reporting
technologies vary among municipalities, as well as the
individual needs of the fire department, Easton Electronics
takes a customized approach with each municipality. This
applies to conversions, partial systems, supplemental
systems, special application systems, temporary systems,
or even demo systems. |
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| Q:
What type of head-end equipment is available? |
| A:
There are multiple head-end arrangements available; however,
most municipalities are outfitted with dual, PC-based
UL listed central receivers and alarm automation software.
All systems can be designed to accommodate future requirements.
If desired, systems can be used to handle both fire and
security using the same technology. |
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| Q:
How much does the radio equipment cost? |
| A:
The head-end equipment cost ranges from $5,000 to $29,000,
depending on the configuration desired. The individual
radio transceivers range from $900 to $1,500 depending
on the configuration. In most cases, an estimate can be
prepared within a couple of days after visiting with the
customer. |
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| Q:
Why are some municipalities reluctant to change? |
| A:
Education. If the elected officials in each municipality
understood the resulting economic benefit for the city/town
and property owners, as well as the improved public safety
from a state-of-the-art alarm and reporting system, there
would be little reason not to proceed at some level. |
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| Q:
What can Easton Electronics do to help? |
| A:
To get the ball rolling, we normally meet with the Fire
Chief or Fire Alarm Superintendent. During the on-site
meeting we will discuss their existing means for monitoring
and reporting alarm signals. Next, we will discuss technical
issues, design applications, financing options, and the
economic and public safety impact of installing a wireless,
2-way radio system. If necessary, we will also meet with
city/town elected officials to discuss these same issues. |
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| Q:
What about financing? |
| A:
Easton Electronics has come up with some creative approaches
cities and towns can use to finance a conversion over
the short and long-term. These range from lease option
approaches to the establishment of fire department setup
and alarm monitoring fees to cover equipment costs. The
savings and benefits of an AES-IntelliNet System are simply
unsurpassed, which makes wireless, 2-way radio systems
the best thing going, especially for municipalities on
a limited budget. |
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| Q:
Anything else? |
| A:
Yes. Any municipality looking to reduce costs and improve
the reliability and performance of their alarm monitoring
and reporting system should contact Easton Electronics
for an on-site evaluation and discussion about the many
benefits of an AES-IntelliNet Radio Network System. |
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| Dale
Gigandet is a registered fire protection engineer working
within Easton Electronics Radio Alarm Systems Division.
Dale may be reached by E-mail at dgigandet@easton-electronics.com
or by telephone at 800-879-3117 x33. Please also visit
our website at www.easton-electronics.com
for more information on radio alarm systems, as well as
our vast array of products and services. |
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