SBIR-STTR Award

The purpose of this SBIR project is to solve this critical problem of ensuring in-building emergency communications network coverage for the first. The challenge of in-building public safety communications in emergencies or disasters is well documented, and the advent of FirstNet as an equally critical communications network increases the complexity of this problem.Epiq Solutions intends to develop an in-building coverage analysis system (ICAS) based on its software defined radio (SDR) capability which are among the smallest commercial SDRs in the industry. The resultant system will be designed to be uNbtrusive, easy to use, and financially viable to have a major impact on how coverage is tested and delivered to first responders.In this project Epiq Solutions intends to make inNvations in sensing and measurement for commonly used first responders network types: 25kHz analog, P25 digital, and FirstNet LTE as well as the emerging commercial 5G NR techNlogy. Epiq Solutions will develop requirements and architectures for the technical components of the solution as well as the methodologies and user considerations to ensure alignment with the NFPA and IFC standards and DHS findings in this area.Critically, Epiq Solutions will also undertake proof of concept testing of these requirements and architectures to validate assumptions and reduce risk for Phase II.

The purpose of this SBIR project is to solve the critical problem of ensuring emergency communications network coverage for the first responder in a host of building types and locations. The advent of FirstNet and other broadband networks as equally critical communications tools increases the complexity of this problem.While localities' code policies are accelerating the move toward providing for in-building coverage, we learned that evaluating public safety communications system coverage in buildings needs to integrate with standards, requirements, the commercial eco-system, the local authorities and communications officers.Only by improving the state of play for all stakeholders will a test system be commercially relevant.Epiq Solutions intends to deliver an innovative in-building coverage analysis system (ICAS) for commonly used first responders' network types: P25, FirstNet LTE as well as the emerging commercial 5G NR technology. This will be based on Epiq's software defined radio (SDR) products which are among the smallest and most capable commercial SDRs in the industry. The system will aggregate test data, manage it, and make the data available to all stakeholders so that first responders can have confidence in their communications in the event of incidents. In this phase, the objective is to build a minimum viable product (MVP) that will be initially complete and commercially successful.