This report addresses technologies, applications and markets for digital narrowband Land Mobile Radio (LMR). This type of radio was developed to satisfy requirements of users and regulatory/standard organizations (such as FCC/ETSI):

• Cost efficiency: There is a wide open market of users who cannot afford P25/TETRA networks development and implementation; meanwhile they are satisfied with technical characteristics of the discussed in these report technologies that allow building less expensive radios.
• Narrowbanding: It seems that the discussed technologies can save users’ investments when the FCC and European organizations come up with final dates mandated to have 6.25 kHz channels.

The development was carried over independently in the U.S. and Europe, with the following results:

1. NXDN and MOTOTRBO. These narrowband (6.25 kHz channel) technologies were introduces in the U.S. by vendors (NXDN – Icom and Kenwood, and MOTOTRBO by Motorola.) So far, applications of these radios are concentrated on commercial users, such as railroads, utilities and other. Though only 3-4 years old NXDN an MOTOTRBO have already found their place in the market. NXDN is based on the FDMA technology; MOTOTRBO is based on the TDMA technology.
2. In Europe, practically at the same time when 6.25 kHz radios were introduced in the U.S., ETSI was working on the development of the DMR technology (TDMA) and dPMR technology (FDMA). Currently, ETSI has published standards for these 6.25 kHz radios and is working on their enhancements. Several vendors introduced their products.

The report analyzes properties of 6.25 kHz narrowband LMRs, their characteristics and the standardization process as well as their markets. 

Target Audience

• This report is important for organizations using LMR. They need to understand the market dynamics and to be familiar with vendors’ portfolios to make a right choice in selection of equipment.
• For LMR vendors, this report provides valuable information on competition. It also supports these vendors with the market assessment. 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 Introduction 

1.1 Current Situation

1.2 Scope and Goals

1.3 Research Methodology

1.4 Target Audience

2.0 NXDN Technology and Applications

2.1 FCC Requirements

2.2 NXDN Forum

2.2.1 Foundation

2.3 Major Differences

2.4 NXDN and dPMR

2.5 NEXEDGE

2.5.1 The Company

2.5.2 General

2.5.3 NEXEDGE Major Features

2.5.4 Specifics

2.5.4.1 Air Interface

2.5.4.2 Operation Modes

2.5.4.2.1 Digital Conventional Mode

2.5.4.2.2 Digital Trunked Mode

2.5.4.2.3 Digital Trunked Wide Area IP Networks

2.5.5 Benefits

2.5.6 Licensing

2.5.7 Products

2.5.7.1 Line of Products

2.6 IDAS

2.6.1 Background

2.6.2 Technology

2.6.2.1 Company

2.6.2.2 IDAS Line of Products

2.6.2.3 Major Features

2.6.3 Major Benefits

2.6.4 Products

2.6.5 Future Enhancements

2.7 Industry

Aeroflex

Digital Voice Systems, Inc

Zetron

2.8 NXDN Market and Applications

2.8.1 Applications

2.8.1.1 General

2.8.1.2 RR Applications (IDAS)

2.8.1.3 Horizon

2.8.2 Market

3.0 MotoTRBO

3.1 General

3.2 Major Features

3.2.1 General

3.2.2 Abilities

3.3 Basis-TDMA Potentials

3.4 Recent Enhancements

3.5 Sales

3.6 Products

3.7 MOTOTRBO Services

3.8 Availability

3.9 Applications

4.0 DMR –Digital Mobile Radio

4.1 General

4.2 Major Features

4.3 DMR and TETRA 

4.4 Options

4.5 DMR Association

4.6 DMR Standards

4.7 DMR Spectrum

4.8 Flexibility

4.9 Services

4.10 DMR Benefits

4.11 Samples of Vendors

CML

Hytera

Selex

Tait

5.0 dPMR

5.1 General- dPMR and DMR

5.2 Goal

5.3 dPMR – Details

5.3.1 Models

5.4 Standards

5.4.1 dPMR MoU

5.4.1.1 NXDN Forum and dPMR MoU

5.4.2 ETSI Standards

5.5 Market 

5.6 Vendors

Etherstack 

CML

6.0 Conclusions

References

Figures

Figure 1: FCC Timeline
Figure 2: Adopted Frequency Band Plan (UHF)
Figure 3: Adopted Frequency Band Plan (VHF)
Figure 4: NXDN Radio Sales-Addressable Market ($B)
Figure 5: TAM: NXDN Equipment (Unit 000) 
Figure 6: Implementations
Figure 7: Segmentation
Figure 8: Applications
Figure 9: TAM: Sales of dPMR Equipment (US $B)
Figure 10: TAM: Sales of dPMR Equipment (Unit M)

Tables

Table 1: FCC Emission Designators
Table 2:  IDAS Products
Table 3: DMR Features
Table 4: Comparison 
Table 5 Features