Emergency Interfacing: Military and Civil Communications in Crisis Response Scenarios

1NATO UNCLASSIFIED

Emergency Interfacing:Military and Civil Communications

in Crisis Response Scenarios

Dr Michael Street MIEE CEng

CIS Division

NATO Command, Control & Consultation Agency

[email protected]

NATO UNCLASSIFIED2 February 26th 2002 ETSI Emergency Telecommunications Workshop

Crisis Response ScenariosCrisis Response ScenariosCrisis Response ScenariosCrisis Response Scenarios

• Crisis scenarios where a response is requiredCrisis scenarios where a response is required• Natural disasters Natural disasters

–Flooding Flooding (Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Italy, (Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Norway, Poland, UK)Norway, Poland, UK)

–Earthquakes Earthquakes (Italy, Turkey, USA)(Italy, Turkey, USA)–Hurricanes and Ice storms Hurricanes and Ice storms (Canada, USA)(Canada, USA)

• Non-natural disastersNon-natural disasters–Transport crashes Transport crashes (Canada, Germany, Norway)(Canada, Germany, Norway)–Fires Fires (Germany, Netherlands)(Germany, Netherlands)–TerrorismTerrorism

• Crisis Response OperationsCrisis Response Operations• ‘‘Traditional’ military CROTraditional’ military CRO• Peace-keeping, peace-support, Operations Other than War etcPeace-keeping, peace-support, Operations Other than War etc

• Crisis scenarios where a response is requiredCrisis scenarios where a response is required• Natural disasters Natural disasters

–Flooding Flooding (Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Italy, (Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Norway, Poland, UK)Norway, Poland, UK)

–Earthquakes Earthquakes (Italy, Turkey, USA)(Italy, Turkey, USA)–Hurricanes and Ice storms Hurricanes and Ice storms (Canada, USA)(Canada, USA)

• Non-natural disastersNon-natural disasters–Transport crashes Transport crashes (Canada, Germany, Norway)(Canada, Germany, Norway)–Fires Fires (Germany, Netherlands)(Germany, Netherlands)–TerrorismTerrorism

• Crisis Response OperationsCrisis Response Operations• ‘‘Traditional’ military CROTraditional’ military CRO• Peace-keeping, peace-support, Operations Other than War etcPeace-keeping, peace-support, Operations Other than War etc


Military and Civil CommunicationsMilitary and Civil CommunicationsMilitary and Civil CommunicationsMilitary and Civil Communications

• In all previous disaster scenarios the military has been involved In all previous disaster scenarios the military has been involved to support civil emergency services in a co-ordinated mannerto support civil emergency services in a co-ordinated manner

• In ‘traditional’ CRO, military works with NGOs, local services etcIn ‘traditional’ CRO, military works with NGOs, local services etc

• Communications between military and civil emergency services Communications between military and civil emergency services are vital are vital

• Both have effective individual communications systems - the Both have effective individual communications systems - the interface between is vitalinterface between is vital

• In all previous disaster scenarios the military has been involved In all previous disaster scenarios the military has been involved to support civil emergency services in a co-ordinated mannerto support civil emergency services in a co-ordinated manner

• In ‘traditional’ CRO, military works with NGOs, local services etcIn ‘traditional’ CRO, military works with NGOs, local services etc

• Communications between military and civil emergency services Communications between military and civil emergency services are vital are vital

• Both have effective individual communications systems - the Both have effective individual communications systems - the interface between is vitalinterface between is vital


Effect of Disasters on TelecomsEffect of Disasters on TelecomsEffect of Disasters on TelecomsEffect of Disasters on Telecoms

• Area affected Area affected • Natural - widespreadNatural - widespread• Man-made - limitedMan-made - limited

• Communications AffectedCommunications Affected• Fixed lineFixed line

–Congestion and/or disruptionCongestion and/or disruption• RadioRadio

–Congestion and/or disruptionCongestion and/or disruption– Loss of power

– Loss of infrastructure–Priority mechanisms utilised occasionally Priority mechanisms utilised occasionally

– From Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council,

Civil Communications Planning Committee (N/EAPC U)

• Area affected Area affected • Natural - widespreadNatural - widespread• Man-made - limitedMan-made - limited

• Communications AffectedCommunications Affected• Fixed lineFixed line

–Congestion and/or disruptionCongestion and/or disruption• RadioRadio

–Congestion and/or disruptionCongestion and/or disruption– Loss of power

– Loss of infrastructure–Priority mechanisms utilised occasionally Priority mechanisms utilised occasionally

– From Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council,

Civil Communications Planning Committee (N/EAPC U)


Communications InfrastructureCommunications InfrastructureCommunications InfrastructureCommunications Infrastructurein crisis ..in crisis ..in crisis ..in crisis .. .. response operation.. response operation .. response operation.. response operation

Existing infrastructure is likely to be unusable and rapidly deployable communications will be required. Users may use remains of previous infrastructure as best they can.


Emergency Telecoms: What’s neededEmergency Telecoms: What’s neededEmergency Telecoms: What’s neededEmergency Telecoms: What’s needed

• Communications system requirements:Communications system requirements:• Rapidly deployableRapidly deployable• Easy to useEasy to use

–no time for operator trainingno time for operator training• Self supportingSelf supporting• Interconnected to other networksInterconnected to other networks

• High capacityHigh capacity–Congestion is a recurring problem in many Congestion is a recurring problem in many

emergency scenariosemergency scenarios

• Communications system requirements:Communications system requirements:• Rapidly deployableRapidly deployable• Easy to useEasy to use

–no time for operator trainingno time for operator training• Self supportingSelf supporting• Interconnected to other networksInterconnected to other networks

• High capacityHigh capacity–Congestion is a recurring problem in many Congestion is a recurring problem in many

emergency scenariosemergency scenarios


Pictures courtesy of DERA / Qinetiq (UK)

Military Use; Civil TechnologyMilitary Use; Civil TechnologyMilitary Use; Civil TechnologyMilitary Use; Civil Technology


COTS GSM for Emergency ScenariosCOTS GSM for Emergency Scenarios COTS GSM for Emergency ScenariosCOTS GSM for Emergency Scenarios

GSM PiconodeGSM Piconode• Standalone GSM infrastructureStandalone GSM infrastructure

• BTS, BSC, MSC, NMSBTS, BSC, MSC, NMS• Deployable - 20 kg, 0.6 mDeployable - 20 kg, 0.6 m33

• Can be connected to other Can be connected to other networks networks • GSM, PSTN, PABX GSM, PSTN, PABX • Satellite backhaulSatellite backhaul• Tactical MilitaryTactical Military

• Used by UK in KosovoUsed by UK in Kosovo

GSM PiconodeGSM Piconode• Standalone GSM infrastructureStandalone GSM infrastructure

• BTS, BSC, MSC, NMSBTS, BSC, MSC, NMS• Deployable - 20 kg, 0.6 mDeployable - 20 kg, 0.6 m33

• Can be connected to other Can be connected to other networks networks • GSM, PSTN, PABX GSM, PSTN, PABX • Satellite backhaulSatellite backhaul• Tactical MilitaryTactical Military

• Used by UK in KosovoUsed by UK in Kosovo

GSM & GPS GSM & GPS • GSM data services GSM data services

support useful services for support useful services for Emergency Operations Emergency Operations• Position reportingPosition reporting• Status monitoringStatus monitoring

GSM & GPS GSM & GPS • GSM data services GSM data services

support useful services for support useful services for Emergency Operations Emergency Operations• Position reportingPosition reporting• Status monitoringStatus monitoring

GSM is useful, but no GSM is useful, but no securitysecurity

Not just GSM, any digital Not just GSM, any digital mobile radiomobile radio

GSM is useful, but no GSM is useful, but no securitysecurity

Not just GSM, any digital Not just GSM, any digital mobile radiomobile radio … … like TETRAlike TETRA… … like TETRAlike TETRA


Military Position Reporting, Civil BearerMilitary Position Reporting, Civil BearerMilitary Position Reporting, Civil BearerMilitary Position Reporting, Civil Bearer

C2PC Common Operation Picture software operating over a TETRA network


Military CMilitary C22 software software (C2PC) (C2PC) running running

over COTS over COTS (TETRA) (TETRA) networknetwork

Military CMilitary C22 software software (C2PC) (C2PC) running running

over COTS over COTS (TETRA) (TETRA) networknetwork


Military - Civil InterfaceMilitary - Civil InterfaceMilitary - Civil InterfaceMilitary - Civil Interface

• Interface between COTS Interface between COTS TETRA network and TETRA network and military networkmilitary network

• PC running LinuxPC running Linux

• NC3A developed NC3A developed interface softwareinterface software

• Converts GPS to Converts GPS to OTH/Gold format for OTH/Gold format for MCISMCIS

• Interface between COTS Interface between COTS TETRA network and TETRA network and military networkmilitary network

• PC running LinuxPC running Linux

• NC3A developed NC3A developed interface softwareinterface software

• Converts GPS to Converts GPS to OTH/Gold format for OTH/Gold format for MCISMCIS


TETRA - Military Services; Civil StandardTETRA - Military Services; Civil StandardTETRA - Military Services; Civil StandardTETRA - Military Services; Civil Standard

Developed for Public Safety & Security with CDeveloped for Public Safety & Security with C33 features features

Group CommunicationGroup Communication• Direct Mode Operation (Direct Mode Operation (when no infrastructure)when no infrastructure)• Emergency facilities (Emergency facilities (ccall prioritiesall priorities & preemption) & preemption)• Dispatching Dispatching

• TETRA services TETRA services Combat Net Radio features Combat Net Radio features • has many large, security conscious user groupshas many large, security conscious user groups

–Large user groups -- COTS equipmentLarge user groups -- COTS equipment

Developed for Public Safety & Security with CDeveloped for Public Safety & Security with C33 features features

Group CommunicationGroup Communication• Direct Mode Operation (Direct Mode Operation (when no infrastructure)when no infrastructure)• Emergency facilities (Emergency facilities (ccall prioritiesall priorities & preemption) & preemption)• Dispatching Dispatching

• TETRA services TETRA services Combat Net Radio features Combat Net Radio features • has many large, security conscious user groupshas many large, security conscious user groups

–Large user groups -- COTS equipmentLarge user groups -- COTS equipment


Why COTS PCS ?Why COTS PCS ? Why COTS PCS ?Why COTS PCS ?

• Military role has changedMilitary role has changed• Peace-keepingPeace-keeping• Peace-supportPeace-support• Crisis responseCrisis response• OOW, Non-article 5 operationsOOW, Non-article 5 operations

• Composition of forces has changedComposition of forces has changed• increasingly multi-service, multi-nationalincreasingly multi-service, multi-national

• Military budgets have changedMilitary budgets have changed

• Military role has changedMilitary role has changed• Peace-keepingPeace-keeping• Peace-supportPeace-support• Crisis responseCrisis response• OOW, Non-article 5 operationsOOW, Non-article 5 operations

• Composition of forces has changedComposition of forces has changed• increasingly multi-service, multi-nationalincreasingly multi-service, multi-national

• Military budgets have changedMilitary budgets have changed

“The times they are a changing”

Bob Dylan


NC3A PCS StudyNC3A PCS StudyNC3A PCS StudyNC3A PCS Study

• Study Study allall available Personal Communications Systems available Personal Communications Systems • terrestrial, satcom, COTS & GOTSterrestrial, satcom, COTS & GOTS

• Evaluate for use against a detailed Evaluate for use against a detailed Crisis Response Crisis Response scenarioscenario

• Match for suitabilityMatch for suitability• different users different users e.g. military, policing, NGOs, VSOse.g. military, policing, NGOs, VSOs• different applications different applications e.g. speech, location, data, videoe.g. speech, location, data, video• different tasks different tasks e.g. liaison, reconnaissancee.g. liaison, reconnaissance• different phases different phases e.g. initial deployment to long-term peace support e.g. initial deployment to long-term peace support

• Study Study allall available Personal Communications Systems available Personal Communications Systems • terrestrial, satcom, COTS & GOTSterrestrial, satcom, COTS & GOTS

• Evaluate for use against a detailed Evaluate for use against a detailed Crisis Response Crisis Response scenarioscenario

• Match for suitabilityMatch for suitability• different users different users e.g. military, policing, NGOs, VSOse.g. military, policing, NGOs, VSOs• different applications different applications e.g. speech, location, data, videoe.g. speech, location, data, video• different tasks different tasks e.g. liaison, reconnaissancee.g. liaison, reconnaissance• different phases different phases e.g. initial deployment to long-term peace support e.g. initial deployment to long-term peace support


NC3A TETRA NC3A TETRA Evaluation Evaluation

SystemSystem

SHAPE - June ‘01SHAPE - June ‘01

NC3A TETRA NC3A TETRA Evaluation Evaluation

SystemSystem

SHAPE - June ‘01SHAPE - June ‘01


NC3A NC3A Deployable Deployable

Comms Comms ModuleModule

TETRA TETRA system system

installed installed insideinside

(occasionally)(occasionally)

NC3A NC3A Deployable Deployable

Comms Comms ModuleModule

TETRA TETRA system system

installed installed insideinside

(occasionally)(occasionally)


Where is NC3A usingWhere is NC3A using

??

Where is NC3A usingWhere is NC3A using

??

• NC3A, NLNC3A, NL• SHAPE, BESHAPE, BE

• JWID 2001 JWID 2001 • Poland Poland

• Strong ResolveStrong Resolve• Baumholder, GE Baumholder, GE

• Combined Combined Endeavour 2002Endeavour 2002

• Banja Luka, BiH Banja Luka, BiH • SFOR/BRITFOR trial SFOR/BRITFOR trial

(97 Signal Sqdn, UK)(97 Signal Sqdn, UK)

• NC3A, NLNC3A, NL• SHAPE, BESHAPE, BE

• JWID 2001 JWID 2001 • Poland Poland

• Strong ResolveStrong Resolve• Baumholder, GE Baumholder, GE

• Combined Combined Endeavour 2002Endeavour 2002

• Banja Luka, BiH Banja Luka, BiH • SFOR/BRITFOR trial SFOR/BRITFOR trial

(97 Signal Sqdn, UK)(97 Signal Sqdn, UK)


ETSI Standards; NATO ExercisesETSI Standards; NATO ExercisesETSI Standards; NATO ExercisesETSI Standards; NATO Exercises

• NC3A TETRA system isNC3A TETRA system is• MobileMobile• DeployableDeployable• Easy to useEasy to use

• NC3A TETRA system isNC3A TETRA system is• MobileMobile• DeployableDeployable• Easy to useEasy to use

• Combined Endeavour 2002Combined Endeavour 2002• Strong ResolveStrong Resolve

• Used to establish comms infrastructure for exerciseUsed to establish comms infrastructure for exercise• SFOR trial, Banja LukaSFOR trial, Banja Luka

• 2nd (National Communications) Signal Brigade, UK2nd (National Communications) Signal Brigade, UK

• Combined Endeavour 2002Combined Endeavour 2002• Strong ResolveStrong Resolve

• Used to establish comms infrastructure for exerciseUsed to establish comms infrastructure for exercise• SFOR trial, Banja LukaSFOR trial, Banja Luka

• 2nd (National Communications) Signal Brigade, UK2nd (National Communications) Signal Brigade, UK


Military and Civil InterfacingMilitary and Civil InterfacingPSTN, Public Safety Mobile RadioPSTN, Public Safety Mobile Radio

and Tactical Military Comms and Tactical Military Comms

Military and Civil InterfacingMilitary and Civil InterfacingPSTN, Public Safety Mobile RadioPSTN, Public Safety Mobile Radio

and Tactical Military Comms and Tactical Military Comms

PSTN / PSTN / TETRA / TETRA / AutokoAutokotrialstrials

AUTOKO -AUTOKO -German Army German Army tactical commstactical comms

Clear speech Clear speech interoperabilityinteroperability

PSTN / PSTN / TETRA / TETRA / AutokoAutokotrialstrials

AUTOKO -AUTOKO -German Army German Army tactical commstactical comms

Clear speech Clear speech interoperabilityinteroperability


Secure Voice CommunicationsSecure Voice CommunicationsSecure Voice CommunicationsSecure Voice Communications

• Military and many public safety users want secure Military and many public safety users want secure speech servicesspeech services

• In emergency scenarios public safety users may want In emergency scenarios public safety users may want privacy from media privacy from media

• Security against eavesdropping and disruptionSecurity against eavesdropping and disruption• Must consider and protect against emergencies where Must consider and protect against emergencies where

cause is deliberatecause is deliberate• Unprotected communications leaves rescuers vulnerableUnprotected communications leaves rescuers vulnerable

• Military and many public safety users want secure Military and many public safety users want secure speech servicesspeech services

• In emergency scenarios public safety users may want In emergency scenarios public safety users may want privacy from media privacy from media

• Security against eavesdropping and disruptionSecurity against eavesdropping and disruption• Must consider and protect against emergencies where Must consider and protect against emergencies where

cause is deliberatecause is deliberate• Unprotected communications leaves rescuers vulnerableUnprotected communications leaves rescuers vulnerable


ContentsIntroductionOverviewPhysical Realisation IssuesUse of AlgorithmsKey ManagementInteroperabilityThreatsSpecifications

AppendicesUser profilesAdditional detail to be specifiedSample specification (IDEA)Sample Test Data

TETRA Security and Fraud Prevention GroupTETRA Security and Fraud Prevention GroupTETRA Security and Fraud Prevention GroupTETRA Security and Fraud Prevention Group

Guidance on implementing end-to-end encryption within ETSI Standards

Prepared with public safety, commercial & military input

Courtesy of D Parkinson, BT Exact


TETRATETRACivil Technology, Military SecurityCivil Technology, Military Security

TETRATETRACivil Technology, Military SecurityCivil Technology, Military Security

• Need to interface Need to interface during the during the standards standards making processmaking process

• User User requirements requirements

• Technical specTechnical spec

• Need to interface Need to interface during the during the standards standards making processmaking process

• User User requirements requirements

• Technical specTechnical spec

TETRA Standards

End to End Encryption

SFPG Recommendation 02

AlgorithmVocoder

Commercial or national

(public safety or military)algorithm

Vocoder(TETRA ACELP,AMR or MELPe)


A Digression on CongestionA Digression on CongestionAvoiding it: Military Vocoder vs Civil VocoderAvoiding it: Military Vocoder vs Civil Vocoder

A Digression on CongestionA Digression on CongestionAvoiding it: Military Vocoder vs Civil VocoderAvoiding it: Military Vocoder vs Civil Vocoder

• Congestion is a problem in emergency scenariosCongestion is a problem in emergency scenarios• Choice of voice coderChoice of voice coder• Military is used to minimising throughput for low capacity channelsMilitary is used to minimising throughput for low capacity channels• Same speech intelligibility, half the throughputSame speech intelligibility, half the throughput• InteroperabilityInteroperability

• Frequency congestion and allocationFrequency congestion and allocation

• Congestion is a problem in emergency scenariosCongestion is a problem in emergency scenarios• Choice of voice coderChoice of voice coder• Military is used to minimising throughput for low capacity channelsMilitary is used to minimising throughput for low capacity channels• Same speech intelligibility, half the throughputSame speech intelligibility, half the throughput• InteroperabilityInteroperability

• Frequency congestion and allocationFrequency congestion and allocation

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

CO

TS

X

CO

TS

Y

CO

TS

Z

ME

LP

e

CO

TS

X

CO

TS

Y

CO

TS

Z

ME

LP

e

6 dB SNR

12 dB SNR

Quiet

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

CO

TS

X

CO

TS

Y

CO

TS

Z

ME

LP

e

CO

TS

X

CO

TS

Y

CO

TS

Z

ME

LP

e

6 dB SNR

12 dB SNR

Quiet

Male speaker Female speaker

Voice Coders

COTS X = 3.6 kbps

COTS Y = 4.56 kbps

COTS X = 4.56 kbps

MELPe = 2.4 kbps

MELPe is NATO Stanag 4591


Security for other COTS PCSSecurity for other COTS PCSSummary of Trials with Early Commercial ‘Secure’ GSMSummary of Trials with Early Commercial ‘Secure’ GSM

Security for other COTS PCSSecurity for other COTS PCSSummary of Trials with Early Commercial ‘Secure’ GSMSummary of Trials with Early Commercial ‘Secure’ GSM

Location Reliability QualityLocation Reliability Quality

• Within NLWithin NL 60-70%60-70% GoodGood

• Outside NL, UrbanOutside NL, Urban• Within countryWithin country 90 %90 % GoodGood• InternationalInternational PoorPoor

• RuralRural 33 %33 % PoorPoor• GSM - PSTNGSM - PSTN 40 %40 % PoorPoor

• But no NL-BE connectivityBut no NL-BE connectivity

• Standard COTS services didn’t work as expectedStandard COTS services didn’t work as expected

Location Reliability QualityLocation Reliability Quality

• Within NLWithin NL 60-70%60-70% GoodGood

• Outside NL, UrbanOutside NL, Urban• Within countryWithin country 90 %90 % GoodGood• InternationalInternational PoorPoor

• RuralRural 33 %33 % PoorPoor• GSM - PSTNGSM - PSTN 40 %40 % PoorPoor

• But no NL-BE connectivityBut no NL-BE connectivity

• Standard COTS services didn’t work as expectedStandard COTS services didn’t work as expected


Military Secure GSMMilitary Secure GSMMilitary Secure GSMMilitary Secure GSM

• Swedish/Norwegian ProjectSwedish/Norwegian Project• Integrated GSM / DECT unitIntegrated GSM / DECT unit

• DECT via satelliteDECT via satellite• Encrypted Voice + DataEncrypted Voice + Data• High gradeHigh grade• NATO and commercial versionsNATO and commercial versions

• Swedish/Norwegian ProjectSwedish/Norwegian Project• Integrated GSM / DECT unitIntegrated GSM / DECT unit

• DECT via satelliteDECT via satellite• Encrypted Voice + DataEncrypted Voice + Data• High gradeHigh grade• NATO and commercial versionsNATO and commercial versions

• ReliableReliable• ReliableReliable


SummarySummarySummarySummary

• Long history of military forces working with public safety in Long history of military forces working with public safety in emergenciesemergencies• NATO is prepared for this role NATO is prepared for this role

–e.g. NATO Civil Communications Planning Committee e.g. NATO Civil Communications Planning Committee • Current events make military-public safety co-operation more Current events make military-public safety co-operation more

likely and more importantlikely and more important

• Need effective, secure communicationsNeed effective, secure communications• Need commonality for quick and easy interfacing Need commonality for quick and easy interfacing

(interconnection and interoperability)(interconnection and interoperability)• requires planning from the startrequires planning from the start• involvement by all in requirements definition and standards processinvolvement by all in requirements definition and standards process

• Long history of military forces working with public safety in Long history of military forces working with public safety in emergenciesemergencies• NATO is prepared for this role NATO is prepared for this role

–e.g. NATO Civil Communications Planning Committee e.g. NATO Civil Communications Planning Committee • Current events make military-public safety co-operation more Current events make military-public safety co-operation more

likely and more importantlikely and more important

• Need effective, secure communicationsNeed effective, secure communications• Need commonality for quick and easy interfacing Need commonality for quick and easy interfacing

(interconnection and interoperability)(interconnection and interoperability)• requires planning from the startrequires planning from the start• involvement by all in requirements definition and standards processinvolvement by all in requirements definition and standards process


Questions ?Questions ? Questions ?Questions ?

• [email protected]@nc3a.nato.int

• More info:More info:• Voice coder, Military use of COTS PCS Voice coder, Military use of COTS PCS • http://nc3a.info/Voicehttp://nc3a.info/Voice• http://nc3a.info/PCShttp://nc3a.info/PCS• http://www.iee.org/OnComms/pn/communicationshttp://www.iee.org/OnComms/pn/communications

• [email protected]@nc3a.nato.int

• More info:More info:• Voice coder, Military use of COTS PCS Voice coder, Military use of COTS PCS • http://nc3a.info/Voicehttp://nc3a.info/Voice• http://nc3a.info/PCShttp://nc3a.info/PCS• http://www.iee.org/OnComms/pn/communicationshttp://www.iee.org/OnComms/pn/communications

Documents

Emergency Interfacing: Military and Civil Communications in Crisis Response Scenarios