3-Part Solution to Digital Radio Audio Quality DAVID CHAMBERS | Current Product Engineering Bringing Together Best Practices, Radio Technology, and Accessories

October 23-24, 2012Motorola Solutions 2 Agenda  What is the Challenge  Understanding the Issues  Defining a Complete Solution –IAFC Best Practices –Radio Technology and Optimization –Radio Accessories  What are the Results  Summary

October 23-24, 2012Motorola Solutions 3 Agenda  What is the Challenge  Understanding the Issues  Defining a Complete Solution –IAFC Best Practices –Radio Technology and Optimization –Radio Accessories  What are the Results  Summary

October 23-24, 2012Motorola Solutions 4 The Fire Environment  Difficult and Extreme Situations –Low Visibility, Heat, Stress –SCBA Gear –High Noise Alarms –Low Air Alert –PASS Mechanical –Pump Panel –Gas Fans –Saws  Multiple Radios = Acoustical Feedback

October 23-24, 2012Motorola Solutions 5 The Fire Environment The Challenge: Creating intelligible radio communications in high noise and extreme environments

October 23-24, 2012Motorola Solutions 6 Agenda  What is the Challenge  Understanding the Issues  Defining a Complete Solution –IAFC Best Practices –Radio Technology and Optimization –Radio Accessories  What are the Results  Summary

October 23-24, 2012Motorola Solutions 7 Understanding the Issues: Noise  Reduction of transmitted speech intelligibility when operating in a high noise environment BOTH  Applies to BOTH Analog and Digital operation modes  SNR –SNR –Signal to Noise Ratio –≤ 0dB SNR (more Noise than Speech) is BAD for a radio vocoder!

October 23-24, 2012Motorola Solutions 8 Understanding the Issues: PASS  PASS –PASS –P ersonal A lert S afety S ystem  Fire fighter locator alarm –Automatically turns on when fire fighter stops moving for a period of time  Multiple manufacturers of PASS Alarm devices –SCBA equipment integration  Every PASS Alarm brand sounds different –Different masking effects Scott (~60% US Market) MSA (~35% US Market) SurvivAir Grace Industries Super Pass II

October 23-24, 2012Motorola Solutions 9 Understanding the Issues: Feedback  A Natural Phenomenon –Can occur when a sound loop exists between an audio input (a microphone) and an audio output (a speaker)  The Sound Loop –Exists when a signal received by the transmitting microphone is amplified and passed out of the receiving speaker  Further Audio Amplification –The sound from the speaker can then be received by the transmitting microphone again, amplified further, and then passed out through the speaker again  Acoustical Feedback Results –The radio user(s) may hear a more pronounced echo and “cricket” sounds from the received audio  Acoustical Feedback differences between Analog and Digital modes

Delivered Audio Quality Rating DAQ Subjective Performance Description  DAQ 5.0 –Speech easily understood.  DAQ 4.0 –Speech easily understood. Occasional Noise/Distortion.  DAQ 3.4 –Speech understandable with repetition only rarely required. Some Noise/Distortion.  DAQ 3.0 –Speech understandable with slight effort. Occasional repetition required due to Noise/Distortion.  DAQ 2.0 –Understandable with considerable effort. Frequent repetition due to Noise/Distortion.  DAQ 1.0 –Unusable, speech present but unreadable. July AFAC Knowledge Series - Radio Communications

October 23-24, 2012Motorola Solutions 11 Agenda  What is the Challenge  Understanding the Issues  Defining a Complete Solution –IAFC Best Practices –Radio Technology and Optimization –Radio Accessories  What are the Results  Summary

October 23-24, 2012Motorola Solutions 12 Motorola’s Audio Quality Solution  3-Part Solution –Radio Best Practices IAFC recommendations for radio usage on the fire ground –Radio Technology and Optimization What Motorola does to ensure audio quality in our radios What customers can do to setup your radios to ensure the best audio quality for their unique environments –Radio Accessories Choosing the best accessories for your environment

October 23-24, 2012Motorola Solutions 13 Agenda  What is the Challenge  Understanding the Issues  Defining a Complete Solution –IAFC Best Practices –Radio Technology and Optimization –Radio Accessories  What are the Results  Summary

October 23-24, 2012Motorola Solutions 14 IAFC Best Practices  In an effort to deliver optimal intelligible audio in the presence of high background noise, the use of “Best Practices” as defined by the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) along with optimal Customer Programming Software (CPS) audio settings in the radio, have shown to be very beneficial in delivering improved communications.  Using the “IAFC Best Practices”, transmit audio quality and intelligibility can be improved significantly. Developing and Maintaining Good Habits for Radio Communications

October 23-24, 2012Motorola Solutions 15 IAFC Best Practices

October 23-24, 2012Motorola Solutions 16 IAFC Best Practices  Keys for intelligibility improvement –The position and angle of the radio microphone Holding the radio microphone 1-2 inches directly in front the mouth or directly on the SCBA Voice Port IAFC Best Practices, Section 1, Recommendation 2

October 23-24, 2012Motorola Solutions 17 IAFC Best Practices  Keys for intelligibility improvement –The volume level and clarity of voice Speaking in a loud (not shouting), clear voice produces the best transmit audio quality and intelligibility IAFC Best Practices, Section 1, Recommendation 3

October 23-24, 2012Motorola Solutions 18 IAFC Best Practices  For XTS version radios, shield the microphone from noise sources to improve the intelligibility of the audio in high noise environments. –When Practical: Turn or move away from the noise source Use a free hand to shield the microphone from noise –IAFC Best Practices, Section 1, Recommendation 4

October 23-24, 2012Motorola Solutions 19 Agenda  What is the Challenge  Understanding the Issues  Defining a Complete Solution –IAFC Best Practices –Radio Technology and Optimization –Radio Accessories  What are the Results  Summary

October 23-24, 2012Motorola Solutions 20 APX: TX Noise Suppression AMBE Vocoder (Digital Only) + Analog & Digital DSP Noise Suppression + Adaptive Beam-Forming PASS Alarm Suppression + Dual-MIC + MOTOROLA APX MISSION CRITICAL PERFORMANCE Both Analog and Digital Modes!

Maximum Sensitivity October 23-24, 2012Motorola Solutions 21 Maximum Sensitivity  Tracks Talker & Noise Sources  Suppresses Noise and Enhances Speech  Allows the DSP Algorithm to be more Efficient at Reducing Noise APX: Adaptive Noise Suppression

October 23-24, 2012Motorola Solutions 22 DSP Volume Management Signal Conditioning + Vocoder + 1 W Rated Speaker w/ Class-D Amplification MOTOROLA CRITICAL MISSION PERFORMANCE APX: RX Loudness Output APX = Loudest & Clearest Speaker Audio on the Market!

October 23-24, 2012Motorola Solutions 23 Radio Audio Settings: XTS vs. APX XTS: Radio Wide APX: Unique Radio Profiles APX Radio Profiles = Greater Audio Quality Flexibility!

October 23-24, 2012Motorola Solutions 24 Agenda  What is the Challenge  Understanding the Issues  Defining a Complete Solution –IAFC Best Practices –Radio Technology and Optimization –Radio Accessories  What are the Results  Summary

October 23-24, 2012Motorola Solutions 25 Accessories - RSM  Remote Speaker Microphone (RSM) Versions –Old “Jedi” Style –Commander Style –IMPRES Style  Each accessory has different audio performance specifications –For XTS, drives different Radio Template settings Recommend using only one type of RSM –For APX, accessories are “Smart” JediCommanderIMPRES

APX XE Remote Speaker Mic October 23-24, Motorola Solutions

October 23-24, 2012Motorola Solutions 27 Retractable Microphone Attachment  Allows for better use of radio microphone –Easier to place mic in front of mouth or on SCBA voice port  Gear Keeper ® Specifications –Nylon Coated Stainless Steel Cable –Stainless Steel Spring and Hardware –60 lbs. Breaking Strength –400 degree F, V-2 Flame Rating –Nylon/Elastic Mic Lanyard SCBA Voice Port Gear Keeper

October 23-24, 2012Motorola Solutions 28  Two Largest Manufacturers –Scott –MSA  Different voice port locations –Need to know location to ideally follow Best Practices!  Different voice amplifiers –Mic on or off the voice amplifier?  Different PASS alarms –Different audio masking effects Voice Ports Voice Port SCBA Products – Know the Differences SCOTT MSA Know these Differences before making an SCBA Decision!

October 23-24, 2012Motorola Solutions 29 Agenda  What is the Challenge  Understanding the Issues  Defining a Complete Solution –IAFC Best Practices –Radio Technology and Optimization –Radio Accessories  What are the Results  Summary

October 23-24, 2012Motorola Solutions 30 Audio Quality – What It Looks Like “Standard”“Best Practices”  K950 saw cutting wood audio samples  Digital radio mode  Standard vs. Best Practices  Radio setup Default vs. Noise Shield Default Noise Shield Kicking In Best Practices works together with Noise Shield!

October 23-24, 2012Motorola Solutions 31 Audio Quality – What It Looks Like “Looking Away”“Best Practices”  Pump Panel audio samples  Digital radio mode  Standard vs. Best Practices  Radio setup XTS5000 vs. APX Noise Shield Kicking In APX is ALWAYS Lower in Noise (Better SNR!) APX Noise Suppression XTS5000, Noise Shield

October 23-24, 2012Motorola Solutions 32 Acoustical Feedback Improvements  Video Samples –Sample 1 On Shoulder Before Changes –Sample 2 Best Practices Optimized Settings

October 23-24, 2012Motorola Solutions 33 STANDARD MIC POSITION – Before Changes (Microphone 3”-5” from Mouth) “BEST PRACTICES” POSITION – Optimized (Microphone 1-2” from Mouth) Results: K12 Rotary Saw

October 23-24, 2012Motorola Solutions 34 Results: SCBA / Water Stream STANDARD POSITION – Before Changes (Microphone 3”-5” from SCBA Voice Port) “BEST PRACTICES” POSITION – Optimized (Microphone directly on SCBA Voice Port)

October 23-24, 2012Motorola Solutions 35 STANDARD POSITION – Before Changes (Microphone 3”-5” from SCBA Voice Port) Results: SCBA / Chainsaw / Ventilation Fan / Multiple Radios in Room “BEST PRACTICES” POSITION – Optimized (Microphone directly on SCBA Voice Port) Radio 1 Radio 2 Radio 3 Radio 4

October 23-24, 2012Motorola Solutions 36 Agenda  What is the Challenge  Understanding the Issues  Defining a Complete Solution –IAFC Best Practices –Radio Technology and Optimization –Radio Accessories  What are the Results  Summary

October 23-24, 2012Motorola Solutions 37 Radio Audio Quality Summary  Analog and Digital communications can be very difficult in high noise backgrounds  Radio optimization of audio settings and software will help to improve radio intelligibility in high noise backgrounds But…  Best Practices  Best Practices dramatically increases audio intelligibility in high noise backgrounds –Easiest solution to implement with the most positive impact on radio communications!

October 23-24, 2012Motorola Solutions 38 Questions?