Since LTE (4G) became mainstream in the late 2010s, discussions have revolved around whether it would replace Land Mobile Radio (LMR) in first responders' communication networks. Fast forward five years, and the rise of 5G and dedicated public safety broadband networks has conclusively shown that cellular and LMR technologies are not competitors but powerful allies.
Each brings unique strengths—LMR, with its push-to-talk capabilities, remains the primary source of voice communication for many first responders worldwide, while 5G provides high-speed, reliable connectivity for data-intensive applications like live video streaming. Yet, these technologies often operate in silos. This blog explores the transformative safety and efficiency gains achievable by integrating LMR and cellular systems into a cohesive vehicle area network, unlocking their full potential for first responders in the field.
Land Mobile Radio (LMR) systems have long been, and will continue to be, the backbone of public safety communications, offering dependable push-to-talk capabilities. However, there are critical scenarios where LMR coverage falls short. For instance, when first responders operate at the edge of their radio range or in underground areas, they can occasionally lose P25 connectivity. Similarly, during mutual aid operations, responders often need to venture beyond their jurisdiction’s radio coverage to assist neighboring areas, leading to communication gaps at the most critical times.
To address these challenges, innovative solutions like Semtech’s AirLink® XR90 and XR80 routers and Motorola Solutions SmartConnect have emerged as game-changers for public safety agencies. These technologies extend the reach of traditional radio systems, enabling first responders to remain connected when it matters most. With Motorola’s SmartConnect feature, if a public safety agency’s APX portable or mobile radio moves beyond the LMR network range, the AirLink vehicle router seamlessly transitions the connection to a 5G or LTE network. This delivers encrypted voice transmission back to the agency’s Motorola Solutions ASTRO LMR system, allowing first responders to maintain vital voice communications nationwide, even in remote or underserved locations.
Regular updates are essential for maintaining radio performance and security. However, traditional methods of updating LMR equipment can be time-consuming and costly. Field updates via P25 networks are often slow due to the prioritization of voice and GPS traffic over data. Alternatively, updating radio equipment at the station sidelines radios and vehicles, removing them from active duty while updates are applied. This process demands significant time and effort from radio managers, who must physically retrieve each unit for manual updates, thereby increasing operational costs and downtime.
Addressing these challenges, the collaboration between Semtech and Motorola introduces an innovative solution that transforms radio management. Through the use of AirLink vehicle routers, radio managers can remotely execute firmware updates, modify channels, and implement other necessary changes via a secure wireless connection. This approach drastically reduces the time and resources typically required for maintaining radio fleets. The benefits are substantial: quicker updates minimize downtime, keeping radios and vehicles operational on the front lines instead of idling at the station. This enables first responders to spend more time in the field where they are needed most. Moreover, the ability to update talkgroups remotely in the field allows different teams and officers to communicate seamlessly during incidents, enhancing coordination and response times.
The integration of vehicle cellular routers in public safety operations is now widely recognized for supporting critical, data-intensive applications. Yet, many agencies still treat cellular and LMR as separate entities—one for voice, the other for data. Bridging these technologies enhances safety and operational efficiency, and Semtech and Motorola Solutions are leading this technological integration.
The highly rugged AirLink XR90 and XR80 routers support Motorola Solutions SmartConnect and Data Modem Tethering capabilities to provide ultimate coverage and efficiency.
They can be interfaced with Motorola APX handheld and vehicle radios through Wi-Fi or USB, offering out-of-the-box integration.
When LMR is unavailable, SmartConnect automatically switches the voice channel to the available LTE or 5G network and then back again as soon as the radio returns to LMR coverage, without affecting authentication or encryption parameters. The Cognitive Wireless capabilities of the AirLink XR routers enable seamless, sub-second LMR/cellular network switching.
With support for Data Modem Tethering, AirLink XR routers also enable over-the-air radio updates (firmware, rekeying, talkgroups). Officers’ radios are automatically updated, leaving them available for dispatch. Vehicle radios can also be automatically updated at night when sheriffs take vehicles home.
To learn more about AirLink router solutions for vehicles contact us and one of our solution experts will reach out to you shortly.
You may also find our eBook Driving Innovation: Harnessing the Power of 5G In-Vehicle Connectivity valuable for providing the essential guidelines and lessons learned from real-world examples when choosing the right router solution to get the most out of 5G.
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