Study Demonstrates Improved Geo-Targeting Accuracy for Wireless Emergency Alerts

ComtechComtech Telecommunications has announced the release of the Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA): Geo-Targeting Using Cell Radio Frequency (RF) Propagation Algorithmresearch study. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T), this study demonstrates how Comtech’s recently acquired subsidiary, TeleCommunication Systems, developed a new algorithm that utilizes area footprints associated with radio frequency (RF) coverage to significantly improve geo-targeting granularity and accuracy for the delivery of WEA messages.

This research included the modification of WEA software using new and enhanced geo-targeting algorithms that were tested in both laboratory and real-world environments with the help of ClearTalk Wireless. The report, which was issued by DHS, documents these field testing activities, findings and analysis showing that this new algorithm is superior to any other existing method deployed to date. This new method is expected to provide a number of new additional benefits to WEA users, agencies and operators, including:

  • The ability to target much smaller alert areas down to a square mile regardless of the physical location of the cell towers;
  • The ability to use the Required Monthly Test (RMT) message with alert target location capability, allowing WEA alerts to be tested at chosen live sites without impacting the general public;
  • Geo-targeting at the cell sector granularity;
  • Enhanced reachability to people in harm’s way;
  • The ability to enable other alert categories to be defined because of allowable small alert target area size;
  • The ability to target cell sites that, while physically are outside the geo-targeted area, have RF coverage over the geo-targeted area; and
  • A solution that requires no change to the current WEA standards and network.

“We couldn’t be more pleased with the results of this study, which further underscores the importance of our commitment to advancing WEA and E-911 technologies and services. We’ve created a viable solution that requires no change in standards and specifications, making it easily deployable today. More importantly, the lessons learned from this project will allow us to improve our testing techniques over time so we can continue to enhance our solution,” said Dr. Stanton Sloane, President and Chief Executive Officer of Comtech Telecommunications Corp. “It was a pleasure working with DHS on this study as well as ClearTalk Wireless.”

The method developed in this project can be deployed without changes to existing networks, protocols or handset software. While the Federal Communications Commission's Communications, Security, Reliability, and Interoperability Council (CSRIC) working group continues to refine the standard for improving WEA geo-targeting accuracy, this method can complement the CSRIC effort.

Publisher: everything RF