Sonoma County, CA, USA

"Because of the successes we’ve had with the (Tait) system, we’ve got neighboring counties that have made the same transition."
Situation
Sonoma County’s earliest system was built on TaitNet Quasi-Sync 1 (QS1) in 1997 and upgraded to QS2 in 2008. This analog simulcast system served the county’s law, fire, and medical agencies effectively throughout the years. In an effort to address future forecasts not being able to support analog circuits because of costly TDM, T1 links and the associated channel banks, Sonoma County was introduced to Tait’s TB9400. The technology was such a success that by 2023, all channels had been converted to the new TB9400 AS-IP radios.
The county had been eyeing the possibility of converting their 12-system AS-IP analog simulcast channels to P25 Phase II trunking. Preliminary tests showed significant destructive overlaps in highly populous areas, which soured the idea of a P25 simulcast system. Tait was approached by the county to develop a DMR Phase II simulcast system for their Public Infrastructure Department. The system was such a success that developing a countywide P25 simulcast system was back on the table for consideration.
Response
The Sonoma County team took several key steps to address these challenges:
- Transition to IP-Based System: Transitioning to an AS-IP simulcast network required a replacement of outdated microwave systems with IP-native units, which allowed for a transition to a switched WAN. This change significantly improved latency, reducing recovery times from 20 seconds to just 50 milliseconds.
- Testing and Validation: In 2013, Dailey Wells Communications, an authorized One Tait Dealer, provided the Sheriff’s radio system with two demo AS-IP radios. During testing, an unexpected configuration error revealed the Tait radios’ remarkable performance, highlighting their superior quality compared to the existing QS2 system. This experience validated the potential of the AS-IP network and identified areas for improvement in latency and quality of service.
- Upgrading Equipment: Sonoma County upgraded to 196 TB9400 radios across 17 communication sites. This equipment change will facilitate the transition from analog simulcast to a P25 conventional system.
- Constructing a DMR Phase II Simulcast:196 TB9400 Analog Simulcast repeaters with P25 licensing and integrating into a Phase II trunking system.
- Emergency Communications Tower: Developed a deployable emergency communications tower capable of operating as an extension of the simulcast system or to replace a fallen tower in their seismically active area. The TB9400 was found to be successful in traversing a satellite connection while maintaining simulcast integrity of their AS-IP systems.
Solution
Sonoma County’s new communication infrastructure includes:
- TB9400 Base Stations: Across 17 communication sites, TB9400 base stations replaced older systems and supported the transition to an IP-based network with the intention to migrate to P25.
- Emergency Communications Tower: A portable tower with VHF and UHF TB9400 base stations that can be deployed to any location within the county, providing immediate simulcast communication capabilities during disasters.
- Enhanced Coverage and Interoperability: The new system provides extensive coverage and improves interoperability among various agencies and departments, addressing the issues of overlap and quality that plagued the previous system.
Outcomes
The new AS-IP system has delivered substantial benefits:
- Improved Performance: Subscribers and dispatchers report increased satisfaction with the system's performance, including improved voice communication quality.
- Fire Community Success: The fire departments, which previously struggled with two separate fire channels, have seen significant improvements to fire station paging with the AS-IP simulcast system, which has become integral to their operations.
- Regional Impact: The success of Sonoma County’s new communication system has influenced neighboring counties, such as Mendocino and Napa. Now they are pursuing similar upgrades, demonstrating the system’s effectiveness and reliability.
Sonoma County’s investment in Tait's IP-based communication system has addressed its unique geographical and technical challenges, resulting in enhanced coverage, improved system performance, and increased satisfaction among users. The innovative solutions implemented not only support current needs but also position the county for future growth and technology upgrades, such as P25 Phase 2.
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