Capabilities-at-a-Glance P25 DFSI Capabilities

RIC-M uses P25 Digital Fixed Station Interface (DFSI) protocol. The following P25 DFSI capabilities are applicable when using a Scout console. Scout supports the following console features for P25 DFSI endpoints. In addition to the P25 DFSI specific features, standard console features are fully supported for P25 endpoints, including Patch, Select, Unselect, and Simul-Select.

Capability
(Avtec term)
P25 DFSI Term
(if different)
Description
Group Calls Confirmed/Unconfirmed Group Call

Allows a dispatcher to establish voice communication with a group of subscriber radios or consoles. All members of the group hear the conversation. When a Confirmed Group Call is placed, the radio system confirms that each subscriber unit has access to an available channel before granting the call.

PTT-ID/ANI Alias ANI Alias Gives a dispatcher a visual indication of the identity associated with the last voice transmission. An identity can represent the raw subscriber unit ID (PTT-ID) or an alphanumeric string representation of it (ANI Alias). The identity can be displayed in the Activity History and on the associated endpoint pad using the ANI pad extender. For example, a PTT ID of 2527 can be aliased to “Fire 1.”
Key Progress Indication/Tones  

Scout presents audible keying indications for PTT requests such as granted, queued, failed, and canceled.

Late Entry

  Allows a dispatcher to join an ongoing conversation without having to wait for the next transmission or call when an endpoint registers or changes a channel.
Emergency Calls/State

Emergency Alarm
Emergency Call Group

Notifies a dispatcher of an emergency situation in the field using a unique ring and visual indication. When a subscriber presses the emergency button or dials the emergency DTMF string, the endpoint generates an emergency call and activates the emergency state. Until the emergency state is cleared by the dispatcher, no further emergency calls from that subscriber can generate an Emergency Call.

Announcement Calls Announcement Group Allows a dispatcher to establish voice communication with multiple groups of subscriber radios.
Unit Calls Unit-to-Unit
Individual Voice Call
Allows a unit to send and receive a direct voice call to and from a single unit. Units can be either dispatchers or subscribers in the system.
Unit Alert   Allows a unit to send or receive a request for another unit to call them back. Units can be either dispatchers or subscribers in the system. Functionality is similar to a page.
Unit Check   Allows a dispatcher to verify operational status of a subscriber.
Remote Monitor  

Allows a dispatcher to hear any audio picked up by a designated subscriber’s microphone. Depending on the system, there might be no indication to the subscriber that a Unit Monitor is in progress.

Stun/Revive  

Allows a dispatcher to temporarily stun a radio so that it cannot transmit, receive, or power on and off. Reviving a stunned radio returns it to an operational state.

Console-Controlled Encryption  

Allows a dispatcher to enable encryption to prevent unauthorized listening to outbound voice communication.

The dispatcher can also dynamically change encryption keys and encryption methods. The interface supports AES or DES encryption, depending on the characteristics of the radio system.

The Avtec Encryption Key Manager handles key management. Avtec does not charge a separate licensing fee for Enhanced Privacy encryption.

Encryption Key Management   Allows a Scout System Administrator to load multiple encryption keysets for use by VPGate endpoints.
Key Fill Device Support

Key Loader

Encryption keys can be entered manually or with a Key Fill Device (KFD).

Channel/Frequency Change Select NAC Channel Group Allows a dispatcher to change the channels or frequencies of the connected device. The interface supports up to X channels or frequencies, depending on the characteristics of the radio system.
Tones   Allows a dispatcher to send tones or to send tone specifications when WAV files cannot produce the desired output. For example, a dispatcher could send an alert tone to announce bad weather or other alarm conditions.
Auto Contact Pad   Initiates a unit call or unit alert using a preconfigured icon on the Scout Console. Serves as a shortcut for the dispatcher.
Default Frequency Channel Group

The Scout System Administrator can configure a default frequency to be automatically applied when an endpoint transitions to the default state. The default frequency is applied when an endpoint comes on line and when the dispatcher returns an endpoint to the default state.

Repeater Enable/Disable  

Allows a dispatcher to control the operational state of a repeater from the console.

Short Data Message  

Allows a third-party application to send and receive short data messages to and from subscribers via a CAD interface or data forwarding driver. Short Data Messages are typically used as a non-voice form of communication or for signaling. Short Data Messages could be used to generate an inbound call, to signal a subscriber to change frequencies for an upcoming announcement, or to send a pre-defined text message..

AMBE Vocoder  

Applies a high-quality voice compression codec primarily used in digital mobile radio applications.