Trunked Radio Systems

Overview

Please read this Trunking Basics overview first.

Motorola Trunked Systems

Types of Motorola Trunked Systems

• Type I
• Type II
• Type IIi
• Hybrid
• Type IIi Hybrid

Flavors of Motorola Trunked Systems

• Type I Privacy Plus
• Type II Smartnet
• Type II SmartZone
• Type II SmartZone OmniLink
• ASTRO
• ASTRO-25

Misc Information on Motorola Trunked Systems

• Motorola Trunked Infrastructure Versions
• Motorola Talkgroups (Conversions, Formats, etc)

MA/COM EDACS Trunked Systems

Overview

EDACS was created by General Electric and then further engineered by Ericsson. The EDACS technology has changed numerous owners and now is currently owned by M/A Com (a Tyco Subsidiary)

EDACS is a lot similar to Motorola trunking. It provides for the same features yet has different names for them. Simulcast networks work the same yet EDACS networks, which are similar to AMSS networks, are all independent of each other but still interconnected. A radio is programmed with each system independently and selects each system based on control channel quality. Rather than have a site number a system is basically assigned a simple number to differentiate it.

Motorola uses a specific bandplan or a complicated frequency defined system to assign frequencies. EDACS uses what are called Logical Channel Numbers LCN. Rather than assign a frequency with a specific identifier, each frequency at a site is assigned a number between 1 through 26. When a channel announcement occurs it contains only the LCN. With this in mind each radio must be programmed with which frequency corresponds to which LCN.

Digital communications is also available for EDACS systems and exists in two different formats, AEGIS and ProVoice. AEGIS was the first format introduced and ProVoice was the last and current format. Neither one is APCO-25 compliant unlike Motorola’s ASTRO, which is. Also, neither AEGIS nor ProVoice can communicate with each other.

There are three different types of EDACS Control channels. The most common is the Wideband EDACS control channel, which operates at 9600 baud. There is also a narrowband EDACS control channel which operates at 4800 baud and primarly is used for wide-area EDACS systems in the 900 MHz band. Finally, there is the wideband EDACS "encrypted" control channel which is basically a variation on the standard 9600 baud wideband control channel. MA/COM's trademark name for this feature is called ESK (EDACS System Key).

Links and Information

• ProVoice - MA/COM's IMBE Digital Voice Solution
• AEGIS - MA/COM's older Digital Voice Solution
• ESK - EDACS System Key
• EDACS Talkgroup Conversions
• EDACS Fleetmap Information

• MA/COM Wireless Corp Homepage - The homepage for the MA/Com Wireless Corp, which designs, develops, and implements EDACS systems and technologies.
• Racom Inc - Distributors of Ericsson EDACS equipment. See this link to their products and services page which has detailed information on Ericsson EDACS mobile and portable radios.
• Hall Electronics GETECH Page - Lots of detailed information on progamming Com-Net Ericsson Radio equipment here. Cable pin-outs, connections, software versions etc can be found at this page for most of MA/COM's radio equipment.