Secure LTE-A access for critical public safety applications

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The proposed project addresses techniques to enhance public safety in Canada. The research targets the use of advanced wireless networking and data processing to collect and process information in a secure and reliable manner and to deploy transportable networking and sensors as needed to monitor areas of interest and deliver critical information to first responders in a timely and reliable ways. This research is of direct interest to General Dynamics Mission Systems Canada (GD-MS) as well as companies that manufacture and operate devices and networks involving public safety applications. The industry is in the process of building a nationwide public safety network in the 700 MHz band based on the LTE broadband wireless standard. LTE is widely deployed commercially, but understandably, public safety networks have more stringent requirements in terms of range, coverage, call drop-outs and security. The proposed work will study, analyze and provide initial specifications of a Mediation Gateway (MG) that facilitates the interface between different kinds of sensors and "hardened" secure LTE access nodes. The sensors include high resolution videos, audio, tracking systems and devices that sense other critical information. The proposed MG will bridge the gap between the unique requirements of different types of sensors designed by different manufacturers and the specific format and frame structures imposed by LTE standards. The MG will be designed to support fast deployment and rapid handoff among different wireless nodes while maintaining the security and integrity of data. This work is important and timely to GD-MS since they manufacture hardened transportable LTE nodes and they need to interface their secure LTE network with other networks and devices. Public safety is of great concern around the world, and Canada should play a major role in adapting the great array of Canadian advanced technologies to serve ensure robust and reliable operations of such networks. The proposed work aims directly at satisfying this function.