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NTIA Report TR-08-453Intelligibility of Selected Radio Systems in the
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Abstract: This report describes an experiment conducted to measure the intelligibility of selected radio communication systems when those systems are employed in high-background-noise environments experienced by firefighters. The test plan for a Modified Rhyme Test (MRT) is detailed, including requirements for source material preparation and listening test conduct. Finally, the results of the test are presented, along with the data analysis. The results indicate that in some environments analog radios performed better than digital radios, and in some environments no radios performed well. This information should be considered whenever an agency is preparing to purchase and deploy a new communications system. |
Keywords: analog FM; fire service; intelligibility; land mobile radio; LMR; modified rhyme test; noise; Project 25; public safety; vocoder |
Note: This work was performed in cooperation with the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC). In 2007, the IAFC formed a working group composed of fire service personnel, other public safety representatives, wireless radio manufacturers, manufacturers of fire apparatus and equipment, and consultants to address potential problems found in digital radios in the presence of loud background noise. A meeting of the IAFC group was held in Boulder, CO May 21-22, 2008 at the US Department of Commerce Boulder Laboratories to review the test results. The IAFC will issue a companion report in June to assist in putting the laboratory data into public safety context with observations and recommendations for fire chiefs, EMS directors and law enforcement leadership. The information in this NTIA Technical Report should be considered in conjunction with the information in the IAFC report, when it is released.{A link will be provided when the IAFC report is released.} |
Disclaimer: Certain commercial equipment, components, and software are identified in this report to specify adequately the technical aspects of the reported results. In no case does such identification imply recommendation or endorsement by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, nor does it imply that the equipment or software identified is necessarily the best available for the particular application or uses. |
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For technical information concerning this report, contact: |
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