NG9-1-1 Interoperability Testing Program
The Homeland Security Challenge
In 2004, the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) began the process of transitioning to Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) systems. Some requirements included that the systems be Internet Protocol Based and that they would support multi-media (voice, video, text, etc.). This new vision requires that equipment from different vendors be interoperable with one another. CIRI has been selected by DHS and the Department of Transportation to engage with NG9-1-1 stakeholders to develop a framework and process for testing the compatibility of NG9-1-1 systems and components.
The Proposed Solution
In order to achieve the goals of the project, researchers must work in close collaboration with NG9-1-1 stakeholders to identify the crucial elements of interoperability. The research and testing include three major components: to seek consensus on requirements for interoperability, to identify technical means for conducting interoperability testing, and to identify a sustainable business model for interoperability testing. A testing framework will be designed to address requirements, which will form the basis of the team’s recommendations to DHS and DoT. Establishing a robust, scalable, and sustainable process for ensuring interoperability of NG9-1-1 systems will facilitate a strong and competitive market for such systems, thereby enhancing innovation and lowering costs for the municipalities deploying and operating the systems.
Resources
- NG9-1-1 GitHub Repository
- NG9-1-1 Interoperability Video
- Improvement Opportunity Submission Form
- NG9-1-1 ISO Lab Testing Request
Project Phases
- NG9-1-1 INTEROPERABILITY TESTING PROGRAM – PHASE 1
- NG9-1-1 INTEROPERABILITY TESTING PROGRAM – PHASE 2A
- NG9-1-1 INTEROPERABILITY TESTING PROGRAM – PHASE 2B
- NG9-1-1 INTEROPERABILITY TESTING PROGRAM – PHASE 3
NG9-1-1 INTEROPERABILITY TESTING PROGRAM – phase 3
Alpha Testing, Cost Modeling, and Outreach
Sponsors
Department of Homeland Security
National Critical Infrastructure Resilience Center of Excellence-University of Illinois
CACN Researchers
Michael E. Fox
Anjuli “A.J.” Renold
Dr. Eman Hammad
Dr. Walt Magnussen
Period of performance
(09/2023-02/2027)
Project Summary
CACN (at the time ITEC), funded by DHS in partnership with CIRI, developed a sustainable model for NG9-1-1 standards testing, following two project phases, with a third phase anticipated for a test lab.
NG9-1-1 GitHub Repository
NG9-1-1 INTEROPERABILITY TESTING PROGRAM – phase 2B
Alpha Testing, Cost Modeling, and Outreach
Sponsors
Department of Homeland Security
National Critical Infrastructure Resilience Center of Excellence-University of Illinois
CACN Researchers
Period of performance
(09/2022-06/2025)
Project Summary
CACN (at the time ITEC), funded by DHS in partnership with CIRI, developed a sustainable model for NG9-1-1 standards testing, following two project phases, with a third phase anticipated for a test lab.
NG9-1-1 Video
NG9-1-1 INTEROPERABILITY TESTING PROGRAM – phase 2A
Sponsors
Department of Homeland Security
National Critical Infrastructure Resilience Center of Excellence-University of Illinois
CACN Researchers
Period of performance
(07/2020-06/2024)
Project Summary
CACN (at the time ITEC), funded by DHS in partnership with CIRI, developed a sustainable model for NG9-1-1 standards testing, following two project phases, with a third phase anticipated for a test lab.
NG9-1-1 INTEROPERABILITY TESTING PROGRAM – phase 1
Sponsors
Department of Homeland Security
National Critical Infrastructure Resilience Center of Excellence-University of Illinois
CACN Researchers
Period of Performance
(07/01/2020-06/30/2024)
Project Summary
CACN (at the time ITEC), funded by DHS in partnership with CIRI, developed a sustainable model for NG9-1-1 standards testing, following two project phases, with a third phase anticipated for a test lab.
Improvement Opportunity Submission Form
In accordance with ISO 7025:2017, The Center for Applied Communications and Networks NG9-1-1 Lab shall seek feedback, both positive and negative, from our customers. The feedback shall be used and analyzed to improve the management system, testing activities and customer services.
The NG9‑1‑1 Improvement Opportunity Submission Form enables customers, laboratory staff, and external stakeholders to submit positive feedback, suggestions for enhancement, or identified areas needing improvement related to NG9‑1‑1 testing services.
NG9-1-1 ISO Lab Testing Request
The NG9-1-1 Conformance and Interoperability Program ISO Lab will deliver conformance, interoperability, and end-to-end testing of NG9-1-1 solutions.