*** Cellphone 911 Location ***

From: "Jerry Slaughter" <jerrys@hiwaay.net>
To: "'IDSAR (George Gunn)'" <IDSAR@execu.net>; <sar-l@listserv.islandnet.com>
Subject: RE: Wireless E-911
Date: June 9, 2000 07:54

Phase 1 implementation is already underway. Our center is currently using the
this first step, which identifies the cell tower that the signal is coming from
as well as which side of the tower (picture a circle surrounding the tower
divided into 3 equal segments). It is a crude first step, but it is better than
where we were last year. One of the biggest slow downs in this process is
getting all of the competing cellular providers to agree to the ground rules and
the technology.

I did see a technology demonstration for a system called AOA (Angle of Arrival).
It uses a 3 antenna array to determine the direction , strength and elevation or
angle of a cell signal. It uses the ESN of the cell phone to track it, even when
the phone is not in use. Whether or not you are aware, unless a cell phone is
turned off, it is constantly transmitting a signal to the nearest tower. It
worked very much like an AVL system. For the very paranoid out there, it gave a
whole new meaning to big brother watching you!

I guess my whole point is this, the wireless e911 is happening, just not very
quickly. And then there is the problem that not all 911 centers are in a
position to take advantage of this technology. A modern CAD system with a map
display is a very expensive product.

Jerry Slaughter, EMT-P
Communications Supervisor
HEMSI