SFCD: Federal Commander Digital System - Federal Signal

Federal Commander Digital System
Introduction
Traditionally, siren systems have been controlled via Two-Tone Sequential (Duotone) or DTMF
radio encoding systems. These systems offer limited performance over a radio system in terms
of speed, reliability, security, and status monitoring capabilities. Advances in modem technology
allow a modern digital telemetry system to function under marginal radio conditions that would
render Tone and DTMF unusable. The Commander was developed by Federal Signal
Corporation to be the best system available for automating the management of indoor and
outdoor warning systems using a very reliable digital modem technology developed specifically
for wireless communications.
Main Features
Reliability -- The digital modem technology used is designed specifically for wireless
communications providing reliable communications under harsh radio conditions.
Security -- The digital encoding scheme provides protection from malicious activation.
Messages cannot be taped and played back to activate the system. Multiple levels of
passwords are available to secure operation and configuration of the system.
Automation -- The Software can be setup to automatically test and poll the system for
reports at predefined intervals.
Ease of Use -- The graphical user interface is requires very little training to use. All user
specific information can be easily configured by the user.
Reporting -- Details status reports can be generated based on predefined sorting criteria.
Programming -- Siren sites can be programmed from the control center over the radio
link. Communications parameters, siren tone type and length, zoning, and reporting
options are a few of the remotely programmable features.
Digipeating: -- This feature provides the capability of using siren sites as radio repeaters
to reach sirens out of reach from the base station radio. Digipeating can eliminate the
need for complex and expensive radio repeater systems under many circumstances.
Digipeating cannot be used with live broadcast voice announcements.
Dynamic Grouping -- Sirens may be grouped in zones for activation. These zones are
easily configured by the user and can be changed without the need to go to the remote
site.
Alarm Reporting -- The Commander system can be set up to automatically call up to ten
phone numbers in case of an alarm at a remote site. Users can also call into the system
to retrieve alarm messages. All messages are real voice announcements and are
password protected.
On-Screen Mapping -- High resolution graphics depict siren locations on an actual map of
the siren system. Siren locations are easily set up by the user and are color coded to
indicate the status of the remote site.
Compatibility -- The Commander is downwardly compatible with existing control systems.
It can decode any combination of Single Tone, Two-Tone, and DTMF as well as FSK.
This makes system integration possible without completely changing all sirens at once.
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Introduction