CC 2018-01-09_09d Grant_Portable Satellite System
MEMORANDUM
TO: CITY COUNCIL
FROM: BEAU D. PRYOR, CHIEF OF POLICE
SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION TO ACCEPT A HOMELAND SECURITY GRANT
FUNDED PORTABLE SATELLITE SYSTEM FROM THE SAN LUIS
OBISPO COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT
DATE: JANUARY 9, 2018
SUMMARY OF ACTION:
Take action to accept one (1) TOUGHSAT portable satellite system to provide mobile
capabilities, allowing multi-user satellite Wi-Fi internet capability and VoIP phone
service throughout the County of San Luis Obispo, where landline and cellular
telephone service is unavailable.
IMPACT ON FINANCIAL AND PERSONNEL RESOURCES:
This action will have no significant impact on personnel resources and there is no cost
for the equipment, as it is paid for by the Homeland Security Grant. There will be an
annual recurring fixed emergency and unlimited data plan at a cost of $4,500.00. The
annual fee(s) will be paid from the existing Police Department Support Services
contractual services account.
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended the City Council:
1. Accept a Homeland Security Grant funded portable satellite system from the San
Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Department.
BACKGROUND:
On October 11, 2016, the Council approved the acquisition of a grant funded Mobile
Command Trailer from the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Department. The intent of
the trailer is to be utilized by local Police, Fire and Public Works personnel during
emergencies. In 2017, the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Department was awarded
an additional grant from Homeland Security to purchase a TOUGHSAT portable satellite
system, with the specific intent that it be provided to the Arroyo Grande Police
Department and be installed in the Mobile Command Trailer.
Item 9.d. - Page 1
CITY COUNCIL
CONSIDERATION TO ACCEPT A HOMELAND SECURITY GRANT FUNDED
PORTABLE SATELLITE SYSTEM FROM THE SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY
SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT
JANUARY 9, 2018
PAGE 2
ANALYSIS OF ISSUES:
The Arroyo Grande Police Department accepted a Homeland Security Mobile
Command Trailer from the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Department in 2016. The
trailer is fully self-contained with generator power, a Dispatch area, a
briefing/conference area, a kitchen area, a restroom and it includes county wide public
safety radio systems on board. The trailer is designed to provide field expedient
response capabilities during critical incidents and vastly improves the City’s disaster
preparedness/emergency management resources.
The addition of the TOUGHSAT portable satellite system will provide mobile
capabilities, allowing multi-user satellite Wi-Fi internet capability and VoIP phone
service for emergency responders throughout the County of San Luis Obispo, where
landline and cellular telephone service is unavailable. The estimated cost of the
hardware to be funded through the Homeland Security Grant is $23,208.69. All parts
and labor have a twelve (12) month guarantee and the estimated life cycle of the
equipment is approximately ten (10) years.
ALTERNATIVES:
The following alternatives are provided for the Council’s consideration:
1. Approve staff’s recommendations to acquire a portable satellite system from the
San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Department;
2. Do not approve staff’s recommendations; or
3. Provide direction to staff.
ADVANTAGES:
Approving the recommended action will improve emergency response resources
through grant funding.
DISADVANTAGES:
There will be recurring annual data plan fees that will need to be paid from the existing
Police Department Support Services contractual services account.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
No environmental review is required for this item.
PUBLIC NOTIFICATION AND COMMENTS:
The Agenda was posted at City Hall and on the City’s website in accordance with
Government Code Section 54954.2.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. TOUGHSAT Mobile Flyaway Hotspot Brochure
Item 9.d. - Page 2
Go where cell access is not available. The Toughsat Flyaway mobile
satellite system is easily transported and deployed by one person
for highspeed connectivity using
Commercial Grade iDirect from
any location. With an integrated wireless access point, this satellite
solution can become a multi-user hotspot in minutes. And with Dual
Matrix service, you can choose from one of two satellites with a
touch of a button (North America only).
Our Flyaway bracketing allows the Toughsat to be easily mounted
on the ground, or on top of any vehicle roof rack, even rental
vehicles. With the largest case length under 62”, the Toughsat
Power requirements are minimal and can be supplied by a
mini-inverter from a vehicle power port, or from a portable
generator.
Our VoIP phone service is optimized for satellite communication
and many are often unaware they are speaking over a satellite link.
At $49.95 a month which includes 1000 free minutes, phone service
is viable at any location. The Toughsat Flyaway Case - Portable Cost
A Case-Based Mobile Satellite Internet System
A P ort a b l e Sa t e llit e W i - F i Int e r n e t Hots p o t
Toughsat Flyaway Features:
• Single Source Provider for Equipment, Service and Support
• Ground Mounting and Roof Rack Mounting (Fly-and-Drive)
• Comercial Grade iDirect Service - Global Network
• Creates Wi-Fi hotspot in 3.5 minutes automatically
• Dual Matrix Service - Two satellites for redundancy
• Ideal for VoIP phone service - Very low latency
• Shippable - Under UPS-FedEx-DHL limits (.98m system)
• Low power usage - 90 watts average (150 watts max draw)
• Works in extreme environments. Hot-Cold-Rain-Snow
• Manufactured and supported by Ground Control
• Available in .98 meter or 1.2 meter dish sizes
GroundControl.com
ATTACHMENT 1
Item 9.d. - Page 3
Manufactured by Ground Control.
One-button operation.
Requires little or no training to operate.
Dish peaking accuracy is within 0.1
degrees with near zero play.
satellite is 3.5 minutes.
Establishes a self-contained local
area network with one button.
Establishes a wireless access point
and wiring to computers is optional.
distortions to lock on any satellite.
Operates globally in both hemispheres.
6 watt transmitter with 8 Watt optional.
Modular design - components easily
replaced if problems occur.
Operational in high winds.
Operational in temperatures of
-20° F to 140° F at 100% humidity.
No software to install.
Computer control is not required.
Autostow safety features if rig is moved or
The front of the ACU has buttons for
Deploy, Stow, Stop, Sat 1 and Sat 2.
Dual Matrix - Redundant satellite service
Integrated wireless 4 port router.
No fan required - Operates silent.
Browser accessible interface screen.
Intuitive Interface screens controls
Manual overrides for dish pointing, GPS,
Autostow, router, gateway.
Networking Overrides for IP Address,
Subnet Gateway address, DNS
Little or no training is necessary to operate the system. Once the power is on, simply press the Deploy button on the ACU (Antenna
Control Unit) and the dish will deploy, lock on the satellite and create a high-speed wireless “G” network in about 3.5 minutes
automatically. It really is that simple. Port
with easy one-button updates with
active Ground Control account.
System provides accurate technical
diagnostics without dispatching a
technician to rig site.
Remote access into system from
Ground Control for performance
tuning and troubleshooting.
System provides historical log of
events for accurate diagnostics
A P ort a b l e Sa t e llit e W i - F i Int e r n e t Hots p o t
GENERAL FEATURES Wireless 1RU ACU (Dish Controller)Diagnostic & Updating
MAIN CASE Specifications
Toughsat (Same for both .98 and 1.2 systems) ........... Compatible with Toughsat XP or SP
External Dimensions ...........................................................61.25" x 21.75" x 16" (155.6 x 55.24 x 40.64 cm)
Weight .98 dish (loaded) ....................................................149 lbs (67.59 kg) Under shipping weight limits
Weight 1.2 dish (loaded) ....................................................160 lbs (72.57 kg)
DISH & BAG Specifications
Reflector Types .....................................................................0.98 or 1.2 square meter e�ective area
External Dimensions .98 Meter Dish ..............................39” x 4” depth (99.06 x 10.16 cm)
External Dimensions 1.2 Meter Dish ..............................48” x 5” depth (122 x 12.7 cm)
Weight (both systems) .........................................................98m- 26 lbs (11.79 kg), 1.2m 35 lbs (15.88 kg)
RACKMOUNT CASE (6U)
External Dimensions (same for both .98 and 1.2) .......21.75" x 24.75" x 14 (55.24 x 62.86 x 35.56 cm)
Weight ....................................................................................33 lbs (14.97 kg)
Components .........................................................................Dish Controller, iDirect Router, Power Conditioner
Cable Run ..............................................................................25’ (7.6 Meters) watertight. 50’ and 100’ runs available
BRACKETING & DOLLY BAG
External Dimensions .......................................................................63” x 8" x 8” (158 x 20 x 20 cm)
Weight ................................................................................................28 lbs (13 kg)
Other Components .........................................................................Hardware and tools
DISH ROTATION
Azimuth .............................................................................................. 410°
Elevation.............................................................................................165°
Polarization .......................................................................................+-80°
RF INTERFACE
Transmit Power ................................................................................6 watts BUC
Receive Frequency .........................................................................Range 950-1450 mhz
ENVIRONMENT
Max Operational Temperature (at 100% humidity) ................Operational -20° F to 140° F (-28° C to 60° C)
Max Survival Temperature (at 100% humidity) .......................-60° F to 160° F (-51° C to 71° C)
POWER REQUIREMENTS
Dish Controller & Dish Motors (Via 120 VAC) ........................... 15 watts (can be turned o� after pointing)
iDirect Modem (via AC120V to DC 24V @ 5 Amp) ................... 75 watts
SATELLITE NETWORK - iDirect (Flyaway may be used with any Ku-Band provider & satellite router)
Satellite Router (optional0 ............................................. iDirect Evolution X5 Series Router
Max Download ................................................................. Varies. Dependent on location
Max Upload ....................................................................... Varies. Dependent on location
Public (Static) IP Address ............................................... Included
DHCP................................................................................... Yes. Wireless or 4 port Ethernet
NAT ...................................................................................... Supported by included router
Wireless Security .............................................................. WPA (TKIP) WPA2 (AES) + WEP 64 and 128bit
Firewall ............................................................................... Supported by included router
Port Mapping & Port Triggers ....................................... Supported by included router
QoS, ToS, MAC Address Clone, RIP v1 RIP v2............ Supported by included router
Networkable clients machines ..................................... Unlimited
Wireless .............................................................................. Cisco Linksys wireless router “G”
The Flyaway is easily setup by one person
Toughsat TS2 ACU (Antenna Control Unit)
One button operation with Dual Matrix
Service for the ultimate in redundant
satellite communications.
GroundControl.com
Item 9.d. - Page 4