EMERgency24 Reporting Format Matrix
Contact-ID:
Contact ID reporting, using DTMF (Dual-tone multi-frequency) or “Touch-tone” is one of the fastest of all the communication formats. It consists of a 1-digit (alphabetic) event qualifier, a 3-digit (numeric) event code, a 2-digit (numeric) partition or area and a 3-digit (numeric) zone or user code. Developed by Ademco, Contact ID has become one of the most popular transmission formats available. Due to its consistent standardization, Contact ID has become the most stable of the standardized formats as well.
Ademco High-Speed:
This high-speed format was designed by Ademco using DTMF tones to send a string of 4-digit account numbers, 8-digit messages (each digit representing a separate channel) and a 1-digit Channel Status code. All high-speed messages can be represented as 2-digit alarm conditions and are entered in the condition list as such.
Modem IIe & Model IIIa2:
This format was named for the Modulation and DeModulation means of data transmission (similar to modems found in computers). Originally developed and promoted as a “standardized” format by Radionics/Omega (now Bosch/Radionics), Modem format has evolved over the years into a couple of different formats, including ModemII, ModemIIe and ModemIIIa2. Earlier Modem formats send a 1-digit event code (alphabetic) and 1, 2 or 3-digit zone or point (numeric). Later variations send a 1 or 2-digit code (alphabetic) and 1, 2 or 3-digit zone (numeric), plus a 1 or 2-digit partition or area (numeric).
SIA:
Originally proposed and developed by the Security Industry Association (SIA) to address the issue of creating a “standardized” format that could be shared throughout the industry for both alarm transmission and host automation communications, this format encompasses a few variants. SIA8, SIA20 and SIA2000 are the most common SIA formats, each sending a 2-digit event code (alphabetic) and a 3-digit zone (numeric). Later versions of SIA can also send a 1-digit partition or area (numeric), as well as a 2-digit “modifier” code (alphabetic), making it one of the most complex transmission formats used today.
BFSK:
Binary Frequency Shift Keying (BFSK), which is primarily used by Bosch/Radionics/Omega, uses binary code to transmit an alarm signal. It is either a 3 or 4-digit account number, a 1 or 2-digit event code (alphabetic) and either a 1, 2 or 3-digit zone (numeric).
SK (FSK):
This format is similar in transmission means as BFSK, but has no standardized event codes. This transmission format most commonly use a 4/2(4+2), 4/1(4+1) or 3/1(3+1) combination of account number and zone or alarm code.
Standard 3/1 & 4/2
- Pulse: By far the oldest format for alarm transmission still commonly used, pulse has been around since the beginning of automated alarm systems. This format uses “pulses” to relay its alarm information. These pulses are similar to rotary phone dialing. Pulse sends 9 “pulses” or “clicks” to represent the numeral 9 and ten “pulses” to indicate “0” and so on. There are different speeds at which the “pulses” can be sent and are commonly referred to as 10 pps (slowest – 10 pulses per second), 20 pps and 40 pps (fastest).
- Pulse 3/1: This format sends a 3-digit account number and a 1-digit condition or event.
- Pulse 4/2: This format uses “pulses” as well, requires a 4-digit account number and sends a 2-digit alarm code.
DMP Serial 1 & Serial 3:
These Digital Monitoring Products’ proprietary formats are very similar as each uses a “fixed” character position that relays the zone event, zone number, zone type and zone name. These formats also use a unique method of transmission, using multiple audio frequencies similar to a fax machine.
I.T.I.:
This is a proprietary format created by I.T.I. (now G.E.) now only available on older products. EMERgency24, however, still accepts this format, as well as many others that are not listed.