APCO-16
In telecommunications, APCO-16, (sometimes APCO Project 16 or Project 16) is a US standard for the characteristics and capabilities of public safety trunked radio systems.
The standard development effort was started in the 1970s by the APCO, a trade association of mostly police and fire service providers. The program was funded by the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration (LEAA), a part of the US Department of Justice.
Details
APCO-16 describes such characteristics and capabilities as:
channel access times
automated priority recognition
data systems interface
individuality of system users
command and control flexibility
system growth capability
frequency use
reliability
With the Federal Communications Commission's pending release of the first 800 MHz band licenses, the LEAA funded a project to develop required capabilities and standards needed in trunked public safety two-way radio systems. The report defined proposed methods for frequency reuse, coordination, and interference reduction. The standards also gained acceptance in businesses such as Specialized Mobile Radio, utility communications systems, and refineries.