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What is an NDXN System?

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NXDN is an open standard Common Air Interface (CAI) technical protocol for mobile communications. It was developed jointly by Icom Incorporated and Kenwood Corporation.

NXDN is implemented by Icom in their IDAS system [1] and by Kenwood as NEXEDGE both Kenwood and Icom now offers dual-standard equipment which supports the European dPMR standard.

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Technical Features of NDXN: 

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NXDN uses Frequency-Division, Multiple-Access (FDMA) technology in which different communication streams are separated by frequency and run concurrently. Time-Division, Multiple-Access (TDMA) systems combine the communications streams into a single stream in which information from the different streams is transmitted in interleaved time allocations or "slots." Code-Division, Multiple-Access (CDMA) systems allow many users to share a common spectrum allocation by using spread-spectrum techniques.

The basic NXDN channel is digital and can be either 12.5 kHz or 6.25 kHz wide. 6.25 kHz dual-channel systems can be configured to fit within a 12.5 kHz channel. This effectively doubles the spectrum efficiency compared to an analog FM system occupying a 12.5 kHz channel. The architecture of NXDN is such that two NXDN channels, within a 12.5 kHz channel for example, can be allocated as voice/voice, voice/data, or data/data. As of 2012, this capability cannot be implemented in commercially available hardware on simplex or "talkaround" frequencies, but only through repeaters.

Systems that use NXDN also support mixed analog FM and digital NXDN equipment, including direct radio-to-radio communications. This allows system owners to migrate to a narrowband, digital system without replacing the entire system at once. NXDN equipment is currently FCC type-accepted for use on VHF (137-174 MHz) and UHF (406-512 MHz) bands.

Data is transmitted using 4-level frequency-shift keying (FSK) modulation. NXDN uses the AMBE+2 vocoder (codec) for digital audio. This combination provides better weak-signal voice quality than for analog FM. For an equivalent transmitter power, NXDN is represented as having a wider range and slightly better multi-path characteristics than analog FM in typical RF environments, specifically at the 12 dB SINAD threshold. The transmission bit rate is 4,800 bit/s.

The following FCC emission designators apply to NXDN transmissions:

  • 8K30F1E 12.5 kHz single channel digital voice

  • 8K30F1D 12.5 kHz single channel digital data

  • 8K30F1W 12.5 kHz single channel digital voice and data

  • 4K00F1E 6.25 kHz single channel digital voice

  • 4K00F1D 6.25 kHz single channel digital data

  • 4K00F1W 6.25 kHz single channel digital voice and data

  • 4K00F2D 6.25 kHz single channel analog CW ID

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