[General Topics] dandv:
Technical information

Turns out the topic has been discussed on Slashdot on May 10, but they archived it and no replies are possible (I hate it when forums do that!)

Some /. users have pointed to a few interface specifications:

* J-STD-100, Device presentation specs: Joint ATIS/TIA CMAS Mobile Device Behavior Specification (also downloadable at ansi.org). "This specification defines a common set of requirements for GSM, UMTS, and CDMA based mobile devices. Implementation of the requirements contained within this specification is mobile device manufacture dependent." - Jan 2009, $125

* J-STD-101, Federal CMAS gateway specification (http specs):Joint ATIS/TIA CMAS Federal Alert Gateway to CMSP Gateway Interface Specification (also downloadable at ansi.org). "This Standard defines the interface between the Federal Alert Gateway and the Commercial Mobile Service Provider (CMSP) Gateway for CMAS alerts." - Oct 2009, $350

* J-STD-102, Federal CMAS gateway specification (testing specs): Joint ATIS/TIA CMAS Federal Alert Gateway to CMSP Gateway Interface Test Specification (also downloadable at ansi.org): "This Standard defines the operational testing procedures for communications between the Federal Alert Gateway and the Commercial Mobile Service Provider (CMSP) Gateway over the Reference Point “C” Interface including any processing functionality within the FEMA-administered Commercial Mobile Alert Service (CMAS) entities and within the CMSP-administered CMAS entities that directly impact communications over the Reference Point “C” Interface. Those operational testing procedures defined in J-STD-102 for the “C” Interface serve as a companion document to J-STD-101, Joint ATIS/TIA CMAS Federal Alert Gateway to CMSP Gateway Interface Specification, which previously defined the Reference Point “C” Interface." - Jan 2011, $350; press release

* ATIS-0700006, Commercial Mobile Alert Services (CMAS) via GSM/UMTS Cell Broadcast Service Specification : "This Standard describes the use of the GSM/UMTS Cell Broadcast Service for the broadcast of CMAS messages and includes the mapping of CMAS application level message to the Cell Broadcast Service message structure." - Mar 2010, $155

* ATIS-0700010, CMAS via EPS Public Warning System Specification: "This Standard describes the use of the Evolved Packet System (EPS) Public Warning System (PWS) for the broadcast of CMAS messages and includes the mapping of CMAS application level messages to the Cell Broadcast Center (CBC) message structure as used within the EPS." - Aug 2010, $155; press release

There are comments on /. that no new chips are required; also, FCC's site doesn't mention a new chip specifically. However, it's clear that there are hardware modifications required, from the numerous press releases and spokespersons commenting on when "PLAN-enabled" phones might be available.

If indeed the system relies only on Cell Broadcast messages, then they are one-way. This would mean that the hardware modifications are for the special handling of messages (vibration + audio alert + message pop-up). It would also mean that GPS either won't be used (so the BBC and MacDailyNews were wrong), or the coordinates would be transmitted by the handset via GSM/UMTS, which I think would require changes to the standard, but I don't really know.

It would be great if some folks who are knowledgeable with network protocols would chip in.