FE (Functional Element)

TODO: This page needs to be reviewed by subject matter experts familiar will the various elements mentioned.

A set of software features that may be combined with hardware interfaces and operations on those interfaces to accomplish a defined task. Some functional entities/elements may contain other functional entities/elements.

Functional Entities/Elements in NG9-1-1
Template:EIDD Indicates that the FE may send or receive EIDDs.
PSAP Indicates that the FE is typically part of a PSAP (without regard to physical location).
NGCS Indicates that the FE is typically part of NGCS (NG9-1-1 Core Services).

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Functional Entity/Element	Description
ADR (Additional Data Repository)	A data storage facility for Additional Data. The ADR dereferences a URI passed in a Call-Info header field or PIDF-LO <provided-by> and returns an Additional Data object block. It replaces and deprecates the concept of CIDB previously defined in 08-003 v1
Agency Locator	An agency directory, providing identification, contact and interface locations for all agencies on an ESInet. Searchable by name or location. NGCS
BCF (Border Control Function)	The primary security function at the edge of the ESInet. Composed of Session Border controller for SIP and a traditional firewall for other protocols, plus some specialized NG9-1-1 functions. PSAP NGCS
Bridge	Bridges (also referred to as "conference bridge" or "conference server") are used in NG9-1-1 to transfer calls and conduct conferences. These have a SIP signaling interface to create and maintain conferences and media mixing capability. Conference Servers MUST be multimedia-capable (voice, video, text). In some deployments, all emergency calls are answered at a “Conference-Aware UA” which acts as a B2BUA until/unless a transfer or conference is needed, in which case it becomes the "Conference Bridge". When calls are "answered at a bridge" and when calls are forwarded by a bridge, the bridge generates an EIDD. NGCS Template:EIDD
ECRF (Emergency Call Routing Function)	The routing database in NG9-1-1 which takes location (in civic or geo forms) and a “Service URN” and returns a route in the form of a URI to the next hop in the path the call should take. The ECRF is an instance of a LoST (RFC 5222) server. NGCS
EIDD Endpoint FE	This is an FE used by entities outside of the PSAP and Core Services to exchange EIDDs with intra-ESInet entities. Template:EIDD
ESRP (Emergency Service Routing Proxy)	The ESRP is an instance of a SIP Proxy Server; an intermediary which routes calls. Note that an ESRP contains a Policy Routing Function, but the PRF is not a separate FE. NGCS
FE (Forest Guide)	A Forest Guide is a specialized form of an ECRF used by a state ECRF to resolve a query outside the state. The Forest Guide is a national resource that is aware of all state ECRFs as well as other forest guides. NGCS
GCS (Geocode Service)	An NG9-1-1 service providing geocoding and reverse-geocoding. NGCS
IDX (Incident Data eXchange)	An EIDD coalescing function that provides a consolidated agency view of the current state of an incident by combining EIDDs generated by multiple constituent FEs within a PSAP. An IDX is usually the source of EIDDs for entities outside the PSAP. Another use is an element that combines EIDDs from multiple agencies working an incident to form an overall incident state. Template:EIDD PSAP
IMR (Interactive Media Response) System	An automatic multimedia call answering function that can play (multimedia) prompts, accept input (via DTMF or other forms) and record media. A multimedia form of IVR (Interactive Voice Response). PSAP
Incident Record Handling	A Functional Element responsible for creation and/or handling of Incident records. Template:EIDD PSAP
LIS (Location Information Server)	A database that stores locations of endpoints. A LIS can provide Location-by-Reference, or Location-by-Value, and, if the latter, in geodetic or civic forms. A LIS can be queried by an endpoint for its own location, or, in some circumstances, by another entity for the location of an endpoint. The LIS is also the entity that provides the dereferencing service, exchanging a location reference for a location value. NGCS
LNG (Legacy Network Gateway)	An NG9-1-1 Functional Element that provides an interface between an un-upgraded legacy origination network and the NGCS.  Note that an LNG contains a Location Interworking function (LIF), a Protocol Interworking Function (PIF) and an NG9-1-1 Interworking Function (NIF), but the LIF, PIF and NIF are not separate FEs. NGCS
Logging Service	An event and media logger. The Logging Service accepts log event records and media streams in a standardized form, stores them, and provides a standardized retrieval function for these records. PSAP NGCS Template:EIDD
LPG (Legacy PSAP Gateway)	An NG9-1-1 Functional Element which provides an interface between an ESInet and an un-upgraded PSAP. Note that an LPG contains a Location Interworking function (LIF), a Protocol Interworking Function (PIF) and an NG9-1-1 Interworking Function (NIF), but the LIF, PIF, and NIF are not separate FEs. PSAP Template:EIDD
LSRG (Legacy Selective Router Gateway)	The LSRG provides an interface between a 9-1-1 Selective Router and an ESInet, enabling calls to be routed and/or transferred between Legacy and NG networks. A tool for the transition process from Legacy 9-1-1 to NG9-1-1. NGCS
LVF (Location Validation Function)	A functional element in an NGCS that is a LoST protocol server where civic location information is validated against the authoritative GIS database information. NGCS
Map Database Service	A database that stores mapping data that can be used to create a display for a call taker or dispatcher. Often used to provide maps for handling out of area calls, the Map Database Service can also be used locally to provide a single, uniform map display for all functional elements in a PSAP that need maps. PSAP
MCS (MSAG Conversion Service)	A web service providing conversion between NG9-1-1 PIDF-LO and Legacy MSAG data. NGCS
Originating ESRP	The first routing element inside the NGCS. It receives calls from the BCF at the edge of the ESInet. NGCS
Policy Store	A database that holds policy rules. PSAP NGCS
PSAP (Public Safety Answering Point)	Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP): An entity responsible for receiving 9-1-1 calls and processing those calls according to a specific operational policy. A PSAP is considered a single FE within the context of the NGCS, but of course, would be constructed of multiple FEs within the PSAP. PSAP
SR (Selective Router)	The Central Office switch that provides the tandem switching of 9-1-1 calls. It controls delivery of the voice call with ANI to the PSAP and provides Selective Routing, Speed Calling, Selective Transfer, Fixed Transfer, and certain maintenance functions for each PSAP. Also known as Enhanced 9-1-1 Control Office, E9-1-1 Tandem
Management Console	A Functional Element that supports general management functions for the PSAP. It also sends and receives Discrepancy Reports on behalf of the PSAP. Template:EIDD PSAP
RDS (Responder Data Services)	A Functional Element that enables near real-time wireless data transmissions between PSAPs and emergency responder devices. This includes transmitting dispatch information, creating new Incidents, updating active and closed Incidents. The Responder Data Services FE can support the transmission and receipt of media or a reference (i.e. URL) to that media. Template:EIDD PSAP
Call Handling	The Call Handling Functional Element is concerned with the details of the management of calls. It handles all communication from the caller. Template:EIDD PSAP
Dispatch System	A Functional Element used to assign appropriate resources (emergency responders) to an incident, monitor the response and relay relevant information. Tracks and logs all transactions associated with the emergency response. Template:EIDD PSAP
Collaboration	A Functional Element that provides for collaborative communications among agents, both within and between agencies. PSAP Template:EIDD
MIS (Management Information System)	The MIS Functional Element provides reporting services based on data collected from FEs. Template:EIDD PSAP
RMS (Records Management System)	A database holding historical records of incidents and other PSAP records. Template:EIDD PSAP
Radio Interface	A gateway between a radio system and the other FEs in a PSAP. PSAP