Aspect

Motorola (MOTOTRBO – DMR)

Kenwood (NEXEDGE – NXDN)

Core Technology

TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access)

FDMA (Frequency Division Multiple Access)

Channel Bandwidth

12.5 kHz (split into 2 time slots)

6.25 kHz (ultra-narrowband)

Spectral Efficiency

With repeaters, one physical channel supports 2 simultaneous talk groups, effectively doubling capacity. In direct (simplex) mode, it functions as a single channel.

One physical channel supports one talk group. Achieves 6.25 kHz spectral efficiency even without repeaters.

Communication Range

Standard range (theoretically slightly less than FDMA in the same frequency band).

Better receiver sensitivity due to narrowband filtering. Theoretically ~20% greater range than analog systems.

System Cost

Lower repeater cost: one repeater can serve two channels, reducing hardware investment. However, a single repeater failure affects both channels.

Higher repeater cost: one repeater supports only one voice channel; multi-site systems require more equipment. However, a single repeater failure affects only one channel, offering better fault tolerance.

Voice & Data

Cannot transmit voice and data simultaneously within the same time slot.

Can transmit voice and data (e.g., GPS) simultaneously within the 6.25 kHz channel.

Vocoder

AMBE+2 (standard across DMR protocols)

AMBE+2 (same as DMR)

Protocol Standard

Adheres to the open ETSI DMR standard, with many manufacturers supporting it.

Primarily a Kenwood and ICOM initiative under the NXDN standard.

Compatibility & Upgrades

Some high-end Kenwood models can purchase optional licenses to support DMR protocol on the same hardware.

Kenwood's high-end NX3000 series natively supports NXDN and can be upgraded to support DMR.