This document discusses TETRA terminals and extending network coverage using gateways and repeaters. It describes how gateways connect direct mode users to the trunked mode network, extending coverage. Repeaters are used to extend the range between direct mode users. The document provides examples of gateway and repeater applications. It also discusses product compliance and TETRA interoperability, noting that over 300 interoperability certificates have been issued to ensure equipment from different manufacturers can function together.
1. TETRA
ASSOCIATION
Specialised TETRA terminals
and
Product Compliance
Roger Dowling
Board Member TETRA Association
9th September 2009
Delhi
2. TETRA
ASSOCIATION
Part 1 – Specialised TETRA terminals
Extending Coverage of a TETRA Network
using Gateways and Repeaters
TETRA Surveillance Products
TETRA in hazardous environments (ATEX)
Part 2 ‐ Product Compliance
TETRA Interoperability (IOP)
3. Basic Requirements of any
TETRA Network/Terminal
A radio is not just for Voice communications it is a key
operational tool that helps save lives.
The key requirements of a TETRA radio terminal are:
•Best and most reliable voice communications
•Best and most reliable data communications
4. Extended Coverage For Voice
and Data
TMO Repeaters
• On frequency repeaters that extend TMO coverage only
• Can be expensive and normally are fixed to a location – inflexible
DMO Gateways
• Provide a link between TMO users and DMO users who may not have enough
RF power to reach the network
DMO Repeaters
• Extend coverage between DMO users
Some terminals can act as both Gateways and Repeaters
5. What is a Gateway?
A Gateway connects
users operating in
Direct Mode with the
Trunked Mode network TMO
TETRA
Network
Gateway
DMO
Network Coverage
Control Centre
Extension of a
No TMO Network Coverage
Trunked Mode
TETRA Network
6. Gateway Application Example
Users out of network coverage can report their current position to
either their vehicle or to an operator via TMO and to their vehicle
Gateway
Alarm indications can report the position of the originator
TETRA Gateway
TMO Network Mobile Data
Terminal
PEI SDS
Position Report
Control Centre
AVL/APL System No TMO
Network
Coverage
Location of Remote Users
7. What is a Repeater?
DMO
DMO Repeater DMO
DMO
DMO
No TMO
Network Coverage
A Repeater extends coverage between DMO users
Typically a vehicle mobile strategically placed acts as a DMO Repeater to extend
communications within a closed group.
8. Repeater Application Example
No TMO Network Coverage
DMO
DMO
DMO
Mobile
Repeater
Extension of the DMO Range in Remote Areas
9. Hand Held Repeater
DMO User ‘A’
DMO User ‘B’
When Direct Mode radios are out of range of each other…
10. Hand Held Repeater
DM ‘Repeater’
DMO User ‘A’
DMO User ‘B’
A Repeater can be used to relay communication between Direct
Mode terminals
11. Users of Gateways & Repeaters
Utility companies
Fire Services
Oil & Gas
Public and Private Ambulance Services
Police Services
Airports
Border Guards
Many users now buy Gateway and Repeater hardware
enabled radios and add the functionality when needed.
12. TETRA
ASSOCIATION
Part 1 – Specialised TETRA terminals
Extending Coverage of a TETRA Network
using Gateways and Repeaters
TETRA Surveillance Solutions
TETRA in hazardous environments (ATEX)
Part 2 ‐ Product Compliance
TETRA Interoperability (IOP)
13. User Community
• Police
• “Undercover” teams
• Specialist units
• Government Agencies
• Military
• Private Security Companies
Any team that does not want to be seen carrying or
using radios
14. User Roles
• Surveillance teams
• Firearms/Sniper teams
• Intelligence gathering
• Personal protection
Any role where secure, covert
communications are a necessity
15. Covert radio – User
Requirements
• Light and small
• Accessory connectors ‐ screw connections
• GPS
• Large range of accessories
(audio, control units …)
• Battery
(duration and
easy to change)
• E2EE (option)
17. Remote control units
• PTT
• Tone signalling
• Volume
• Talk Group change
• Emergency Alarm
• TX Inhibit
• Audio Interrupt
• Whisper Mode
Some radios also support:
• Repeater Mode
25. Specialist Accessories
• Temporary Covert Observation Post
• Quick set-up at observation post
• Semi-covert kit
• Transportable
• Instant ‘in-vehicle’ communications
• Gateway or Repeater functions
• Temporary ‘vehicle fit’
26. Supporting Products
End to End Encryption
• Provides secure transmission of voice and SDS data.
(Decoded ONLY with correct algorithm and traffic key)
Gateways
• Extends network coverage
Repeaters
• Improves coverage in buildings and tunnels
GPS option
• Provides enhanced user safety, improved resource usage
and improved reporting accuracy
27. Surveillance Users
Eastern Europe
Western Europe
Middle East Asia
Central America
28. TETRA
ASSOCIATION
Part 1 – Specialised TETRA terminals
Extending Coverage of a TETRA Network
using Gateways and Repeaters
TETRA Surveillance Solutions
TETRA in hazardous environments (ATEX)
Part 2 ‐ Product Compliance
TETRA Interoperability (IOP)
29. Hazardous Areas
Definition of Hazardous Areas
Area with possible presence of a potentially explosive atmosphere
An explosive atmosphere is defined as a mixture of:
– flammable substances (gases, vapours, liquids, mists
or dusts)
– with air
– under atmospheric conditions
– in which, after ignition, the combustion spreads to the
entire unburned mixture
An atmosphere, which could become explosive due to
local and/or operational conditions, is called :
a potentially explosive atmosphere.
30. Directive 94/9/EC (ATEX Directive)
• The European Directive 94/9/EC (ATEX Directive)
– It covers all equipment and protection
systems to be used in potentially explosive
atmospheres.
– This is an increase in scope compared to
previous national regulations.
• Typical Applications
– Fire Brigades
– Petrochemical Plants
– Fixed offshore platforms
– Ports and Airports
– Industries (chemical, pharmaceutical, ...)
– Mines
31. TETRA Equipment for
Hazardous Environments
Examples of ATEX certification:
Products currently II 2G EEx ib IIC T4
available from four II 3D Ex tD A22 IP54 T85°C X
manufacturers
32. Oil and Gas & Fire Services
• Pipelines and refineries in Africa, Asia ‐ Middle East, Europe ,
Russia and South America
• Fire Brigades in Europe
33. Oil & Gas: TETRA Project for
TRANSNEFT Oil Company
• Implementation Period: 2001 ‐ 2003
• TETRA Network consisting of:
1 Switching Control Node
1 Network Management System
22 Radio Base Stations
2 Dispatchers
Radio terminals
Pipeline coverage:
~1,000 miles
from Primorsk to Yaroslavl
35. TETRA
ASSOCIATION
Part 1 – Specialised TETRA terminals
Extending Coverage of a TETRA Network
using Gateways and Repeaters
TETRA Surveillance Solutions
TETRA in hazardous environments (ATEX)
Part 2 ‐ Product Compliance
TETRA Interoperability (IOP)
36. What is
Interoperability (IOP)?
• IOP ensures that TETRA equipment from one manufacturer
functions (interoperates) with TETRA equipment from
another manufacturer.
37. TETRA Association
Marketing Group
Operator and Users
Association - OUA
Association
TETRA
Technical Forum (TF)
Security and Fraud
Prevention Group - SFPG
Rail Forum
Regional/Geographic Forums
38. IOP Teams
Technical Forum (TF)
• Manages Interoperability Process
• Creates TIPs (TETRA Interoperability Profiles) and Test Plans
Any Member of the Association is
welcome to join
Operator and Users
Association - OUA
• Creates usage scenarios for features
• Sets IOP TETRA feature priorities
Not open to manufacturers
39. Do I need Interoperability?
• One Supplier
– makes life easier for operator & user
– the supplier ensures that infrastructure & terminals
operate together?
– No one supplier provides every type of terminal
– Dependent on one supplier’s development timescales
– Features not always released on infrastructure & terminals
at same time
– Locked in – watch the price of enhancements
When you buy your cell phone – do you ask who
supplied the network?
40. Benefits of an open
multi-vendor market
• User benefits
– wide choice of compatible terminals – 10+ suppliers
– specialised products for special needs
– continuous and fast product development & innovation
– genuine competition, hence lower prices (c.f. P25)
– reduced dependency on a single supplier
• Industry benefits
– larger market, greater volumes
– increased possibility to invest – faster product creation
– Market longevity
The TETRA Association created the IOP certification
process to guarantee an open multi-vendor market
41. Interfaces Covered by
IOP Process
AI PSTN
Base PSTN
Station ISDN
ISDN
Base TETRA Network
PDN PDN
Station
PEI BSI TETRA
Switch
Base
or IP ISI Other TETRA
Station Networks
Network
API
DMO 3rd Party
Gateway Systems
DMI
AI: Air Interface (V+D)
Covered by IOP
DMI: Direct Mode Interface
Not covered by IOP
ISI: Inter-System Interface
PEI: Peripheral Equipment Interface
42. How does the
IOP Process work?
Common Standard
Define Rules Practical
for Implementation Equipment Tests
IOP IOP
Specification Process Certification Process
43. IOP Certification Process
TETRA Products
Request for Testing
TETRA
TEST SESSION
Independent
IOP
Certification
Profile TETRA
TETRA
(TIP) IOP
Body
Test Evaluation
Plan of Results
TETRA
IOP
Certificate
44. What is Tested?
Commercial Products
•Infrastructure
•Terminals
45. IOP Certificates - issued
• 19 Manufacturers have participated in IOP Testing:
– 11 companies have received TETRA
infrastructure certificates for 14 systems
– 11 companies have received TETRA
terminal TMO certificates
– 6 companies have received TETRA
terminal DMO certificates
– 3 companies have received TETRA
terminal DMO gateway certificates
– 3 companies have received TETRA
terminal DMO repeater certificates
– 2 companies have received TETRA
ISI certificates
46. IOP Certificates
• Over 300 Certificates issued
• Certificates available
(Free)
for download:
www.tetra‐association.com
Using TETRA
Interoperability
IOP is a mature well established process
& A key factor behind the Worldwide
Success of TETRA
47. Thank You - Any Questions?
Contact:
Roger Dowling
e-mail: roger.dowling@sepura.com
