CIRCULATION: 20,000 COPIES

CREATING A SAFER, MORE SECURE WORLD WITH TETRA

TWC 2007 EDITION

In Brief:
Full TETRA service at Schiphol Airport KPN Royal Dutch Telecom has replaced the existing MPT 1327 network and radio equipment at Schiphol Airport by a state-of-the-art TETRA infrastructure based on Rohills TetraNode. The joint approach of KPN and Rohill has proven to be very fruitful. This page Seville Metro speeds up and announces opening date by Spring 2008 After some delay due to Civil Works problems, Dominion Tecnologas will start implementing the TetraNode Network for Seville Metro in 2007. This page First TETRA System of Istanbul Uskom Komunikasyon Sistemleri A.S. from Turkey has been awarded several contracts for the delivery of communications and SCADA systems for the Istanbul Tram Lines. The contracts include the deployment of a multi-site TETRA network based on TetraNode. This page Rohill launches new website The Rohill website has been re-designed. Take a look at www.Rohill.com. When doing so, register to receive the digital version of the next Tetra Notes and receive a complementary gift. This page Seamless WiMAX integration Rohill will introduce the TetraNode AdvancedTCA platform with integrated WiMAX at TETRA World Congress 2007. This platform offers two optimised solutions for voice and data communications on a single system. Page 2 Line Dispatch Station Chameleon: Total Flexibility TETRA World Congress 2007 marks the introduction of another novelty: the Line Dispatch Station Chameleon from Rohill. Chameleon combines powerful group-oriented dispatch facilities with unprecedented configuration flexibility. Page 2 TetraNode adds new dimension to telephony integration Integration of telephony has been a strong point of TetraNode ever since its introduction. With the introduction of the VoIP gateway server, TetraNode adds another dimension to telephony integration. Page 2 Line or radio dispatch station; what do you need? There are two types of dispatch stations: the radio dispatch station and the line dispatch station. This article looks at the typical dispatch solutions provided by each of them. Page 2 TetraNode Now Offers Seamless and Secure Connectivity to GSM Rohill has partnered Tripleton to start a joint development to provide seamless and secure connectivity between TETRA and GSM networks, thus extending the coverage of its TetraNode network out to the globally available GSM network. Page 2 Superior FCAPS capabilities The recent introductions of NodeWatch, SubscriberWatch and CoverageWatch have significantly improved the FCAPS capabilities of TetraNode. Page 2 TetraNode offers a unique additional security benefit This article explains what makes Rohills TetraNode unique in terms of security features, compared with other TETRA infrastructures. Page 3 TETRA versus APCO Project 25 This article compares the benefits, features and functionality of the two open standards TETRA and Project25. Page 3 Recording solutions: luxury of essential? This article explains how voice and data monitoring and recording can improve operations and, consequently, save lives in a mission-critical environment. Page 3 The five nines and MontaVista Carrier Grade Linux Klaas van Gend, Field Application Engineer Europe, MontaVista, explains how Carrier Grade Linux can help users to achieve system availability in the range of five to six nines. Page 3 An alien in Hoogeveen Tetra Notes talked to Alister Bailey to find out what motivated him to move from the UK to the Netherlands to join Rohill in 2005. Page 4 Live monitoring the TetraNode infrastructure with NodeWatch In order to maintain the agreed service level with its customers, TETRA network ChuChubi Trunking in the Caribbean area needs to be able to access and monitor the system status and use in real time. For that purpose, the NodeWatch client application is used. Page 4 Telvent to supply TETRA communications equipment for La Corua and Vigo Airport Telvent signed two contracts with Spains airport operator AENA for the delivery of TETRA terminals. The terminal units will be used as part of the TETRA communications system of La Corua and Vigo airport in Spain. Page 4 Successful implementation of TetraNode Network at Santiago de Compostela Airport Early this year, Dominion Tecnologas successfully implemented a TETRA network based on the TetraNode Entry Level Platform for Santiago de Compostela Airport, the most important airport in Galicia, Spain. Page 4 TetraNode system for Sofia Airport Rohill, through its distributor company Comtek 2000, has won a tender for the delivery of a TetraNode system for the main airport in Bulgaria. Redundancy features and the PABX group-call facility were deciding factors for the contract award. Page 4 Upgrading a TETRA system The very first TETRA networks are now ready to be upgraded to include the latest technology. This article presents the reasons for upgrading a TETRA system and the criteria for selecting a TETRA system upgrade. Page 4

Full TETRA service at Schiphol Airport

Schiphol airport is probably one of the most demanding environments the world for the daily exchange of critical information in terms of volume and speed. The operation of commercial airlines and support services requires swift and reliable mobile communications for a quick and efficient response to the dynamics of change. At the same time, the airport emergency services require reliable ways of communication in their continuous fight against incidents, fire and the threat of terrorist attacks. KPN Royal Dutch Telecom has been providing these vital means of mobile radio communications to the wide variety of Schiphol users for many years now. In the last eight years, the service provision of KPN has been based on an analogue MPT 1327 network, containing over 70 radio channels to provide professional mobile communications to 3500 users daily. Due to changing user demands and the MPT 1327 standard becoming obsolete by the increasing deployment of digital TETRA systems, KPN proposed to replace the existing network and radio equipment by a state-of-the-art TETRA infrastructure and user radio equipment. In subsequent discussions with the two key user organizations at Schiphol, being the airport authorities and the Dutch airline, the TETRA platform proved to be the ultimate, future-proof platform for a single network that is capable of meeting the business requirements of all the different teams and companies working together at Schiphol airport. By the end of the year 2005, KPN secured the contract to provide mobile radio communications at Schiphol airport for another six years, based on TETRA infrastructure and radio equipment. The TETRA radio infrastructure is based on Rohills TetraNode, using the AdvancedTCA platform. AdvancedTCA is an open standards PC-based platform specially designed for carrier-grade telecom applications with excellent system performance and availability. As the radio network at Schiphol is crucial for the daily exchange of critical information and is used day and night by thousands of users, the network has to be able to cope with a high traffic load and has to be operational at all times. The AdvancedTCA platform meets these critical demands, offering true no-single-point-of-failure with fast switch-over within a single chassis and supplying a vast amount of processing power. Radio coverage at Schiphol airport is provided for by one true single site, which is equipped with no less than 16 TETRA carriers. This equals 62 channels speech and data communications, while the residing two channels are used as main control channels for signalling and short data messaging. Since the majority of the end-users works outside as well as indoors, the site does not only allow for outdoor coverage, but is also connected to an extensive radiating cable network for indoor coverage. To optimise the RF coverage, the base station is based on the Rohill R?8060 series. The standard 3?way diversity is used to realise outdoor diversity and allows for separate connection of the radiating cable network, whilst the improved RF sensitivity leads to an overall increase of RF coverage. Naturally, also the base station is configured fully redundantly, avoiding outage of the system by failure of a single component. long history as a system integrator, identified and translated the functional demands of the users into global technical solutions with clear requirements. Rohill, as a leading technology provider, provides not only the extremely flexible third-generation TetraNode platform, but also additional functionality for the proposed solutions. Combined with the very short time Rohill needed to develop the agreed solutions, this joint approach has proven to be very fruitful and enabled KPN to offer Schiphol airport an optimal solution, tailored to the individual user needs, without compromising system manageability or system functionality. The latter enables, for instance, a fuelling company to find out where the fuelling trucks are on the airport and thus contributes to a more efficient assignment of tasks. The increased integration of the telephony and IT domain translates into various functions, ranging from a telephone user being able to use Direct-Dial-In to reach a radio user to the possibility to implement flight-oriented dialling. Flight-oriented dialling means that a user can not only be reached from a telephone or radio based on his unique radio or telephone number but he can also be reached based on the assigned task or duty he currently fulfils using a dynamically assigned flight or functional number. Although not directly offered to the end-user, the network management features of a complex mission-critical system such as the Schiphol TETRA system are of the utmost importance. KPN provides the end-user with a full service, including the user radio equipment and access to the radio network and all its features at a fixed monthly fee. Service levels are in place to ensure the quality and availability of the service and are reported back to the key users by KPN each month. It is clear that in this mission-critical environment, faults have to be identified as soon as possible, or if possible, even before they occur. Advanced network management is therefore available, consisting of a customer unit that handles the subscriber data, a centralised network management centre that monitors and maintains the network on a 24 hour basis and a local repair shop to which users can turn to if their radios need to be repaired or have to be replaced. If a fault is detected in the network, it is automatically and immediately reported to the network management centre, where immediate remote analysis can be performed and subsequent counter actions can be defined. At this moment, the TETRA network at Schiphol is already in use by several hundreds of end-users. Further migration of users is currently in full swing. Due to the dynamics at the airport, however, about 1500 users will enter the TETRA system after the peak of the summer holidays and will then also experience the benefits of the new system like the current users. To realise a clean migration, it has been decided to make a switch-over to the new TETRA system first, without changing the communications processes. After a successful migration, the new functionalities and methods of working will be introduced on a case by case basis, exploiting the new opportunities of the system to the maximum. The trend towards flight-oriented communications, seamlessly crossing borders between different communications systems, is well established and already in operation at several locations in the world. The security aspects of the Schiphol TETRA system are various. Within the network, inter-fleet communications is regulated and within companies, communications within secure teams or groups can be shielded from non-authorised users. The TETRA technology is inherently secured against threats from outside the network. Unlike conventional analogue communications systems, anyone scanning TETRA channels will not get any intelligible information. To prevent unauthorised access to the network, authentication is used. Should even more extensive protection be required, the network allows for standard cost-effective TETRA end-to-end encryption as well. The achievements realised so far show that in the complex environment of Schiphol with its large number of different teams and companies, its broad spectrum of individual business requirements and its high traffic load concentrated on a geographically small area, it is still possible to offer a full service on one shared single TETRA network and meet the individual requirements as well. Realising that this concept does not only fit functionally, but can also be considered the most efficient solution in terms of costs, radio spectrum and futureproof flexibility, we can all look forward to enjoying the benefits of TETRA for many years to come. Tetra Notes thanks Meint Joustra, Senior Consultant Professional Mobile Radio, KPN Royal Dutch Telecom, for providing this article.

Furthermore, one additional small remote site is included to provide RF coverage for a remotely located runway and a standby system is included for ultimate system back-up. The standby system is to be used for contingency purposes only. In case the main system can no longer be used due to a physical calamity, for instance a fire in the technical room, the back-up system shall be used. The standby system is hot standby and is installed at a remote location to provide or restore the vital radio communications in such cases. In the meantime, steps can be taken to restore the main system without disrupting or blocking the operational activities of the end-users. As indicated earlier, one of the challenging issues KPN faced at Schiphol is how to enjoy the benefits of one single radio network and, at the same time, having to comply with the business requirements of all the different teams and companies using the system. The solution has been found in an excellent co-operation between Rohill and KPN. KPN, with its

Obviously, the new network provides all the functionality and more which the users enjoyed from the existing radio service. This includes the ability to communicate fast within groups and/or between individual radios, the use of priorities in the network for emergency calls and the possibility to contact radio subscribers outside the own organization (also called interfleet communications). Apart from these rather standard requirements for professional communications, the advanced key functionalities of the new TETRA system lie among other things in the enhanced data capabilities, the increased integration with the telephony and IT domain, sophisticated security features for day-to-day operations and mission-critical use and, last but not least, extensive network management features. The enhanced data capabilities include the opportunity to use IP packet data and the possibility to implement and use location-based services, based on the built-in GPS receiver of the TETRA radio.

First TETRA system of Istanbul

Seville Metro speeds up and announces opening date by Spring 2008

Dominion Tecnologas will finally start implementing the TetraNode Network for Seville Metro in 2007. The 2004 contract has been delayed due to Civil Works problems, but recently Seville Metro Authorities have confirmed the opening date by Spring 2008. Dominion Tecnologas, one of Rohills partners, is currently deploying the TETRA infrastructure for Seville Metro. This is a turnkey project for line 1 of the city metro. Line 1 is about 19 km long and runs from Mairena de Aljarafe to Montequinto. In total 23 stations are planned to be built, of which 11 underground. The line serves around 14 million passengers per year. Coverage inside the tunnels is achieved through more than 14 km of 1-1/4 radiating cable, which together with the extremely high sensitivity of the carriers will allow for inside train coverage (hand-portables) on the whole line. Optical and RF-RF repeaters will complete the coverage to include all the premises at the stations, the emergency exits and the control room. Sixteen sites equipped with R-8060 base station transceivers with direct IP interface have been supplied. This allows direct communication with the TNX through a dedicated IP network. Interfacing with the company PABX will be through E1 with QSIG. As underground base stations do not have access to GPS, synchronisation is provided by ultra stable clock sources. Seville Metro believes in total integration of applications as a basis of their daily operations. That is why the TetraNode IP-centric concept offers real advantages to the metro company. Custom-made dispatcher: Seville Metro is developing its own integrated dispatcher application using TetraNodes XML interface. This will enable complete management of train traffic, train-to-ground communications and PABX calls through the same console. Train Console: Trains will use the most advanced and newly integrated console, developed by Dominion Tecnologas itself. The console is based on a central processor which controls the on-board TETRA radio and interfaces to the trains main computer and intercom system. In this way, the driver will have a complete communication suite using a rugged touch screen as user interface. Packet data capabilities of TetraNode are planned to be used in the near future. Tetra Notes thanks Carlos Fernndez Alonso, TETRA Networks Manager, Dominion Tecnologas S.L.U., for providing this article.

News-flashes
350MHz type approval China Setar network in Aruba expanded Alcon appointed as official Brazilian TetraNode distributor Saudi Ericsson signs long-term cooperation agreement with Rohill Isolux focuses on utility market in Latin America and Italy STA expands TetraNode system in the mountains of Andorra Networking networks project ChuChubi Trunking at the Dutch Antilles expanded ZS Botswana launches hybrid TETRA and MPT 1327 TetraNode network Additional TetraNode systems for AENA Rohill announces the introduction of Powerful dynamic group call propagation Ambience listening Secondary control channel Traffic channel pooling Multislot Packet Data Seamless WiMAX integration NodeWatch client Line Dispatch Station Chameleon Rohill launches new website Rohill has officially launched its new re-designed website. With a new look and feel it is more attractive, comprehensive and user-friendly. If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please contact us. Tetra Notes goes digital If you would like to receive a digital version of the next Tetra Notes, please register on www.rohill.com/tetranotes. After registration, you will receive a complementary gift.

Istanbul Municipality awarded Uskom Komunikasyon Sistemleri A.S. from Ankara, Turkey, various contracts for the supply of communications and SCADA systems for the Istanbul Tram Lines. These contracts include the deployment of a multi-site TETRA network for Istanbul City, covering the vital communications requirements of Public Tram Transportation. The TETRA infrastructure is based on Rohills TetraNode. It is composed of a TetraNode eXchange and three TETRA base station sites. TetraNode was specifically chosen because of its seamless expansion capabilities and its leading IP technology, providing robust, yet simple

interfaces for all application requirements of transportation and utility companies. Uskom is a system integrator in the field of communications and control systems with contracts in Turkey, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Iraq, Turkmenistan, Bulgaria and Kosova. Uskom is the Rohill partner in Turkey. Uskom strongly believes that TetraNode capabilities will help Turkey to develop robust and future-proof TETRA system infrastructures for many years to come. Tetra Notes thanks Murat Arslan, General Manager, Uskom Komunikasyon Sistemleri A.S, for providing this article.

Page: 2 - Tetra Notes

Seamless WiMAX integration

Rohill introduces TetraNode AdvancedTCA platform with integrated WiMAX at TWC 2007
Ever since TETRA has been an established standard in the market for mission-critical communications, there has also often been a push from the market for higher data speeds. Some 10 years ago, the request for a high-speed data layer in TETRA was strongly promoted by the TETRA PAMR network operator Dolphin. This strategy was of course largely based on their wish to position TETRA as a quasi-cellular standard. Today, the high-speed data issue is still considered important for TETRA, especially in view of the requirements of throughput demanding applications. End-users often compare TETRA networks with the current GSM, 3G and UMTS networks and their performance. Although the TETRA release 2 standards include high-speed data service TEDS (TETRA Enhanced Data Service) in addition to multi-slot packet data and other data transmission services already implemented in TETRA release 1, it is very important to have an unbiased look at high speed data services. A Swiss knife can serve as a corkscrew. Nevertheless, a waiter in a restaurant will always use a real corkscrew, even if he had a Swiss knife in his pocket. Integrated solutions, like a Swiss knife, become difficult to operate, impractical to use and compromise all functions they represent. For TETRA, the same may be true. TETRA has been designed as a mission-critical voice communications solution with data transmission capabilities specifically designed for those user groups for which reliability, availability, ease of operation, fast access and group call facilities are essential. The TETRA user market is a specialist user group, requiring a dedicated tool like a waiter. The data transmission ability of TETRA is suitable for a wide range of applications but requires careful consideration of bandwidth availability. Although transparent IP connectivity is offered through packet data, the service is not designed for random surfing of the Internet where bandwidth constraints are hardly considered. Still, dedicated and optimised mission-critical client server applications can benefit from the TETRA release 1 data capabilities. Laws of physics relate bandwidth to data speed and coverage. Higher data rates require more bandwidth and provide less coverage. Everybody will understand that less coverage will immediately increase the costs of the infrastructure and creates an unbalanced situation, as more base station sites will be required to cover the same area. Therefore, high-speed data solutions on TETRA are basically only interesting for dedicated area use at high density, small coverage locations, such as airports, city centres and at events. For the vast majority of TETRA users, TETRA release 1 data services in the same coverage area as that of voice communications are sufficient, especially if optimised applications for data transfer are considered. For those areas where high-speed data is required, TETRA networks should provide for seamless interworking with those network solutions which have been designed for this purpose, instead of adding another tool to a Swiss knife. Considering all this, Rohill will introduce the TetraNode AdvancedTCA platform with integrated WiMAX at TWC 2007. This platform offers two optimised solutions for voice and data communications on a single system. Nevertheless, Rohill remains committed to the TETRA standard and will also introduce TEDS for dedicated users for whom the seamless integration of TetraNode with WiMAX is not a suitable option.

TetraNode adds new dimension to telephony integration

Seamless telephony integration with TetraNode VoIP gateway server
Integration of telephony has been a strong point of TetraNode ever since its introduction. Whatever the size of the network, TetraNode can be equipped with the appropriate number and types of telephony interfaces. These can range from a single 2-wire telephone line or an ISDN Basic Rate line up to a large quantity of trunked E&M interfaces as well as E1 telephony based on ISDN Primary Rate and QSIG. The flexibility in terms of telephony trunks, which are accessible by the user or by configuration of the system, is unmatched. A unique TetraNode function is group call from a telephone set. A group call can be initiated either by dialling a specific Direct Dial In (DDI) number per group number, or by postdialling the group number, whereby intelligent transmission control within the TetraNode system allows for comfortable operation without the need for a PTT button. In addition, the MS-ISDN capability of TetraNode adds extra flexibility for integration of different numbering schemes in order to reach radios and talk-groups from the telephone network using DDI. The TetraNode VoIP gateway server adds another dimension to telephony integration. Virtually all PABXs supplied today use VoIP for connecting telphone sets and even trunks to the PSTN. The TetraNode VoIP gateway server runs on Linux, the same mission-critical operating system as used for TetraNode systems. The TetraNode VoIP gateway server provides VoIP trunks to existing PABXs, but can also operate as a PABX in order to serve VoIP telephone sets. This allows for seamless integration with the Cisco CallManager solution for IP telephony, but also with any other SIP compatible service from a public or private network. The TetraNode VoIP gateway server enables direct connectivity with a wide range of SIP-based telephone sets from companies like Alcatel, Cisco, Linksys, Siemens and many others. The TetraNode VoIP gateway server is based on open standards and products, which are configured to meet the specific requirements of mission-critical communications. Together with TetraNode, it is the perfect match for any modern communications system.

Superior FCAPS capabilities

XML-over-IP based concept enhances network management tasks of TetraNode
FCAPS is the ISO model and framework for network management. FCAPS is an acronym for Fault, Configuration, Accounting, Performance and Security management. These are the management categories which the ISO model uses to define the various different network management tasks. The recent introduction of NodeWatch, SubscriberWatch and CoverageWatch have significantly improved the FCAPS capabilities of TetraNode. TetraNode now offers superior FCAPS capabilities in comparison with any other competitive solution.
F - Fault Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) Network Management System (NMS) Node Watch Client (NWC) Subscriber Watch Client (SWC) Coverage Watch Client (CWC) Device alarms Link failures IP equipment failures System, node, site and device status Link status History and current device alarms History and current link failures Find terminal programming failures Find problems with coverage caused by defective site equipment, cables or antennas Find problems with terminal installation causing poor coverage for a specific terminal Configuration of nodes, sites and devices Subscriber management Detailed information for billing systems Detailed information on call performance Logging of user sessions Queuing statistics Control channel load statistics View activity on individual channels (timeslots) Downtime reporting per node, device and link Daily statistics on call performance Determine and optimise system coverage Configure Virtual Private Networking Configure security profiles User authorisations Import/export and manage authentication keys Manage encryption keys

C - Configuration A - Accounting

Network Management System (NMS) Call Log Streaming (CLS) Call Detail Records (CDR) RADIUS Node Watch Client (NWC)

P - Performance

Line or Radio Dispatch station; what do you need?

The field of activity of a dispatch station operator is typically to direct and guide a mobile workforce using wireless communications. The dispatch station operator (or dispatcher for short) usually collects or receives information from various sources. It helps the dispatcher to direct, co-ordinate and monitor - like a movie director - the tasks performed in the field. Typical dispatch-oriented communications are found in public safety, transport and utility networks. Members of the mobile workforce equipped with mobile and hand-portable radios communicate with the dispatcher and with one another using the air interface of the radio network. Basically, there are two types of dispatch stations: to perform the dispatch tasks in a fast and easy-to-operate way. The dedicated MMIs in todays solutions are based on desktop PCs with monitor, headset/desktop microphone and loudspeakers. Operation takes place through (touch) screen, keyboard, mouse and/or foot bars. Depending on the network size and the number of mobile stations, the dispatch functions are performed from a single or from multiple operator positions. Which functionality is supported by the dispatch stations depends on the type of connection between the dispatch station and the network. It is obvious that an air interface can only carry information using the services the air interface provides, whereas the line dispatch station can directly receive supplementary information from the network itself. The line dispatch station could perform multiple talk-group monitoring more easily than a radio dispatch station. Functions such as network loading and subscriber monitoring are impossible for a radio dispatch station to carry out. Rohill offers Chameleon to build dispatch solutions to be used as a radio dispatch station, as a line dispatch station and even as a combination of both. Chameleon is part of the TetraNode product range. For more information on Chameleon, see the product introduction article on this page.

S - Security

Availability Reports Call Detail Records (CDR) Coverage Watch Client (CWC) Network Management System (NMS)

Authentication Key Client (AKC)

TetraNode applications according to the FCAPS model The new FCAPS capabilities are enabled by truly open and standards-based concepts, offering a future-proof growth path for additional third-party and Rohill applications and solutions. The mentioned tools can be used by the different agencies or technical teams in order to effectively manage their own fleets or regions. Examples of management tasks include: Checking the status (on/off) and location (site) of a subscriber using SubscriberWatch. Finding the cause of individual user complaints, such as registration failures and wrong group attachments using SubscriberWatch. Analysing call performance and the call success rate using Call Detail Records. Finding troubled mobiles or hand-portables by determining the coverage in comparison with the average coverage using CoverageWatch. Optimising coverage and performance by pro-active analysis of trends in coverage and control channel load (NodeWatch and CoverageWatch). Monitoring the whole network on a single graphical map using NodeWatch. Real-time data and reports are filtered for the subscriber or management group to which the authorised network management user belongs. Helpdesk responsibilities can thus be delegated to agencies, allowing more flexibility and a more secured operation of the network. By narrowing the dataflow to the absolute minimum required for remote operation of the service, secure access is made possible through the Internet or private WAN. Centralised management of all connected client applications is another feature of the application suite, which reduces operating costs by eliminating the need to manage each of the connected workstations. Helpdesk personnel and technicians are now able to oversee the whole network, not just the activity in a single switch or zone. These impressive and often unique capabilities of the TetraNode system management applications put the operator and agencies back in control.

Line Dispatch Station Chameleon:

TETRA World Congress 2007 marks the introduction of Rohills new Line Dispatch Station Chameleon. This new product is not just a remake of the existing Line Dispatcher solution. Chameleon combines powerful group-oriented dispatch facilities with unprecedented configuration flexibility, yet remains easy to operate.

Total Flexibility

the radio dispatch station uses the air interface to communicate with other subscribers through the radio network; the line dispatch station uses a dedicated line connection with the radio network infrastructure to communicate with other subscribers. What makes a dispatch station special is the fit-for-purpose man-machine interface (MMI)

TetraNode Now Offers Seamless and Secure Connectivity to GSM

Another truly unique feature of Chameleon is the ability to mix or supplement line connections with radio connections. System security may also be enhanced as a side-effect while no IP traffic is needed towards the system. Mixing TETRA mobiles with line connections also offers an effective solution for fallback operation should a fixed-link failure occur. Depending on user authorisations, other powerful features of Chameleon include: End-to-End Encryption (E2EE) on the basis of the open TETRA MoU SFPG recommendations. Pre-configured and ad-hoc Dynamic Group Number Assignment (DGNA) schemes. Short Data Service and status messages may be sent, received and processed according to applicable workflow requirements. PTT priority and efficient emergency call handling. Multi-dispatcher incoming-call handling. Discreet Listening. Ambience Listening. Remote enable/disable of TETRA terminals. Spacial acoustic arrangement of monitored talk-groups. The impressive capabilities and flexibility of Chameleon are enabled by open standards - as are the revolutionary TetraNode concepts. This sets the solution truly apart from competitive solutions, which are based on proprietary hardware and software to enable vendor lock-in. TetraNode is an open solution, enabling easy application development and seamless growth due to smooth system scalability. Rohill has partnered Tripleton UK to start a joint development to provide seamless and secure connectivity between TETRA and GSM networks, thus extending the coverage of its TetraNode network out to the globally available GSM network. By offering secure connectivity, the security and mission-critical status of TetraNode will be crucially preserved. Using currently available products from Tripleton and some integration work in TetraNode, Rohill is able to offer secure connectivity from GSM to TETRA, as shown in figure 1. In keeping with its philosophy of providing state-of-the-art solutions, Rohill will work with Tripleton to develop optimised solutions to offer the quickest possible call setup, optimum speech quality and true end-to-end encryption connectivity. In addition, Rohill can uniquely offer enhanced line dispatcher features such as end-to-end monitoring and conferencing. The Enigma GSM handset is to be upgraded to incorporate the security recommendations of TETRA end-to-end calls to permit interoperability with similarly supported TETRA terminals. Offering secure connectivity into TETRA from the GSM network is not a trivial task. GSM is the father of TETRA conceived some 20 years ago and while its goals are different to TETRA (to offer global connectivity and roaming), the security model developed has some glaring weaknesses that allow it to be exploited readily. Not a month goes by without some top government official or department is reported to be the victim of GSM eavesdropping. When TETRA was developed, the security model took into account and remedied the flaws of GSM. Tripleton responded to the demand for making communications over GSM secure in a similar way up to the highest levels and developed the Enigma T301B. Operating Enigma with TetraNode gives the user the freedom to move in and out of the coverage of TETRA and still stay in touch with his key TETRA and GSM personnel using a single handset. TETRA - GSM: current solution features Full duplex secure voice communications from GSM into TetraNode network. Excellent speech quality. Two-sided authentication for secure access into TetraNode. Enigma/Linecrypt plug-and-play technology. Enigma/Linecrypt operate integrated hardware/software tailor-made security module that has been formally evaluated by ITSEC. Enigma supports up to five hours talk time and 350 hours standby time. Local management and exclusive communications groups.

Chameleon is designed for mission-critical applications for which maximum control and confidence in operation are essential requirements. Public safety users will appreciate the support of group-oriented communication; up to 16 talkgroups may be selected for simultaneous monitoring. The user interface can be made familiar to users of existing analogue and trunked radio systems by precise emulation of existing (legacy) dispatcher solutions from other leading brands in this industry. However, a refreshing look using modern graphical elements is just as easy to achieve. This is why the product is referred to as the Chameleon, the animal that can perfectly mimic its environment. Following the simplicity of the powerful softswitching architecture of TetraNode, Chameleon operates as a command and control workstation within a pure IP networking environment using Quality-of-Service (QoS) mechanisms on the basis of open industry standards. No proprietary components are needed to interconnect control rooms to the TetraNode system, or to create control rooms with a large number of workstations. Options for secure VPNs are available which are essential for multi-agency and operator-based TetraNode networks. Centralised configuration management allows the screen layout and user authorisations to be updated dynamically on the basis of a personalised profile selected on login. This also enables customised configurations for different work shifts. Interoperability between different agencies can be achieved by extending access to multiple fleets or security groups, enabling patches between the applicable talkgroups, individuals and telephone users.

Figure 1

TETRA-GSM: current solution

TETRA GSM: optimised seamless solution GSM handset compliant to TETRA E2E Encryption standard (TETRA MoU SFPG Rec. 02). Real end-to-end encryption to a TETRA handset compliant to SFPG Rec. 02. Seamless operation. Full duplex communication. Optimised call setup times and speech delays in keeping with TETRA standard. TetraNode incorporates TETRA MoU SFPG Rec. 02 for secure call monitoring and conferencing.

Figure 2

TETRA-GSM: optimised seamless solution

Tetra Notes thanks Charles Vilner, Executive Director, Security Division, Tripleton Ltd. for providing this article.

Tetra Notes - Page: 3

Recording solutions: luxury or essential?

Radio communications has become an essential part of many operational processes. Over the years, the use of communications systems has increased and no one will argue against further growth. At the same time, the reliability of products and technologies has improved in such a way that communications systems really can be identified as mission-critical communications systems. Today, these systems meet the highest demands for getting voice or data from A to B fast and in a reliable way. In the professional mobile radio market, TETRA is the standard for these communications needs. In general, TETRA systems provide safe and reliable communications to large groups of users and are capable of offering an end-to-end service. For better understanding, we can compare the sending of a message from one user to another to travelling from one city to another city by airplane. Aviation offers a fast, safe and reliable means of transportation through the air. Everyone is used to this way of transportation and never considers the individual steps which need to be taken to go from A to B. But what happens if something goes wrong? This question has often been answered through the cockpit voice and flight data recorder. Each time an aircraft crashes and the emergency and rescue teams have done their job, the next step is finding the cockpit voice and flight data recorder. The black box enables the authorities to reconstruct the incident in more detail and helps them in their quest to understand and to learn more about making a journey safer. Can this be applied to mission-critical TETRA networks too? An operational TETRA network handles loads of voice and data traffic simultaneously. In many ways, TETRA networks are optimised for predictable and fast call setup and not for reconstructing incidents. What can be learned from the aviation sector, though, is that improvement can be achieved only with highly integrated voice and data recording facilities located at the core of operations where all data is available. But event reconstruction is more than only replaying voice. It is necessary to have all information available with regard to the succession of calls and the times those calls were made. The Rohill TetraNode infrastructure was the first TETRA system with an integrated voice and data recording solution similar to the black box in airplanes. Based on a digital platform, Rohills Voice-data Logging Server (VLS) not only monitors speech and all data calls, but also includes precise timestamps and call-related data. It is a highly flexible recording solution, found at the core of the network, with external backup facilities on CD, DVD or other storage media. Within TetraNode, the voice conversations are stored on the Voice-data Logging Server as native TETRA coded ACELP speech. This highly compressed speech requires a minimum amount of hard disk space without compromising speech quality in any way. The Voice-data Logging Server offers a complete, intuitive and scalable solution, which addresses any callrecording need within a TETRA network and, at the same time, provides total resilience and operational benefits. Especially in a mission-critical environment, voice and data monitoring and recording may improve operations and, consequently, save lives by learning from past incidents, and should therefore be an integral part of any communications network.

The five nines and MontaVista Carrier Grade Linux

Every user wants 100% uptime for his vital network equipment. This, however, remains a dream for now hardware failures and software bugs prevent systems from achieving 100% uptime. The nearer a system comes to 100%, the less downtime it is allowed to have in a year. How does Carrier Grade Linux help? What does the five nines mean? Measuring reliability today is done using a multitude of nines. An availability of four-times-nine means that a system should be up 99.99% in a years time - this means that downtime is 0.01% or 53 minutes per year. In case of a five-times-nine availability (99.999%), downtime may not exceed 5.26 minutes per year. For a six-times-nine availability (99.9999%), downtimes longer than 31 seconds per year are not allowed. Because todays systems have a boot time of several minutes, five-times-nine availability is a challenge if a system crashes and reboots (watchdog!) once a year. And this does not even include hardware defects. Why is Carrier Grade Linux more reliable? Over the years, Linux has gained a reputation as a highly reliable operating system. The open source community process guarantees that many people scrutinize every piece of code before it enters the kernel. Even so, the current size of the kernel is an indication of the difficulty to keep out bugs; there is no such thing as bug-free software. That is why the operating system has to be most tolerant to problems and not crash at the first encounter of trouble. Vanilla Linux, as obtained from kernel.org, is not so tolerant. After all, it is a Linux development. Stabilisation is left to the distribution vendors, like MontaVista, Red Hat and Novell. One of the jobs of these vendors is to take a kernel version and back port any fixes that are incorporated in later versions in the open source community. In this way, a vendor maintains a stable branch of the kernel. Usually, the next kernel version will contain a few dozen stability and security fixes - significant effort is involved in this process! Apart from back porting fixes to a stable baseline, vendors also improve stability by adding code that alters system behaviour under failure. If a kernel module (driver) performs a null pointer dereference, it will be halted and unloaded. This does not prevent the system from properly functioning - and the module is probably immediately loaded again. Functioning of the system is therefore only impaired for just a few seconds, compared to a reboot. Standards, standards, standards... The kernel is not the only part of a running Linux server. There is also hardware that needs to be monitored for imminent failures; a switch-over to a standby machine might prevent downtime. To make sure that Linux remains interoperable, several standardisation bodies each took a piece to standardisation. The resulting systems are known as Carrier Grade Linux or CGL. The most important standard is the CGL standard itself. CGL used to be defined by a standardisation committee of the Open Source Development Labs (OSDL), a non-profit organisation stimulating Linux development. Due to the recent merger of OSDL into the Linux Foundation, CGL is now fostered by the Linux Foundation. For several topics, CGL refers to other standards. Among them are the Linux Standards Base (LSB) and the File Hierarchy Standard (FHS), both of which were already governed by the Linux Foundation and POSIX. All of them deal with interoperability. Standardisation body PICMG handles hardware interoperability, for example for ATCA devices. Another important standardisation body which is part of the Carrier Grade Linux movement is the Service Availability Forum (SAF). The SAF defines several libraries, procedures and interfaces that have direct impact on system serviceability and/or high availability. For example, the IPMI and HPI standards define how to extract information from the hardware, like temperatures, locations in the chassis, error conditions of the hardware and such. The SAF AIS standard defines how systems can implement high availability through failover and redundancy. In the simplest case, there is a running system (hot) and a backup system (the standby). The standby system continuously monitors the hot system. If it detects a failure, it will kick out the hot system and take over. This requires complex monitoring mechanisms, check-pointing (to make sure that hot and standby systems show similar, reproducible behaviour) and failover mechanisms. There are many open source and commercial packages available to implement the AIS standard. Of course, Linux also supports network bonding, which uses multiple network interfaces as one to improve throughput and to reduce single point of failure. MontaVista Carrier Grade Linux adheres to all of the above specifications - and will be happy to provide conformance reports upon request. Operation in the field Rule number one: the system may not go down. An extensive event logging mechanism allows for system events to be logged and acted on. The Field Safe Application Debugger enables debugging and setting trace points without the application halting or going down. The Runtime Application Patcher makes patches of applications without interrupting operation. Crash dump tools allow for sending memory images to disk or to remote machines in case of a crash and with kexec the Linux system can be restarted without a reboot, saving valuable seconds. Conclusion By extending the Linux kernel with patches for stabilisation and packages to implement serviceability and high-availability standards, MontaVista Carrier Grade Linux can achieve a much higher reliability. System availability in the range of five to six nines can be achieved. Tetra Notes thanks Klaas van Gend, Field Application Engineer Europe, MontaVista, for providing this article.

Brazilian air force personnel recover the Gol Transportes Areos Flight 1907 black box in the Amazon rainforest.

TETRA versus APCO Project 25

Potential users of new digital land mobile radio communications systems may find themselves faced with a technology choice, i.e. a choice between TETRA and the Apco1 Project 25 standard. This article compares the benefits, features and functionality of these two open standards. Potential buyers may use this information to their own benefit, although it is recommended to check all information with the manufacturers and Standards organisations before doing so. The comparison focuses on the following aspects: Target user groups Target market places Interoperability Channel access Functionality Network architecture Interoperability Products and cost Target user groups The TETRA project was started to create a standard for Public Access Mobile Radio (PAMR) systems. However, it quickly became apparent that there was a similar need for a standard covering the needs of Public Safety and other users of private systems. Therefore, the requirements were broadened to cover all of these needs. Today, Public Safety and Security are major users of TETRA systems, but Transport and many other sectors have also adopted the technology. Interestingly, Public Access Systems have not been the success that was predicted at the start. The early TETRA systems tended to be aimed at the larger requirements. However, since a number of manufacturers have produced infrastructures based on much smaller building blocks, smaller facilities such as airports and railways are now also seeing the use of TETRA technology. The Project 25 standardisation was initiated specifically for the needs of the Public Safety user. The relatively simple needs of the many small to medium-sized Public Safety agencies in the United States resulted in a technology which was optimised for non-trunked operation. A trunking protocol for larger more complex systems was created as an option. Large State-Wide systems based on Project 25 technology are usually a mixture of trunked and non-trunked operation. Target market places The TETRA standard was initially aimed at satisfying the European user community. Due to the efforts of the TETRA Association and the increasing number of manufacturers supporting the technology, TETRA has become a global standard. Meanwhile, close to 1100 TETRA contracts have been placed in around 90 countries around the world. Although some systems have been sold outside of North America, the majority of Project 25 based systems have been for home grown consumption. The exception is in Australia where the vast rural areas with low population density are similar to that of the USA. Interoperability From the start, interoperability has been of major importance to the TETRA community to make sure that a true competitive multi-vendor market could be created. Therefore, the Association built an interoperability certification process and contracted an independent test house to witness interoperability testing between manufacturers. A highly competitive market has resulted, leading to greater choice and lower prices for buyers of TETRA equipment. The Project 25 standards contain several test specifications. The task to create interoperability or conformance testing facility has been given to the U.S. Government laboratories in Boulder, Colorado. There also has been an attempt to produce P25 Interoperability Profile/PIP documents within the standardisation process, but signs of progress around this are not very visible so far. Channel access TETRA standards chose the Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) method from the beginning. TETRA implements four time slots, i.e. communication channels, within the same 25 kHz radio channel. This is equivalent to 6.25 kHz per channel. Thus, TETRA can provide 16 communication channels in 100 kHz spectrum. Current Project 25 standards and systems use the Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) method. Project 25 uses one 12.5 kHz radio channel for each communication channel. Thus, Project 25 systems offer eight channels per 100 kHz, so half the number of channels compared to TETRA. The common perception is that TDMA systems are more cost-efficient in high capacity systems, whereas FDMA systems can provide longer range. Low user density or low population density are often stated as reasons for choosing an FDMA system. This has indeed happened in the U.S. and in parts of Australia but is not universally accepted. In Scandinavia for example (a region with comparable population density), the nation-wide Public Safety communities have adopted TETRA TDMA technology. Recent developments in TETRA base station receiver technology seem to be bringing TETRA on par with FDMA technologies in terms of cell size when terminal transmitting powers are in the typical handset range. There are also a few other technical issues that can have impact on the technology selection. TDMA by nature allows easier and more cost-efficient implementation of full duplex radios. Concurrent use of voice and data services, as well the possibility for multi-slot data transmission for higher bit rates, are also making TDMA more attractive to adopt. Functionality The whole of the original TETRA standard is complete and issued. This includes voice services, short data services and both circuit and packet mode data services. The Peripheral Equipment Interface (PEI) has also been defined. In October 2005, a number of enhancements including additional codecs, range extension and a high speed data capability were added to the Release 1 standard. The TETRA standard addresses full security. This includes radio authentication, air interface encryption and the option for end-to-end signalling by use of nationally agreed algorithms. To compensate bit errors by retransmissions, it is crucial to have a quick return path for retransmission requests that is available all the time. A readily available return path requires a duplex channel and in this the TDMA technologies like TETRA have an advantage. The non-trunked elements of the Project 25 standard have been complete for some time and equipment is available and in use. A trunking protocol standard was created later. The latest implemented trunked Project 25 networks are said to be compliant to this trunking standard. A Phase 2 initiative is currently underway to create a 2 slot 12.5 kHz TDMA technology that will be backward compatible. When complete, this will result in a spectrum efficiency of 6.25 kHz equivalent. Along with the Phase 2 TDMA development, there is work going on to complete the first phase of the Project 25 Inter-Subsystem Interface (ISSI) standards. There has been little news in public concerning adoption of IP packet data in the P25 networks. Only recently has air interface encryption entered the discussion phase in the standardisation bodies. The authentication standard for Project 25 is now being produced. Network architecture TETRA was always intended to provide infrastructure suitable for national and international networks. Therefore, the TETRA standard included appropriate architectural definitions as well as international numbering and mobile country codes to facilitate the implementation of cross-border roaming and inter-agency working. Large-scale networks with nationwide roaming are in operation and fast call setup has been maintained even over long distances. The TETRA ISI was specified to support crossborder cooperation and the interconnection of networks from different manufacturers. The TETRA ISI requirement is becoming increasingly important as networks are rolled out and work is now in hand to provide this functionality. Project 25 introduced a work item known as the Inter Sub System Interface (ISSI), which due to a new mandate from the P25 Steering Committee was revitalised as a work in progress item with the manufacturing community. Interoperability To ensure problem-free technical interoperability in the field and to give the users visible means to evaluate the interoperability capabilities of each individual product, the TETRA Interoperability Certification process was set up by the TETRA MoU Association. The process produces detailed and publicly available Interoperability Certificates that are issued by a neutral professional test laboratory following detailed and auditable testing. So far, interoperability certificates have been issued to products from seven infrastructure suppliers and nine radio terminal suppliers. Within the Project 25 community, the laboratories working in conjunction with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) are preparing a radio interoperability and/or conformance testing programme for Project 25 products. Products and cost TETRA handsets are shipped today containing features such as built-in GPS receiver, 65,000-colour display, built-in web and WAP browsers, etc. Authentication and encryption are standard features in practically every TETRA handset delivered today. All this is available in a TETRA handset that costs 1,000 USD or less. The sales price of equivalent Project 25 handsets (i.e. containing encryption and display) seems to be in the 3,000 to 5,000 USD range. A similar tendency can also be seen in the published system contract data from manufacturers press releases. While it is common to find announced Project 25 contracts with the total system price of approximately 1,000,000 USD per radio site, the corresponding costs in the announced TETRA contracts are typically several times lower. This article is based on information provided by the TETRA MoU Association. ) APCO is the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials. This is a US-based organisation with international members and affiliates dedicated to supporting the telecommunications needs of the public safety community.
1

TetraNode offers a unique additional security benefit

The TETRA standard incorporates several security features to meet the security needs of TETRA users. These features include Authentication, Air interface encryption and End-to-end encryption. Authentication Authentication is the first level of protection of a TETRA network. Without authentication, TETRA terminals with the same Mobile Country Code (MCC) and Mobile Network Code (MNC) as that of the infrastructure and with a valid Individual TETRA Subscriber Identity (ITSI) can register to the infrastructure. TETRA infrastructures that support authentication, like TetraNode, only allow TETRA terminals with a valid authentication key to register to the network. In case of mutual authentication, TETRA terminals can also authenticate the network, preventing registration on potentially fake base stations. Air interface encryption The radio link between base station and terminal is considered more vulnerable than the fixed network links. Air interface encryption applies to all signalling and identities as well as the voice and data payload across the radio link. The registration of TETRA terminals is also encrypted, as is the identity of individual subscribers and groups, so traffic cannot be analysed. Air interface encryption can use Static Cipher Keys (SCK), individual Derived Cipher Keys (DCK), Common Cipher Keys (CCK) and Group Cipher Keys (GCK). Air interface encryption can be combined with authentication. Most TETRA infrastructures encrypt/decrypt communications in the base station as a result of

which communications travels in clear mode over the fixed network links to the Switching and Management Infrastructure (SwMI). Although fixed links are less vulnerable, they do represent a potential security gap. That is why Rohills TetraNode encrypts/decrypts the air interface already at the TetraNode eXchange (TNX or node). As a result, communications over the fixed network links is fully encrypted, providing an additional security level compared with other TETRA infrastructures. End-to-End encryption TETRA offers standardised support for end-to-end encryption as defined in ETSI EN302109. This allows for a standard alternative to proprietary offerings and technologies and ensures compatibility between infrastructures and terminals. Normally, TETRA terminals with an identical end-to-end encryption implementation can communicate with one another over a TETRA infrastructure that supports end-to-end encryption. End-to-end encryption only encrypts the payload (voice and data). The signalling and identities are transmitted in clear mode over the air interface as well as fixed network links. Combined with air interface encryption and authentication, end-to-end encryption makes the security level very high. As mentioned earlier, most TETRA infrastructures do not apply air interface encryption to the fixed network links. Although they may offer both authentication as well as air interface encryption and end-to-end encryption, the signalling and identities are not encrypted on the fixed network links. This leaves Rohills TetraNode as the only TETRA infrastructure with this unique additional security benefit.

Page: 4 - Tetra Notes

An alien in Hoogeveen
AB: Well, it must be fate but just as I joined Rohill, it became necessary to accelerate the completion of the new R-8060 base station, so I became heavily involved with the technical management of this project for my first nine months. This has been on the market for a year now and is such a successful product that we are already having to re-engineer it to be able to build in higher volumes. Tetra Notes: How does this base station compare with others on the market? AB: I am pleased to say that this product has one of the best performances you can get - which basically gives better radio coverage to customers. Also, it is smaller than most other equivalent units available and requires lower power. All these points are critical for the economics of big and small networks. Tetra Notes: And, as a relative newcomer, what strikes you most about Rohills other products? AB: I am still impressed by the way Rohill has engineered such a flexible solution into such a clean simple network architecture. Anyone looking at the technology cannot fail to be impressed by the elegance of the solution. This means that you can simply plug it together and it works. As a consequence, it still surprises me how little training is required for our systems compared to some others on the market. Tetra Notes: How has this been achieved, do you think? Alister Bailey is an Englishman with over 20 years of experience in the radio communications industry. In 2005, he moved to the Netherlands to join Rohill - a leading manufacturer of TETRA radio infrastructures. Tetra Notes talked to him to find out what motivated him to make this move and how he feels about Rohill and the Netherlands. Tetra Notes: Can you tell us a bit more about your background? AB: I have always had a strong interest in radio communications and computing, which is why I am now in this industry. It started off as a hobby, building radios and being interested in electronics in general. Later on, I graduated from the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST) with an honours degree in Electronics. At the same time, I became involved with the university radio club where I built my first radio repeater. Tetra Notes: What did you do after you graduated? AB: After university, I joined Philips Research Laboratories in the UK in the Radio Systems group. I worked on many communication topics, from packet radio to radio propagation, system simulation, voice coders and communications protocols. This gave me a very broad background which was complemented with experiences from the politics of standardisation committees and public speaking. I also spent a couple of years at the Research Labs in the Netherlands, which probably gave me a taste for the country, before I moved to Cambridge to join the team working on the (new) TETRA standard. Tetra Notes: What was your role in the early TETRA development? AB: The Cambridge team was convinced that TETRA was technically possible and would become the future replacement of PMR systems - we answered this challenge by demonstrating the first working TETRA products at the ITU-1995 exhibition in Geneva. I ran the projects responsible for the various base station products used in this period. Eventually, Philips sold this division to the Simoco investors and the rest, as they say, is history. Tetra Notes: How did you get to know Rohill and what made you want to come here? AB: I first met the Rohill team in 2003 when they were delivering their first TETRA systems after 20 years of making MPT and analogue products. Although I had been working on TETRA for ten years by then, I was very impressed that Rohill had really been successful with basing their architecture on the Internet Protocol (IP) when everyone else had just been tinkering with it unsuccessfully in the lab. Then in 2005 I met Roland van der Boom again and he offered me the chance to come and join the team in Hoogeveen, which - when I saw Rohills continued progress - I did with no hesitation. Tetra Notes: And what is your role now at Rohill? AB: As I have spent many years running various development projects (and got the T-shirt) it was agreed that I would have a dual role split roughly 50/50 between commercial tasks including Product Management and working as Vice Development Director where my responsibility is mainly RF related. This is good for Rohill and me as it creates a direct link between customer requirements and the detail of the technology - a problem I have seen unsolved in other companies. Tetra Notes: So what has been your involvement with Rohills product development? AB: It is no secret that Rohills support for and adoption of open standards has saved them a huge amount of time and investment. It also means that everything is compatible with the wealth of products available from the worldwide computer industry. Although the others in the market are slowly realising this to be true, they have such a huge investment in incompatible architectures and proprietary systems that they are seriously hindered from adopting the same approach with any degree of commitment. Plus, they have a fair bit of catching up to do! Tetra Notes: What new products can we expect from Rohill in the future? AB: Well, that would be telling! But I can reveal that Rohill is pressing ahead with new developments all the time and visitors to our stand at TETRA World Congress (Madrid) this year will see some of the highlights. Plus, behind the scenes we are busy managing the growth of one of the most successful TETRA infrastructure companies in the world. Tetra Notes: Finally, has your move to the Netherlands come up to your expectations and do you think you will stay? AB: Certainly! I enjoy the work, it is challenging and it is exciting to be part of a motivated and leading-edge team, so I plan to be here for some time. My family is also happy here, and we enjoy living next to some of the nicest countrysides in the Netherlands. Actually, I always get asked about my Dutch - I use it socially and I know it will always need improvement, but to be honest it is not an obstacle as English is spoken so widely and Rohill is an international company using English as the main language.

Telvent to supply TETRA communications equipment for La Corua and Vigo Airport
Telvent GIT S.A. (Nasdaq: TLVT), the Global RealTime IT Company, has signed two contracts with Aeropuertos Espaoles y Navegacin Area (AENA), Spains airport operator, for the delivery of radio communications systems for La Corua and Vigo Airport in Spain. For both airports, Telvent will supply TetraNode based TETRA networks, together with hand portable, mobile and stationary terminals. The equipment will interface with the current telephony systems as well as the aeronautical band communications systems at the airports. Besides, it will allow communications with all ground staff and with vehicles circulating within the airports perimeter. This in turn will enable management to increase the efficiency of the airports daily operations and enable better coordination of emergency situations. We are pleased to continue working closely with AENA on the technological upgrading of Spains airports, stated Telvents chairman and chief executive officer, Manuel Snchez Ortega. Telvents solution is the only one on the market with a design based on non-proprietary devices, with multi-protocol capacity and architecture based on software instead of hardware, which simplifies and optimises system operation. These features provide the user with a high degree of flexibility when integrating high-level applications such as vehicle and staff positioning systems, SCADA systems and emergency control centres. La Corua and Vigo airport will use the same TetraNode TETRA communications technology as that used at other Spanish airports, including Seville, Menorca, Ibiza and Granada. Telvent has a longstanding relationship with AENA and other international aviation bodies, for which it has provided weather observation technology for many years. Telvent (Nasdaq: TLVT) specialises in high value-added systems and professional services in the energy, transportation, environment and public administration industry segments. Its technology solutions enable efficient and secure management in real time of operational and business processes of leading companies worldwide. (www.telvent.com) Tetra Notes thanks Vctor E. Martnez Zepeda, Commercial Director, Telecommunications Division, Telvent Energa y Medio Ambiente S.A., for providing this article.

TetraNode system for Sofia Airport

Redundancy features and PABX group call facility deciding factors for contract award
Sofia Airport, also known as Vrazhdebna (named after the village located to the north) is the main airport in Bulgaria. The airport is a hub for Bulgarian airlines. It handled 2.2 million passengers in 2006, a visitor number which is expected to grow to 2.6 million in 2009. Built in the 1930s on the outskirts of the then relatively small capital city, Sofia Airport has increasingly been facing difficulties handling the growing number of passengers. After years of studying various locations, some as far as 70 km away from Sofia, it was agreed to expand the existing airport. The airport's second terminal was officially opened on 27th December 2006. The new terminal has been equipped with the latest technologies in order to offer the best service and facilities to match a first-class airport. The radio communications system was, of course, considered a vital tool for the coordination and security of the airport and in December 2006 it was decided to migrate from the existing analogue radio system to a third-generation digital trunking system. In the past 16 years, Sofia airport authorities have met their communications needs using a Stornophone radio system and a DECT Alcatel system for communication between the various different staff members involved in operations. After a thorough analysis of their needs and considering the growth of traffic at Sofia airport as well as the new security issues involving airports, TETRA was considered the technology to follow and a public tender was issued. Rohill participated in the tendering procedure and won the tender through its distributor company Comtek 2000. The TetraNode system proved superior as it met all the technical requirements and exceeded them even by offering a redundant switch, which is considered essential in a missioncritical environment, like an international airport. The group call facility from and to a PABX was also highly appreciated by the customer. Comtek 2000 proposed and delivered Sepura hand-portables and mobile radios for the first stage of the project involving 200 users. Plans are now being made to increase the number of users and to implement applications which will optimise communications, taking advantage of all the possibilities TETRA and TetraNode offer to users of mission-critical communications systems. Tetra Notes thanks Comtek 2000 for providing this article.

Upgrading a TETRA system

A step into the future
Organisations can increase the functionality and performance of their TETRA networks through intelligent upgrading, saving lots of money. Digital mission-critical TETRA technology has been in commercial use for some ten years now. Considering the average lifetime of technology, it is clear that the very first TETRA networks are now ready to be upgraded to include the latest state-of-the-art technology. These new TETRA systems could offer significant functional and cost-saving benefits for both network operators and end-users. Below, serveral reasons for upgrading TETRA system are presented. It is often the case that expansions cannot be realized and functionality cannot be added due to hardware limitations and the high costs involved. This is even more true for the new RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) compliant generation of products. After 10 years, many service and support contracts terminate and extending them may turn out to be very expensive (usually a fixed percentage of the original contract value). Prices of systems have decreased substantially over the last few years with the introduction of new technology platforms and COTS (commercial off the shelf) products, thus reducing the total cost of ownership. The latest TETRA systems meet much better specifications than the early ones. Not only in terms of sensitivity of the base station transceivers but also in terms of network performance. Radio coverage may be increased with the same number of base station sites. The availability of application interfaces and gateways can further reduce the cost of ownership and significantly increase efficiency in controlling and managing an organisation. Last but surely not least, network redundancy and system reliability are important aspects to consider. For any mission-critical user, these characteristics are of overriding importance and with the latest generation of TETRA technology, they are much more mature and readily available. Risks of putting off the decision to upgrade In addition to the above-mentioned arguments, there are situations which make it of the utmost importance to take immediate action and not to postpone the decision to upgrade existing TETRA systems. Some of the situations are addressed below. Many TETRA technology platforms have already been discontinued. This means that manufactures have stopped the production and commercial offering of the system platform. If a network is based on such a technology platform, upgrading the network with the same technology is almost impossible. Some manufactures have not anticipated the rapid technological advances and still have non-IP based networks with dedicated, very complex hardware, using IP only as a buzz word. This technological approach is outdated and should not be considered for new purchases for reasons of limited performance and functionality, complex hardware structure and non-distributed intelligence. New infrastructure manufactures will emerge on the market who, only recently, have introduced their TETRA systems. They do not have a solid base of commercial reference projects. It will be very difficult for these companies to catch up with the advances in technology demanded by the market. In addition, interoperability (IOP) certificates are not part of their portfolio at this point in time. Nobody wants to be a beta or pilot customer anymore. The main criteria for selecting a TETRA system upgrade Technology used Proven track record Available service and support Similar to the computer industry, only those companies will be successful which design and manufacture state-of-the-art technology with a commitment to continued development for future-proof investments without compromising customer requirements. Depending on the lifetime of an existing TETRA system, migration to TetraNode may mean increased network performance, additional features and extended radio coverage due to highly sensitive base station transceivers. Rohills proven track record speaks for itself. The company offers current owners of a TETRA system the oppertunity to show them how upgrading a TETRA system to include TetraNode technology may save them money and protect investments made in the past. Rohill provides partner support from network design to after-sales service with a 7x24 helpdesk; a service policy which is driven by a strong conviction that a trustful partnership and readily available support is the basis for ongoing success.

Successful implementation of TetraNode Network at Santiago de Compostela Airport

Early in 2007, Dominion Tecnologas successfully delivered and implemented a TETRA network based on the TetraNode Entry Level Platform for Santiago de Compostela Airport. The project included the delivery of 60 Sepura terminals. A connection between the TETRA network and the analogue air-to-ground system is also provided. Dominion Tecnologas managed to make their first project for AENA a success due to fast delivery and tuning of the system and terminals. Santiago the Compostela Airport is the most important airport in Galicia (North-Western region of Spain) with nearly two million passengers in 2006. The TetraNode Entry Level Platform system allows AENA personnel to communicate through a twocarrier site and will also connect TETRA users with users of the airports PABX and with the incoming aeroplanes thanks to the air-to-ground interface.

Editor-in-Chief Roelie Drge-Bouwers Tetra Notes would like to thank Carlos Fernndez Alonso, Diana Zabala, Murat Arslan, Klaas van Gend, Mariano Sopea Quesada, Charles Vilner, Meint Joustra and Vctor E. Martnez Zepeda for their valuable contributions to this edition. Main Sponsor Rohill Hoogeveen, The Netherlands www.rohill.com Graphic Design Drukkerij Van Genne Hoogeveen, The Netherlands www.vangenne.nl TetraNode is a registered trademark of Rohill. Copyright remains with the respective author(s) of this publication. Although the information in this publication has been compiled with great care, the respective author(s) of this publication accept(s) no responsibility for any errors, omissions or other inaccuracies in this information or for the consequences thereof, nor shall the author(s) be bound in any way by the contents of this publication.

Live monitoring the TetraNode infrastructure with NodeWatch

Zenitel is a leading network service and solution provider in professional radio communications. In the Caribbean area, Zenitel operates the ChuChubi Trunking network, a TETRA network based on TetraNode technology with close to 6000 Revenue Generating Users (RGUs). In order to maintain the agreed service level with its customers, ChuChubi Trunking needs to be able to access and monitor the system status and use in real time. For that purpose, the NodeWatch client application is used. NodeWatch gives a graphical view of the system status and use, while showing sites and links on a geographical map. The application comes with a map-based top level overview and a hierarchical display of system component details, functional states, occupancy and queues. Within TetraNode, so-called events are distributed through the network, to indicate system alarms, but also call setup information down to site, carrier and even time slot level. The NodeWatch application is capable of receiving these events and of updating the displayed information. The application is further capable of showing the live control channel load of individual sites, the overall system load, individual site load, actual call queue times as well as queue lengths for individual sites. Also call-related data can be visualised, with detailed call information for every time slot of all TETRA carriers on the network, as well as the propagation of group calls, not only by site, but also by TETRA carrier and individual time slot. NodeWatch monitors and displays alarms from any TetraNode network element and gives access to the alarm history. NodeWatch uses the latest Graphical User Interface (GUI) techniques to provide an intuitive, clear and real-time view of the system. Different levels of detail can be shown or hidden to indicate the general status of links, sites, nodes down and the occupancy status of individual time slots on a specific carrier. The top level configuration of a system can be shown on top of a map. A range of alerts is configurable in order to attract the operators attention to changes in the system status. Logging of data for generation of reports and traffic statistics is also possible. NodeWatch runs on Windows XP and Windows Vista and can be delivered with an optional touch screen.

Santiago de Compostela was declared a World Heritage City by UNESCO in 1985, in view of its urban beauty and monumental integrity, as well as the profound echoes of its spiritual significance as an apostolic sanctuary and the destination of the Middle Ages' most important religious and cultural movement: the Way of St. James pilgrimage. Tetra Notes thanks Diana Zabala, Radio Consultant with Dominion Tecnologas S.L.U., for providing this article.

Zenitel ChuChubi Trunking network on Curacao.