Trials of TELTRONIC’s Synchronous Data Manager
Trials of TELTRONIC’s Synchronous Data Manager (SDM) demonstrate an impressive fifty-fold increase in GPS positioning refresh rates in Bahia State, Brazil
August 30th, 2010 – TELTRONIC’s network data optimisation tool, Synchronous Data Manager (SDM) allows Bahia State Public Safety Secretariat to read as many as 50 positions a second over its TETRA network
TELTRONIC has a long relationship with public safety authorities in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil having deployed an analogue trunked (MPT 1327) network at the beginning of the past decade. In 2005, TELTRONIC won an important contract to supply Bahia State Public Safety Secretariat with a modern TETRA system comprising 22 base stations and around 4,000 terminals fully integrated to the existing analogue systems via a modern call centre. This TETRA network is shared by the Military Police, Civil Police, Scientific Police and Fire Brigade achieving cost savings, increased functionality and greater cooperation between forces.
TELTRONIC’s Ethernet/IP-based NEBULA infrastructure is based on standard, digital TETRA technology which offers increased network capacity and efficiency when compared with previous analogue solutions. TETRA is highly efficient for managing high levels of voice calls between groups of users. However, as automatic vehicle location (AVL) and personal location (APL) services are introduced using GPS technology incorporated into TETRA terminals, there is a real danger that the network will become saturated during peak hours and major incidents. Authorities are then left with two options: either increase network capacity with more sites and base stations, potentially involving millions of dollars of additional investment or find an even more efficient way of dealing with voice and data traffic. TELTRONIC has therefore developed its Synchronous Data Manager (SDM) solution for the more cost-effective second option.
Bahia State Public Safety Secretariat has therefore been trialling TELTRONIC’s SDM solution within its TETRA network. Based on optimised polling methods, SDM maximises the use of each radio channel within the network. This is allowing Bahia State to read as many as 50 positions per second (around 3,000 positions per minute) – an improvement of as much as 50 times during busy periods – with no noticeable effect on network performance, even during this year’s Salvador Carnival, which is consistently described as the largest Carnival in the world. TELTRONIC has also implemented its brand-new CeCo-Fleet solution (part of its CeCoCo control centre portfolio) to allow web access for greater management of network resources.
“TELTRONIC has built up a strong working relationship with the Bahia State Public Safety Secretariat over a number of years. We always strive to provide it with the most up-to-date communications solutions. We listen to our customers, understand their needs and offer value for money,” stated Mauricio Rio, Regional Director, TELTRONIC Brazil.
TELTRONIC understands that a mission-critical TETRA network is likely to be operational for at least 15 years and needs to be able to grow according to the needs of the users as new functionality is added and operational procedures change. This requires the most flexible communications platform and a close relationship with the customer. TELTRONIC has developed all the necessary network elements and applications to make this a reality.
For further information, please contact:Peter Clemons, Director of Communications, Teltronic S.A.U.:Tel. +34-976-465656Mobile:+44-7951-289934pclemons@teltronic.es
Rio de Janeiro public safety TETRA network continues to grow with TELTRONIC
August 16th, 2010 – Rio de Janeiro Military Police acquire 900 new police cars and 350 motorcycles equipped with TELTRONIC TETRA terminals
TELTRONIC has been associated with the Brazilian PMR market since the late 1990s, having set up its first office in Sao Paulo over a decade ago in order to provide customers with the most advanced radio-communications solutions available. In recent years, a number of high profile customers from a wide range of industry sectors have upgraded to digital technology, allowing TELTRONIC to gain a dominant position in the Brazilian TETRA market.
A major milestone for TELTRONIC came back in 2007 when the company supplied the communications network for the Pan-American Games held in Rio de Janeiro. This major contract worth some 23 million euros, required the Spanish manufacturer to supply a TETRA solution with as many as 14,000 terminals for multiple agencies. Following the Games, network coverage was expanded and enhanced to provide communications across the whole Rio de Janeiro metropolitan area.
This means that Rio de Janeiro currently has one of the largest public safety TETRA networks deployed anywhere in Latin America, with as many as 9,000 users connected to the system. This figure is about to grow even further following the purchase by Rio de Janeiro Military Police of 900 new police cars and 350 motorcycles which have been equipped with TELTRONIC TETRA terminals. This is an important vote of confidence in TETRA and TELTRONIC by Rio Police.
TELTRONIC has made every effort to provide Rio de Janeiro with the very best communications solution possible. A DMO (Direct Mode) Gateway combined with additional sites has provided additional coverage and reduced the possibility of dropped calls in sometimes challenging terrain. Terminals come with GPS to allow vehicles to be tracked and to give extra protection to police officers. TELTRONIC has also developed specialised motorcycle units with customised features for simplified operation during high-speed deployments.
“TELTRONIC’s TETRA network is a critical component of Rio de Janeiro’s public safety strategy and we are happy with the level of support provided by TELTRONIC,” stated Major Fabio Cajueiro, Chief Information Officer, Rio de Janeiro Military Police.
TELTRONIC continues to grow the Brazilian and Latin American TETRA market, maintaining its dominant position due to its total commitment to the region and its superior Ethernet/IP-based technology solution and robust, highly functional, user-friendly, high-power terminals.
For further information, please contact:Peter Clemons, Director of Communications, Teltronic S.A.U.:Tel. +34-976-465656Mobile:+44-7951-289934pclemons@teltronic.es
Zaragoza Police successfully trials the first hybrid TETRA/WiMAX/3G network
August 17, 2010 – TELTRONIC partners with Zaragoza City Hall to deliver first-of-kind, state-of-the-art mobile information solution to Zaragoza Police integrating TETRA with 3G and WiMAX
Zaragoza Police understands the importance of providing the best possible service to its local community and has built up a reputation for deploying the latest technology in its quest for excellence. Back in 2004, it began the roll-out of an advanced TETRA solution supplied by TELTRONIC, which was completed the following year, providing service to its 1,200 officers, 130 police cars and 50 motorcycles, including fixed installations. The TETRA system was integrated with existing ICT infrastructure to provide advanced call centre functionality and video monitoring.
During the summer of 2008, the city of Zaragoza hosted an International Fair (ExpoZaragoza) which took place over 93 days with participants from 103 countries and over 6 million visitors, including dignitaries from all over the world. The existing TELTRONIC TETRA network was extended to provide total coverage of the Fair; around 650 terminals were made available to the organisers and a permanent connection was available to local public safety officers to guarantee the highest levels of security. As many as 22,000 calls were made during the opening day of ExpoZaragoza. In spite of the scale of operations, no loss of service was recorded during the entire 3 months and fortunately, there were no major incidents to deal with. Following the closing ceremony, Zaragoza City Hall took full control of the additional TETRA network capacity.
Following the International Fair, Zaragoza City Hall developed a comprehensive broadband strategy. Following on from the deployment of a city-wide WiFi network, a private mobile WiMAX network was conceived as a way of increasing productivity for the city’s 6,000 municipal employees. During 2009, the first mobile WiMAX trials were undertaken with a network core and some 10 base stations installed. The full roll-out is taking place during 2010 of between 30 and 50 base stations in the licensed 3.5 GHz band. From the outset, the City Hall has been working closely with TELTRONIC so that the Mobile WiMAX network can be fully integrated with the existing TETRA network.
During late 2009, TELTRONIC won a public tender for the development and installation of 44 mobile platforms in Zaragoza Local Police vehicles. The first MVC 6000, multi-bearer mobile devices were brought into operation during early 2010. Integrated with the TETRA mobile (MDT-400), 3G/WiMAX modems, camera and keyboard, the touch-screen technology provides police officers with a rich applications environment, allowing navigation, e-mail, web browsing as well as video recording and transmission. These services enhance the existing voice and data services already available previously over TETRA.
“The installation of TELTRONIC’s MVC 6000 multi-bearer devices in police vehicles opens up new possibilities and new ways of working for Zaragoza Police, which will lead to greater efficiencies and better interaction with the public,” declared Alberto Guallar, WiMAX Project Manager and Senior Advisor, Zaragoza City Hall.
Zaragoza City Hall, Zaragoza Police and TELTRONIC will continue to work closely together to achieve the full integration of the TETRA and Mobile WiMAX networks across the Zaragoza metropolitan area as well as developing new services and applications to fulfil the future requirements of all network users. These are exciting times for the professional mobile communications industry as innovative business and operational models continue to evolve towards a new era of broadband communications.
For further information, please contact:Peter Clemons, Director of Communications, Teltronic S.A.U.:Tel. +34-976-465656Mobile:+44-7951-289934pclemons@teltronic.es
A first for TETRA helps aid efforts in Haiti
August 17th, 2010 – An innovative TETRA via satellite solution has been developed by TELTRONIC to allow Venezuelan aid teams to use their own TETRA radios in Port-au-Prince, Haiti following the massive earthquake of January 12, 2010
Haiti’s population of around 10 million is crowded into the western third of the island of Hispaniola. According to official statistics published before this year’s devastating earthquake, it was already the poorest nation in the Americas with one of the lowest life expectancy averages, suffering from chronic unemployment and severe deforestation, and requiring UN peacekeeping forces and substantial international aid.
On Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at just before 5 p.m. local time, the most powerful earthquake for 200 years struck Haiti, with an epicentre 25 kilometres to the west of the capital, Port-au-Prince. As many as 3 million people were affected by the natural disaster with some 100,000 – 230,000 fatalities (we will probably never know the exact figure), 300,000 injured and around 1 million homeless. There was an almost immediate international response to the catastrophe.
The Venezuelan government responded to the crisis on the morning immediately following the earthquake by sending its first aid-plane. Aid teams arrived in Port-au-Prince from Caracas consisting of doctors, engineers, search and rescue experts and Civil Protection. Almost no communications infrastructure remained operational following the disaster as international aid organisations scrambled to get communications in place. Venezuelan officials wondered if it would be possible in any way to use their existing TETRA solution sourced from TELTRONIC, via perhaps a satellite link.
Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) networks are private data satellite communications networks used for exchanging information. VSAT technology operates in several frequency bands, including the Ku-band (12-18 GHz) which is the most common. Networks are based on a geo-stationary satellite, low-cost terminals and small dish antennas which are normally around 1.3 metres in diameter. VSAT connections offer the public safety and emergencies sector the possibility of centralised management of communications in places such as Haiti where no terrestrial links exist.
However, the VSAT link introduces significant delays in communications between the Node and remote zones. TETRA system design must therefore take into account optimised bandwidth, an asynchronous connection between the Node and remote zone and the full implementation of the TETRA Layer 2 at the remote zone. Fortunately, TELTRONIC’s NEBULA (TETRA) solution deployed by the Venezuelan authorities already incorporates all of these features.
When implementing a TETRA via satellite solution, it is important to realise that communications will be less fluid, due to response times above 1 second for call set-up and PTT, even after network optimisation due to the laws of physics. Users need to adapt their usage habits, due to the effects of the delays, both regarding control signalling and voice communications. Timing mechanisms must be configured to allow transport delays in excess of 500 milliseconds and service quality must be introduced into the VSAT transport network to prioritise NEBULA voice communications traffic.
A solution was therefore developed by TELTRONIC to allow the Venezuelan aid team posted to Port-au-Prince, Haiti to use their own TETRA radios. A transportable base station was sent to Port-au-Prince and connected via satellite to the central node located in Caracas. Successful trials were conducted, with fluid communications taking place over the link by early February. This link has been maintained to allow aid workers to carry out their duties in the weeks and months following the disaster due to the long-term nature of the relief effort.
This valuable solution developed by TELTRONIC also sets a clear precedent for how critical communications could be delivered in future disasters across the globe.
For further information, please contact:Peter Clemons, Director of Communications, Teltronic S.A.U.:Tel. +34-976-465656Mobile:+44-7951-289934pclemons@teltronic.es