Critical Comms Nov/Dec 2013

Critical Comms November/December 2013

ON THE COVER

Inside 4 4

Transmit Calendar

Communication is at the heart of effective teamwork and radio systems are central to the success of many of the world’s greatest teams. Simoco

8

Mobile broadband for public safety

Xd digital mobile radio (DMR) networks make the world of working together even easier, regardless

18

Safe cities are smart cities

of team size, geographical spread or location.

A fully standards-compliant, end-to-end DMR

27

Case study: Keeping a city energised

system with a range of portable and mobile terminal equipment, Simoco Xd offers enormous

36

Military connections

cost-saving advantages. The Simoco Xd base

48

Guns, mines and LTE

distributed architecture, which removes the need

53

802.11: speed versus width on 80 MHz channels

Additionally, the same proven architecture also

58

Backhaul

58

Spectrum

station features Simoco’s unique switchless IP for expensive additional core network equipment. offers users increased system resilience, as base stations simply connect into existing IP ports and require no additional IT equipment that could be subject to failure.

As a team grows, a Simoco Xd DMR network offers industry-leading network scalability, with the simplicity of being able to just add base stations to increase capacity. Plus, Xd bases offer the user the convenience of a ‘software only’ upgrade to a fully trunked DMR Tier III network.

Unlike other forms of digital trunking solutions on the market, Simoco Xd DMR Tier III networks are 100% ETSI DMR open-standards compliant with no proprietary features, so interoperability and flexibility are assured.

With a history of supply and deployment of large-scale interconnected radio networks, Simoco knows how to get teams talking to one another. Simoco Xd DMR network solutions offer all the benefits of both the DMR Tier II and Tier

NOW in DIGITAL! Your copy of Critical Comms is available as an online eMag.

www.CriticalComms.com.au/latest_issues

III Trunking standards, plus Simoco’s unique resilient switchless architecture, allowing for optimal network performance that can be relied upon.

Simoco Australasia Pty Ltd www.simocogroup.com

www.CriticalComms.com.au

Nov/Dec 2013 - Critical Comms

3

Transmit Welcome to the first issue of Critical Comms, formerly Radio Comms Asia–Pacific. Why the change of name? Well, after a decade under the old banner (and 15 years before that as What’s New in Radio Communications), we felt the magazine needed a new title to better reflect the full scope of the industry’s activities and focus. Radio communications have been undergoing rapid change, broadening beyond traditional RF solutions and encompassing other business-

Calendar March 2014 What: International Wireless Communications Expo 2014 When: 24-28 March 2014 Where: Las Vegas Convention Centre, Las Vegas, Nevada Website: iwceexpo.com

April 2014 What: 14th Defence Services Asia Exhibition & Conference When: 14-17 April 2014 Where: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Website: dsaexhibition.com/

and mission-critical technologies such as IP and mobile broadband.

Critical Comms better encapsulates this progression and the ongoing development of the public safety and critical communications fields.

We’ve listened to reader feedback, and that’s why in the magazine,

What: 2014 APCO Australasia Conference and Expo When: 29 April-1 May 2014 Where: Melbourne Convention Exhibition Centre, South Wharf Website: apcoaust.com.au/2014

online and in our weekly eNewsletter, Critical Comms will deliver more of what you want - more case studies, more in-depth articles, more interviews with industry and regulatory leaders - while maintaining our commitment to covering the latest product releases and critical communications news.

For our advertisers, the evolution to Critical Comms provides an even broader readership base that will reach more decision-makers across the critical communications spectrum.

So no matter what field you’re in - emergency services, utilities, mining and resources, oil and gas, transport, logistics, security, defence, manufacturing or agriculture - Critical Comms is the industry magazine with its focus firmly on supporting your business.

I and other members of the Critical Comms team will be at the Comms Connect conference and exhibition in Melbourne in November.

May 2014 What: CeBIT 2014 When: 5 May-7 May 2014 Where: Sydney Olympic Park, Homebush Website: cebit.com.au What: Utilities Telecom Council Telecom 2014 When: 6-9 May 2014 Where: Phoenix, Arizona Website: utc.org/sites/UTCTELECOM2014/ What: 2014 RFUANZ Conference & Exhibition When: 15-16 May 2014 Where: Wellington, New Zealand Website: rfuanz.org.nz/2014-rfuanz-conference--exhibition.html

Please drop by Stand 15 and say hello - we’d welcome the opportunity to learn more about you and the work you do in your sector of the critical communications field. And you can always get in touch with me at my new email address (below).

What: Critical Communications World When: 27-29 May 2014 Where: Bangkok, Thailand Website: criticalcommunicationsworld.com/

Jonathan Nally, Editor cc@westwick-farrow.com.au

Editor: Jonathan Nally cc@westwick-farrow.com.au Technical Advisor: Mike Smyth Chief Editor: Janette Woodhouse Publisher: Geoff Hird Art Director/Production Manager: Julie Wright Art/Production: Tanya Scarselletti, Jeanette Teuma, Colleen Sam Circulation Manager: Sue Lavery circulation@westwick-farrow.com.au Copy Control: Mitchie Mullins copy@westwick-farrow.com.au

A.B.N. 22 152 305 336 www.westwick-farrow.com.au

Head Office Cnr. Fox Valley Road & Kiogle Street, (Locked Bag 1289), Wahroonga NSW 2076 Australia Ph +61 2 9487 2700 Fax +61 2 9489 1265

Advertising Sales National Sales Manager Nicola Fender-Fox Ph 0414 703 780 nfender-fox@westwick-farrow.com.au

USA - Huson International Media East Coast Ph +1 212 268 3344 West Coast Ph +1 408 879 6666 ralph.lockwood@husonmedia.com

VIC, SA, WA Lachlan Rainey Ph 0402 157 167 lrainey@westwick-farrow.com.au NSW, QLD Lisa Gilbert Ph 0414 283 933 lgilbert@westwick-farrow.com.au New Zealand Gemma Burr Ph 0800 442 529 gburr@westwick-farrow.com.au

4 Critical Comms - Nov/Dec 2013

UK - Huson International Media Ph +44 1932 56 4999 gerryb@husonmedia.com Asia - Lachlan Rainey Ph +61 (0) 402 157 167

March 2013 total CAB Audited Circulation (Aust + NZ) 4,422 (71% personally requested)

Print Post Approved PP100007393 ISSN No. 2202-882X Printed and bound by Pegasus Print Group +61 2 8822 0716 If you have any queries regarding our privacy policy please email privacy@westwick-farrow.com.au Subscriptions: For unregistered readers, price on application

All material published in this magazine is published in good faith and every care is taken to accurately relay information provided to us. Readers are advised by the publishers to ensure that all necessary safety devices and precautions are installed and safe working procedures adopted before the use of any equipment found or purchased through the information we provide.

Further, all performance criteria was provided by the representative company concerned and any dispute should be referred to them. Information indicating that products are made in Australia or New Zealand is supplied by the source company. Westwick-Farrow Pty Ltd does not quantify the amount of local content or the accuracy of the statement made by the source.

www.CriticalComms.com.au

MOBILE BROADBAND FOR PUBLIC SAFETY The Australian emergency services sector is pushing the federal government to set aside spectrum for public safety mobile broadband.

8 Critical Comms - Nov/Dec 2013

www.CriticalComms.com.au

© iStockphoto.com/Easy_Company

W

hen it comes to spectrum allocation for mobile broadband, which entities should take priority - commercial carriers (who pay big bucks to government for spectrum rights) or agencies that provide essential public services (who can’t, and many would say shouldn’t, match what the carriers pay)? How can the needs of both user groups be met?

At the recent ACMA Radcomms 2013 conference in Sydney, Mark Burgess, CEO of the Police Federation of Australia, forcefully argued the case for public safety agencies to be allocated a fair share of spectrum for mobile broadband public safety communications - such as the unsold portion of 700 MHz digital dividend spectrum.

The following is an edited version of Burgess’s presentation.

In 2011, when giving evidence to a US Senate Committee on broadband spectrum for public safety, New York Police Commissioner Ray Kelly told the committee that a 16-year-old with a smartphone has a more advanced communications capability than a police officer carrying a two-way radio.

In Australia there are around 400,000 first responders across our public safety agencies. Our roles are unique. When society and nature are at their worst, police and emergency services need to be at their best.

We believe our governments have an obligation to emergency services personnel to provide them with the best equipment and resources that will enable them to do their job effectively and efficiently, and to protect the public and each other.

A mobile broadband capability fits into that category.

Deloitte Access Economics, in a June 2013 report, ‘Building our Nation’s Resilience to Natural Disasters’, said: “… mobile broadband would achieve a more timely assessment of incidents, more effective command, control and coordination of activities, faster and more appropriate response to incidents that will lead to a more productive use of resources and improved personal safety”.

The legislation When the Keating government embarked on radical market-based reform of spectrum allocation in 1992, it foresaw that a problem would arise, namely how to ensure

www.CriticalComms.com.au

that non-commercial users like police and emergency services had affordable access to spectrum into the future. Recognising that these not-for-profit public safety agencies could not compete in an open market system against the big telecommunications companies for a rare commodity, the government built a series of safeguards into the Radiocommunications Act 1992.

The Act specifies that the system must make adequate provision of spectrum for law enforcement and emergency services.

Parliament was saying that spectrum has a public safety value, not just a value for commercial uses.

Charging for spectrum must also take into account the value of non-commercial use of spectrum. In other words, the public safety agencies should not be expected to pay the commercial rate for their spectrum - the Act provided for spectrum to be reserved for these essential public purposes so that they would not have to compete at auction.

These safeguards need to be upheld today more than ever, as the big telcos vie for spectrum at the expense of public safety and the public interest.

It is the responsibility of the government and ACMA, under the Act, to ensure that the spectrum needs of law enforcement and emergency services are directly met and not to send these public safety agencies to do the best deal they can with one or more of the major telecommunications companies at commercial rates.

Factors in valuing the spectrum The Deloitte Access Economics report indicated that the total economic cost of natural disasters in Australia averages $6.3 billion per year, and that this is expected to double by 2030, and to reach approximately $25 billion by 2050. Of the costs of disasters to governments, 80% falls to the federal government. Currently Australia spends $1 on pre-disaster measures and $10 on post-disaster recovery. Motorola Solutions told the 2013 Parliamentary committee on spectrum for public safety, that “every dollar spent on public safety returns $5 to the community”.

Deloitte Access Economics also says a simple cost-benefit analysis shows how government funds would be saved by bringing forward investments in predisaster resilience measures. It would come as no surprise that we consider

Nov/Dec 2013 - Critical Comms

9

PUBLIC SAFETY Wikimedia/Mriya needs to be mission critical hardened.

• The carriers do not need to have the security considerations that public safety requires.

A further consideration is ownership - what if the carrier were owned by a foreign government? What would be the implications for the security of the network? spectrum for public safety to be such a resilience measure.

Our view is that ACMA should take a whole-of-government approach when making spectrum decisions. This means taking into account these real costs to the federal government.

Public safety mobile broadband There is currently an argument about the need for a dedicated public safety mobile broadband network. We suggest that this argument has been had and resolved.

Two recent parliamentary enquiries have come to a unanimous and bipartisan view that a dedicated public safety mobile broadband network is the way forward.

In 2011 a Senate Committee inquired into the capacity of communications networks and emergency warning systems to deal with emergencies and natural disasters.

The committee recommended the Commonwealth Government allocate sufficient spectrum for dedicated broadband public protection and disaster relief (PPDR) radio communications in Australia.

In 2013 the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Law Enforcement conducted an Inquiry into Spectrum for Public Safety Mobile Broadband. That Committee had as its chair the former Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, who had also previously been Minister for Emergency Management. The deputy chair was Senator Fiona Nash, Deputy Leader of the National in the Senate and now Assistant Minister for Health. Other members were Senator Stephen Parry, Deputy President of the Senate and Michael Keenan, then Shadow Minister for Justice and now Minister for

10 Critical Comms - Nov/Dec 2013

Justice who now also has responsibility for Emergency Management. It was not a lightweight committee.

The committee made five key recommendations, including that a minimum of 20 MHz should be allocated to public safety in either the 700 or 800 MHz band.

What brought them to that conclusion?

When the committee did the analysis between a potential carrier model for public safety and a dedicated public safety network, there was only one conclusion they could come to. Consider the following points: • A public safety network has to be able to deal with a variety of incidents, from day-to-day operations, right through to those mission-critical events such as natural disasters, major incidents and even terrorist strikes.

• The carriers’ model is built on revenue growth and profits for shareholders, whereas the public safety model is built on the premise of protecting life and property.

• The carrier’s model is designed for normal day-to-day operations. Their networks can quickly be degraded with traffic overload, whereas public safety is built on my earlier premise - when society and nature are at their worst, public safety systems need to be at their best.

• The carrier’s model is built on oneto-one communications; public safety is one to many.

• The carrier’s model is based primarily on heavy downloads whereas public safety will rely on heavy uploads.

• The carrier’s network is built to a commercial grade while public safety

A new government Did the federal election change anything?

We think not. If anything we think it’s enhanced our prospect of getting a public safety network developed.

In the lead-up to the 2013 federal election, we posed the following question to the major political parties: “The PFA seeks your party’s commitment to provide a minimum of 20 MHz of the 700 or 800 MHz band spectrum for a dedicated mobile broadband network for Australia’s public safety agencies so that inter-operable communications become a reality across the nation.”

The Coalition gave a fairly detailed response, but the key point was: “If elected, a Coalition Government will conduct a rigorous cost-benefit analysis into the question of emergency services wireless communications and consider the most cost effective means of upgrading Australia’s law enforcement and emergency services mobile broadband network. The Coalition will continue to carefully investigate this issue and seek to weigh the various competing public interests in consultation with stakeholders and State and Territory Governments.”

We welcome the Coalition Government’s commitment to conduct a rigorous costbenefit analysis. We think that will play significantly in favour of public safety agencies.

The cost-benefit research conducted

by Deloitte Access Economics and others will be interesting reading for the new minister.

A May 2013 report by Professor John Ure from the University of Hong Kong, titled ‘A Study of Value and Opportunity Cost in the Assignment of Radio Spectrum’,

www.CriticalComms.com.au

THERE IS CURRENTLY AN ARGUMENT ABOUT THE NEED FOR A DEDICATED PUBLIC SAFETY MOBILE BROADBAND NETWORK. WE SUGGEST THAT THIS ARGUMENT HAS BEEN HAD AND RESOLVED.

Wikimedia/A. Proimos

researched eight economies in the AsiaPacific region - Australia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea and Thailand.

His policy findings are: • On a social cost-benefit basis the benefits of assigning broadband spectrum to dedicated PPDR services on an exclusive basis far outweigh the costs as measured by opportunity cost.

• There is justification on a cost-benefit basis for allocating the spectrum that is considered sufficient for national needs. In all cases the cost-benefit analysis seems to support a case for up to 20 MHz and, in every case except Singapore, up to 30 MHz if necessary.

• The decision would need to be based upon a realistic assessment in each country of what contribution broadband would make to reducing the risk of loss.

• On a cost-benefit basis the opportunity cost is insufficient to justify marketbased assignments of spectrum for PPDR purposes.

What this means is that on a costbenefit basis, it is better to allocate 20 to 30 MHz of spectrum for public safety

12 Critical Comms - Nov/Dec 2013

than to auction it to commercial carriers to achieve additional funds for the Federal Budget.

The Police Federation’s position As a result of our work, and that of many others, we’ve come to a number of conclusions.

First, public safety needs mobile broadband communications. It is in the public interest. This must be a dedicated network controlled by public safety because our needs are so different from those of commercial networks.

Secondly, there is a shared responsibility between the Commonwealth Government and state and territory governments for emergency management. The federal government has the spectrum; the states are prepared to invest in the development of the networks.

And remember, the states are not starting with a blank piece of paper as many seem to suggest - they already have significant physical infrastructure that they would be enhancing. (Ericsson, in its submission to the 2013 Parliamentary

Inquiry, revealed that the construction of physical infrastructure by way of towers and sites - which many of the public safety agencies already have - represents 80% of overall network costs, compared to the 20% cost of equipment.) And the federal government will need access to the state networks for mission-critical incidents and major events like G20.

Thirdly, there are serious doubts about the feasibility of public safety agencies roaming or overflowing onto public networks during critical incidents. While a report on this aspect is due on this shortly, many people have advised us that technically it’s possible but there would be serious flaws in such a system. Flaws that could jeopardise the safety of emergency services workers and the public. It is a risk, unless we can be guaranteed otherwise, that we think is too great to take.

The possibility of commercial carriers or the NBN accessing the public safety network when it is not in high demand should be seriously considered as a way of ensuring efficient use of spectrum. The caveat is that the public safety agencies must have control of decisions about spectrum sharing.

What we don’t have agreement on yet is the amount of spectrum public safety needs, although the Joint Committee concluded that a minimum of 20 MHz is necessary and it will come as no surprise that we agree.

When a final decision is made and everyone has locked himself or herself into a position, I hope we’ll have got it right.

When we have the next Royal Commission, Commission of Inquiry or even a Coronial Inquiry into a natural disaster or some other major critical incident - and we will - this issue and the decisions that were made will be under the microscope. If we’re judged to have got it wrong, whoever is in the witness box at the inquiry will be in the loneliest place in the world trying to justify their decisions.

Mark Burgess will take part in ‘Workshop 3 - Mobile broadband & LTE for critical communications’ at the Comms Connect 2013 conference in Melbourne.

www.CriticalComms.com.au

24 STAND

2.4 GHz Wi-Fi antenna range

Portable repeater

Step Global has a complete range of

The GME tactical repeater TDR1000

conformal foam-filled Wi-Fi antennas for

and optional AE1000 6 m telescopic

very high vibration environments such

field antenna system provide a complete

as mining, quarry and construction. To

fast-deployment communications network.

further enhance on-site survivability,

The TDR1000 is lightweight, high

the feed assembly of this range is

powered and has a long duty cycle

also made of machined aluminium

tailored by individual programming

components and is irridited for weather

of the radio components.

protection.

The chassis caters for three

Available in 3, 6, 9 or a dual-range

radios, the repeater TX and RX

WiMax 5 dBi models, the OD series has

components and a third link radio to

colinear arrays and provides uniform

enable a wide range of flexible applications including

omnidirectional coverage.

cross band and cross protocol. Operational bands are VHF

Pole-mount hardware is included with

136-174 MHz, UHFL 403-480 MHz and UHF 450-520 MHz.

optional wall-mount bracket available.

The IP67-rated case houses the high-specification diplexer

Step Global Pty Ltd

and a balanced pair of LiFeP04 9 Ah batteries, allowing air

Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/V303

transport of the complete assembled unit. The sub-chassis is impact mounted to resist shock and vibration. The optional AE1000 field antenna is constructed from carbon fibre telescopic sections, providing a complete fast-deployment communications network.

GME Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/V456

Hosted VoIP/RoIP recording Electrodata has announced the availability of a nationwide voice recording solution for critical communications providers using VoIP. The software solution does not require any new technology and can be hosted on the client’s own virtual Server 2008

1

STAND

R2 and SQL 2012 infrastructure. The VoIP recordings can

Fleet management

be accessed via the internet with Electrodata’s thin client

Tait EnableFleet is an efficient, cost-

Platinum Player. Advantages of VoIP include: no audio con-

effective radio fleet configuration and

version, resulting in less processing time, and easy access

management tool. As one component

to additional metadata.

of the Tait Enable suite, EnableFleet

A feature of the system is the separation of transmit/receive

simplifies the management of radio

recording for simplex transmissions, which boosts the clarity of

fleets through centralised device management

voice replay. Remote installation is possible even in complex

with real-time fleet status.

environments and is further simplified by the autodetection of IP addresses.

With EnableFleet, operators can bring their radio configuration experts together in one centralised location to manage the entire

Electrodata says this as an elegant and economic solution

fleet of mobile and portable radios. Group-based management of

for diverse and complex communication networks. Current

the radio configuration, software features and firmware provides

64-bit technology enables the high-performance solution to

information assurance and economies of scale that have previously

capitalise on VoIP as a network communication standard and

been difficult because of the considerable in-field expertise required

eliminate many costly hardware components. An extension

to manage a radio fleet.

to host in the cloud will be offered in the very near future.

Tait Communications

Electrodata Recorders Pty Ltd

Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/V486

Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/V573

14 Critical Comms - Nov/Dec 2013

www.CriticalComms.com.au

DIGITAL RADIO SOLUTIONS

LOCAL MOUNT

FEATURES >

Digital ready to accept P25 upgrade.

>

Software key migration to trunked, encrypted and data versions.

>

High power 25W & dedicated low power models.

>

403 MHz - 480 MHz 450 MHz - 520 MHz 136 MHz - 174 MHz

>

1072 channels

>

AS/NZS 4365 CB and AS/NZS 4295 commercial LMR.

>

1072 channels

>

ETS 300-086

>

TIA-603-C

>

FCC Parts 90/15 RSS119

REMOTE MOUNT WITH RH006 HEAD & STANDARD MICROPHONE

REMOTE MOUNT WITH MC526BC CONTROLLER MICROPHONE

CR016

CM1039UL/U/V

112 STAND

TETRA handset The Cassidian THR9 Ex TETRA hand-portable radio

99 STAND

from CSE-Uniserve combines high performance, IP65 classification and security in mission-critical voice and data communication where intrinsically safe devices are needed.

With ATEX and IEC-Ex certification for both gas and dust, the THR9 Ex offers protection against physical and environmental exposure in explosion-prone areas such as Australian gas field operations.

The THR9 Ex also meets the needs of fire brigades for Ex-equipment when working in hazardous conditions.

The handset is IP65 rated and is IECEx certified (Gas: II 2G Ex ib IIC T4 Gb and Dust: II 2D Ex ib IIIC T90 C Db IP6X).

Handheld radar analyser Agilent Technologies has introduced a pulse measurement option for its FieldFox handheld analysers that is designed to further simplify radar field testing.

The pulse option enables users to carry a single instrument into the field to verify and measure radar pulse characteristics, S-parameters, spectrum analysis and transmitter power. All measurements made with FieldFox are consistent with those of benchtop analysers.

The FieldFox pulse measurement option efficiently

CSE-Uniserve Pty Limited

characterises radar

Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/V470

signal quality by leveraging Agilent U202x peak-power sensors (available in 18 and 40 GHz models). Working

141 STAND

together, the pulse measurement mode and U202x enable maintenance crews to check radar signal quality without

800 MHz repeater

having to carry a heavy benchtop instrument into

The Axell wireless D-CSR 4008 is an

the field. With a single push of a button, users can

ACMA-approved digital channel selec-

perform pulse characterisation in the field and obtain

tive repeater for the 800 MHz band. It

all key performance indicators.

provides quick, cost-effective and secure

The FieldFox calibration engine now features ECal

radio coverage in any mission-critical

module support, reducing calibration time and the

network and can handle up to eight filters

need to make multiple connections during testing,

within the 5 MHz band.

while also providing for greater consistency between

With the device, an operator can easily

measurements.

expand a base station’s service area by

FieldFox analysers boast a number of features that

filling in coverage holes caused by ter-

help simplify radar field testing. They include InstAlign,

rain, buildings or tunnels. The digital repeater features an

a built-in spectrum analyser with time gating (Option

innovative ‘time slot ALC’ mechanism that reduces noise

238), burst trigger and pre-trigger, and verification of

transmitted to the base station, thus improving overall

most RF pulse transmitters in the field.

network performance and selectivity.

Agilent also offers a suite of economical microwave

The systems can be easily configured either locally or

waveguide calibration kits to support C, X, Ku and K

remotely via a simple GUI web interface or using the Axell

band radar, satellite and microwave backhaul com-

AEM (Axell Element Manager) system.

munication measurements. The kits are suitable for

Axell Wireless

field maintenance and troubleshooting.

Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/V432

Agilent Technologies Australia Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/V399

16 Critical Comms - Nov/Dec 2013

www.CriticalComms.com.au

Hytera

SAFE CITIES ARE SMART CITIES Reliable, robust communications - personal, industrial and governmental - have become an essential part of our society’s fabric. Hytera’s Peter Clemons argues that this trend will only increase, and that that’s a good thing.

W

e live in an increasingly interconnected world, powered by an explosion in communications capabilities.

What roles will communications continue to have in making our lives better, and can it make our cities safer and smarter?

Peter Clemons is head of TETRA Business, Americas, for Hytera Mobilfunk, the German division of Hytera Communications, and a regular speaker at the Comms Connect conference, having delivered keynote presentations for the past three years on a wide range of topics, with particular focus on the future of TETRA and critical communications.

Peter will return to Melbourne next month for Comms Connect 2013, to explain how cities must be safe before they can be truly smart, and how Hytera is working to make this vision a reality.

Peter is renowned within the industry for taking a forwardlooking approach to business and business solutions. We caught

18 Critical Comms - Nov/Dec 2013

up with him during his busy schedule and asked him to give us a forecast for the future of critical communications.

First up, Peter, how did you get involved in critical communications?

It was such a long time ago that it is hard to remember now. I’d studied and worked as an academic and economist in Latin America for a number of years and then returned to Europe during the 1990s, where I got involved in telecommunications and managed to carve out a niche within the PMR sector, working for a number of TETRA manufacturers as well as helping out end users as a consultant. TETRA was, and continues to be, my main focus and I was honoured to become a director and board member of the TETRA Association - now TCCA - in 2010, serving a two-year term before returning to consulting and then joining forces with Hytera to develop the next generation of PMR solutions.

www.CriticalComms.com.au

SAFE AND SECURE HOWEVER, THE SAFER OUR SOCIETIES BECOME, THE EASIER WE TEND TO FORGET HOW IMPORTANT PUBLIC SAFETY IS.

Do you see critical communications continuing to grow?

During the 1970s and 1980s, land mobile radio was synonymous with mobile communications, before the days of GSM. Nowadays, almost everyone has an internet-enabled mobile phone, smartphones are everywhere and we all depend on mobile applications during our daily life. More and more essential services are delivered remotely and via smart mobile devices. I think this trend is irreversible and requires a total rethink of how we manage mobile networks, putting critical communications at the core of modern societies. The PMR community has a long history of providing secure, reliable, alwaysavailable services, so we must make sure we have a role to play in this mobile revolution.

There are many options for businesses and agencies looking to adopt a critical communications system. Is TETRA still a force to be reckoned with?

I have no doubt that TETRA will remain at the core of advanced critical communications solutions for many years to come around the world. There has never been a standard quite like TETRA and there will probably never be another one like it in the future. In today’s complex, increasingly integrated world, no single technology can provide the full solution for professionals working in demanding environments but TETRA provides as much as 95% of the total solution today when TEDS (TETRA Enhanced Data Service) is included. Broadband solutions such as LTE can work alongside TETRA to provide higher-speed data and video solutions for the foreseeable future.

On the subject of broadband, do you agree with those who say that LTE will be the complete solution that everyone has been waiting for?

There is no doubt that LTE will be a success. It would be naive of me to suggest otherwise, considering the amount of resources being invested by major manufacturers, operators and developers within the global 3GPP framework. All major PMR manufacturers, including Hytera, are also looking at how we can use LTE to provide faster data rates for our customers in the future.

However, LTE has not been designed from the beginning to cope with the demands of the critical communications community so we need to remain engaged with 3GPP and the commercial vendors and operators in order to create the consensus required to deliver critical broadband solutions in the medium term. As the concepts of ‘safe cities’ and ‘safe communities’ develop during this decade and the next, both the commercial and critical communications worlds will need to come together to guarantee high levels of security expected by citizens. This will take several years to achieve, so we will be kept busy and will have to remain vigilant for a long time to come.

Tell us about Hytera and how it is tackling the critical communications future.

Hytera is the fastest-growing PMR solutions provider in the world.

This month we are celebrating 20 years in the industry and there will be a big birthday party in China. From the beginning, Hytera has focused on providing high-quality products and solutions at an affordable price for the most demanding users, changing industry business models in the process. As convergence continues and solutions become more sophisticated, Hytera has moved into the high-end systems business with DMR Tier 3 and TETRA/TEDS offerings that are taking those industry standards to new levels.

www.CriticalComms.com.au

TETRA in particular is a well-known, mature global standard that continues to evolve to form the base for current and future smart society solutions including smart cities, smart grid, etc. Hytera is at the forefront of these developments, so we are truly in exciting times.

Hytera has been expanding via acquisition in recent years, hasn’t it? Can you tell us about the strategy there?

At the beginning of 2012, Hytera Communications acquired Rohde & Schwarz Professional Mobile Radio GmbH, the well-respected German TETRA systems manufacturer, enabling Hytera to become a full TETRA solutions provider. The renamed Hytera Mobilfunk GmbH, based in Bad Munder, Germany, as Hytera’s main TETRA Centre for Competence, is now the focus of TETRA R&D activities within the group. And then last year the wireless protocol specialist company, fjord-e-design GmbH (FED) was acquired in order to accelerate TETRA/ TEDS development and prepare for the challenges of the future. Hytera has already delivered a TETRA Release 2 (TEDS) solution for Lima Police, Peru, based on the latest DIB-500 Release 5 base station which offers best-in-class TETRA solutions.

Your address at the upcoming Comms Connect will cover ‘safe cities’ and ‘smart cities’ - how do you define those terms, and what is the relationship between them?

Security is the basis for all societies. If authorities are unable to provide a secure environment for their citizens, it is unlikely that communities will thrive and flourish. This leads to a more uncertain economic environment where future investments cannot take place.

Unsafe, precarious societies are forced into survival mode, living day by day, as we unfortunately witness in conflict zones around the world. An iPad is of limited interest if food and water are scarce or property rights cannot be guaranteed.

However, the safer our societies become, the easier we tend to forget how important public safety is. Advanced critical communications solutions based on technologies such as TETRA continue working 24/7 in the background to make our cities safe, providing the conditions for the possibility of the emergence of smarter cities built on applications that enhance and enrich all our lives.

With technology and societal evolution moving so quickly, is it becoming harder to anticipate the technologies and solutions that will be needed in the near and medium future?

That’s a good question. What we know for certain is that the future will be different and we will have to continue to deal with unexpected events that will challenge our emergency services and force us to come up with better and better solutions. Those societies and companies that are best able to adapt to the new circumstances will thrive and prosper. Those societies and businesses that refuse or struggle to adapt will have to go through difficult times. It is up to Hytera and other like-minded technology companies to listen to users, identify and anticipate changing circumstances and work together with the rest of the critical communications community to continue delivering the best possible solutions at an affordable price. This is the best recipe for delivering safer and smarter cities and nations in an increasingly volatile world.

Peter Clemons’ Comms Connect keynote address, ‘Safer cities will be smarter cities’, will be at 9.20 am on Friday 22 November. Hytera is a Platinum Sponsor of Comms Connect 2013.

Hytera Communications Co. Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/V574

Nov/Dec 2013 - Critical Comms

19

News BETTER BUSHFIRE COMMS The official inquiry into the devastating January 2013 bushfires in Tasmania has recommended improvements to the state’s emergency radio communications system. Specifically, amongst the inquiry recommendations accepted by the government are: that police and other emergency services establish and maintain effective recording systems for emergency operations; and that Tasmania Fire Service (TFS) reviews the communication systems used for all emergency management operations, ensures operators are qualified and ensures there is appropriate accountability.

Full story: bit.ly/HeXH7d

Electrical energy logger The Fluke 1730 Energy Logger is a streamlined energy logging tool with a straightforward, intuitive design - it lets technicians load studies and energy logging right out of the box. The results provide facility managers with the information necessary to identify and prioritise energy-saving projects.

The logger conducts key measurements of voltage, current, power and power factor to identify areas of energy waste. All measured

POLICE CALL FOR SPECTRUM

values are logged automatically and can be reviewed during logging.

Common set-up errors are rectified, through re-engineered cables, digital check and auto-correct of all connections and an on-screen

The Australian and New Zealand Police Commissioners’ Forum (ANZPCF) met in Sydney on 14 and 15 October. This, the second meeting of 2013, focused on significant issues of concern to Australian and New Zealand policing services, one of which is access to spectrum for emergency services agencies.

All commissioners recommitted to the need for a minimum allocation of 20 MHz of radio spectrum in the 700 MHz band to ensure public safety through effective emergency services’ communications.

Full story: bit.ly/16BsRkE

wizard for interval set-up. It has the highest safety rating in the industry (600 V CAT IV/1000 V CAT III), can be powered directly from the measured circuit (eliminating the need to find a power outlet) and has two USB ports for fast data downloads to PCs or standard thumb drives.

Data logged can be imported into the Fluke Energy Analyse software for further processing and archiving. The software lets users analyse energy or load profiles including: zoom-in and zoom-out on details; add comments, pictures and other information to data; overlay different logging sessions; create reports and export measurement results.

Fluke Australia Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/V171

BAI SERVICES FOR SES The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) has appointed BAI to provide dedicated project management services in support of its operational communications equipment rollout. BAI project management services will assist the NSW SES with the planning, procurement and rollout of the program of works that will deliver enhanced communication services and capability to NSW SES operational teams across the state.

The NSW SES operational communications program of works will assist 229 operational field units across NSW and encompass organisation-wide usage by the 10,000 volunteers and 300 members of staff.

Full story: bit.ly/H9E28d

TETRA handset

WI-FI FOR ANZ STADIUM

European ATEX as well as international IECEx

Telstra has announced that is has become ANZ Stadium’s exclusive technology partner for Wi-Fi and content distribution, and will supply in-stadium Wi-Fi connectivity for the next five years. This will enable spectators to make greater use of mobile technology within the stadium. Telstra has selected Cisco to supply its Connected Stadium Wi-Fi solution.

Full story: bit.ly/HogUCW

20 Critical Comms - Nov/Dec 2013

112 STAND

The Funkwerk FT4 S Ex M2-certified TETRA handset from CSE-Uniserve is specially designed for professional users in highly sensitive environments such as underground coal mining.

The handset is claimed to be safe to use in gas and dust atmospheres with a high risk of explosion and is certified in accordance with the directives (I M2 Ex ib I Mb: Gas: II 2G Ex ib IIC T4 Gb and Dust: II 2D Ex ib IIIC T125 C IP6X Db).

It features above-ground tracking using GPS, and indoors and below-ground tracking using localisation beacons.

CSE-Uniserve Pty Limited Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/V465

www.CriticalComms.com.au

51

54

STAND

STAND

Communication trailers ICS Industries’ Australian-manufactured communication trailers are rapidly evolving to

VoLTE testing Mobile operators and contractors deploying VoLTE can now proactively test this new service using JDSU’s network optimisation and service testing solution. The latest release of

suit the transforming

the RANAdvisor platform delivers fast results and measures

needs of users who

POLQA and R-factor MOS to determine VoLTE service quality.

are being driven by

The solution enables the fast deployment of VoLTE services

changing technology.

by rigorously testing between two devices to meet aggres-

Long-distance durability

sive deployment schedules, and JDSU says users can gain

and off-road challenges

improvements to their current voice service, through combined

have been met and

VoLTE and POLQA tests. RANAdvisor also enables service

answered with solutions

issues to be idenfitied in real time through IMS, call control,

that have been engineered into the trailer range.

RTP and user experience VoLTE KPIs.

The design enables any type of communications and satellite

The JDSU RANAdvisor family is a comprehensive solution

method to be incorporated into a specialised and transportable

for network and service optimisation and troubleshooting.

solution. From modular storage systems, heavy-duty suspen-

It reduces the time spent on RAN and service testing and

sion, battery and DC systems down to fire extinguishers, safety signage and generator connection inlets, the company can tailor a fully towable solution to suit user requirements.

ICS Industries Pty Ltd

simultaneously addresses explosive data growth and LTE deployment challenges.

JDSU Australia Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/V404

Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/V441

by Omnitronics

E AST C OAST S ALES (07) 3369 5733 •

www.CriticalComms.com.au

W EST C OAST S ALES (08) 9445 2633

Nov/Dec 2013 - Critical Comms

21

115 STAND

HF land mobile Icom Australia has released the IC-F8101 HF land mobile transceiver, designed for long-distance communications for those travelling or working in remote areas.

The IC-F8101 has a rugged, fanless, enclosed structure to protect it from sand, dust and water intrusion (IP54 rated).

It features a myriad of controller set-up options: a standard version which has the remote controller-microphone, a detached controller, as well as a controller fixed to the main unit. The IC-F8101 has 100 W output power, operates in SSB, AM and CW modes, and can also be used to transmit and receive data (when connected to a HF data modem).

The radio also features a 500 kHz to 29.999 MHz general coverage receiver (transmit: 1.6 to 29.999 MHz) and has a GPS receiver connection to allow position, time and altitude information to be sent.

The IC-F8101 is fully compatible with all the popular 4WD and travellers’ radio community networks (eg, VKS737, HFRC and RFDS).

Also included in the IC-F8101 is ALE (Automatic Link Establishment), which selects the most suitable channel and establishes a communications link. In addition, Selcall functions are also available, allowing selective calling, phone call, message call, position call and emergency call. Ease-of-use functions include a clear talk function, mute functions and a digital signal processor (DSP).

Icom Australia Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/V409

Spectrum analyser The Agilent N9344C handheld spectrum analyser with tracking generator makes taking measurements in the field faster and easier, offering the accuracy and reliability of

27 STAND

PIM test analyser

bench-top performance in a portable, handheld instrument.

The MW82119A PIM Master

The compact, lightweight design (3.6 kg) enables you to

was launched in Decem-

automate routine tasks to ensure consistent results. This

ber 2012 as a high-power,

makes it easy for the operator to capture test results and

battery-operated passive

generate reports. Frequency range from 9 kHz to 20 GHz,

intermodulation (PIM) test

and resolution bandwidth of 1 Hz.

analyser. At launch, six fre-

In addition to the spectrum analyser the N9344 offers

quency options were available

a built in tracking generator, which measures two-port

covering the LTE 700 MHz,

transmission of filter and am-

Cellular 850 MHz, E-GSM

plifiers to validate that your

900 MHz, DCS 1800 MHz,

system is working correctly

PCS 1900 MHz and PCS/

before you begin evaluat-

AWS 1900/2100 MHz bands.

ing sources of interference.

In the test lab and for bench-top use, the Agilent N9344C can be remotely operated by the PC software and USB cable, allowing appropriate use of

a large format PC screen.

Features for the spectrum analyser include: 9 kHz to 20 GHz; –144 dBm displayed average noise level; ±1.3 dB amplitude accuracy; < 0.95 s sweep time for 20 GHz full span. The tracking generator’s features include: 5 MHz to 7 GHz; output level –20 to 0 dBm, 1 dB step.

TechRentals Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/V378

22 Critical Comms - Nov/Dec 2013

Anritsu

has

add-

ed three frequency options for the product family, covering the LTE 800 MHz, UMTS 2100 MHz and LTE 2600 MHz frequency bands. According to the GSMA, these represent three of the top five bands that will be used for LTE network deployments globally. LTE requires low noise levels to achieve maximum data throughput, so it is critical that PIM interference be eliminated. With its enhanced portability and Anritsu’s patented Distance-to-PIM (DTP) technology, the PIM Master is a suitable tool to help operators eliminate PIM and maximise LTE performance.

Anritsu Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/V397

www.CriticalComms.com.au

Testing LTE? RF, Meet Fiber!

RF and test in one instrument— work easier and faster Accelerate cell site turn-up and maintenance procedures with award-winning Cell Advisor™ analayzers from the JDSU Mobility portfolio. Features include: • RF and optical tests • Now supporting LTE-Advanced, including carrier aggregation and 4x4 MIMO testing • Auto-measurement for Conformance, Signal Performance and Maintenance • Channel Scanner for LTE, WCDMA, and CDMA • Bluetooth connectivity • Unique intra-carrier PIM detection Why use multiple vendors? Trust JDSU to help you manage the convergence “See us at Comms Connect 2013, Stand # 54 to learn our mobility solutions.“ WWW.JDSU.COM/TEST NORTH AMERICA +1 855 275 5378 EMEA +49 7121 86 2222 ASIA PACIFIC +852 2892 0990 JDSU AUSTRALIA +61 2 84482003 sales.australia@jdsu.com Chatswood, 2067 NSW, Australia

2012 GLOBAL FIBER OPTIC TEST EQUIPMENT MARKET SHARE LEADERSHIP AWARD

News BARRETT HF FOR ASIAN GOVERNMENT WA-based Barrett Communications has fulfilled an Asian governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s urgent operational need for HF equipment.

The unspecified government placed a multimillion-dollar order for Barrett 2050 HF mobile and base stations, and Barrett 2090 HF Manpacks, which come with ALE and GPS. The client already uses Barrett equipment; the new order will enhance its extant Barrett HF network, and enable secure interoperability between government departments.

Full story: bit.ly/1avFtsN

LAX GETS TETRA ARINC has partnered with PowerTrunk to install a TETRA platform as part of a key GLOBALinkSM upgrade for missioncritical airline and aviation ground-based communications at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The partnership represents the first North American deployment of TETRA technology in the aviation market.

Through its partnership with PowerTrunk, ARINC intends to offer TETRA-based solutions to other American airports.

Full story: bit.ly/1bqx6wV

67 STAND

Wideband antennas The Great White antenna series of high-performance MiMo wideband antennas supports all available LTE public safety and commercial routers. With two highly efficient, isolated wideband 698 MHz to 2.7 Ghz MiMo elements, the series covers all cellular and LTE frequency bands.

The series also features optional GPS for tracking and MiMo WLAN 2.4 and 5 GHz functionality so the user can upload and download large packets of data quickly. Furthermore, the antenna is fully ground plane independent, has a lowprofile design, is available in panel- or magnetic-mount versions, and is supplied in a UV-stable, impact-resistant, weatherproof housing that can be installed on any vehicle and used on all terrains.

The series is already approved by several OEMs, is compatible with all 4G LTE devices and is said to be widely used by network carriers worldwide for commercial 4G drive testing.

Panorama Antennas Australia Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/V442

123 STAND

Digital migration radio The Hytera PD60X digital migration radio provides a feature-rich,

CASSIDIANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S BEIJING WIN

innovative design and compact

Cassidian will supply 100 TETRA base stations and two DXT3 TETRA switches to the largest TETRA network in Asia. The contract, with the Beijing Just Top Network Communications Company Ltd, will update the Beijing Government Shared TETRA Network to the latest standards and increase its capacity by 15,000 subscribers to a total of 110,000. Also known as the Beijing Just Top TETRA Network, it is the biggest trunked digital radio network in Asia and the largest city-wide TETRA network in the world.

Full story: bit.ly/1g3HyQI

applications.

NO CHANGE TO 27 MHZ In a newsletter to the marine radio community, ACMA has reiterated that it has no plans to change the designated uses of the 27 MHz band. ACMA does say, however, that in many places 27 MHz is not monitored by the relevant state authorities or approved marine volunteer organisations, and most infrastructure funding is being directed to VHF radio installations. ACMA says that it recommends that if operators use 27 MHz radios on the water, they should check if and when the local volunteer organisation listens on that band.

Full story: bit.ly/1dcfneA

24 Critical Comms - Nov/Dec 2013

size that integrates with Hytera Expanded frequency range of 400-527 MHz and dual mode (analog and digital) operation ensures a smooth analog-to-digital migration, while basic/advanced digital encryption and scrambler feature in analog mode.

The Pseudo Trunk virtual trunking feature allocates a free timeslot for urgent communications. This effectively enhances frequency efficiency and enables operators to communicate in a timely manner in emergency situations.

The radio supports multiple advanced analog signalling modes, including HDC1200, 2-Tone and 5-Tone, providing better integration into existing analog radio fleets. The data protocol is fully compliant to DMRA standard.

The radio supports one-touch features that comprise preprogrammed text messages, voice calls. Supplementary features include: radio enable/disable (only decode), remoter monitor (only decode) and priority interrupt. The built-in GPS module (factory option) supports GIS applications and it has man-down functionality (factory option). In DMO, the company can provide 2-slot communication, which allows for two talk paths on one frequency.

The unit is small and light, with dimensions of 119 x 54 x 27mm, has a PC and metal frame and a weight of only 290 g. IP67 rated, it is compliant with MIL-STD-810 C/D/E/F/G standards. A reserved side port enables users or thirdparty partners to further develop other applications to extend functionalities.

Hytera Communications Co. Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/V445

www.CriticalComms.com.au

Spectrum analyser Fluke Networks has announced AirMagnet Spectrum ES, a spectrum analysis tool specifically designed to streamline in-field testing and troubleshooting of cellular off-load

Quick-lock connectors

deployments, including distributed antenna systems

Rojone has released a range of QLI

(DAS) and small cells.

connectors from Radiall, designed to

The tool offers portability, affordability and enhanced

provide performance similar to DIN

in-field productivity features. This includes what the

7/16 with a very low intermodulation

company says is the industryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first automated new

level and a quick and safe connection,

signature detection and location of RF interference

without the need for tools.

sources, automated location-specific carrier and tech-

The double sealing action, in

nology spectrum scan set-up and intuitive network visibility, which is needed to verify and

addition to a special anticorrosion

troubleshoot at every stage of the project life cycle.

and watertight plating, makes these

The tool is agile and portable, designed for use with any Windows 7 or Windows 8 based

connectors a suitable choice for

laptop or tablet PC for easy testing in the field. It is also significantly less expensive than

outdoor installations and also indoor

any similar tool, ensuring that each team can speed deployment by having the tool they

applications where high performance

need readily at hand.

is required.

The device offers enhanced productivity features required for efficient testing of DAS and

QLI connectors are available in

small cell deployments. This includes determining the root cause of performance problems

plugs, jacks, straight or right angles,

due to interference with its built-in automated signature detection and location capability of

square sockets and bulkhead mod-

detecting RF interference sources in the licensed bands. It also delivers automated location-

els, with a compact design enabling

specific technology or carrier-based frequency scans to reduce manual and error-prone fre-

high-density integration.

quency configurations and provides innovative visualisations of core spectrum data with the

Rojone Pty Ltd

detection of LTE, UMTS, CDMA and GSM data/voice events and carrier/technology overlays.

Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/V488

Fluke Australia Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/V386

26 Critical Comms - Nov/Dec 2013

www.CriticalComms.com.au

Case study

Keeping a city energised

O

ne of the largest energy companies in Seoul, South Korea, urgently needed to replace its legacy communications control system with a 21st-century solution.

To call Seoul, South Korea, a megacity would be an understatement - it’s the world’s second largest metropolitan area, with a population of 25.6 million people. More than half of the country’s residents live in Seoul.

Those residents need a lot of energy, including natural gas.

Samchully City Gas is a natural-gas distribution company that serves Seoul, supplying not only liquefied natural gas to residential and commercial customers, but also the gas that fuels the city’s steam supply and power-generation systems, fuel cells, cold- and warm-water supply systems, and even the city buses.

With 5000 employees and an annual revenue of approximately US$2.33 billion, the scope and complexity of Samchully’s operations reflect the scale of the city it serves. That’s why Samchully relies on a centralised communication system to coordinate, control and manage its operations.

Samchully recently installed Zetron’s DCS-5020 Digital Console System with the help of Seoul-based communications equipment provider Hanswell. The solution is providing Samchully with the updated technology and functionality it needs to manage its extensive operations.

The need to update Prior to 2012, Samchully was using remote desktop equipment for its operational communications. The equipment had been in use for many years, however, and was beginning to fall behind in its ability to meet the company’s evolving needs. In addition, communications technology had advanced considerably over those years.

Company officials began to realise that their operations could benefit greatly from the improved functionality and additional features an updated, more comprehensive communications solution would offer. This included capabilities that would allow them to combine multiple devices and resources into a single system and provide a graphical user interface to control them all.

www.CriticalComms.com.au

The situation became more pressing when the need arose to use multiple iDEN devices on the system; the existing equipment could support only one such device.

Samchully began searching for a vendor to help it obtain, design and implement a new communications system based on current technology. After considering a number of proposals, they awarded the project to Hanswell.

Based in Seoul, Hanswell provides two-way radio equipment and RoIP, dispatch and intercom systems to public- and privatesector clients throughout South Korea and Asia.

Hanswell Vice President Sebastian Beck explains some of the most critical factors that contributed to the company being chosen for the project. “Not only have we had a long-standing, positive and successful business relationship with Samchully over the years,” says Beck, “but our proposal was based on Zetron’s DCS-5020 Digital Console System. The DCS-5020 would be able to provide the centralised, updated and improved functionality Samchully was looking for and would more than fulfil their requirements of the project.”

Zetron was chosen for other reasons as well. For the past seven years, Zetron’s Australasia office in Brisbane and its North Asianbased territory manager have worked together to support Hanswell’s business-development efforts throughout South Korea. Zetron has also responded to local market requirements by engineering its key dispatch products so they can easily be localised into the language of local users - in this case, Korean. This combination of easy localisation and local support has been a key ingredient of Zetron’s success throughout the non-English-speaking countries of Asia. And it contributed significantly to the decision to use Zetron equipment for the Samchully project. >

Nov/Dec 2013 - Critical Comms

27

Smooth operators The solution for Samchully comprised three positions of Zetron’s DCS-5020, 10 iDEN ports, three PBX lines and 12 hotlines. The equipment was installed in Samchully’s command centre in a process that Beck says was completed smoothly and easily.

Once the new solution had been installed and thoroughly tested, Hanswell trained Samchully’s 12 operators on the best and most effective ways to use it for their purposes. The training and transition to the new system went more quickly than anyone had expected, thanks in part to the system’s intuitive operation.

“Because the DCS-5020 is so easy to learn and use,” says Beck, “the operators caught onto it readily. In fact, many of them found that, once they got used to the system, they were able to appreciate more and more the extent to which it simplified their tasks and helped them function more efficiently. That’s in large part due to the

fact that the DCS-5020 allows them to control everything from the console. They’re able to attend to their commandand-control tasks and operations without having to focus on the equipment itself.”

Beck says that the customer is extremely pleased with its new equipment. “They particularly like the system’s highquality audio and flexible, easy-to-use graphical user interface,” he says. “They also like its intuitive operation, web and closed-circuit TV integration, and its ability to integrate and connect radios and other communication lines and resources, such as PSTN phone lines, to their radios. Its support for Korean is also a real plus.”

Although the installation at Samchully’s command centre has been completed, this is not the end of the story for Hanswell.

“Thanks to the success of this project, and because the features of the DCS-5020 meet the requirements of the Korean National Emergency Management Agency [NEMA],” says Beck, “we are currently in the process of reviewing second and third projects that will also involve the DCS-5020.”

Zetron Australasia Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/V455

138 STAND

Integrated communications system The Exelis C4i SwitchplusIP communications system delivers seamless integration with the latest TETRA infrastructure. It provides control room operators with a new level of situational awareness over their deployed personnel, which greatly improves the safety of workers, increases visibility and adds flexibility for operational customers.

SwitchplusIP provides operators with command, control and communication over both digital and analog radio systems, along with comprehensive telephony services and access to a range of additional features.

Man-down alerts and emergency alarms are fully integrated, and mapping functionality with an innovative communications overlay gives operators pinpoint locations of emergency alerts.

Radios can be mapped and tracked, either as talk groups or individually, and can be followed live on-screen, enabling operators to establish one-on-one direct calls to a subscriber with a single button press. Enhanced radio call features, such as on-hold, transfer, conference and patching to telephony and other radio standards such as P25 and conventional are supported. Increased visibility of assets is achieved through the additional information that can be reported over the air to operators, such as display of the calling party radio ID. The system provides cost savings to network owners by enabling digital network upgrades to be phased in, as all of the above features are available via a single integrated user interface that provides full access to both the new digital and the legacy analog systems simultaneously.

EXELIS C4i Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/V480

28 Critical Comms - Nov/Dec 2013

www.CriticalComms.com.au

19

Multifunction calibrator

STAND

Fluke Calibration has introduced the 5730A Multifunction Calibrator, designed for calibration professionals who require the most accurate dc/low-frequency signals available in a multifunction calibrator.

The device builds on the 5700A/5720A with improved accuracy, new digital components and a large full-colour, touch-screen display. The display brings all of the calibratorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s status and settings into one location, making any operation accessible with the touch of a finger. For laboratories running their existing 57XX calibrator under remote control, the 5730A can be set to run in 5700A/5720A emulation mode, eliminating the need to rewrite system software or procedures.

Satellite RoIP In remote field work, VHF and UHF have always had inherent coverage limitations. But today, operators can have a radio IP network via satellite that solves many coverage problems.

AST Australia has focused its efforts on providing satellite comms-on-the-move with radio IP connectivity. In collaboration with Cobham, a new mobile satellite L-band solution has been developed that provides a basic fist microphone PTT solution that can operate either in a moving vehicle/vessel or at a fixed location using both GSM and satellite connectivity.

The Cobham Explorer PTT is a purpose-built L-band satellite RoIP solution designed to be bandwidth efficient on the Inmarsat network to provide a global solution. Additionally, there is the advantage of using GSM when available (there are ports for two GSM dongles), which is said to provide a true least-cost route between mobile and satellite.

Also provided is a 4-wire ear and mouth solution, with which operators can add existing radio infrastructure and connect various nodes to essentially become a bridge, a repeater or a simple

The calibrator also improves upon the performance of the 5720A in ac current, ac voltage and resistance functions. Specifications are absolute, stated in 99% and 95% confidence intervals, traceable to international standards via ISO 17025 accreditation and include the uncertainty of the calibration standards used, so no additional analysis is required.

The device features artefact calibration, which

PTT device. In fact, the vehicle itself can become a mobile radio repeater to reach all users within range.

The intelligent fist microphone lets users select predefined user groups on the fly. It can also record the last five voice messages received, allowing for instant replays. This feature is expanded in the server providing a full audit trail. A console is available to manage the user groups from head office. The solution can also provide real-time tracking, a second dedicated voice line and internet broadband access.

transfers the assigned value of an external artefact

Applied Satellite Technology Australia Pty Ltd

to a large array of multidimensional parameters

Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/V401

within the instrument. The calibrator can fully adjust itself using only three external standards and the calibration process takes only about an hour as opposed to several hours using traditional methods.

Fluke Australia Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/V380

112 STAND

Data radios The GE Energy MDS series of data radios from CSE-Uniserve are designed for telemetry and PLC monitoring and remote access.

These industrial radios come in licensed and unlicensed versions for data acquisition, collection and telemetry in the 200, 400 and 900 MHz bands.

Features include: LAN Extension; high-speed point to multipoint; Wi-Fi and WiMax versions; site monitoring, video and IP apps; backhaul; and fully protected redundant systems.

CSE-Uniserve Pty Limited Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/V473

30 Critical Comms - Nov/Dec 2013

www.CriticalComms.com.au

92 STAND

Quadband antenna The G Spotter Omni Quadband ‘Hard Hat’ antenna has been designed with emergency services vehicles in mind, with a single low-profile antenna providing four different outputs in a single unit.

The antenna has two 850-900 Mhz cables enabling current 3G and the soon-to-be-activated Telstra LTE MiMo reception, as well as a single 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi cable and a separate UHF cable (that can be customised to any suitable frequency).

The randome is made from a tough fibreglass that is very robust. The design can be fitted to larger emergency vehicles, in particular rural fire tankers, where traditional whip antennas have a high rate of damage.

Field testing has shown that there is no interference or loss of performance when transmitting a UHF signal and concurrently utilising 3G wireless broadband and at the same time creating a Wi-Fi hotspot inside the vehicle.

The antenna also creates a large area Wi-Fi hotspot outside, enabling meshing of Wi-Fi across vehicles as well as data bonding for greater bandwidth throughput and GPS tracking as future possibilities.

G Spotter Antennas Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/V433

News QUEENSLAND NETWORK CONTRACT The contract for Queensland’s Government Wireless Network (GWN), between Telstra and the Queensland Government, has been officially signed. Telstra was the preferred vendor, supported by Motorola Solutions Australia. The 15-year managed services partnership, worth $457.3 million, will see the companies design, build, operate and maintain the GWN. The network will boost the state’s public safety agencies’ communications infrastructure. The GWN will be based on Motorola Solutions’ public safety communication technology.

Full story: bit.ly/1il4gAB

NZ SPECTRUM AUCTION The New Zealand government has announced the timing, reserve price and implementation conditions for the upcoming auction of the digital dividend radio spectrum. The allocation of the 700 MHz band of spectrum will enable the building of 4G mobile networks using the spectrum freed up by the switchover to digital television. The government has spent NZ$157 million clearing the 700 MHz band to facilitate 4G. The auction was due to begin on 29 October 2013. The reserve price for each of the nine lots of 5 MHz pairs is NZ$22 million.

Full story: bit.ly/16BtTNs

UK MILITARY TO RELEASE SPECTRUM Spectrum analyser Vicom has announced the Micronix 500 series spectrum analyser, which incorporates real-time (based on FFT) and conventional sweep modes.

According to the company, this convenient handheld package offers all the benefits of real-time analysis such as power, frequency and phase versus time and the capture of burst signals, plus the familiarity of conventional sweep capabilities such as wide frequency span and tracking generator.

Compact and lightweight (1.8 kg), the MSA 500 series offers powerful trigger functions, large internal memory and up to four hours’ battery operation. A high-speed USB port provides PC connectivity or additional memory.

Available in 3.3 or 8.5 GHz models and with EMI measurement options and Tracking Generator capability (3.3 GHz only), the MSA 500 series offers a solution for a wide range of handheld spectrum analysis needs.

Vicom Australia Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/V302

www.CriticalComms.com.au

The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) is preparing to release around 200 MHz of radio spectrum to the communications regulator Ofcom so that it can be made available for commercial use. The spectrum to be released is all below 15 GHz. Ofcom intends to release the spectrum to the market in 2015/16.

Full story: bit.ly/17QPkVZ

TAXI FLEET GETS SIMOCO DMR Warrnambool Radio Taxis has chosen the Simoco Xd Tier II DMR system for installation across its fleet of vehicles. The deal marks the first end-to-end use of the Simoco Xd range for operation in a fleet of taxis. The order for Warrnambool Radio Taxis - which has operated for nearly 40 years - was secured by Simoco channel partner Tctek Services. The installation includes a new single-site Simoco Xd DMR Tier II network, ensuring coverage across the region. Simoco Xd mobiles will be fitted to the 12-vehicle fleet.

Full story: bit.ly/1aM5dxM Nov/Dec 2013 - Critical Comms

31

70

110

STAND

STAND

Wireless headset The XBT heavy-duty wireless headset is a digital headset for MotoTRBO radios that shields users from harmful, high-decibel noise while letting them hear the sounds they need to, such as voices, alarms and alerts.

The XBT Headset features patented SENS technology that combines advanced speech enhancement with extreme noise suppression. SENS recognises speech and elevates it so you can hear what others are saying. And it recognises high noise and suppresses it - from arc welding to sandblasting.

Communications system Operators looking to establish an effective means of communication often have to implement a combination of technologies, including HF, VHF, UHF, CB, satellite and/or cellular in order to minimise or eliminate the possibility of employee isolation during an emergency event. However, this ‘communications abundance’ comes at a cost for any organisation to implement, manage and, in particular, train their employees to be proficient when operating these potentially life-saving devices.

In 2014, Nexion Data Systems will launch its

The XBT limits in-ear exposure to 82 decibels and protects from all types of noise, including impact, intermittent and continuous. Most importantly, users retain 360° situational awareness so that surrounding sounds can be heard - from co-workers conversing to equipment rolling up.

The XBT is compatible with MotoTRBO radios operating in analog or digital mode and connects with Bluetooth functionality (built in or with Operations Critical Wireless adapter). It features a PTT button on the earcup and has 22 h of battery life.

Motorola Solutions Australia Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/V406

NX6900 Unified Communications System aimed directly at minimising or eliminating the technical and training nightmares associated with numerous in-vehicle communications technologies, by unifying the audio, messaging, mobile data and GPS features of up to four attached (vendor-independent) devices.

Nexion Data Systems Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/V474

60 STAND

Microwave radio Wave1’s EB80 is an advanced backhaul solution that offers high 70/80 GHz performance due to its highly integrated microwave monolithic integrated chip (MMIC) technology.

With the versatility of being able to be used in fibre extensions, remote storage access, disaster recovery, mobile backhaul, local area network extensions, metropolitan area networks and building-to-building broadband, the EB80 is a full-duplex wire speed Ethernet radio.

Available with either 0.3 m long-range antenna or 0.6 m extended long-range antenna, the EB80 offers high throughput, long distances, high reliability and faster ROI. Wave1 Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/V407

32 Critical Comms - Nov/Dec 2013

www.CriticalComms.com.au

Want to hold all the Aces?

Let us show you how: 25 years experience in two-way radio and accessory distribution Specialising in Motorola, Vertex, Kenwood, Icom, Entel, Tait and Simoco Exclusive service to Australian two-way dealers Discounted distributor prices Service two-way radio dealers from the biggest to the smallest Large and diverse inventory with same day dispatch for ex-stock items 100% Australian company for 10 years All products fully supported and guaranteed by us ARCIA member We NEVER compete with our dealers

Ace Communication Distributors Pty Ltd PO Box 3376, Victoria Point Qld 4165 Tel: 07 3821 4111, 07 3206 0888 Fax: 07 3206 0800

112 STAND

98

STAND

Software radio management Crosswire from Logic Wireless is a fully

Integrated router and switch The RuggedCom RX1500 series modular communications processor from CSE-Uniserve is a rugged and hot-swappable Layer 2 and Layer 3 switch and router.

It is fully industrially rated for the power, transport and mining industries and tolerates operating tem-

featured, software-based radio management solution featuring voice dispatch including recording, messaging and integrated location services. It offers an affordable and scalable platform to increase business efficiency and worker safety.

perature up to 85°C. The modular design has a choice of chassis and features hot-swappable cards, and comes with serial, ethernet, fibre, PC, timing and other card options.

The RX1500 is available as a Layer 2 switch, Layer 3 router or switch/router combined.

CSE-Uniserve Pty Limited Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/V472

The tool uses a server/client architecture which, via secure IP connectivity, enables

58 STAND

Bluetooth headset

connectivity to a variety of communication networks anywhere and anytime. This provides a high level of operational flexibility, particularly during emergency-response situations.

The tool has been specifically designed to

3M’s Peltor WS Headset XP features Bluetooth

operate with Tait’s DMR Tier III, unlocking the

wireless technology, enabling users to work

full potential of this powerful radio solution.

hands-free while taking calls.

This headset allows for flexibility when paired up to existing communication

Crosswire supports DMR Tier III voice features, messaging and GPS location information via an intuitive user interface.

systems. Users can transmit and receive

In addition, the tool also supports integration

without the need for interconnecting cords

with SIP-based VoIP systems and is a flex-

and wires.

ible application for connecting other network

Designed to block out unwanted noise,

types including analog conventional, MPT and

the WS XP offers unencumbered flexibility

P25. Links between different networks can be

and clarity when talking wirelessly in

created dynamically or defined permanently,

noise environments. Music streaming with

making it a suitable tool to support migrating

high-quality stereo sound is another benefit.

The headset provides digital noise reduction, Class 5 hearing protection and is available in neck and helmet attachment models.

networks from analog to digital.

Logic Wireless Limited Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/V429

It is suitable for use on building and manufacturing sites and for any industry that has high noise levels where workers are required to communicate hands-free.

3M Personal Safety Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/V575

34 Critical Comms - Nov/Dec 2013

www.CriticalComms.com.au

MILITARY CONNECTIONS Peter McNeil, Product Marketing Manager, L-com Global Connectivity

Intended to bring harmony to military design and procurement, military standard or MIL-STD devices are widely used in the commercial and industrial communication fields.

B

uilt for the toughest of conditions, military-grade components are often also used for civilian purposes, such as mission-critical communications for emergency services, mining operations, transport and logistics, to name just a few. Such utilisation can guarantee the best possible performance under the most trying of conditions, such as extreme heat or cold. Outlined here are some different types of purpose-built connectivity products that are designed for harsh military applications.

Communications systems for use in combat operations have special requirements compared with non-military, commercial systems but are nevertheless suitable for stringent commercial usage. Many of the voice, video and data systems used by the military are mobile and designed for rapid deployment in harsh environments where temperature extremes, shock, vibration, dust and moisture can be prevalent. The constant jostling, vibration and even major shock experienced in combat operations could potentially disable a system based on commercial standards. Other potential hazards include heavy EMI and RFI cause by proximity to noise-generating devices such as motors, switching power supplies and microprocessors.

When designing a communications network for such conditions, engineers can make use of specialised products to address these factors and more.

Fibre optics The use of fibre optics provides several benefits. First, it is immune to EMI and RFI. Secondly, it can support very long distances before a repeater becomes necessary. Thirdly, fibre offers very large bandwidth

36 Critical Comms - Nov/Dec 2013

and can be used in video, voice and data applications. And lastly, the cost of fibre continues to decrease.

Many fibre products are now available to address the needs of military-style applications. Specialised military connectors such as Straight Tip (ST) are offered with extra-heavy tension springs to assure physical mating will not be compromised in the event of a major shock or vibration. Variations are available that feature a locking mechanism that prevents optical disconnects in high-shock or -vibration conditions.

Other militarised fibre-optic connectors include ingress protection that feature extra-robust strain reliefs and screw-lock mating for solid optical connections, even when subjected to shock and vibration.

Typical strain relief on these connectors is well over 250 newtons, which is more than 50% better than standard, commercial designs.

This added protection ensures the cable assembly will survive incidental contact during field use.

Fibre cable is now also offered in military/industrial styles featuring armour (typically corrugated steel), as well as special crush- and impact-resistant simplex and duplex fibre patch designs.

Copper Ethernet cabling Cat 5e/6 Sometimes fibre-optic systems cannot be used due to the presence of legacy equipment, or for various design reasons.

In traditional civilian/commercial installations, unshielded twisted pair (UTP) systems are fine for controlled environments where cabling is often installed and then not touched for years. But for military-style applications, UTP will not cut it. But by coupling shielded twisted pair

www.CriticalComms.com.au

© iStockphoto.com/zabelin

LINKING UP

Military standards Standards for military-grade connectors grew out of efforts by the US Department of Defense in the 1930s to standardise devices for, particularly, aeronautical applications. Originally specified with AN (Army-Navy) numbers, they are today known by their Military Standard, or MIL-STD, numbers, sometimes informally called MIL-SPEC. And although originally developed for military purposes, they are now widely used for industrial, commercial and aerospace applications.

Military specifications exist for electrical connectors and for fibre-optic connectors. The primary ones of concern are MILDTL 26482, MIL-DTL-38999 and MIL-DTL-5015. MIL-DTL 26482 defines the requirements for “two series of environment resisting, quick disconnect, miniature, circular electrical connectors (and accessories)”. The standard describes requirements for operating temperatures and pressures. MIL-DTL-38999 describes four series of “miniature, high density, bayonet, threaded, or breech coupling, circular, environment resistant, electrical connectors using removable crimp or fixed hermetic solder contacts, and are capable of operation within a temperature range of -65 to +200 degrees Celsius”. These kinds of connectors are suitable for SWAMP (severe wind and moisture problem) conditions.

The widely used MIL-DTL-5015 standard defines circular electrical connectors with removable crimp or solder contacts, with several temperature rating standards up to +200°C. There are many other standards, such as MIL-DTL-83513, which defines a micro connector (Micro-D connector) for use where space or weight considerations are a priority. Others include MIL-C-83522 and MIL-DTL-83526, both of which are concerned with fibre-optic connections.

MIL-DTL-5015 connector.

Military standard 38999 connectors.

(STP) cabling and ruggedised military-style connectors, most design requirements can be met.

Many styles of military-grade connectors exist today, including: transversely sealed jack and plug options in zinc-nickel, which provides excellent levels of corrosion protection; or anodised finish, which also increases corrosion resistance and wear resistance. These types of connectors feature a compression nut that establishes the cable strain relief, thus keeping the connection even when bumped or hit.

Additionally, these connectors support 360° shielding when terminated to the cable’s shielding.

Jacket compounds Another consideration is the type of cable jacket compound. Typical UTP cabling utilises PVC in the outer jacket. PVC is very toxic when burned and can act as a wick, increasing the spread of fire.

A popular jacket type used in military systems is low smoke zero halogen (LSZH), which produces very little smoke and no harmful

www.CriticalComms.com.au

Military-/tactical-grade fibre-optic cables.

Courtesy L-com.

halogens such as fluorine, chlorine and bromine, which can damage expensive communications equipment and endanger lives. LSZH cables will self-extinguish and are used extensively in shipboard, aerospace and mobile vehicle applications where confined space communications and networking is common.

Another type, polyurethane, stands up well to damaging UV rays, is resistant to oils and petroleum-based products, and is very resistant to mechanical abuse in situations where abrasions and cuts are commonplace. One downfall, though, is that they give off very toxic gases when burned and do not self-extinguish.

In summary, connectors and cables originally designed for use by the military are also widely used in general industry and often are used more for commercial projects than military projects. Public safety is one such area, where devices are required to be of a very high standard and especially to be water resistant and rugged.

Rojone Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/V576

Nov/Dec 2013 - Critical Comms

37

30

99

STAND

Spectrum analyser

STAND

Communications test set

The SAF Spectrum Compact is said to be

The General Dynamics R8000B

the first handheld spectrum analyser and

communications analyser is

power-in-band measurement tool cover-

a portable full-featured radio

ing 6-24 GHz licensed and licence-free

test set with the ability to test

frequency bands.Â

P25, TETRA, DMR, NXDN and analog radios across the entire RF spectrum from 250 kHz to 3 GHz. The device offers production-grade performance with field portability in a 6.4 kg package that provides more functions than yesterdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s benchtop analysers, including a feature-packed spectrum analyser and bright 21 cm colour LCD, making it suitable for taking to sites for infrastructure maintenance and interference measurement.

Free firmware upgrades are available for the life of the unit and new capabilities are being continually added. Software and protocol options can be added directly from the front panel in less than 30 s.

Trio Test & Measurement Solutions Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/V435

The ultralight and easy-to-use device is suitable for any microwave radio engineer or field technician performing installation work, troubleshooting a link, investigating interference or gathering data for site

57 STAND

planning or reporting purposes.

Lightning protection

While conventional spectrum analysers are large, heavy and expensive, the SAF

Times Microwave Systems has intro-

Spectrum Compact is designed to fit in

duced the LP-BTR series as part of its

the palm of the hand, has a high-contrast

Times-Protect line of RF lightning and

touch screen for convenient outdoor use

surge protection products.

Features include: expanded frequen-

and weighs only 300 grams.

The device can read microwave signal

cy range capability from 20-1000 MHz;

form, quality, Tx power, frequency, antenna

bulkhead mount capability in addition

polarisation and other parameters; it can

to flange mount; weatherisation gasket

detect interference, find free channels and

for bulkhead and feed-through installa-

help align antennas quickly and precisely

tions; and adjustable flange mounting

avoiding side-lobes.

bracket with captivated screws.

Features include: a frequency range of

The series exhibits good power-

5.925-24.3 GHz (covered by three units);

handling capability, longevity, multi-strike performance, low insertion loss,

sensitivity of -105 dBm; battery life >4 h;

return loss over the entire operating frequency band and advanced surge

sweep speed of 0.5 s @ 100 MHz span;

performance.

instant on/off; and USB charging.

Available LP-BTR surge arrestors are: LP-BTR-NFF (N female surge and

SAF Australia Pty Ltd

protected sides), LP-BTR-NMP (N male protected side and N female surge

Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/V434

Rojone Pty Ltd

side), LP-BTR-NMS (N male surge side and N female protected side) Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/V438

38 Critical Comms - Nov/Dec 2013

www.CriticalComms.com.au

36 STAND

Network design software TeleResources has introduced the EDX SignalPro wireless network design and optimisation software with MegaMesh technology and DAS Design Module.

EDX SignalPro V8.1 includes: seamless integration into the Google Earth Plug-in, greatly enhancing the visualisation of system design and enabling a powerful interactive 3D environment; and MegaMesh technology designed to enable the rapid and efficient analysis of citywide smart grid and small cell networks.

The DAS Design Module provides extended DAS and indoor capability as well as advanced network design modules for LTE, mobile and cellular, WiMAX and Mesh Networks.

The version also includes the Advanced Propagation Module using the Anderson outdoor/indoor model (AOI), which provides analysis of the effect of outdoor/distant transmitters on indoor radio systems such as DAS. TeleResources Engineering (Aust) Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/V431

Handheld CB radio GME has introduced the TX6500S 5W handheld UHF CB radio, designed and manufactured in Australia, featuring ScanSuite and DSP. IP67 rated, it has a die-cast aluminium chassis and can operate in temperatures from -20 to +60°C. The TX6500S features ScanSuite, a technology that GME says scans twice as fast as other UHF CB, resulting in unin-

Signal and spectrum analyser The R&S FSW67 high-end signal and spectrum analyser covers the frequency range from 2 Hz to 67 GHz in a single sweep, simplifying test set-ups. It does away with external harmonic mixers and therefore does not require complex cabling. Image frequencies and other spurious emissions caused by harmonic mixing are suppressed. With its analysis bandwidth of up to 320 MHz, the FSW67 also measures wideband, hopping and chirp signals.

As users can perform spectrum measurements and modulation measurements in the 60 GHz band, the FSW67 is not suitable for the development, testing, verification and production of transmitters and components for radar applications, satellite and military communications systems. The analyser also provides valuable assistance when performing development tasks relating to fast wireless communications based, for example, on WiGig (IEEE 802.11ad) or WirelessHD. The integrated multistandard radio analyser (MSRA) measures spectrum and modulation parameters of signals with different modulations simultaneously and also correlates these signals in time. With the MSRA function, users can efficiently analyse how and why different signals affect each other. The 12.1â&#x20AC;ł (31 cm) touch-screen interface makes operation very convenient, especially for complex measurement tasks. The MultiView function allows users to simultaneously display multiple measurements and applications.

Rohde & Schwarz (Australia) Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/V403

40 Critical Comms - Nov/Dec 2013

terrupted conversations with a group of like radios, and skips nuisance signals while continually scanning memory channels.

The TX6500S radios are a robust communications solution when managing team communications in a business environment but are equally suitable for camping, touring and 4-wheel driving. A comprehensive range of aftermarket accessories provides multiple charging options, hands-free communication choices and radio protection.

Digital signal processing measures, filters and compresses standard analog radio signals and converts them to a digital format, eliminating much of the conventional processing and time-consuming manual alignment.

Advanced signal management (ASM) identifies interference caused by strong local signals on adjacent channels and prevents these from opening the squelch control. ASM also minimises distortion of reception by finetuning the receiver frequency to match that of the incoming signal.

Dynamic volume control automatically compensates for variations in received audio level and, when activated, provides a constant audio output level, enhancing quality of reception and the simplicity of use.

Other features include: five extra programmable receive channels with alpha labelling; SelCall; CTCSS; DCS; and voice inversion scrambler.

GME Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/V489

www.CriticalComms.com.au

90 STAND

DMR system Futureproof and resilient, Simoco Xd is a complete end-to-end DMR system consisting of mobiles, portables and base stations with integrated IP dispatching. Simoco Xd hardware is upgradeable from Tier II to Tier III with software only and is completely scalable from a single base station to large networks.

The system brings the benefits of the DMR digital radio standard: reliability and resilience, integrated all-IP communications, digital voice quality, ease of deployment and scalability. With resilience built-in to the base stations and strong portables and mobiles, the system provides a robust platform for always-available communications. The truly interoperable digital products protect the user by supporting a mixture of manufacturersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; equipment through open interfaces.

Functionality that extends the radio communications system to talk with local or worldwide telephony is embedded across the system to give natural calls beyond the reach of radio. The system provides full-duplex speech for conversations from radio to radio and from radio to PABX or dispatcher. Users are safeguarded with GPS-based tracking, loneworker protection and integrated intelligent man down, alerting operators in the critical early moments of an incident.

The system uses: ubiquitous IP technology for base station backbone connectivity; a flexible mobile radio; and a highly integrated portable radio for simple set-up of advanced features. Open interfaces are available for dispatch and other applications, plus multiple digital inputs and outputs are available on portables, mobiles and base stations allowing for the development of a system tailored to specific needs.

Simoco Australasia Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/V447

42 Critical Comms - Nov/Dec 2013

www.CriticalComms.com.au

112 STAND

TETRA network CSE-Uniserve has introduced version 3 of Cassidianâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Claricor, a professional TETRA radio system solution for small to medium-sized networks.

Made for up to 5000 users, it offers a cost-effective set-up for providing both outdoor and indoor coverage across sites such as airports, factories or power plants, but also larger areas such as cities. If needed, a Claricor network can be interconnected with multiple switches to cover a nationwide area.

Claricor 3 includes compact equipment such as the TB3p base station, and with high-speed data (TEDS) provides sufficient bandwidth for data in Smart Grid or SCADA applications.

CSE-Uniserve Pty Limited Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/V471

OEM hybrid tracker and data logger Glyn High-Tech Distribution is introducing the GL1280, an OEM hybrid tracker and data logger which is suitable for applications such as vehicle tracking with alarm and diagnostics, security and surveillance, remote telemetry unit and global M2M and logistics.

The GL1280 series provides a highly integrated solution for hybrid Satellite + 3G solutions and is recommended for anyone wishing to develop and customise their own communication solutions. A-Tick approved out of the box allows the GL1280 to be integrated into a custom OEM end product.

Based around the Atmel ATMEGA1280 AVR, the GL1280 provides a reliable platform for developing applications based on the latest 2G, 3G and LTE modules from Telit as well as to provide options for Satellite (Iridium), GPS (GNSS), Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. The compact 80 x 100 mm board mounts into existing extruded aluminium cases; for outdoor applications it can be mounted into an IP-rated enclosure.

The GL1280 provides options for Penta Band 3G HSPA+ (GFF910G), Quad band 2G (GC864-QUAD) as well as GPS mouse options with SiRF, Mediatek and ST Micro receiver engines supporting GPS, Glonass and QZSS. There is a built-in relay, uSD, external RAM, accelerometer and optocoupled GPIO and iButton support.

Basic tracking application posting position, time and speed data to Open GTS mapping server is available for evaluation, as well as the option to provide API to update the application over the air. The ability to embed Python script on the Telit 2G and 3G modules is also available.

Glyn Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/V301

www.CriticalComms.com.au

Nov/Dec 2013 - Critical Comms

43

62

STAND

112 STAND

TETRA base station Rohillâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s TetraNode TETRA infrastruc-

Spectrum analyser The National Instruments PXIe-5667 3.6 and 7 GHz

ture solution uses standard hardware and software components to produce

spectrum-monitoring receivers feature dynamic range

an economical and powerful system,

of over 110 dB and distortion performance with third-

with a flat network archi-

order intercept (TOI) of over 17 dBm.

tecture based on nodes

Built on the high-performance NI PXIe-5665 vec-

that challenges the tra-

tor signal analyser (VSA) architecture, the wideband

ditional hierarchical way

receiver is suitable for over-the-air RF measurements.

of building networks. The

In addition to analog specifications, the device

principles of IP networking

enables users to perform real-time signal analysis

are adopted in order to

and advanced signal processing in user-configurable

generate flexible network

FPGA hardware.

designs, which are scal-

The device addresses radio monitoring, interference

able from single sites right

detection, spectrum regulation and related applications

up to deployment on a

in line with ITU recommendations.

nationwide scale.

Coupled with the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s FlexRIO and the LabVIEW FPGA Module, the device can perform real-time analysis of RF signals such as continuous spectrum monitoring, spectrogram and advanced signal processing in the FPGA hardware without the latency of moving data to and from the host controller or PC. Available LabVIEW FPGA IP includes digital downconverter channelisation, frequency-hop detection and the ability to uncover spectrum mask violations.

National Instruments Australia Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/V443

Te t r a N o d e

applies

soft-switch technology together with an open and reliable real-time Linux operating system to produce a TETRA system in which all functionality is implemented through software, providing numerous benefits including increased flexibility, speed and integration of IP. The TetraNode Streaming Protocol (TNSP) has been developed to replace IP for the transmission of voice and data between TetraNode eXchanges (TNXs) and TETRA Base Stations (TBSs) due to certain limitations of IP for mission-critical communications. TetraNode is based on a minimum amount of standard PC and networking hardware, which makes it simple to install and maintain.

CSE-Uniserve Pty Limited Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/V468

44 Critical Comms - Nov/Dec 2013

www.CriticalComms.com.au

42 STAND

DMR linking Using the same techniques that have enabled MiMOMax to link up to 10 channels of P25 in only 25 kHz of licensed spectrum, MiMOMax has announced that it can now provide a solution for DMR linking applications.

The MiMOMax NDL Linking solution utilises high orders of modulation and narrowband

MiMO technologies to provide ultrahigh

spectral efficiency. This, along with compression technology, can link up to 13+1 trunked channels of DMR or other digital PMR in 25 kHz and up to 7+1 channels in 12.5 kHz while still having uncommitted Ethernet bandwidth available for other applications.

In addition, the MiMOMax processing platform has an improved internal frequency reference and enhanced spectral performance with lower phase noise from the newly upgraded digital processing system. This platform also provides a dual Ethernet port with built-in switch that often eliminates the need for additional switches and power supplies. The NDL uses the additional uncommitted capacity to enable over-the-air management and updating or management of the DMR sites.

MiMOMax Wireless Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/V400

MATLAB, Simulink updates MathWorks has announced Release 2013b (R2013b) of its MATLAB and Simulink product families, focusing on increased systems integration and compatibility with its latest range of updates. Release 2013b sees MATLAB and Simulink gain greater integration with increasingly common hardware platforms such as 64-bit processors and the Arduino open-source platform.

The updates will also significantly enhance MATLABâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s programming capabilities, including greater support for unstructured data types and C/C++ code generation. A range of MATLAB toolboxes will also receive new features including SPI-based communication with integrated circuits for statistical modelling; and a native ODBC driver to improve access speeds for instrument control.

MathWorks Australia Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/V169

www.CriticalComms.com.au

Nov/Dec 2013 - Critical Comms

45

108 STAND

Wireless bridge The Cambium Networks PTP 650 sub-6 GHz wireless bridge solutions are engineered and built for secure, high-performance wireless broadband connectivity and backhaul.

Service providers, government public safety agencies and critical infrastructure operators such as utilities and energy companies have experienced massive growth in data, voice and video traffic over the past few years. This growth has imposed large bandwidth demands for reliable and secure broadband connectivity and backhaul worldwide.

Cambium Networks disrupts the performance-reliability continuum with the Cambium Point-to-Point (PTP) 650 Series solution. With up to 450 Mbps aggregate throughput, PTP 650 systems let operators handle todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s needs with scalability to meet future requirements.

The sub-6 GHz point-to-point solutions are suitable for: wireless and wireline service providers; oil, gas, transportation and mining industries; government public safety sectors; utilities; and enterprise private networks such as healthcare, education and hospitality.

Cambium Networks Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/V475

85 STAND

Digital dispatch console Omnitronics has announced the release of RediTALK, a PC-based digital dispatch console that supports a range of technologies - analog and digital; conventional and trunked; open standard and proprietary.

Built on a pure radio over IP (RoIP) infrastructure without the use of a server or switch, RediTALK provides the flexibility to be placed in any location on a network over wide geographical areas.

RediTALK makes dispatch simple by enabling full interface customisability and intuitive touch-screen controls. Advanced digital functionality such as individual calls, text messaging and GPS is available as standard.

Omnitronics Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/V577

46 Critical Comms - Nov/Dec 2013

www.CriticalComms.com.au

127 STAND

Dispatch console Zetron’s MAX Dispatch system is an end-to-end, IP-based telecommunications console system designed for mission-critical dispatch applications.

Because MAX Dispatch employs standards-based IP protocols and IT best practices, it offers high levels of interoperability, scalability and usability. It is designed to streamline the console operator’s job and help him or her focus on the incident or task at hand. It is also designed to meet the needs of the full range of other personnel who interact with the system, including administrators, supervisors, and radio and IT technicians.

The system’s features and functionality include: the use of standards-based IP protocols ensuring the system’s compatibility with commercial, off-the-shelf (COTS) IP network devices; support for off-site access for remote maintenance and operation; dual end-to-end network option that allows fully redundant IP networks.

The system is scalable from a single LAN configuration to a multi-node, geographically diverse WAN configuration. The system’s analog and digital radio gateways interface to a wide range of conventional and trunked protocols, both manufacturer proprietary and open standard, all of which can reside on a single system.

MAX Dispatch supports patching and conferencing among multiple resources. IT-EZ continuously monitors network performance, keeping users and technicians apprised of network conditions. One-click operations and intuitive UI give operators immediate access to information and controls.

Zetron Australasia Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/V437

www.CriticalComms.com.au

Nov/Dec 2013 - Critical Comms

47

GUNS, MINES AND LTE LTE is quietly gaining a foothold in non-traditional areas. To learn why, Jonathan Nally spoke with Simon Lardner from Challenge Networks and found out why his teams sometimes have to be accompanied by armed guards packing Uzis.

W

hich technology is best for your critical communications circumstances? Is it TETRA, P25, dPMR, DMR, LTE? In many cases the choice might be obvious, but in others not so. According to some, LTE - traditionally a consumer-orientated technology - could be the elephant in the room.

Challenge Networks has installed 2G, 3G and LTE mobile phone networks across the Pacific and is now moving into the mining sector in Australia.

Lardner will present a case study on LTE for major resources projects at the Comms Connect conference in Melbourne in November.

He’ll also take part in one of the workshops (mobile broadband and LTE for critical communications) the day before the conference begins.

What sort of work does Challenge Networks do?

Historically, we’ve built mobile phone networks for typically small countries, such as islands in the Pacific - Fiji, Vanuatu and so on.

We are probably one of only two companies in the world that does that; it’s fairly specialised.

We’re now moving more into the mining segment, which kind of makes sense - mines are like very small countries, like an island I guess. They’re typically in the middle of nowhere, often with reasonably difficult climatic conditions. So we’ve gone from being in traditional carrier networks and now moving into the mining segment. And my presentation will be on some of the challenges you have in building small networks.

So what are some of those challenges?

It’s mainly about money. Anyone can develop anything - it’s making it cost-effective that is the key thing. But the mining segment does have some specific needs. Most mobile networks, in the LTE type of

48 Critical Comms - Nov/Dec 2013

space, at the end of the day are still designed for consumers. They’re not exactly designed for true industrial applications.

The trick is to get what is historically a consumer network to work in an industrial sense, and that’s mainly about reliability and ruggedness.

So you only handle LTE? You don’t get into TETRA or other systems?

No, we’re very specifically in the LTE space. We’re not an IT company and we’re not a comms company in the TETRA, P25 sense. We’re essentially a telecoms company that is jumping market segments a little bit.

Do you work through subcontractors or do you get your hands dirty on the ground?

We pretty well do it all, and that’s partially due to the legacy of where we’ve come from. We tend to work in island nations, so we fly in a bunch of guys who basically do everything, although we tend not to do pure civil works, because that’s something that can usually be done more economically by someone locally. Similarly in a mine site, typically there’s someone already in the mine who does civil works, and they’re the people you want to work with.

Which island nations have you worked with?

Most of the Pacific including Kiribati, Vanuatu, PNG, Fiji, Samoa and Tonga. We have also done some work in Asia and Africa. I just got back from Kiribati, where we’re installing a 3G/LTE network. They’re very challenging places logistically, because if you don’t get what you need on the boat this month, you have to wait for perhaps another eight weeks for the next boat. But for sites in Australia, typically there is a daily road train delivery going to the mine. So while it is a bit tricky getting stuff to these Australian locations, it’s nothing compared to getting a base station into Kiribati.

www.CriticalComms.com.au

© iStockphoto.com/Darryl Peroni

What is your impression of the future of LTE? There are a couple of aspects to it. One is that many people have a lot of investment in a number of technologies, and there’s a huge legacy in those. I think LTE is just another inclusion into the portfolio of things you can use. Emergency communication at one end of the continuum starts at hand signal flares. It then moves on through systems such as TETRA and P25, and LTE is just another one. I don’t think LTE is the salvation of the world, its just another technology that can work in some applications.

I think one of the valid criticisms of LTE in the emergency comms sector is that it is designed for consumers. And that’s what I’ll be talking about at the conference - it all depends on how you build the network.

So you can build an LTE network that’s more ruggedised for stringent applications?

That’s right. Because of our experience building consumer networks, we’ve learned what works and what doesn’t. But a consumer network is still a consumer network - if you’re building an industrial LTE network, that is a completely different animal. One of my key points is that the mistake that some people make is saying that consumer and industrial networks are the same thing, and they’re not.

There are a number of things you can use LTE for. One of them is as a replacement for where people have been using Wi-Fi. So one place where LTE is more likely to be used is the mining segment, in physically large mines, because the big thing that LTE has up its sleeve is that a base station can cover up to 30 or 40 kilometres, whereas Wi-Fi can cover 100-200 metres. So when you start to look at telemetry and things like that, which have traditionally been done on Wi-Fi, LTE is a whole new game and it can be a lot cheaper than Wi-Fi.

www.CriticalComms.com.au

LTE FOR MINING

And I imagine that LTE would give you lots of other benefits, such as being able to use normal mobile phones on the network as well?

Coming out of the consumer space, you get a whole bunch of things for free, as it were. And one of those is that there is a variety of CPEs. So you have things from a $5000 industrial modem installed in a $10 million truck to do telemetry, to down at the other end where you have a $29.95 dongle that people use to surf the web at night.

And all of them work on the same network.

And so that’s where I guess LTE has its place. It enables you to be involved in a portfolio of services. It’s not a single game, so you can use LTE for things like talking to each other - standard voice comms.

And then moving through the continuum you have data services - so being able to know where every truck in the mine is. Then you have consumer applications, where people can use their PCs around the mine and in dongas at night.

And these things become more important as the mine becomes larger. For example, a large mine may be 35 by 35 kilometres in size with a car speed limit of about 25 kilometres per hour. So to get from where you stay at night to where you work can take you an hour. So if you have a meeting down at the other end of the mine, this can lead to significant time lost to travel. If you enable something simple such as mobile videoconferencing between people at opposite ends of the mine, there can be significant lost labour savings.

And that’s an advantage of LTE over, say, P25 - the ability to broadband?

The disadvantage of P25 and TETRA networks is that they have relatively low bandwidth. They’re mainly designed as voice networks basically. The handsets are also often quite expensive and have relatively limited voice capabilities - certainly compared to modern 3G or LTE networks.

The advantages of P25 and TETRA are that they’re fairly reliable, and you can do things like group calling.

LTE networks can now do all those things as well, especially if you build them specifically as industrial networks, which is what we do. So we can do group calls for anyone and everyone in the mine.

But you would never do it in a consumer network, because it could kill the network if you were not careful. So if you build an LTE network for a mine, you need to build it so it is essentially bulletproof.

Has your experience working in difficult island environments helped you to get the mining companies on board?

From our experience in working in countries like PNG, we had an unofficial company motto: If you’re not being shot at, it’s a good day.

And in some places in PNG there can be real safety concerns. So when we first went to the mines, they said, “You cannot do mines, you don’t understand how rough it is.” We then explained how in PNG we worked with people who had Uzi machine guns for protection - so we were used to working in challenging circumstances.

So unless the mines start firing at us with semiautomatic weapons - which is what has happened to us in some markets - we’re pretty happy. Or unexploded ordnance, such as we found in the Solomon Islands. You’d dig a hole in the ground to build a base station tower and find mortars from World War II. So while the mining segment is tough, it’s not that bad!

Challenge Networks www.challengenetworks.com.au

Nov/Dec 2013 - Critical Comms

49

Industry Talking The end of 2013 will be dominated by the Comms Connect 2013 show in Melbourne and we are very pleased to be part of this event. ARCIA has been working with the event organisers to add more value and I believe 2013 will be the best event yet.

Of course the gala dinner is a highlight and will again showcase the depth of the industry, with many different aspects represented from all over Australia. It will be tremendous to see so many people - from individual business owners, public safety organisations, consultancy groups, end-user companies and global suppliers - all under one roof.

The industry awards presented during the gala dinner will celebrate the efforts of many professionals and are a great way to recognise those who are at the forefront of service delivery, engineering or in some cases have dedicated a large part of their working life to the communications field. I would encourage all members to nominate our silent achievers through the ARCIA website.

Being on the ARCIA committee, you come to realise the amount of work that goes on behind the scenes to bring all this together. We should all be very grateful to the many people that are passionate about the Australian radio communications industry.

The ARCIA committee has also started work on a number of items for 2014 in a number of areas that we believe are very important to our members. Industry training remains a focus and we are looking at new ways to engage with the ARCIA membership. There will be a session on training needs at Comms Connect and I encourage all members to participate and make their views known.

Our industry also faces a number of key spectrum challenges with the implementation of the 400 MHz plan, the impact of the 900 MHz on many areas of business, as well as the decision by ACMA to increase high-density UHF apparatus licences by 15% per annum. It is very important that ARCIA continue to advocate on the industryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s behalf to all levels of government. When you consider what radio or SCADA systems are used for and the repercussions were they to stop working, it is clear that our industry is under-represented in the thinking of governments.

New developments such as LTE for public safety also need to be considered by all stakeholders. Our industry has a role to play to ensure that critical public safety needs are met and that the crucial importance of existing technology options are not lost. Our industry is seeing a convergence of technologies and we must all adapt to best serve our clients.

Finally, the ARCIA website continues to be updated and improved with new content being added all the time. Make sure you use this valuable source of information regularly and give feedback to ensure it becomes even more valuable.

Emergency call software Rohde & Schwarz has reached a milestone in the introduction of voice over LTE telephony for the IP multimedia subsystem (IMS). The company has verified test cases for IMS emergency calls over EPS/EUTRA in compliance with GCF Work Item 154.

All mobile phones and smartphones must be able to place emergency calls, both in their home network and in other networks - even without a SIM card. The correct signalling of an emergency call is crucial in an emergency.

In cooperation with leading chipset makers, Rohde & Schwarz has verified test cases defined in GCF Work Item 154 for IMS Emergency Call over EPS/EUTRA. The R&S CMW500 multi-RAT protocol tester was used to test the RRC connection set-up for an emergency call and the IMS emergency call registration.

Rohde & Schwarz says this is a key step in the transition toward pure LTE networks. In the past, placing emergency voice calls on LTE networks was especially challenging for network operators, chipset makers and consumer electronics manufacturers.

The R&S CMW-KC504 IMS emergency call over EPS/EUTRA software option is available for the R&S CMW500 multi-RAT protocol tester.

Rohde & Schwarz (Australia) Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/V430

59 STAND

Wireless tracking system The connect-RTLS solution by BluFi Wireless provides a completely wireless, self-powered internal and external tracking system that uses existing digital radio infrastructure to transmit current locations of staff and their movement patterns.

Capable of operating on both MotoTRBO and NEXEDGE radio systems, connect-RTLS provides functions like duress, man down, lone worker, job ticketing, two-way messaging and staff tracking, with full reporting into an easy-to-use-anddeploy platform.

Already in use at major airports, prisons and shopping centres, connect-RTLS is locally produced and supported in Australia.

BluFi Wireless Australia

Hamish Duff, Presidentt Australian Radio Communications Industry Association

50 Critical Comms - Nov/Dec 2013

Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/V398

www.CriticalComms.com.au

88 STAND

Mobile TETRA system DAMMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rapid Deployable TetraFlex (RDT) from GMG Solutions has been designed for first-responder emergency and security services. Housed in a tough wheeled suitcase for maximum mobility, RDT offers a fully functional high-powered TETRA system that can be instantly deployed in emergency situations - such as road accidents, natural disasters or SAR operations in remote areas - regardless of whether there is any existing network in the area.

RDT enables first-responder emergency or security services to instantly set up a fully configured communications system on site, which can then serve as a temporary command centre for users in the field.

RDT also supports important security applications, such as temporary deployment during VIP visits or special conferences.

The system has been designed to meet the highest security, safety and reliability requirements.

RDT comes with its own integrated power supply or can be powered using the 24 VDC socket of any car, truck or other vehicle, and can also be connected to solar-powered devices or to a 230 VAC generator.

RDT is a highly flexible modular system - several cases can be linked together to create a multisite configuration using secure IP protocols. The system can also perform group calls to any other TETRA network or even to analog networks, regardless of manufacturer. It comes with a full range of advanced software tools and can also be connected to an advanced dispatcher solution with a GPS positioning system.

GMG Solutions Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/V396

www.CriticalComms.com.au

Nov/Dec 2013 - Critical Comms

51

Mobile surveillance system The Mobile Surveillance System (MSS) is a scalable system comprising mobile, solarpowered camera sites with radio and telemetry links to trailer-mounted bases. Typical applications are for security of mine sites and ad hoc deployment for crowd control.

Currently deployed over an area of operations exceeding 70 km square and in some cases with links exceeding 100 km, the MSS is protected and capable of deployment in extreme weather conditions of wind, sea mist, temperature and with an associated highly corrosive atmosphere, which would attack and corrode deployed devices if poorly conceived.

The radio links are based on DVT-B digital TV standards for high-quality video transmission and utilise COFDM digital technology to allow the cameras to be repositioned at will without suffering signal degradation common in both opencast and underground operations.

The use of digital transmission opens up new opportunities for the operator to use the radio backbone to transmit GPS location data for vehicles within the area back to the control room. There is also the ability to mount cameras on vehicles and transmit this video back to the control room also.

Coax prep tool Times Microwave Systems has introduced the CST-195/200 all-in-one combination prep tool for use with LMR-195 and LMR-200 low-loss coaxial cables.

The tool features and advantages include: preparation of both LMR195 and LMR-200 cables for either straight or right-angle crimp connector attachment; suitable for use with all LMR-195 and LMR-200 connectors; consistently sharp cut of dielectric for best VSWR performance; lanyard attachment included; rugged, lightweight construction.

Rojone Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/V170

Decibel Engineering Pty Ltd www.decibelengineering.com

52 Critical Comms - Nov/Dec 2013

www.CriticalComms.com.au

802.11: SPEED VERSUS WIDTH ON 80 MHZ CHANNELS

Jonathan Ordman, Wavelink

When deploying an 802.11ac system, should you go for speed or RF channel width? This article provides the business case for why 802.11ac needs to be deployed on 80 MHz channels rather than 40 MHz.

W

hen planning an 802.11ac deployment you may hear recommendations to use a 40 MHz channel. While increasing the channel bandwidth is one of the primary ways of increasing data rates, the question remains as to whether it makes financial or technical sense to deploy 802.11ac if you are restricted to the same channel size as legacy 802.11n equipment.

The primary reasons for deploying 802.11ac using a 40 MHz channel include spectrum availability, the need for Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) and destructive interference.

Wider channels mean you need more spectrum. Traditionally, in an enterprise setting where multiple access points (APs) are deployed, you would deploy them on different channels. If you use a 1-in-3 frequency re-use plan you would need at least 240 MHz of spectrum or 3 x 80 MHz. DFS is a feature that lets the Wi-Fi network detect the presence of interference and dynamically move to a clearer channel. Deployment of a 1-in-3 frequency re-use plan with 80 MHz channels requires APs and clients to support DFS. From a client perspective, this means the client must be capable of responding to an 802.11 management action frame request to move to another channel.

When deploying a traditional 1-in-3 frequency re-use scheme, you also have to worry about co-channel and adjacent channel interference. Interference deteriorates the performance of the network. To maximise throughput, it is important to avoid contention on the same

www.CriticalComms.com.au

channel and interference with adjacent channels. The spectral mask for 802.11ac 20 MHz and 40 MHz channels is the same as for 802.11n.

The mask for an 80 MHz channel is an extension of the 40 MHz mask. A 40 MHz channel causes more adjacent channel interference (ACI) than a 20 MHz channel, while an 80 MHz channel is expected to cause more than a 40 MHz channel.

In 802.11n deployments it is common to configure adjacent APs on non-adjacent channels, which means adjacent APs operate on channels that are at least 40 MHz apart. The power from transmissions in adjacent channels can spill into neighbouring channels and cause ACI. When deploying 80 MHz channels it isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t possible to deploy adjacent APs on non-adjacent channels because there arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t enough available today.

It is therefore reasonable to conclude that if you are deploying in an enterprise environment using a 1-in-3 frequency re-use scheme with 80 MHz channels they will suffer ACI and performance will be impacted. The more traffic on the adjacent channels the greater the ACI and the greater the impact on performance. This has led to some suggestions that deploying 802.11ac on 80 MHz channels could result in worse performance than deploying 802.11n on 40 MHz channels.

Performance in a 40 MHz channel Technologies can be compared by looking at the maximum theoretical data rates. There are two technologies in 802.11ac Wave-1 products that are not in 802.11n. These are explicit beamforming and 256-QAM.

Nov/Dec 2013 - Critical Comms

53

SMART SPECTRUM TO M A X I M I S E T H RO U G H P U T, I T I S IMPORTANT TO AVOID CONTENTION ON THE SAME CHANNEL AND INTERFERENCE

Although technically explicit beamforming was defined in 802.11n, it was not implemented because the specification provided the flexibility to implement beamforming in multiple ways and vendors did not support multiple mechanisms due to the implications for product costs. The 802.11ac specifications address this by defining a single beamforming mechanism.

Explicit beamforming requires the beamformee or the client to provide explicit feedback regarding the channel conditions to the beamformer or the AP. The beamformer then uses this information to generate beams toward the beamformee.

The advantage of beamforming is that it increases the range at which the higher data rates can be attained. The advantage of explicit beamforming defined in 802.11ac over the implicit transmit beamforming implemented in many of today’s 802.11n products is twofold. First, because it is based on channel conditions, the beamforming should be more accurate and result in a stronger received signal. Second, because vendors are aligned on a common mechanism it can be used for transmitted and received signals.

The introduction of 256-QAM means that in extremely good RF conditions a signal can be modulated to carry eight rather than six bits per modulation symbol. This results in an increase in the data rate of 1.33x (8/6). This higher data rate can only be achieved in the best RF conditions. However, coupling 256-QAM with beamforming extends the range at which the higher data rate can be attained.

WITH ADJACENT CHANNELS.

The business case If you deploy 802.11ac in a 40 MHz channel, explicit beamforming has a very high probability of increasing the range at which you can get higher data rates. In addition to the transmit beamforming capabilities of 802.11n you should also have the benefit of beamforming on the uplink. Explicit beamforming does introduce higher overhead, due to the need to report channel conditions to the beamformer, but overall you can expect a performance improvement.

It is impossible to say exactly what the throughput benefit will be as it varies with RF conditions and traffic loading but is it enough to replace the existing 802.11n deployment? The answer is clearly no. If you are currently in an 802.11g network is it enough to make you upgrade to 802.11ac over 802.11n? The answer to that depends on the equipment costs. The cost of 802.11n equipment is starting to drop significantly, while 802.11ac equipment carries the ‘new technology’ price tag.

The bottom line is if you are considering deploying 802.11ac in 40 MHz channels there will be difficulty justifying it. To get the true gain out of 802.11ac you need to deploy it in 80 MHz channels.

Wavelink Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/V393

AUSTRALIAN MA

Sensor Monitoring Services

Industrial Control ZigSense cloud controller is an

Energy Metering

Refrigeration

Tank & Silo Level

HVAC

ANTENNA

Cold Storage Building Automation

out-of -the-box solution ready to operate independently or as an interface station between remote ZigSense wireless sensors and ZigCloud online monitoring services sites.

Users gain access to live or historic data generated by the monitored process.

ZigCloud enables the user to define online: Alarms, Reports, Graphs and Charts. Users receive alert messages and reports via email, SMS or voice.

Interface to other devices is Modbus ready.

Gas Monitoring Pollution

Horticulture Aquaculture

FOR AUSTRALIAN CONDIT

Water Metering

AUSTRALIAN MADE

ANTENNAS

FOR AUSTRALIAN CONDITIONS

www.zcg.com.au 54 Critical Comms - Nov/Dec 2013

ZigSense and ZigCloud are business units of Conlab Pty Ltd 13/1020 Doncaster Road, Doncaster East, Victoria 3109 Australia Ph: +61 3 9842 7711 Fax: +61 3 9842 7511 www.zigsense.com.au Email: info@zigsense.com.au

www.CriticalComms.com.au

39 STAND

Dual-mode transceiver The NEXEDGE NX-240/340 dual-mode transceiver operates in both analog FM and NXDN digital modes, offering a cost-effective way to migrate smoothly from legacy systems while discovering the benefits of advanced digital technology - including increased effective coverage area, low noise for clarity and inherent secured voice.

All this comes in a tough, compact radio that is easy to operate, delivers high-powered audio and ensures round-the-clock reliability.

Compatible with NEXEDGE digital conventional mode, this radio offers 64 RAN (radio access numbers) and individual and conference group calling to ensure expeditious communications. Helping to maintain a high level of security in analog mode is a 16-code voice inversion scrambler, while robust NXDN encryption is available in digital mode.

The optional KMC-48GPS speaker microphone will enable GPS tracking applications to work with the NX-240/340. GPS data can be transmitted at programmed timing or upon receiving a request.

Other digital features include: over-the-air alias (TX only); paging call; individual call and conference group call; status messaging; remote monitor; site roaming; late entry; NXDN ESN. Analog features include: FleetSync, MDC-1200, DTMF; QT/DQT/2tone; Compander; Squelch Level.

NEXEDGE radios employ NXDN, an FDMA digital air interface with AMBE+2 voice coding technology, unique filtering and a four-level FSK modulation technique with low bit error rate even at weak signal strengths. The 36 mm diameter speaker delivers up to 1 W audio output.

RF output power is 5 W for both VHF (NX-240) and UHF (NX-340). Additionally, the UHF frequency coverage on the NX-340 is 70 MHz. The NX-240/340 can be used with two conventional zones, offering up to 16 channels per zone.

JVC KENWOOD Australia Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/V458

www.CriticalComms.com.au

Nov/Dec 2013 - Critical Comms

55

20 STAND

137

Antennas

STAND

The ZCG log periodic Yagi LPY2250 and LPY2250-25 have been designed and manufactured in Australia to improve cellular reception/transmission and increase signal strength across entire cellular networks.

The LPY2250 has 11 elements, while the LPY2250-25 has 25 elements, which yields a higher gain for better reception and transmission.

The fully welded stainless steel construction increases durability while improving the longevity and PIM (passive inter-modulation) of

HF handset

the antenna.

The Codan Envoy Smart Radio is an intuitive,

Mounting for the LPY2250 and

advanced radio that provides clear and depend-

LPY2250-25 is included for ease

able HF voice capability and data communications

of installation via the clamping

anywhere and anytime.

plate, which is welded to the

Features include encrypted digital voice, a colour

antenna and the stainless steel

display and an internal modem.

U-bolt supplied.

Codan Limited

ZCG Scalar Pty Ltd

Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/V504

Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/V411

84 STAND

Signal generator The Rohde & Schwarz SMW200A generates RF and envelope signals in real time in a single instrument, to enable testing of envelope tracking performance of power amplifiers.

The high-end vector signal generator has been enhanced by adding the R&S SMW-K540 option for envelope tracking. This option enables quick and easy testing of envelope tracking power amplifiers for smartphones, base stations and tactical radios.

The device meets the test requirements of chipset manufacturers by offering a solution that generates fully synchronous RF and envelope waveforms in a single instrument. Users can delay the RF waveform and the envelope waveform relative to each other by ±500 ns with 1 ps resolution. Due to its performance characteristics, the device delivers an extremely low-noise envelope signal at the analog baseband outputs. The signal generator calculates the envelope waveform from the baseband signals in real time, so that all communications standards supported by the signal generator as well as custom waveforms can be used. A large selection of flexible shaping functions allows users to optimise the envelope in real time.

The envelope tracking parameters can be configured on the generator’s straightforward graphical user interface. Automatic envelope voltage adaptation is available to speed up set-up and testing time since the main parameters such as VCC voltage range, PAin range, DC modulator gain, DC offset and power offset only need to be entered once. Automatic recalculation of the envelope based on the power amplifier input level makes it possible to perform power sweeps over the amplifier’s entire input range.

Rohde & Schwarz (Australia) Pty Ltd Contact info and more items like this at wf.net.au/V384

56 Critical Comms - Nov/Dec 2013

www.CriticalComms.com.au

Sydney

Melbourne

Australian Technology Park

Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre

18 – 19 June 2014

30 Sept – 02 October 2014

THE EVENT for radio communications users and industry returns in 2014.

ANNOUNCING New Comms Connect satellite event held in Sydney for the first time ever!

The place to learn, network and share information for the business and mission critical communications communities – don’t miss out.

More information coming soon …

In association with:

Magazine partner:

Organised by:

Reserve your exhibition space now

CALL PAUL DAVIS OR NARELLE GRANGER TODAY TO DISCUSS YOUR INVOLVEMENT:

+61 2 9487 2700

Backhaul

Spectrum A key national resource

Welcome to Backhaul, where in each issue of Critical Comms we’ll take a trip down memory lane and look at the state of the industry 25 and 10 years ago.

25 years. Twenty-five ye a rs a g o , C r i t i c a l Comms began life as What’s New in Radio Communications, with the first issue published in Aug/Sep 1988. Rohde & Schwarz s i g n a l g e n e ra t o rs featured on the cover and stories inside included: a profile of UHF communications at the Mt Hammersley mine in Western Australia; the emerging field of packet radio; the introduction of five-tone sequential signalling for the Wyong Shire Bush Fire Brigade in NSW; and making the case for radio in the fight against satellite and fibreoptic comms.

Looking over the new product announcements in that issue, cellular telephones were beginning to make an impact, CB radio was popular (this was the ’80s, remember!) and RFID (or RF Auto ID as it was then known) was on the cusp of explosive growth.

10 years. Exactly 10 years ago, What’s New in Radio Communications changed its name and became Radio Comms Asia-Pacific with the Nov/Dec 2003 issue.

Tait was on the cover with new base stations and handhelds. This issue seems to have had a bit of a focus on HF, with a case study on HF radio telephones (Radtel) and a story on the use of HF by NGOs and peacekeepers in hotspots around the world. There was also an article on the Mid Murray Council in South Australia, which had decided to install its own radio and microwave network.

It’s amazing to see how things had changed between 1988 and 2003 - we were now dealing with email, the World Wide Web, Windows systems, IP, VoIP, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, and digital communications in general.

Spectrum analysers had shrunk to become handhelds, wireless hands-free kits were all the rage and PCs had become mobile devices.

58 Critical Comms - Nov/Dec 2013

I am delighted to contribute to the inaugural issue of Critical Comms and welcome the opportunity to highlight some of the important spectrum work being delivered by my agency, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (the ACMA).

I appreciate that I am speaking to a converted audience but it cannot be overstated just how crucial a resource spectrum is. It is one of the great enablers of the 21st century, a century increasingly being driven by technological innovation. Spectrum does not just facilitate communication; it has changed the very concept of how we interact with the world around us. This transformative capacity is not something that any of us, least of all regulators, can take for granted. Management of this finite national resource materially contributes to our region’s fundamental economic growth and social development.

The past year has seen the ACMA deliver on a significant number of key spectrum initiatives, including the reallocation of the digital dividend spectrum; establishing new arrangements for a number of key bands; and implementing ongoing arrangements for the introduction of a new technologies and innovations. These achievements were the result of extensive work undertaken by the ACMA in close consultation with industry and government. I am proud of the high-quality outcomes that have been produced.

However, there is no time to stop and rest. The ACMA’s spotlight has now shifted from the reallocation of the digital dividend to identifying mechanisms to meet the ever-increasing demand for spectrum to enable participation in the digital economy.

Developments in technology have transformed the way we conduct most parts of our lives. Use of spectrum is no longer intermittent and discrete. Our devices - whether personal (like smartphones and pacemakers), private (like smart meters and asset trackers) or public (like disaster warning systems) - are now always on.

There are a number of key implications of this seemingly relentless growth in demand for spectrum. We need to continue to seek and implement improvements in the efficiency of spectrum use (and Australian industry and researchers are great innovators in this field). We need to continue moving spectrum to its highest value use as this changes over time, recognising and valuing the diverse range of monetary and non-monetary contributions that users of spectrum make to the Australian economy and society more generally.

The ACMA continues to critically evaluate demand and the need for spectrum across all sectors to better understand the complex and dynamic interaction of social, economic and technical factors that drive spectrum requirements. To this end, we have commissioned two bodies of research - Spectrum Demand Forecasting for Wireless Access Services and the Economic Impacts of Mobile Broadband. This research, the first in an ongoing series of commissioned research, will contribute to the ACMA’s evidence-informed and forward-looking work program with the intent of ensuring that we remain abreast of the game in enabling Australian society to reap the benefits of the digital age.

The current framework for managing Australia’s spectrum resource has served us well for almost 20 years. However, in an industry that has undergone significant social, market and political change, as well as rapid technological change, we need to focus on refining and reforming our regulatory toolkit to make sure that regulation does not become an impediment to Australia realising its full potential from spectrum use.

A key priority for the ACMA is to be unrelenting in our push for ongoing reform and review of the spectrum management toolkit. To achieve the best possible economic and social benefits from use of spectrum, we will continue to engage and participate meaningfully with the experts in the field - the innovators in all parts of industry.

Chris Chapman is the Chairman and CEO of the Australian Communications and Media Authority.

www.CriticalComms.com.au

FREE SUBSCRIPTION! Critical Comms is FREE to industry professionals in Australia and New Zealand.

To continue receiving your free copy you will be asked to register every three years.

2 quick ways to register: www.CriticalComms.com.au/subscribe Fax this completed page to +61 2 9489 1265

and fax to +61 2 9489 1265 OPTION digital

print

both

I would also like the CriticalComms.com.au eNewsletter

My organisation's main industry sector is (Select from List B)

My main job function is (Select from List A)

Wrapper number: (if known)

Name: Job Title: Organisation Name: Address:

Postcode: Phone No:

Country: Mobile:

Fax No: Email: Signature:

CC

Date: PRIVACY INFORMATION: www.westwick-farrow.com.au/pages/privacy.asp

1 Management - Corporate/General 2 Management - Manufacturing/ Engineering/Specialist 3 Engineer - Electrical 4 Engineer - Electronics 5 Engineer - Process 6 Engineer - Project 7 Purchasing/Procurement 8 Technician - Maintenance/Service 9 Technician - IT 10 Technical Officer 11 Scientific Officer - R&D 12 Scientific Officer - QA 13 Consultant 14 Contractor/Tradesperson 15 OHS/EHS 16 Education/Training 17 Student-Undergraduate/Apprentice 18 Analyst 19 Sales/Marketing

List (B) Industry

Please complete this form in full I would like to receive this magazine

List (A) Job Function

1 Agriculture/Rural 2 Building/Construction 3 Chemicals/Allied Products 4 Communications Systems 5 Defence/Military 6 Education 7 Emergency Services/Law Enforcement/Security 8 Engineering Services 9 Environmental Services 10 Finance/Banking/Insurance/Legal 11 Food Industry - Bakery 12 Food Industry - Beverages 13 Food Industry - Confectionery 14 Food Industry - Dairy 15 Food Industry - Fruit & Vegetables 16 Food Industry - Meat 17 Government - Federal 18 Government - State 19 Government - Local 20 Health/Hospital 21 Instrumentalities (eg CSIRO) 22 IT - Networking 23 IT - Security 24 IT - Storage 25 IT - Wireless 26 Laboratory - Analytical 27 Laboratory - Clinical/Medical 28 Laboratory - Life Sciences 29 Logistics/Transport/Warehouse 30 Manufacturing 31 Mining 32 Oil/Gas/Coal 33 Packaging 34 Processing 35 Retail/Wholesale/Hire 36 Service/Maintenance 37 Telecommunication 38 Testing/Certification (eg NATA) 39 Utilities