HOW USERS CAN OVERCOME THE CHALLENGES OF TETRA & LTE INTERCONNECTION

Paul Ward, ETELM paul.ward@etelm.fr

• Functionality Differences between TETRA & LTE

• Availability of Mission Critical LTE

• Options for Interconnecting Technologies

• Commercial Models

Main Topics…..

• Headquarters in Paris, France

• Supplying Mission Critical Infrastructure for almost 40 years

• Systems Installed in Wide Range of Vertical Sectors

• Our Product Range:TETRA InfrastructureRange of LTE Base Stations – PicoCell - MacroCell - Portable & LTE Man PackAn Advanced Hybrid Solution based on LTE Standards – 4GLinked

About Etelm………

FEATURESMission Critical User Voice Functionality VOICE Commercial Point to Point + New Mission Critical Services

Groups Calls, PTT, Faster Call Set-Up & Priority Services

Low Speed Data Services No Video – Narrowband Limitations

DATA &

VIDEO

High Speed Mobile Data + Video Streaming CapabilityNew Mission Critical Data & Video Services

Direct Mode Operation [DMO] DEVICE TO DEVICE Proximity Services [ProSe] - Functionality & Hardware IssuesSolutions being explored – Combining with 5G V2X

Ruggedised TETRA Portables & Vehicle Mobiles USER EQUIPMENT Standard & Ruggedised 4G Smartphones & TabletsAdvanced Applications, IoT, Artificial Intelligence, Drones

Spectrum Efficient (25KHz) Available in Most Regions

FREQUENCY Spectrum Demanding (Up to 20MHz) New Spectrum Required

5 to 6 Times better Coverage per cell COVERAGE Smaller Cells - Higher Frequency, Lower Power subscribers

Designed for Emergency Services / Security SYSTEM RESILIENCE Designed for Commercial Use - Needs Additional Hardening for Mission Critical Use

TETRA & LTE – Basic Technical Comparison

Standards Are Essential

✓ MISSION CRITICAL FUNCTIONALITY IN PROGRESS

✓ SUBSCRIBERS IOP ✓

BASESTATION INTERCONNECTIVITY ✓

• Drives New Developments

• Increases Competition

• Reduces Costs

OPEN STANDARDS

DRIVING NEW STANDARDS

MCX CLIENT APPLICATIONS

LTE CORE NETWORK

LTE CELLS

LTE-S1 CONNECTIONS

• Involves 3 LTE-MCX Enablers - MCPTT, MCDATA & MCVIDEO- Application Servers on Core Network- Subscriber - MCX Client Applications

• New MC Products – 2-3 Years after Standard

MCX Technology & Products Evolution

MCXSERVERS

LTE USER EQUIPMENT

20202015 2025 2030

TETRA SYSTEM AVAILABILITY

NEW STANDARDS TESTING+ COMPLEMENTARY LTE

FULL MISSION CRITICAL LTE SYSTEMS

- MISSION CRITICAL 5G

Is LTE “Mission Critical Ready” ?

EXPECTED TIMELINE FOR MISSION CRITICAL LTE DEPLOYMENTS

NEW MC Rel. 12PRODUCTS

NEW MC Rel. 15PRODUCTS

LTERelease 12

LTERelease 15

• Seamless Transition

• Mission Critical + Business Critical Services

• Hybrid Solutions – Best of Both Technologies:- Retain Specific Functionality- Wider Coverage Options- Overcome Spectrum Issues

Why Interconnect Technologies ?

1. Network Connection Based Solutions:1.1 TETRA to LTE Gateway1.2 TETRA over LTE1.3 Centralised Control Room

2. 3GPP / TCCA - Inter Working Function

3. 4GLinked: Hybrid Solution based on LTE Standards

Practical Solutions for Connecting TETRA to LTE

• Black Box Between Networks

• PTT Server on LTE Network

• Proprietary Subscriber Apps.

• Separate Networks & Subscriber Databases

• Call Latency – Group Calls

1.1 TETRA to LTE Gateway

GATEWAYPTT SERVER

(PROPRIETARY)

Gateway – Bridge Solution

• VPN Connection from TETRA Switch to Smartphone Applications

• Proprietary Smartphone Application

• Separate Networks for TETRA & LTE

• Independent Subscriber Databases

• Better Call Routing than Gateway

• Service Dependant on Traffic & VPN Bandwidth

1.2 TETRA over LTE

VPN Tunnel

TETRA over LTE Solution

TRAFFICGATEWAY

• Centralised Integration Platform

• Gateways for Each Sub-System

• Independent Networks for Each Technology

• Different Subscriber Databases to be Maintained

• Single Vendor Responsibility

1.3 Centralised Control Room Interfaces

VENDORGATEWAY

LTEGATEWAY

Control Room Interface

• 3GPP Standard Interface to MCPTT & MCDATA

• Separate TETRA Interface (ISI to be defined by TCCA)

• Connects Separate Networks & Subscriber Databases

• Less Resistance from Operators

• Systems Anticipated by 2022

2. 3GPP / TCCA - Standard Inter Working FunctionMCPTTSERVER

MCPTT & MCDATASERVERS

INTER WORKING FUNCTION - IWF

INTER SYSTEM

INTERFACEI S I

INTERWORKINGFUNCTION

I W F

3. LTE Core Based Hybrid Solution – ETELM 4GLinked

PCRF HSSPDN-GW

LTE Standard Core Network

MCPTT &

MCDATA

• Standard LTE Core

• LTE-S1 Standard Connections

• A TETRA eNodeB

• Managed by Single Subscriber Database

• TETRA Subscriber – Virtual SIM

• No Gateways

• No Extra Call Latency

S-GWMME

LTE-S1

PMR

LTE-S1

LTE eNB

LTE eNB

• A Solution based on Open Standards

• LTE-S1 Open for All Vendors

• One Core Network & Subscriber Database

• No Single Points of Failure

• PMR Services for Operators

• Users can Influence the Market

• We can support Vendors with an SDK

3. Option For Inter Technology Working

STANDARD LTE CORE

CONTROL CENTRE

LTE-S1LTE-S1

MCPTT SERVER

LTE-S1 LTE-S1

MODEL PROS CONS

SERVICES FROMCOMMERCIALOPERATOR

- Utilise Existing National Infrastructure- No Spectrum Issues- Economies of Scale- Futureproof…Next Gen- Spread the Costs – OPEX Model

- Less Influence over Technology- Availability Concerns- Security Concerns- Difficult to Change Service Provider

PRIVATE /DEDICATEDNETWORKS

- Full Control over Technology- Purpose Designed- Some Leverage from Commercial Market- Competitive Tendering- Security

- New Infrastructure Requirements- Spectrum Challenges & Cost- Need to Keep Pace with Commercial Market- Financial Constraints – CAPEX Model

Best Commercial Model for Users ?

• National Security Agencies Responsible for Their Own Services:

- Coverage & Reliability- Service Availability (inc. Pre-Emption)

- Technology Evolution/Upgrades- System Security & Encryption Management

You Cannot Outsource Responsibility

• A New 4G/5G Era for Mission Critical Communications

• New LTE Standards Evolving Quickly

• Gradual Migration is Least Risk

• Technology Interconnection – Short & Long Term Solutions

• Commercial Operators Advantages for National Networks

• LTE Demand for Smaller Private Mission Critical Users

Summary

Paul Ward, ETELM paul.ward@etelm.fr

Thank You