TETRA Gateway and Repeater Applications for Voice and Data

Steve BarberMarket Development Manager

Sepura Limited

Introduction

• What is Direct Mode?• Types of Direct Mode Equipment DM-REP• Types of Direct Mode Equipment DM-GATE• Typical applications of DMO Services?

What is Direct Mode ?

• Direct Mode is direct communication between two or more TETRA terminals without the use of a network

infrastructure.

Types of Direct Mode equipment

• DM-MS Direct Mode capable TETRA Terminal

Back-to-back (standard DMO operation)

Types of Direct Mode equipment

• DM-REP Direct Mode Repeater

Extends coverage between DMO terminals

DMO

DMO

DMO

Repeater

Types of Direct Mode equipment• DM-GATE Direct Mode Gateway

Relays communication between DMO and TMO

Control Centre

TETRA

Network

TETRA

Network

DMO

TMOGateway

Infrastructure Limitations for Gateways

To support individual call types DM-GATE must register DM-Gate users with the SwMI

No network infrastructure supports this registration operation

Hence SwMI sees DM-GATE as just another terminal on the system

Cannot address individual calls (voice or SDS) to the intended user

Benefits of DMO Operation outside of the coverage of a TETRA

Infrastructure Predictable operation in poor signal strength areas Covert use, no monitoring from the network can take place Communications when there are capacity limitations on a

network Communication when a network fails DMO Gateway extends the operational reach of a network DMO economic solution to coverage at edge of network or

rural areas Enhanced coverage during network roll-out

Applications of Gateways and Repeaters

• Unpredictable CoverageWhen users leave a vehicle, handportable coverage may

not be predictable:

• Operating in built up areas• Roaming into public buildings (shopping centres etc.)• Operating near large metallic structures• Operating in a rural environment

Switching into DMO provides some predictable guidelines to follow for coverage planning Using a Repeater will allow coverage area to be extended Using a Gateway will allow handportable operation in DMO, whilst still enabling communications with trunked mode users.

Applications of Gateways and Repeaters

Using DMO in this way can be useful for:

Police officers when operating on foot after leaving a vehicle

Fire crews using the appliance as a gateway or repeater on the fire ground

Ambulance Crews leaving the vehicle to attend to patients

Transportation users when parked in depots use Gateway for communications to Trunked mode users

Applications of Gateways and Repeaters

Data messaging (SDS) can be received by a gateway and forwarded on to DMO users

Mobile Data terminals can also be kept informed of data transactions

Workflow Management

TETRA

Network

TETRA

NetworkD

MO

SD

S

TMO SDSPEI SD

S

Mobile Data Terminal

Gateway

No Network Coverage

Applications of Gateways and Repeaters• Mobile data terminals can be used to “Page” Direct mode users, depending upon the circumstances it detects:

• Receipt of message from TMO• Vehicle battery flat warning• Return to Vehicle

TETRA

Network

TETRA

Network

DM

O S

DS

PEI SDS

Mobile Data Terminal

Gateway

Applications of Gateways and Repeaters

Users out of coverage of the network can report their current position to either their vehicle or to an operator via TMO and to their vehicle

Alarm indications can report the position of the originator

Location of Remote Users – Manage Resource in DMO

TETRA

Network

TETRA

Network

Position Report

TMO SDS PEI SDS

Mobile Data Terminal

Gateway

Position Report

DMO SDS Position Report

Applications of Gateways and Repeaters

• In Building Coverage

Gateway

DMO User

TMO

DMO

Underground Bunker

TETRA Infrastructure

• Large buildings such as power stations, storage buildings and metallic structured buildings may have no TMO coverage

A Gateway, can be used to allow

DMO communications within the

building, and a link to TMO users

Outside of the building

Applications of Gateways and Repeaters

• Fallback operation

Mobile Coverage

Handportable Coverage

Gateway

DMO User

Applications of Gateways and Repeaters

Repeater

DMO User

DMO

• Provide coverage between two geographically separated sites when there is no network coverage available

DMO User

DMO

Site BSite A

Summary• Direct Mode provides a complementary service to Trunked

Mode operation

• Utilisation of DMO Gateways and Repeaters provides:

Network extension capabilities Predictability of coverage for working practices Workflow Management Location and management of DMO users from network Control Centres Fallback scenarios, when base station sites fail

• DMO must be classed as an essential service in Public Safety, Transportation and Utility networks

Kamsa hamnida

Any Questions?