RoIP network for analog and digital interoperability

Tecnicas Competitivas was tasked to provide a solution for an established emergency and security radio network. The specific requirements included interoperability between analog and digital network elements, substantially improving command and control efficiency, adding recording and logging capability and integrating access to and from users on telephone networks.

Existing infrastructure had to be retained and operations maintained. The network needed to be inherently robust without requiring redundancies in infrastructure. Future upgrades and expansions needed to be possible, but not incur any costs prior to their execution.

A modular and structured RoIP network was chosen to meet all these these needs cost effectively and efficiently.

Together with partners LSE in Sweden and Tecnicas Competitivas, TestAdvance devised a two-phase implementation. Phase I comprised connecting existing TETRA and conventional radios to the IP network via a RoIP interface unit (RIU). RIU’s are also used to provide access to PSTN and a VoIP telephone system.

Three SoftRadio operator consoles were installed at the command and control centre together with a central ‘VoiceLog’ application. Each SoftRadio console provides remote control of the TETRA radios via a virtual control head (VCH) on the console, access to the PSTN line and cross-patching between radios. Voice logging is available across all operator consoles.

Phase II of the project foresaw the integration of eight Motorola MTM’s with full VCH capability, five additional conventional PMR radios and an additional five telephone lines. Further operator consoles will be added to handle the additional traffic. Phase II also supported the integration of remote radio sites and mobile operator consoles, eg, for ad hoc network deployment in a disaster scenario.

The core elements of the system were the RoIP interface unit (RIU) and SoftRadio operator console. The RIU connects a radio to an IP network via the radio’s baseband/PTT and (as available) the remote control head interconnect (VCH). The console is a Windows PC-based application - besides the PC and headset/mic, no additional hardware is required.

In the simplest form, the console connects to the same local LAN as the RIUs and radios. Further radios/RIUs and consoles can be added as needed. Operator functions such as CrossPatch or GroupSend can also be added as needed. The network can be extended over WAN and internet. A network/radio server manages full access, eg, to and from remote radios and operators. All devices are self reliant and do not require a central ‘system’ or control-SW to operate.

Phase I has already provided the client with substantial improvements in network functionality and ‘operational readiness’. It links teams to each other and across organisations and radio formats. Individuals on the PSTN and cellular networks can be patched in. All communications can be recorded and logged for future reconciliation and, if needed, as evidence.

Throughout the system design and implementation of Phase I, the company worked hand in hand with its client in the Canaries and its partners in Sweden. The company contained costs and minimised lead times by avoiding overheads. Support was provided either from Sweden or Australia, making best use of the different time zones. Work continued with the client on Phase II which, due to the economic situation in Spain, has been experiencing substantial delays.

Indeed, this underlines the benefits of a modular and structured solution: Phase II can and will be deployed based on the user’s situation. Until then, Phase I is able to satisfy the user’s needs and objectives within the given constraints.