C-DAC TETRA Network for Critical Communication

The C-DAC TETRA Network (CTN) is a secure, digital, wireless communication network designed for mission critical applications working in the most demanding environments. It incorporates many of the latest technologies to offer a truly professional, next generation and future-proof communication network. Unlike other systems, with a centralized switch, CTN uses flexible soft-switching technology with distributed database. This eliminates the need for expensive MSCs (Main Switching Centre) and makes the system highly scalable and easy to install, configure and maintain. In this architecture, the network uses Internet Protocol (IP) for the transport of TETRA speech traffic, circuit mode data, short data services, status messages, mobility management and network management information. C-DAC has indigenously developed all the infrastructure elements required for the TETRA Communication Network including the Base Stations, Mobile Stations, Gateways, Dispatchers, Line Stations etc. The various optional components that the infrastructure contains such as Authentication Centre, Voice Logger, Radio Location Tracker etc. provide customers the flexibility to customize their network according to the requirement. The figure below shows a typical C-DAC TETRA Network.

C-DAC TETRA Network - Products

1. Xtreme TETRA Base Station (XTBS)

Xtreme TETRA Base station is a high capacity, scalable base station which can be configured with up to 8 carriers. The base station is capable of transmitting up to 40W per carrier. It features diversity reception there by enhances the area of coverage. The base station is available in two different models which supports up to maximum four carriers and eight carriers respectively.

2. Portable TETRA Base Station (PTBS)

Portable TETRA Base Station (PTBS) is the portable version of TETRA Base Station. As it can be mounted on a vehicle and can be operated from a battery, PTBS is very much suitable for immediate deployment at a disaster site. PTBS uses Multi-Carrier Power Amplifier (MCPA) technology and can radiate up to a maximum power of 15 W in single carrier mode.

3. Micro TETRA Base Station (MTBS)

 The Micro TETRA Base Station is the smallest among the three variants of C-DAC TETRA Base Stations. It also uses Multi-Carrier Power Amplifier (MCPA) technology and has maximum transmission power capability of 6.3 W when run in single carrier mode. The base station is designed for both indoor and outdoor deployment. It can also be mounted on a vehicle and can be used for mission critical operations.

4. TETRA Vehicle Mount / Desktop Radio (TVMR/TDR)

C-DAC TETRA Vehicle Mount / Desktop Radio is a high performance digital mobile radio designed as per the ETSI standard with a maximum transmission power capability of 10W. The radio can be fitted inside a vehicle for mobile application or can be mounted on a table for stationary operations.

5. TETRA Line Station

 C-DAC TETRA Line Station (TLS) is a line connected user equipment in C-DAC TETRA Network that provides both voice and messaging services to the user. The device has all functionalities similar to that of a TETRA radio. Its form factor is comparable to a normal telephone and can be mounted on a wall or kept on a desktop. The device is having Ethernet interface and can be connected anywhere in the C-DAC TETRA Network. It operates from conventional AC/DC power supply.

6. ISDN/PSTN Gateway (IPGT)

ISDN/PSTN Gateway facilitates voice communication between the TETRA network subscribers and external network (PSTN, PABX, GSM etc.) subscribers. The gateway, being IP enabled, can be connected at any point in the network. The gateway can be connected to PSTN exchange through E1 or FXO interface. It also has 8 FXS lines.

7. Analog Gateway (AGT)

This Gateway facilitates communication between radios in legacy Analog network with TETRA radios in C-DAC TETRA Network. The gateway consists of a server, with Analog Gateway software running, connected to Analog radio through the Analog Radio Interface Unit (ARIU). ARIU is a wired device that interconnects the third-party analog radios with server and works on the DC supply provided by Analog Radio. The device handles the exchange of audio (Analog) between the Analog Radio and the Analog Gateway server. This device accepts commands and controls from Analog Gateway through a conventional micro USB cable.

8. Data Acquisition Unit

The Data Acquisition Unit is an accessory hardware device which can be connected to the C-DAC TETRA Mobile Station through a USB interface and can be used for acquiring data from multiple sources simultaneously. The DAU is having up to eight data acquisition ports though which it can acquire data from four or eight sources simultaneously. The data acquisition ports are full duplex RS-232 interface with standard DB-9 connector. The DAU can be configured for required baud rate, ports in use and other standard serial communication protocol parameters. Separate LED indicators are provided for showing each channel status. DAU operates on a 12 V DC.

9. Base Station Terminal (BST)

 Base Station Terminal is the graphical user interface for C-DAC TETRA Base Station when run in network mode. The software, which runs on a desktop PC, monitors the functioning of the base station from a remote location. It has a user-friendly, interactive graphical interface that helps the base station operator to monitor the call proceedings, subscriber registrations, channel status, health of different modules etc.within the base station.It is also used to configure the different hardware modules within the base station.

10. Standalone System Manager (SSM)

Standalone System Manager is the integrated graphical user interface for configuring and managing C-DAC TETRA Network components when run in standalone mode.It shows live subscriber registrations, calls, channel status and also the status of different modules of standalone components.

11. Central Base Station Controller (CBSC)

The Central Base Station Controller acts as the network management server of C-DAC TETRA Network. It holds the entire database of the network and does the administration and maintenance of all components as well as subscribers in the network. However, the network is not at all dependent on the CBSC for its functioning. In the event of an unlikely failure of CBSC, the TETRA network will continue to work using the distributed database available with different Base Stations and Gateways. TETRA Network Manager (TNM) software is the front-end Graphical User Interface of CBSC. It provides user the facility to efficiently manage, monitor and maintain each component/subscriber in the network. It also provides user multiple search facility for easy retrieval of historical data. Using this application, the administrator can log in to the network directly from the CBSC server machine or from a remote PC where TNM is installed.

12. Dispatcher Workstation (DWS)

The TETRA Dispatcher Workstation (DWS) is a software application that provides Dispatcher users the facility to manage, supervise and control the TETRA radio subscribers of an organization. In addition to the subscriber management capability, it also possesses all the communication features that of a normal TETRA radio. Being the only element in the TETRA network, capable of executing certain unique supplementary services like DGNA, Ambience Listening, Discreet Listening, CAD etc. makes Dispatcher one of the most powerful component in the network. It could be the nodal point at the time of emergency and could act as the first contact point during emergency situations.

13. Desktop User Terminal (DUT)

The Desktop User Terminal is a software application,which can run on a PC/Laptop that provides all the communication features that of a normal TETRA radio. It can work on both Windows and CentOS operating system. Desktop User Terminal has a user friendly GUI through which user can initiate and receive all types of calls like simplex, duplex, group etc. DUT can also communicate with subscribers in external network through gateways like SIP Gateway, Analog Gateway and ISDN/PSTN Gateway. The TETRA Desktop User Terminal can be considered as a perfect replacement for TETRA fixed radio where ever applicable as it requires only IP connectivity instead of RF transmission and reception. 

14. Voice Logger (VL)

TETRA Voice Logger is a multi-channel voice-logging tool that allows user to automatically record all calls routed from analog, digital and VoIP lines in the TETRA Network. Voice Logger also provides user the facility to take the backup of recorded calls and to retrieve and playback the backed-up files. With the Voice Logger Remote Client (VLRC) software, an authorized user can access the Voice Logger database remotely and do multimedia operations, voice format conversion, stored voice data playback etc.

15. Geographical Information System (GIS)

Geographical Information System(GIS) stores the geographical map information of locations where the TETRA radios are deployed. This server provides necessary information to Dispatcher to perform real-time location monitoring of all TETRA subscribers in the network.

16. VoIP (SIP) Gateway (SIPGT)

Voice over IP gateway with SIP protocol interfaces the SIP telephone network with TETRA network. It does the conversion of TETRA protocol data to SIP and vice versa.

17. Authentication Centre

The main function of the Authentication Centre is to ensure secure communication within the TETRA network. It generates and stores the keys of all subscribers in the network. It does the authentication of all radio subscribers in the network during their registration.

18. Data Dispatching Server

The Data Dispatching Server (DDS) is a software application running on a server machine which collects data sourced from various data acquisition units connected in C-DAC TETRA Network. The data received from each source is aggregated and send to a central Data Analyser (an entity external to CTN) as a User Datagram Packet (UDP) over IP network.

19. TETRA Handheld Radio

C-DAC TETRA Handheld Radio is a high performance digital mobile radio designed as per the ETSI standard for professional mobile radio communication. The design provides a "ready to manufacture" ToT suitable for large volume production.

20. TETRA Key Loader

TETRA Key Loader is a hardware device used for distributing Authentication/Encryption keys generated at Authentication Centre to all C-DAC TETRA radios in the network. It has interfaces to communicate with C-DAC TETRA radio as well as the Authentication Centre.

 

Use Cases

• Emergency services like disaster management centres, fire departments, ambulance etc.
• Public safety network
• Defense Applications for Army, Navy and Para-military services
• Railway Signaling and Communication
• Industrial Application
• Coast Guard and Border Security
• Transportation sector
• Mobile Communication System for VIP Security
• Communication system for Prison Administration

Salient Features

• Fully indigenous technology based on the ETSI standard for TETRA
• Rich set of features for voice and data communication
• Cost-effective solution.
• Highly customizable.
• Supports 3-level security viz. Authentication, Air Interface Encryption and End-to-end Encryption with additional option for porting indigenous encryption algorithm.
• Seamless connectivity to external networks through gateways