Aries - Real time TETRA network performance monitoring
Aries is an autonomous TETRA network monitoring tool that provides real-time performance statistics. It consists of many small probes that connect to the back of existing TETRA radios as well as software that runs on a web server.
What is Aries?
Aries is an autonomous TETRA network monitoring tool that provides real-time performance statistics. It consists of many small probes that connect to the back of existing TETRA radios as well as software that runs on a web server. As the vehicles with the TETRA radios and probes travel across the network, data is sent from the probes back to a central web server so that a picture of network performance builds up. Results may be viewed in real-time as maps, graphs, tables and warnings using a secure password-protected web site available on any Internet connected PC using a standard browser.
Aries provides first-line TETRA network monitoring of faults and problems with the facility to send warning SMS to service engineers when key metrics are exceeded. Problems can then be investigated further with the detailed technical data and powerful analysis functionality.
Aries provides a picture of the network performance that is not available from the standard TETRA network call logging as it takes into account all of the failed calls and poor coverage areas and it provides a true and independent measure of grade-of-service as perceived by the user.
Aries monitoring probes are ideal for fitting in any vehicle that regularly travels across the TETRA service area such as public transport - once installed they can be forgotten about.
How does Aries work?
Aries probes are deployed in vehicles across the TETRA network service area ensuring that each base site is monitored at least once a day and preferably much more frequently for critical base sites. Each probe records the basic site parameters such as RSSI and Site ID typically every 60 seconds and initiates a test call typically every 3-5 minutes to avoid generating excessive traffic.
Results are sent back immediately from the probe to the central server using GPRS packet data. If the GPRS service is not available then data is stored in the probe until it can be sent back.
All of the probe parameters are configured by the system administrator and updated over-the-air from the central server. All over-the-air data both to and from the probes is encrypted for the highest level of security and a separate TETRA Group is assigned for Aries so that the test calls do not disturb or interfere with users.
The Aries central server software runs on almost any Web server with support for PHP and MySQL database. Users may run the application on their existing server or on dedicated server hardware supplied by RSI or indeed on RSI’s own server if desired.
The server application handles the incoming GPRS data packets, putting the data into the central database.
Users log onto the server web page and view the results using a standard web browser with access being strictly password controlled. The server application generates fully interactive web pages with an intuitive interface producing maps, graphs, tables and automatic warnings of historical data or real-time data as it is received.
