Advancing TETRA Technology with Multi-Carrier Capabilities
This Blog describes why Teltronic's MCBS received the "Best TETRA product or solution of the year" award. So, in other words: What was the reason for the jury's recognition of this base station?
During the most recent International Critical Communications Awards, Teltronic's MCBS was acknowledged as the recipient of the "Best TETRA product or solution of the year" award. This recognition serves to showcase the company's dedication to research and development, as well as their ongoing efforts to advance the TETRA technology.
What was the reason for the jury's recognition of this base station? In reality, the MCBS represents a major breakthrough in the field of mission-critical radio communications. With a RF power of up to 40W and the ability to support multiple carriers, it is able to achieve the same level of performance as traditional cabinet format base stations, all within a compact and lightweight unit.
The MCBS's main advantage is its utilization of Software Defined Radio (SDR) technology, allowing for the replacement of traditionally hardware-based components with software-based ones. Utilizing SDR techniques, the MCBS can support up to 4 TETRA carriers and can be configured to suit the specific needs of each deployment.
The MCBS is managed and observed remotely using NEBULA's NMS system. This system provides a comprehensive range of features that enable real-time monitoring of its condition, network user behavior, access to statistics, and alarm resolution.
Moreover, the management platform allows for easy expansion of radio resources in a TETRA area by simply adding new licenses remotely. This eliminates the need for extra hardware or physical visits to the area in order to enable new carriers.
The option to add a floating carrier to any MCBS in the network is available, without exceeding the maximum number of allowed carriers per unit. This feature is particularly beneficial in emergency situations or special events, and can be remotely managed by a network administrator. This temporary addition of a carrier provides flexibility and ease of use.
Furthermore, it has the capability to connect up to 2 units in a cascade, resulting in a total of 8 carriers being delivered. This feature enables the possibility of having a larger number of carriers in a specific area, increasing the potential for accommodating more users and handling heavier traffic loads. Additionally, it allows for the creation of redundancies by designating one unit as the primary while the other unit remains on standby.
The MCBS has the capability to function as a tactical unit and work independently as a standalone system.
The adaptability of this technology is demonstrated by its ability to function as a tactical unit. The portable base station of MCBS can be used in an existing network to enhance coverage or traffic capacity, or it can function as an independent system with no need for connections to other base stations or a Central Control Node.
Benefits of the Environment
The MCBS design was heavily influenced by the company's focus on environmental protection.
Initially, by making the device smaller in comparison to other base stations, especially those that are enclosed in cabinets, there will be a decrease in the utilization of raw materials and production of waste, resulting in a significant reduction in the carbon footprint during the manufacturing process.
The size of the packaging is smaller, creating a reduced carbon footprint during both the transportation and deployment phases. This allows for a greater number of units to be transported in the same space, resulting in a decrease in packaging material and waste generated.
Moreover, the usage of energy is greatly diminished. For instance, if a cabinet containing 4 carriers utilizes 1500 W, the identical setup in an MCBS decreases the consumption to 450 W. Furthermore, aside from this reduction, there is also the benefit of not having to install it in a technical room, therefore eliminating the need for cooling components.
Specifically, the potential of being mounted on a mast presents an additional advantage in terms of the environment, as it eliminates the need for building a technical room. This is especially beneficial when implementing the network in natural, protected, or ecologically significant regions.
Moreover, in challenging-to-reach places like forests or mountains where there is initially no access to the main electricity network and where communication is only necessary at specific intervals (such as in monitoring forests), the MCBS enables a reliable power source using solar panels and batteries.
Ultimately, the primary goal of the design has been to enhance the product's longevity and its ability to be repaired, with the aim of minimizing its carbon footprint and extending its lifespan.
The market highly values competitive advantages.
The MCBS stands out as a one-of-a-kind solution available in the market. It provides top-notch performance in a compact size while retaining all the essential features and Quality of Service (QoS) needed for critical environments. Additionally, it streamlines network management by enabling remote operations, leading to reduced costs and faster deployment times for TETRA infrastructure. The licensing model for configuration also contributes to lowering operational and maintenance expenses, while its energy consumption is minimal. Furthermore, it is adaptable to various deployment scenarios.
The versatility, power, and deployment flexibility of Teltronic's portfolio have contributed to its reputation as a distinctive solution. These qualities make it the top choice for large-scale deployments, boosting the competitiveness of the overall solution.
The utilization of SDR technology has allowed for a more efficient and simplified approach to managing base stations in various projects, such as the Aragon network - which covers a large area of 47,719 km2 in Spain - and the Salvador de Bahia network. This has resulted in improved performance and reduced size, making installation and management easier.
