Professional mobile radio solutions and applications

By SELEX Communications

As response to the growing demands from private and public service companies – including energy and transportation – SELEX Communications has developed a complete line of professional mobile radio solutions and applications, tailored to meet specific the industry-specific requirements and to increase operations’ efficiency, security, quality and timeliness.

Increasing costs and the need for compatibility in data exchange processes is forcing Power Utilities to move towards integrated Internet Protocol network solutions and, in particular, for SCADA applications. To optimise Capital and Operational Expenditure, with the required level of performance, different technologies may be adopted. These may involve wired and unwired connections, even when redundant back-up links are required. Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) solutions available in the market do not address the specific user requirements for sensitive traffic in terms of resilience, time of convergence in case of channels affected by high Bit Error Rate and harsh environment constraints.

PERSEUS is SELEX Communications’ complete, interoperable, modular and scalable communication solution for homeland security and for the protection of Critical National Infrastructure that is compliant to international security protocols and communication standards. PERSEUS is an IP-Centric communication solution that easily integrates applications and information flow that are available in universally available formats. PERSEUS’ backbone is comprised of a wide array of information and communication solutions (Fiber Optics, Radio Links, WiMAX, and Satellite) that are in compliance with international standards and enhanced in terms of robustness, reliability and security. Main benefits include:

• Massive Electro Magnetic (EM) protection. Products are expressly designed for the Power Utilities environment, with high EM pollution and interferences Forward Error Correction (FEC) integrated algorithm, for links affected by high BERs
• Robust routing algorithm, able to manage in an efficient way fast topology changes
• A large set of interfaces (copper and optical), best fitting specific connectivity users’needs

The continuous evolution of communications networks, the availability of new access and transport technologies, and the possibility of transmitting increasing amounts of data in shorter times enable the design of new applications and services to meet the needs of the end-user. A communications network should ensure user connectivity, transparently providing the most suitable means of transmission, with the Quality of Service (QoS) requested for each application. Taking into account all these issues, PERSEUS is a complete communication system, both modular and scalable according to application requirements. PERSEUS gives a reliable solution to the basic needs of a private net but, at the same time, it is able to interconnect to other nets, public networks and subscribers.

SELEX Communications contributed to the world’s largest Oil & Gas telecom project in the island of Sakhalin. Located in the far-east Russia, the remoteness and size of this project presented many challenges - not least of which were complex logistics and integration with various sub-systems. The supply for Sakhalin II project includes a total telecommunications solution for 3 off-shore platforms, an on-shore processing plant, a Liquefied Natural Gas plant, 800 Km of pipeline with 110 valve stations.

Furthermore, the Russian Federation is home to the world’s largest MPT 1327 analogue network extending in excess of 10,000 Km from Western Russia to Siberia which Selex Communications delivered to Gazprom in the early 90s. Furthermore, numerous TETRA networks both for security services and civil applications like health & civil protection services, regional/local authorities and utilities are now present, the first of which was awarded to SELEX Communications, by Transneft in 2001 to guarantee voice and data communications to an 800 Km long pipeline from Yaroslav to Primorsk.

As such SELEX Communication has worked to ensure interoperability between analogue and the new digital systems. SELEX Communications’ approach is to deploy a TETRA system in a new segment of pipeline, realizing a “TETRA Region” that can operate independently, but interoperable with the analogue systems. Main advantages of interoperable voice and data networks include the ability to set-up individual calls, group calls, and to send SDS messages across different networks utilizing a unified numbering scheme.

Easy and efficient interoperability relies on state-of-the-art platforms based on IP protocol suite.

Convergence of TETRA with legacy radio systems, such as MPT1327, or fixed telephone and data networks is achieved through VoIP (Voice over IP) and Mobile IP protocols whereas the interconnection network is implemented utilizing the Softswitch concept.

Thanks to this flexible and advanced approach, users are surprised to communicate transparently through many radio and fixed systems as it was one, where fast voice communications is granted along with multi-service professional features, supervised by integrated control rooms and administered by unified network management centres.

Products News
SCN Plus is SELEX Communications new Switch that can be used in both circuit and IP networks and is able to act as a media-gateway and to provide applications such as Voice over IP. It is a modular solution that can be used for local, regional and nation-wide networks. In terms of multi-service systems, meaning not access technology dependent, as we mentioned before, SELEX Communications develops products that are engineered to guarantee to interoperability between different communication technologies and for the integration between existing networks with broadband wireless solutions.

WiNN (Wireless Network Node) solutions are engineered to allow organizations to establish communications in a heterogeneous systems environment. They are different solutions for operating in different situations such as on-board systems, mesh networks, MANet networks; voice and data connectivity are enhanced using Wireless Technology. Legacy radio/modems can be managed so interoperability between new and old systems is facilitated. Local wireless interfaces as Bluetooth allow the use of wireless accessories. Applications are supported thanks to computing capability and keyboard/display connectivity.

WiNN-SCADA is SELEX Communications’ solution that allows for the connectivity of external devices to related peers for telemetry, data and voice applications. WiNN-SCADA is designed for fixed installation for use as a data interface box to interface SCADA (connected to SCADA sensors to collect data from the field, and to manage and control equipment remotely) and video surveillance systems to multiple geographical data and voice networks. With a different software configuration it can interface Wireless Sensor Networks. WiNN-SCADA exploits wired and wireless WAN/LAN solutions to ensure connection with the Control Centre.

PUMA T3Ex, as part of Puma T3 family, can also operate as a conventional FM radio and allows users unique-in-the-market feature to communicate with both analogue and TETRA equipment. Engineered for professional users, PUMA T3Ex is extremely sturdy, has a large keyboard that is easy to use even when wearing gloves, and is visible in critical light conditions. Thanks to its large loudspeaker and potent amplifier, Puma T3Ex allows for communications even in particularly noisy environments, while its well-placed separate small speaker allow it to be used as a regular cell phone. A feature of particular relevance is the “man-down” safety feature. Puma T3Ex is the only TETRA terminal that signals the dispatcher that a person using the terminal might be in danger.

For any additional information:
Selex Communications S.p.A.
Branch in Russia and CIS Countries
Mamonovskiy per., 4-11A
123001 Moscow, Russia
E: info.moscow@selex-comms.com
www.selex-comms.com