TETRA, formerly known as Trans-European Trunked Radio, a European standard for a trunked radio system, is a professional mobile radio and two-way transceiver specification. TETRA provides the superb and reliable critical voice communication service, but the effluent data sources are usually underestimated. This article will show how terminal users get the additional value with examples from our daily life.

Application of TETRA

TETRA supports a variety of messaging applications: Plain text messaging (Short Data Service - SDS): Flashing text messages that appear immediately on the screen; Messages that can be sent to talk groups or individual radios, with images attached. These applications support an acknowledgement function to confirm to the control room that the radio has received the message and it has been displayed to the radio user. Predefined message templates and support for forms make it possible to quickly and easily update and report on the move.

SDS 

Many TETRA users provide real-time status updates to their control room through simple updates on the radio and quick processing in the control room. Status and SDS text messages are standardised to ensure interoperability between all TETRA radios and TETRA networks.

GPS

For public safety organizations, tracking the location of users is a critical safety and operational efficiency requirement. TETRA radio supports Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) for position tracking, as well as time and distance triggers to optimize network traffic. The TETRA Standard Location Information Protocol (LIP) can be used to ensure effective location tracking on large TETRA networks that use radios from multiple vendors. Location can also be automatically sent at the start of an emergency call, including Bluetooth-enabled indoor location tracking and Z-axis positions (height and floor information).

The Security of TETRA

The TETRA can be securely controlled remotely via data messages sent from the control room. SDS or status messages can trigger actions on the radio, such as changing the talk group or making sure the audio volume is turned up to its highest level. Only authorized systems can activate remote control operations. The TETRA network and radio also support airborne stun and kill functions to remotely disable lost or stolen radios.

TETRA SDS messages enable mobile radio users to perform necessary database queries, such as vehicle license plate checks. For example, Finnish police and border guards can access their database from TETRA radio in the field to check vehicles and people. Information is always securely available through the national TETRA network.

TETRA with ACADA

Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) solutions are used in the industrial sector to collect, monitor and automate processes. TETRA offers a variety of communication methods that are well suited to SCADA, from status and SDS messages to IP-based packet data. For example, power companies can manage substations, oil and gas companies can detect leaks and control pipeline flow, and mining operations can monitor heavy machinery. Many electric utilities use TETRA equipment to control power plants, photovoltaics and wind turbines and distribute alerts in real time over the network.

TETRA in Transportation

The same TETRA radio solutions that provide reliable voice communications for buses, subways, trams, railways and airports can also provide data applications to improve operational efficiency, such as location tracking, keeping passenger information up-to-date and accessing operational information from TETRA radio. New Jersey Transit and major airports across the United States are using TETRA for voice, location and other applications to optimize their operations.

Public announcements (PA) and audio alerts are essential for the safe operation and communication of workers inside and outside oil and gas plants. A TETRA SDS message from the control room can trigger an RTUs(Remote Terminal Unit) to activate the alarm and play an audio PA message to quickly warn everyone in the event of a gas leak, fire alarm or other incident. In addition to data-enabled alerts, dispatching center can use group calls to share any important information with specific PA systems.

NFC in TETRA

In addition to audio voice accessories, TETRA radios have data-enabled accessories, including near-field communication (NFC), indoor position beacon readers, gas sensors, temperature sensors, and bar code readers. These accessories can send the collected information and alerts to the control room via the TETRA network, adopting the standard TETRA message function. TETRA radios can also be connected to personal sensors via Bluetooth and monitor, for example, gas, heart rate or body temperature in the environment and alert the control room via TETRA if the situation becomes dangerous.

Many users carry TETRA radios and smartphones. To simplify operations, an app installed on a smartphone can be used to control the TETRA radio via a Bluetooth link, for example to change call groups or perform messaging. For some users, such as covert operatives, this also enables them to communicate via TETRA while appearing to be playing with a smartphone.