Radio Frequency over Fibre Optics Repeater for Mission-Critical Communications: Design, Execution and Test

This paper presents a technical solution that addresses mission-critical communications by extending the radio frequency coverage area using a flexible and scalable architecture. One of the main objectives is to improve both the reaction time and the coordination between mission-critical practitioners, also called public protection and disaster relief users, that operate in emergency scenarios. Mission-critical services such as voice and data should benefit from reliable communication systems that offer high availability, prioritization and flexible architecture. In this paper, we considered Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA), the mobile radio standard used for mission-critical communications, as it has been designed in this respect and is widely used by first responder organizations. Even if RF coverage is designed before network deployment and continuously updated during the lifetime of the technology, some white areas may exist and should be covered by supplementary base stations or repeaters. The model presented in this paper is an optical repeater for TETRA standard that can offer up to 52.6 dB downlink, 65.6 dB uplink gain and up to 3.71 km coverage distance in a radiating cable installation scenario. The design in not limited, as it can be extended to several different mobile radio standards using the same principle. Flexibility and scalability attributes are taken into consideration, as they can build a cost-effective deployment considering both capital and operational expenditures.

Open RAN—Radio Access Network Evolution, Benefits and Market Trends

Open RAN (radio access network) movement is perceived as a game changer, having robust potential to introduce shifts in mobile radio access networks towards tailor-made solutions based on the architecture decomposition. It is widely assumed that those changes will affect the approach to network deployments and supply chains of network elements and their further integration and maintenance. First deployments of O-RAN-based networks have already delivered broadband services to end users. In parallel, many proof-of-concept feature evaluations and theoretical studies are being conducted by academia and the industry. In this review, the authors describe the RAN evolution towards open models and make an attempt to indicate potential open RAN benefits and market trends.

Banda ancha móvil privada y su interacción con redes de voz de la Policía Nacional

Las comunicaciones de misión crítica utilizadas a nivel mundial para la seguridad pública han estado basadas en soluciones de banda angosta, enmarcadas en los diferentes protocolos incluidos en Land Mobile Radio (LMR), como APCO 25, utilizado por la Policía Nacional. Si bien estas tecnologías han sido de gran importancia y cuentan con una madurez de implementación bastante consolidada para la transmisión confiable de voz, tienen limitantes para la transmisión de datos como imágenes y videos, por lo que se hace necesario el aprovechamiento de una tecnología como Long Term Evolution (LTE). Teniendo en cuenta esta necesidad, se llevó a cabo una revisión de la literatura científica-técnica, realizando un análisis del estado del arte de artículos seleccionados de varias bases de datos; asimismo, se determinaron criterios de inclusión y exclusión para el estudio, gracias a lo cual se logró identificar que hoy en día no se tiene la capacidad tecnológica para realizar un desarrollo de una red LTE para seguridad pública; con base en lo anterior, se identificó la necesidad de una implementación tecnológica que garantice la coexistencia de las dos redes LMR y LTE, aprovechando las bondades de cada una de ellas en una suma que incrementa las capacidades tecnológicas en el servicio de policía.

Development of a simulation model for a special purpose mobile radio network capable of self-organization

The object of research is the military radio communication system. Effective operation of routing protocols is possible only if there is reliable information about the network topology for each of the network nodes. Construction of special purpose radio networks with the possibility of self-organization is possible only in the presence of adequate and reliable models of their work in different applications and the impact nature. It necessitates the development of new and adequate algorithms (methods, techniques) for modeling routing algorithms in special purpose radio networks with the possibility of self-organization. This work solves the problem of developing a simulation model of a mobile radio network for special purposes with the possibility of self-organization. In the course of the research, the authors used the main provisions of the queuing theory, the theory of automation, the theory of complex technical systems and general scientific methods of cognition, namely analysis and synthesis. This simulation model was developed to assess the effectiveness and adequacy of the developed scientific and methodological apparatus for routing management in special purpose radio networks with the possibility of self-organization. The research results will be useful in: ‒ development of new routing algorithms; ‒ substantiation of recommendations for improving the efficiency of the route selection process in networks with the possibility of self-organization; ‒ analysis of the electronic situation during hostilities (operations); ‒ while creating promising technologies to increase the efficiency of mobile radio networks; ‒ assessment of adequacy, reliability, sensitivity of routing algorithms; ‒ development of new and improvement of existing simulation routing models. Areas of further research will focus on the development of a methodology for the operational management of interference protection of intelligent military radio communication systems.

Analysis of mathematical models of mobility of communication systems of special purpose radio communication systems

The object of research is the military radio communication system. One of the problems in improving the effectiveness of military radio communication systems is the correct description of the movement process in them. Efficient routing protocols are only possible if reliable information on network topology for network nodes is available. Thus, with this information, packets can be forwarded correctly between the sender and the recipient. Given that the mobility of individual nodes is insignificant in special wireless networks, nodes in the network show the mobility properties of a group of nodes. This observation is directly related to the very existence of military wireless networks with the ability to organize themselves, that is, to support group cooperation and group activities. In this work the problem of analysis (decomposition) of the mobility models of military radio communication networks with the possibility of self-organization is solved. The classification of mobility patterns, the description of individual mobility models and the analysis of various aspects currently available, as well as those properties lacking in the attempt to simulate the movement of individual nodes, have been carried out. During the research, the analysis of random, semi-deterministic and deterministic models was carried out. The advantages and disadvantages of the above models have been identified. In the course of the research, the authors of the work used the main principles of the theory of mass service, the theory of automation, the theory of complex technical systems, as well as general scientific methods of knowledge, namely analysis and synthesis. The research results will be useful in: ‒ synthesis of mathematical models of node mobility; ‒ evaluation of the effectiveness of the science-based tool for assessing the mobility of nodes; ‒ validation of recommendations to improve the efficiency of mobile radio networks; ‒ analysis of the radio-electronic situation during the conduct of military operations (operations); ‒ creating advanced technologies to improve the efficiency of mobile radio networks.

MOMSTER, a Europlanet-funded public engagement project

<p>In May 2020, Europlanet Society launched a call to fund projects to engage the public with planetary science. Our project proposal called MOMSTER: MObile Meteor STation for Education & outReach was amongst the three projects that were granted.</p> <p>MOMSTER aims at developing a Meteor Education Kit as a resource for STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) teachers in secondary schools. The kit includes a mobile radio meteor station consisting of a dedicated antenna and radio receiver, as well as an educational package to learn all about meteors and their detection methods, while at the same time conveying a fascination for the ephemeral beauty and complexity of these natural light shows. The project goals are stimulating STEAM (ultimately resulting in nudging future career choices towards science or engineering career paths) and the use of citizen science (especially the Radio Meteor Zoo initiative on the online citizen science platform Zooniverse) at schools, and reaching the general public.</p> <p>The development of educational resources builds upon preliminary experiences we gained by participating in an Erasmus+ project called BRITEC (Bringing Research into ThE Classroom), in which teachers and pupils participated in the Radio Meteor Zoo activity.  We are presently in a pilot phase where three Belgian schools (two Dutch speaking and one French speaking) test the mobile radio meteor station and the educational resources, and give their feedback.</p> <p>We are using STEAM-education as an approach to broaden our target group towards less scientifically oriented students. We do this by developing an educational resource on visual (science) communication. We also organized an art & design competition for high school students with more than 30 submissions. The best piece of art will decorate the ‘MOMSTER boxes’ we use for transport of the radio receivers.</p>

Development of a model of a subsystem for forecasting changes in data transmission routes in special purpose mobile radio networks

This research addressed the issue of improving the quality of service for the control system of mobile radio networks. The analysis of the forecasting sphere concerning the methods of service quality of mobile radio networks for special purposes, in particular, forecasting the time of congestion of data transmission routes is carried out. It is found that these methods are used in wired and computer networks operating at the network and data link levels. The basic parameters of the protocols of the channel and network layers of mobile radio networks are highlighted. Forecasting methods are analyzed: temporal extrapolation, causality, expert, and the main disadvantages are indicated. A model of a control system for mobile radio networks with a forecasting subsystem is shown. The features of mobile radio networks, which form the requirements for routing methods, are described. A lot of requirements have been put forward for the model of a control system for mobile radio networks. The structure of a model of a control system for mobile radio networks with an improved forecasting subsystem is proposed. On the basis of genetic algorithms, the tasks that arise in the process of identification, training and forecasting in the forecasting subsystem are solved. The operation of the processes consists in building a base of rules aimed at identifying significant dependencies in a time series based on the use of a genetic algorithm. It is based on the use of evolutionary principles to find the optimal solution. Application of the proposed model will allow real-time identification and will significantly improve the quality of service for mobile radio networks. It will increase the speed and volume of data processed during training, improve the quality and reliability of predicting changes in data transmission routes