Trunking communication: functionality. Trunking communication systems

An alternative to cellular networks can be trunking communication systems. These technological solutions are actively used all over the world. Many Russian organizations, both private and public, prefer just the same trunking connection. What is its specificity? What are the advantages of the corresponding solutions over other popular communication standards implemented in the Russian Federation and abroad?

What are trunking systems?

Trunking communication is a kind of terrestrial mobile communication infrastructure of radial-zone type. Operates by distributing repeater channels between subscribers in automatic mode. In addition, the term "trunking connection" corresponds to the way users access a dedicated set of channels, within which a free resource is allocated to a particular subscriber for the connection period.

Trunking infrastructure is most often represented:

- ground equipment;

- subscriber stations.

The first element of the trunking infrastructure includes base stations and controllers. Modern types of equipment of the appropriate type allow the use of communication within individual, group or broadcast types of call. In some cases, it is possible to connect one subscriber station to another without accessing the resources of the base station.

This type of communication is applicable for solving a wide range of tasks of state power structures. It is important at the same time that the technical requirements of the SORM in the trunking communication systems are observed. These, as a rule, are fixed in departmental legal acts.

Principles of trunking communication

Let's consider the basic principles of building trunking communication systems.

The appropriate technology involves the use of ultrashort waves, like cellular communications. Repeaters are used to increase the range of signals in the trunking infrastructure. We noted above that there are base stations in its composition. It can be represented by one or several objects - in the first case the network will be classified as single-zone, in the second - as multi-zone.

The first trunking communication networks allowed to organize the interaction of several hundred subscribers. Now, by including the required number of base stations in the network infrastructure, it is possible to provide communication practically between any number of subscribers. The trunking operator can distribute call priorities, provide communications in different modes - simplex, duplex. Modern infrastructure of the appropriate type can provide protection of channels from unauthorized access, listening, allows you to display devices on the Internet. Trunking communication systems are digital and analog.

Who uses trunking systems?

Trunking systems, which are, as we noted above, the radial-zonal elements of the network infrastructure and operating in the ultra-short range, are focused mainly on corporate customers, on power departments. While the main customers of cellular operators are private individuals. The trunking is most suitable for the organization of operational communication within the groups of specialists - for example, when on duty, performing tasks, helping other people when it comes to emergency services.

Above we noted that the type of communications under consideration is in demand by public services. In fact, the relevant structures are the main users of this type of communication. This is due to a number of fundamental differences between trunking communications, in particular, from cellular ones, which are usual for ordinary citizens. Namely:

- the possibility of almost instantaneous - within 0.5 seconds, connecting one subscriber to another;

- determination of priority communication channels ;

- the ability of subscribers to communicate with each other without using a base station;

- the availability of resources for configuring the network in accordance with the tasks of the user;

- the ability to organize group, broadcast, emergency, delayed calls;

- the availability of resources for encrypting communications, the ability to listen to conversations by a third party.

These options are not typical for normal cellular communications. Some similarity with trunking technologies has the mobile standard Push To Talk. But by many criteria it is not suitable for public services.

How is cellular communication better than trunking? First of all, the ability to transfer file data at a high speed - modern standards of 4G allow to reach the index of tens of megabits per second. However, it should be noted that the trunking provided in the TETRA standard (in terms of technology in version R2), in principle, is also capable of high-speed data transmission.

TETRA is the digital technology of the communications in question. But it is worth noting that the trunking connection of "TETRA" in the version of RI is slightly inferior to the standard R2 - in particular, the speed of data transfer. Although the main options for both technologies in general are comparable. It will be useful to compare with them other common standards of trunking communication.

The basic standards of trunking communications

The most common technologies include, first of all, those that are classified as digital. The analog trunking infrastructure is not very much in demand now. The most popular communication standards of the type considered are:

- EDACS.

- iDEN.

- TETRA.

- APCO.

Let's consider the features of each of them in more detail.

EDACS Standard

The EDACS standard was developed by the famous Swedish corporation Ericsson. It is classified as closed. This standard involves the transmission of data over channels using a wide range of frequencies (but within 870 MHz). Within one trunking network it allows to provide communication between 16 thousand subscribers.

The standard in question is sufficiently reliable, but it is considered obsolete, since it actually involves the transmission of analog signals, albeit with the use of digital infrastructure. In addition, he, as we noted above, is closed. The trunking communication equipment adapted for it can be produced only by the developer company.

The iDEN standard

This standard is also closed. It was developed by Motorola. The greatest demand is in North America, some states of South America, in Asia. The technology under consideration makes it possible to implement within the framework of a trunking network services that are familiar to cellular operators' subscribers - for example, sending SMS, faxing, connection to the Internet.

In Russia, the corresponding standard has not been distributed, experts say, because the frequencies used in it - 805-821 MHz or 855-866 MHz are not very optimal from the point of view of solving problems by the main users of trunking communication systems, to which , As we noted above, include public services. By the way, Motorola has released a number of solutions that are compatible with both trunking and cellular communication technologies.

Tetrapol PAS

This communication standard was developed in France, the company Matra Communication commissioned by the French special services. It is characterized by the use of rather low frequencies - from 70 to 520 MHz, the use of which is not very popular in other countries. However, in Russia, attempts were made to test the corresponding standard of trunking communications.

TETRA

Above we considered some aspects of TETRA technology. Let's study its specifics in more detail.

The trunking connection of TETRA is, in its turn, an open communication standard developed by European specialists. Outside Europe for a long time was not very common, however, it is now used by many Russian, Asian companies, African and South American firms.

The openness of the standard under consideration makes it possible to ensure compatibility with it for different manufacturers of equipment for trunking communications. The company planning to release the corresponding devices, however, must, at the same time, become a member of the MoU TETRA organization, thereby confirming its willingness to contribute to the development of this technology. Many modern brands that manufacture equipment for trunking networks have joined this organization.

We noted above that the R2 standard allows data transfer at high speed. This is possible, in particular, due to the fact that the trunking connection by the appropriate technology is combined with broadband cellular channels.

In Russia, the TETRA standard is known under the Tetrarus brand. So, it was used to build telecommunications infrastructure during the Olympics in Sochi.

APCO 25

Another popular trunking communication technology is APCO 25. Developed by the Association of Communication Services of Security Structures. Headquarters of this structure are located in the US, in the states of Virginia and Florida.

The advantage of this standard is that it is possible to provide communication through channels with a high level of security achieved by using various encryption technologies. Another notable feature of APCO is that it allows to use a wide range of frequencies - from 139 to 869 MHz. The high level of security provided by the appropriate trunking communication systems predetermines a sufficiently high level of its demand for Russian special services.

It should be noted that the Russian Federation has its own standards of communication, functioning according to trunking principles. Their use is conditioned by the need to create an exceptionally reliable and secure communication infrastructure. When this approach is used, a trunking system is used in the armed forces of the Russian Federation. Many of the communication technologies used in the Russian army are designed specifically for defense needs and are not designed for mass adoption.

The main providers of trunking services in Russia

Let's consider what brands in Russia supply services using the technologies in question.

The well-known Russian operator of trunking communication is RadioTel. Has an infrastructure that allows you to combine mobile networks with city stations. Delivers solutions for emergency services, MES, private customers.

One of the largest trunking operators in Russia is Tetrasvyaz. Specializes in the implementation of solutions within the TETRA standard in the most diverse regions of Russia. Delivers a wide range of services - from designing a trunking network to commissioning it.

Another major brand in the market of trunking solutions is RegionTrank. The firm renders services mainly in Moscow and the region, as well as in some regions of the Center of the Russian Federation. The brand positions itself as a provider of solutions adapted to the specification of business processes of specific customer organizations.

Another well-known company that operates in the segment of trunking technologies is Center-Telco. It can be noted that its infrastructure uses solutions that operate within the framework of the EDACS standard.

Prospects for development of trunking solutions in the Russian Federation

So, we studied what a trunking connection is, the principle of building communications using its standards. Let's see now what the experts say about the prospects for the development of appropriate solutions in Russia. This issue is the topic for the largest conferences with the participation of representatives of the telecommunications industry of Russia - departments, service providers, their customers.

The community discusses the advantages of trunking solutions in the first place, especially before cellular technologies, as well as the applicability of existing standards of these communications in the Russian Federation. So, among the experts in the sphere of solutions in question, the point of view on which the TETRA technology will be optimal for Russia, taking into account the specifics of the development of communication services in the Russian Federation, is common.

Above we noted that it was the TETRA standard that was chosen for building the communication infrastructure at the Sochi Olympics. But in Russia, one way or another, most of the technologies of trunking communication from those used anywhere in the world are represented - and this is not including special military developments. A large number of solutions of the appropriate type introduced in the Russian Federation is due, first of all, to the lack of unified, federal-accepted criteria for selecting the optimal technological platforms for building the trunking infrastructure.

The development of the appropriate type of communication in Russia can be hampered by the ambiguous perception of the advantages of these solutions by the heads of departments that are the main users of the technologies under consideration. For them it is not always obvious superiority of trunking infrastructure over cellular networks. This is due to various reasons.

First of all, the equipment of analog trunking communication systems, digital solutions of the corresponding type costs, as a rule, significantly more expensive than the devices for using cellular technologies. At the same time, agencies often do not take into account the obvious advantages of trunking communication, which consist, first of all, in the efficiency and security of negotiations and information transfer. In addition, the actual costs associated with the use of communication, with the use of trunking solutions can be significantly lower than in the case of cellular communications - with the proper design of this type of communication infrastructure.

It is worth noting that the principle of trunking communication is applicable not only to ensure operational negotiations between subscribers. On the basis of appropriate technologies, systems for locating an object can be implemented, in combination with its GPS coordinates, and its monitoring by monitoring centers. At the same time, when building the appropriate infrastructure, it may not be necessary to introduce relatively expensive duplex solutions - it may well be enough simplex devices. This way of using trunking communication is another factor in the growth of interest in it from various Russian firms and agencies.

Summary

So, we studied what trunking technologies are, and examined the basic communication standards that correspond to them. The main users of the relevant decisions are Russian special services, departmental structures, large businesses. In the units of the Russian Army, trunking communication systems are used, designed specifically to solve military problems - a closed type.

The main advantages of the technologies under consideration are the speed of data exchange, the security of information, the high data transfer rate (in the case of modern digital standards), the ability to build networks on a large scale, provided that high-performance and sufficiently basic base stations are used.

The trunking networks have much in common with cellular networks - functioning in the ultra-short range, the ability to send text messages between devices, as well as gaining access to the Internet with the use of appropriate devices. Hardware solutions used within the trunking infrastructure are, as a rule, more expensive. But with their optimized implementation, the customer company can save significantly - primarily on traffic.

A fairly large number of trunking communication standards have been adopted in the world. In Russia and Europe the most popular technology is "TETRA", in the US - APCO. Although in Russia with the varying degrees of activity, most of the world's existing trunking standards are involved.

Prospects of the appropriate type of communication in the Russian Federation largely depend on which of the technologies will be adopted as leading ones, at least in most regions of the country. There are grounds to say that the main standard will still be "TETRA" - as the most appropriate for Russia based on the specifics of the development of the country's telecommunications market.

Another important condition for the successful development of such a technological direction as trunking communication in the RF is to increase the level of knowledge and competence of the management of agencies that are actual and potential users of the relevant decisions. While for many power structures the advantages of the technological concepts under consideration are not quite obvious. But, of course, trunking solutions in the Russian Federation have their own consumer, and they are already being used most actively. In Russia, regulatory acts have been adopted that regulate the use of appropriate technologies by special services. Thus, already at the level of legislative regulation in the Russian Federation conditions have been created for the development of trunking communications.

Of course, it may be necessary to develop and adopt additional legal acts that will also apply to civilian spheres - but in case of interest of the business community and the largest departments, it is possible to expect the appearance of corresponding initiatives at the level of regulatory structures of power.

The development of the technologies under consideration in the Russian Federation can be traced in the expansion of its application areas, as well as in the improvement of hardware components and software used to support the functioning of the trunking infrastructure.