rf in the it domain - it's not just wireless
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COMMS CONNECT 2014
RF in the IT domain – it’s not just wireless Presenter – Mar+n McLeod
ARCIA Vice President
@CommsConnectAus #comms2014 COMMS CONNECT 2014
Radio background
• Originally radio communications were ‘silo-based’ with each application being a stand-alone function
• The first incursion into the IT or data domain was with narrow-band systems such as taxi despatch systems.
• Over time ‘Gateway’ devices allowed for more flexibility, however, the radio/data systems were still stand-alone systems • True connectivity was becoming an option J
IP Connec+vity
• With the development of Voice-‐over-‐Internet-‐Protocol (VoIP) technology there were many aGempts to run radio systems over IP connec+ons. • These were with only limited success due to the radio requirement of a con+nuous circuit for the radio Press-‐to-‐talk (PTT) func+on • Specialised Radio-‐over-‐IP (RoIP) products were developed and the first of the true connec+vity op+ons came onto the market J
The digital radio age dawns
Digital radio, the new dawn is here, with plaOorms such as -‐ • P-‐25,
• Tetra,
• DMR and dPMR
• All of these technologies offer one common advantage, the ability to transfer data as well as voice signals. J
Now radio is not just voice
• The radio system can now become mul+-‐func+onal with voice communica+ons but also with data capability.
• Most systems can now transfer GPS informa+on, external I/O states, messaging and bio-‐metric informa+on as well as voice within the one protocol
• There are Applica+ons (‘Apps’) available that will take this informa+on and manage it to make the radio network a transparent communica+ons plaOorm
• Radio equipment is now ‘IP Connected’ with equipment becoming just another IP address on the network J
How is radio different? Perhaps we should consider the alterna+ves: • Cellular phones – are basically designed for one-‐to-‐one calls
and the user pays by the minute – very flexible • Scada or fixed data systems – excellent for permanent
monitoring and control systems, but s+ll require specialised installa+on and so_ware – not very flexible
• Wi-‐Fi – very good for short-‐range systems, however, system conten+on and network design become an issue for anything but the basic networks – flexible but limited
• Fibre OpMc and cabling – suited to large scale fixed installa+ons, but inflexible with regard to infrastructure J
Why is radio different? • Systems can be one-‐to-‐many and are usually very low-‐cost on
a per unit basis • Systems are flexible with regard to informa+on transfer • Radio systems provide much more reliable coverage over
wide areas than Wi-‐Fi – admiGedly data rates are lower • Network configura+on and ‘Apps’ allow for a much more
flexible IT management formula • Radio fixed equipment becomes ‘just another IP address’ • ARCIA members give accurate and predictable advice
regarding system coverage and performance J
Convergence – a new era
• The introduc+on of digital radios and IP connec+vity means there can now be more highly planned networks
• No longer is there a mul+tude of different ‘silos’ of informa+on – IP connec+vity has opened up the op+ons
• All of the protocols men+oned earlier can be accommodated within one properly designed IT network.
• Systems can truly be designed to meet the clients needs, not limited by the restric+ons of protocols or equipment
• For your clients, convergence of communicaMons networks means efficiency and flexibility J
But . . RF in the IT domain? • Yes, it is another op+on, but it takes a liGle courage • Radio is not a ‘black science’ • The ‘Laws of Physics’ prevail • Yes, there will be limits with regard to data rates • And there will be some areas to configure, especially with
regards to latency on data signals • However, the exci+ng new world of digital radio and the ever
increasing range of ‘Apps’ opens up many doors • And, help is available, you don’t have to be alone. J
There is a ‘help’ line
• Your local ARCIA member should be on your phone list for ‘dial a friend’
• Two-‐way radio professionals can predict radio coverage and offer a wealth of helpful advice
• They can provide the network of RF systems to give you the coverage you need.
• They do understand the IT world, certainly much more than many of you will understand the radio world
• Working with an ARCIA partner will be a mutually rewarding experience J
Looking to the future
• From an RF perspec+ve we see convergence as being the key to success.
• Look outside of the tradi+onal spheres to see where you can offer your clients the best outcome
• Don’t be afraid to challenge the technology silo – the results will be worthwhile
• So there it is – RF in the IT domain is not just ‘wireless’ – there is so much more to examine and learn J
RF in the IT domain
It’s not just ‘wireless’ . . . . there is so much more to converged IT and radio soluMons.
• Ques+ons?
• Thank you for your aGen+on
A presenta+on by Mar+n McLeod, Vice President -‐ ARCIA Australian Radio Communica+ons Industry Associa+on (Inc.):
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