TETRA
(Terrestrial Trunked Radio)
Technology Overview
TETRA terminals can act as mobile phones (cell phones) with a direct connection to the PSTN. It is also common for them to operate in a group-calling mode in which the single press of a button will connect the user to a dispatcher and all the other users in a group. It is also possible for the terminal to act as a one-to-one walkie-talkie but without the normal range limitation since the call still uses the network. Emergency buttons provided on the terminals enable users to transmit emergency signals to the dispatcher, overriding any other activity taking place at the same time.
Deployment Scenario
TETRA is a special two-way professional mobile radio transceiver designed for use by government agencies and specifically for emergency services such police forces, fire departments, ambulance services, RATP, SNCF Strasbourg transport services, and the military.
Key Parameters
TETRA
Frequency Range
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Modulation
π/4 DQPSK Multiple Access
TDMA Duplex (Uplink/Downlink)
FDD Channel Bandwidth
25 kHz Peak Data Rate 7.2 kbit/s
28.8 kbit/s
using timeslot bundling
Standardization
TETRA is an ETSI standard; the first version was published in 1995. TETRA is endorsed by the European Radio Communications Committee (ERC).
