Government Solution
Whether for business continuity or corporate disaster recovery, humanitarian or first responder use, the Altobridge Remote Contiguous Communications (RCC) solution enables secure, standard wireless communications anywhere, under any circumstances.
The RCC, also known in the USA as the Secure Portable GSM Network (SPGN), combines the patented Altobridge Split Architecture, a standard pico-cellular base station and a satellite transmission unit, e.g. Inmarsat GAN/BGAN, all in a single, man-portable case.
The business model can include a 24/7, fully-managed service, including support, training and rehearsals. The set-up time for both units is approximately five minutes.
Key benefits of the SPGN/RCC in a disaster scenario:
- Rapid & easy set-up & tear-down
- Man-portable suitcase
- Users own pre-registered handsets
- Provides secure data and voice services
Altobridge provides two versions of the SPGN / RCC:
Softcase
The remote unit is contained in a standard bullet-weave fabric soft cover suitcase that measures 30” x 18” x 12”. This durable, portable case is designed for use in harsh climates, rugged terrain, and meets FAA requirements for onboard carry. This unit currently weighs less than 35lbs and the Altobridge team are currently working on reducing the weight even further.
Toughbox
The remote unit is housed in STORM IM2720, an extremely durable watertight hard case that measures 24.6”x19.7”x11.7”. This unit is designed for the most rugged terrain. It weighs around 50lbs and meets a range of the highest specs, including MIL specs.
GSM Services
The SPGN/RCC supports the following basic GSM services:
- Voice: supports GSM mobile voice services to and from mobile phones. Each unit supports seven simultaneous calls using approximately 64kb/s of satellite bandwidth. This capacity typically supports 100 users under normal calling conditions using cellular dimensioning
- SMS: supports mobile originated short messages from a standard mobile handset to a network operator’s SMSC and onward to a destination subscriber. Similarly, mobile terminated short messages can be transported from a network operator’s SMSC to a handset connected via the RCC. This feature requires an optional SMSC
- General Packet Radio Service (GPRS): supports Blackberry data services within the framework of the existing GSM radio interface. The GPRS service offers data speeds in the range 30 to 40 Kbit/s. With the addition of the optional GSN (GSPRS Support Node), connection with private/public internet is possible for email, digital data, and video. Secure communications includes support for HAIPE secure packet data mobile handsets
- Circuit Switched Data: With the inclusion of the InterWorking Function (IWF), support for transparent, asynchronous 9.6kpbs circuit-switched data required for Type 1 encrypted voice calls is provided
The SPGN/RCC also supports the following supplementary GSM services:
- Call forwarding
- Calling Line Identification Presentation and Restriction (CLIP and CLIR)
- Dual-Tone Multiple Frequency (DTMF)
- Voice transcoding
Spectrum Usage
The SPGN/RCC currently supports a single Base Station Transceiver that operates on one of the following PCS/Cellular spectrums:
- 900 MHz
- 1800 MHz
- 1900 MHz
The ability to expand the SPGN/RCC by adding or daisy-chaining multiple Base Station Transceivers will be available soon.
Range of Coverage
The SPGN provides for a great deal of versatility in both range of coverage and backhaul options.
Range of coverage is, by and large, determined by the cellular antenna which provides coverage for the user terminals. The cellular Base Station Transceiver comes equipped with an internal antenna. When utilizing this antenna, the SPGN should be located in as unobstructed an area as possible or as high as possible to maximize the range of the cell. Typical range of coverage is 0.5km radius. For extended coverage, an external antenna can be installed and mounted on a vehicle, tripod, or portable mast. Typical range for these types of antennae is 5km radius. The SPGN/RCC is compatible with a wide range of fixed, portable, mobile, mesh, and distributed antenna systems operating from fixed positions, vehicles (moving and stationary), afloat, and airborne.
Connectivity
Backhaul Options
To complete a call, the SPGN requires connectivity to either a private or commercial cellular network. The SPGN supports a wide range of options:
- Satellite via Public/Private Systems
- Packet Based
- Inmarsat BGAN
- Single Carrier Per Channel (SCPC) – VSAT
- Digital Video Broadcast (DVB)
- Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN)
- Bandwidth on Demand
- Circuit Based
- Aero-H
- Inmarsat GAN and Mini-M
- Demand Assigned Multiple Access (DAMA)
- Packet Based
- IP connectivity via Terrestrial Networks
- Public
- Private
Power Requirements
The SPGN/RCC supports a wide range of AC and DC power inputs. It can be run on building, battery or vehicle power supplies. An inexpensive 400-watt converter enables the unit to run off a vehicle power source. Power consumption depends on the output power required at the cellular antenna, which is adjustable and can be minimized for situations where low power consumption is required.
User Access Control
If the SPGN/RCC is deployed in an isolated location where cellular coverage does not normally exist and the number of potential users is small, all users with a GSM mobile phone can be given access to the SPGN/RCC system. Alternatively, if deployed in an area where there is normal cellular coverage and there is a large potential user population there are advanced features in the SPGN/RCC to prevent unauthorised access, overloading the system, and to guarantee access to system resources is confined to appropriate and pre-registered personnel.
The SPGN has a built-in feature which allows lists of authorized users to be pre-defined so that only these users will be allowed to access the system when it starts-up. Once the system is running users may be added to, or removed, from this list, as required. The application logs all user identities trying to access the system and these logged numbers can be enabled or disabled using the configuration application resident on the PC server. Users within the authorisation list can be assigned a relative priority. If all the system resources are in use and a high priority user needs to access the system (e.g. make a voice call), then a lower priority user’s call will be blocked to make a channel available for the high priority user.