Critical Comms May/Jun 2024

Inside

6 The fire on Marley’s Hill

May/June 2024

17 Comms Connect New Zealand returning to Christchurch

26 UHF CB — you must be joking!

31 ‘Curving’ light beams could enable terahertz comms

35 Network sensing project to enable real-time flood intelligence

36 Designing cellular antennas into small IoT products

38 The critical drive for technological innovation in emergency services

The R&S PR200 is a highly versatile portable monitoring receiver used to search for and analyse known and unknown radio emissions and to localise signal sources. Designed to handle typical tasks in every mobile spectrum monitoring, spectrum clearance, interference hunting and site-testing mission, it is suitable for both indoor and outdoor environments.

With its minimal size, weight and power consumption (SWaP), the R&S PR200 offers a balance of good RF performance, speed and usability, making it a useful tool for regulatory authorities, mobile network operators, police forces, military units and other security organisations.

It delivers a 40 MHz real-time bandwidth over the very wide frequency range of 8 kHz to 8 GHz — extendable to 20 GHz or 33 GHz with the R&S HE400DC or R&S HE800-DC30 handheld antennas, both with integrated downconverters.

Thanks to its wide range of measurement functions and comprehensive signal analysis capabilities, the R&S PR200 can be considered one of the most sophisticated instruments on the market for complex signal measurements, including 5G signals. Search ‘PR200’ at rohde-schwarz.com for more information.

Rohde & Schwarz (Australia) Pty Ltd www.rohde-schwarz.com.au

Do

The post-incident review of last November’s Optus outage has finally been completed, and given the widespread impact of the disruption, it’s not surprising to hear that the Australian Government has accepted all of the review’s recommendations.

While the outage is understood to have affected at least 10 million Australians, the situation was especially serious for those who found themselves unable to contact Triple Zero. At least 2700 calls did not reach the Emergency Call Person on the day of the outage (the figure originally provided by Optus was only 228), due to the failure of the telco’s 3G towers to ‘wilt’ — an industry practice where signals from mobile towers are powered down during disruptions in order for Triple Zero calls to be carried by another network. And while Optus has said this issue is now resolved, the post-incident review has identified a broader need to improve information flows, governance and technical assurance frameworks in the emergency calling context.

The leader of the review, Richard Bean, ultimately made 18 recommendations aimed at addressing structural issues within the telecommunications ecosystem, including a review of all legislation and regulation relating to the delivery of Triple Zero. The government has said it will begin to implement these recommendations over the next 12–18 months, in the hope of adding some much-needed resiliency to our telecommunications system.

But that’s enough of Australian news — this issue of Critical Comms is heading across the pond for Comms Connect New Zealand, to be held in Christchurch from 26–27 June. This event is a great opportunity to catch up on the latest in comms and public safety from a primarily Kiwi perspective (with a few Australian speakers thrown in for good measure), and you can hear more about this year’s conference and expo in our preview article on page 17. You can also check out the latest case studies and products from several Comms Connect exhibitors within this issue, or turn to our lead article on page 6 for a fascinating story about the 2024 Port Fills fire.

See you at the show!

22 152 305 336 www.wfmedia.com.au

Editor: Lauren Davis cc@wfmedia.com.au

Acting Publishing Director/MD: Janice Williams

Lauren Davis, Editor cc@wfmedia.com.au

Art Director/Production Manager: Linda Klobusiak

Art/Production: Marija Tutkovska

Circulation: Dianna Alberry circulation@wfmedia.com.au

Copy Control: Mitchie Mullins copy@wfmedia.com.au

Advertising Sales

Tim Thompson Ph 0421 623 958 tthompson@wfmedia.com.au

Liz Wilson Ph 0403 528 558 lwilson@wfmedia.com.au

Calendar

June

2024 EuCNC & 6G Summit

3–6 June 2024

Flanders Meeting & Convention Center Antwerp, Belgium www.eucnc.eu

EMPA 2024

5–7 June 2024

QT Canberra empaaust.empa.org.au

IEEE International Conference on Communications 9–13 June 2024

Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel, USA icc2024.ieee-icc.org

Comms Connect New Zealand 26–27 June 2024

Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre, New Zealand www.comms-connect.co.nz

July

Qld Critical Communications Conference and State Networking Dinner 25 July 2024

Rydges South Bank Brisbane arcia.org.au/events/one-day-conference-brisbane-july-2024

August

APCO 2024

4–7 August 2024

Orange County Convention Center, USA www.apco2024.org

September

IEEE PIMRC 2024

2–5 September 2024

Palacio de Congresos de Valencia, Spain pimrc2024.ieee-pimrc.org

AFAC24 Conference & Exhibition

3–6 September 2024

ICC Sydney www.afacconference.com.au

SA State Networking Dinner 11 September 2024

The National Wine Centre, Adelaide arcia.org.au/events/arcia-sa-state-networking-dinneradelaide-11-september-2024

October

Comms Connect Melbourne

16–17 October 2024

Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre melbourne.comms-connect.com.au

For a full list of industry events, see criticalcomms.com.au/events

MARLEY’S HILL THE FIRE ON

In this extended article presented by the Radio Frequency Users Association of New Zealand (RFUANZ), Carl Garner from Ashley Communications recounts how his team responded to the 2024 Port Hills fire as it encroached on key radio communications sites…

14 February 2024 was a typical Wednesday afternoon in the Ashcoms office. The shop was full, the phones were ringing, and the technicians were all flat out like lizards drinking. It was Valentine’s Day, with plenty of chocolates and roses everywhere else, yet my desk was decidedly empty… The radio crackled into life.

“Timaru base, copy?” It was one of our field technicians who had been tasked to a job near Christchurch. “Looks like a lot of smoke coming from the Port Hills… any report?” We didn’t know at the time, but this was to be the start of a very long couple of days.

Not wanting to make any assumptions just yet, but with the memory of 2017 in the back of my mind, I brought up some local webcams for a look. Initial indications were that the fire was down

reasonably low on the hill, and heading away from the collective communications sites that reside on the top of Marley’s Hill. We were cautiously optimistic that we weren’t in any immediate danger, and so carried on the day. While we hadn’t officially decided we needed to take any action yet, in the back of my mind I was already starting to think through various scenarios and ‘what ifs’.

The sound of my phone trying to vibrate off my desk dragged me from my thoughts. “Have you heard about the fire yet?” It was our colleagues at Outback Comms, who also have a repeater site up the same hill. Being line of sight, they had a great local picture of where the fire was. “It doesn’t look good.”

As the afternoon turned into evening, Corey from Outback kept us updated with progress reports. As the light faded and the helicopters were grounded, the wind direction changed, and the fire front started climbing the hill towards the comms sites. Just before midnight, the camera on the Amuri site was showing flames right in front of the site. Minutes later, our network monitoring system started sending various alarms as devices started to become unavailable. At this point the reality of what was happening started to sink in. A simple text message from Corey confirmed it, autocorrect and all: “We’re Ducked.”

By this point I had formulated the beginnings of a plan. I messaged a couple of staff despite the late hour — “Marley’s gone. See you at the workshop at 7” — and then went to sleep as I knew the following day would be a long one. I woke up about half 5, had some breakfast and headed in to work. I cleaned off the whiteboard in the tech room and started listing off all the services that we run from that site, and working out what spares we had on hand to commission some temporary repeaters.

Both Ashley Comms and Outback have a selection of portable solar-powered ‘event’ repeaters which we use for short-term events such as bike races. As this had happened the week after the Coast to Coast, unfortunately for Outback their portable frames were spread out on hilltops between Christchurch and the West Coast. Fortunately for us, some of our frames were in our Timaru yard, with more

available in our Dunedin workshop. One of our techs arrived and I immediately sent him south to collect our crane trailer and three portable repeater frames from our Dunedin depot.

As more techs started arriving, we started working out which hardware we could use to stand up temporary repeaters. Corey, Matt and their Outback team formed a list of critical services that they had lost, and between the two companies we worked out a finalised list of what needed restoring in a hurry. We are fortunate to have an extensive spares holding for times such as this, and between Outback and ourselves we managed to cobble together enough radios, filters, batteries, antennas and cable to cover all required services with what we had on hand.

We called our affected customers and explained that we were sorry their radios had stopped working, but that we were working on it! Everyone was very understanding of the situation. Luckily our collective digital network has quite a bit of overlapping coverage, which allowed most of the Christchurch digital customers to carry on operating. Some of the core infrastructure that had been burnt down failed over seamlessly to our backup systems, so the main network carried on operating despite having lost a complete repeater site.

Back in the Ashcoms workshop, the technical team were tirelessly configuring and programming various repeaters and tuning up RF filtering equipment. Another team were preparing the event repeater frames to take much more equipment than they were initially built to hold! The Dunedin team prepared and loaded three more event repeater frames, which were ready just after midday and back on their way north to Timaru.

Outback meanwhile had managed to work with local authorities to scope out a potential site where we could deploy these temporary frames.

The original site was still an active fireground, so we couldn’t put them there. If we moved them too far away then coverage patterns and licensing would become a problem, so they did an excellent job of identifying a spot very near the original site that was fit for purpose. The only catch was that it was on Chorus land! Luckily the local Chorus team were incredibly accommodating and expedited our request to temporarily co-locate on their land in truly recordbreaking time. I think it’s a true indication that the Kiwi spirit is still well alive and kicking, when traditionally competing companies can all pull together in an hour of need, bypass the red tape, and achieve the best outcomes for end users.

The hours sped by quicker than a racing sardine, but we finally had all five event frames filled with their respective repeater equipment and loaded onto the various trailers and utes to make the trek to Christchurch. We finally pulled into Outback’s yard about 8 pm, where we wolfed down a hurried fish and chip supper kindly supplied by our hosts.

We made sure our headlamps were charged up and our respective four-man teams headed up the hill. Corey waved his magic wand at the various roadblocks and, thanks to his work earlier in the day, we had no trouble making our way up the hill, dodging various fire appliances as we went.

We marked out where we were planning on putting everything and worked out the antenna directions while we could still see the other hilltops, as the sun was rapidly setting below the horizon. The grey smoke cloud in the air, at times obscuring vision to just a few metres, was a constant and sombre reminder that the fire was still not yet extinguished.

It was late at night, but still a very refreshing sight to see two very separate yet similar companies working together as one smooth, welloiled machine to restore essential services to end users. After many hours, we eventually flicked the last switch and turned the final service online for a test. “Ashcoms to Outback, how do you read?” The response summed it up perfectly. “Reading you 5x5, tired and lightly smoked.”

IT’S A TRUE INDICATION THAT THE KIWI SPIRIT IS STILL WELL ALIVE AND KICKING, WHEN TRADITIONALLY COMPETING COMPANIES CAN ALL PULL TOGETHER IN AN HOUR OF NEED.

I looked at my watch and was surprised to see it was just before midnight. Less than 24 hours had elapsed from the total loss of both our sites, along with many others on the same hill, to us having all our customers’ services back on air. We worked our way down the hill and had a well-deserved rest. It was a herculean effort from the whole team, but a great example of what can be achieved with the right people involved.

Once we were allowed back on the burnt area, the following days were spent assessing the damage and planning to resurrect the permanent sites. Most of the sites on the hill had sustained some sort of damage, some worse than others. The hilltop was a sea of various technicians interleaved with fire personnel and it was great to see everyone helping everyone else to resurrect services. Plans were made for most efficient use of contractors and coordination of heavy machinery so that everyone on site managed to benefit. The rebuild effort is still ongoing, but good progress is being made and there have certainly been some lessons learnt for the future.

For me, this event was a good reminder as to how quickly things can go from ‘business as usual’ to ‘battle stations’ and thanks must go to both our teams who stepped up when needed and got the job done.

TELSTRA AND ERICSSON PROVIDE CONNECTIVITY BOOST TO KING ISLAND

Telstra and Ericsson have completed a major upgrade to King Island’s mobile network infrastructure, announcing a close to 10-fold capacity boost for the island’s community thanks to an over-water microwave telecommunications link with a throughput capacity of 9.8 Gbps with 99.99% availability.

The upgrade sees a 116 km microwave link deployed across the Bass Strait from the Australian mainland to King Island’s Cape Wickham — believed to be the longest over-water link of its kind in Telstra’s national mobile network, and the longest 10 Gbps microwave link in the world. The project was funded through a $9.8 million investment by the Australian Government, Telstra, the Tasmanian Government and King Island Council, which was announced in 2021 to deliver valuable infrastructure to rural and regional communities.

The upgrade was made possible with the deployment of Ericsson’s MINI-LINK 6200 long-haul microwave technology, providing essential backhaul support for the deployment of Ericsson 5G mobile on the island, helping Telstra expand its network and deliver better connectivity for regional Australia. The King Island MINI-LINK 6200 microwave link operates using 16 channels in the 6 GHz band to achieve a peak throughput of 9.8 Gbps — a significant upgrade from the previous link providing ~1 Gbps, making it ideal for delivering backhaul for high-performance 4G and 5G mobile broadband networks. Ericsson’s radio link bonding technology with quality of service meanwhile provides ongoing performance in all environmental conditions.

The deployment is set to transform connectivity on King Island, with local consumers and small business customers benefiting from increased mobile coverage, efficiency, capacity and data speeds, along with greater network resilience. This means King Island residents now have access to network capacity and reliability that is similar to that enjoyed by metro customers. Telstra now plans to use Ericsson’s MINI-LINK 6200 long-haul microwave solution to extend its mobile coverage in other remote areas.

LONG-RANGE DRONES USED TO SURVEIL BUSHFIRES IN NSW

Cutting-edge long-range drone technology has been deployed to surveil bush and grass fires across western NSW, as part of a recent trial conducted by drone operator Ninox Robotics in collaboration with the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS). The aim of the trial, according to Ninox Managing Director Marcus Ehrlich, was to reduce the size and severity of bushfires through early identification and provide up-todate information to fire crews.

The Perimeter 8+, a long-range multirotor drone with a four-hour flight capability and a range of up to 50 km from the ground control system, was utilised during the two-week trial. Equipped with a real-time dual electrooptical and infrared (thermal) gimballed camera, the drone can detect heat signatures crucial for identifying fires sparked by lightning strikes.

Operating during both day and night, the drone’s footage was transmitted in real time, enabling the RFS to plan how they would detect outbreaks, deploy firefighters and gather live intelligence on ongoing blazes. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) granted approval for after-dark missions in an eighth of the state of NSW near Cobar and Bourke, providing an advantage over manned aircraft restricted from night-time surveillance.

“This technology can provide fire agencies, like the RFS, with another important tool in the kit they can use,” said Ehrlich, who also founded the drone company.

“Anything that can support the protection of communities is a good thing and should be explored and utilised.”

RFS Deputy Commissioner Peter McKechnie said the Service is committed to developing and using technology that has the potential

Ninox Robotics’ Marcus Ehrlich with a Perimeter 8+ long-range multirotor platform.

to protect people and property, stating, “The RFS recognises the critical importance of innovation in this field, with the aim to make a significant impact on emergency response capabilities.

“We look forward to seeing how this technology can be utilised to not only to protect communities, but also optimise the overall performance of our agency.”

Ehrlich noted that early detection of bushfires could significantly reduce their environmental impact, with a recent rise in extreme bushfire activity around the world threatening to worsen climate change. Apart from bushfire management, Ninox Robotics provides aerial intelligence for various industries, including infrastructure, defence, agriculture, biosecurity, emergency services, search and rescue, security and research.

MAVENIR DEMOS NB-IoT NON-TERRESTRIAL NETWORK CONNECTIVITY

provider of mobile satellite services (MSS) in North America. The connection consisted of a 3GPP Rel-17 narrowband IoT (NBIoT) non-terrestrial network (NTN) data connection deployed over the Ligado SkyTerra satellite network.

Using a cloud-native NB-IoT radio access network (RAN) solution, the Mavenir NTN service platform was integrated with the Ligado Ground-Based Beam Former (GBBF) over a digital interface, providing an adaptable, high-directivity connection to specific user equipment (UE) on the ground via the satellite link. The team successfully demonstrated a UE connected to the satellite beam on a narrow 200 kHz carrier within 3GPPstandardised band n255, ie, L-band spectrum already designated and fully licensed for MSS operations.

“The Ligado satellite network leverages bent-pipe architecture, allowing for the rapid development and deployment of NTN services as they become available and for the continued evolution of our services alongside the standards,” said Sachin Chhibber, Chief Technology Officer at Ligado Networks. “This milestone with Mavenir highlights our ability to adapt quickly to support NTN technologies that will bridge the gap between terrestrial and satellite communications.”

Mavenir noted that the adoption of 3GPP-compliant NTN technology enables satellite networks to support devices using mainstream, low-cost chipsets that can also operate on terrestrial IoT networks. The latest demonstration paves the way towards the delivery of seamless integration of satellite technology with the mobile networks of the future, extending coverage to remote regions and challenging geographies while supporting a variety of innovative IoT applications, including vehicle diagnostics, environmental monitoring, first responder connectivity and smart metering.

“Next-generation NTN networks will connect remote and rural areas with advanced communication services in ways that have not been possible before — boosting economic and social development and enabling new applications that will empower many industries to innovate and grow,” said BG Kumar, President of Access Networks, Platforms and Digital Enablement at Mavenir. “We are proud to be playing a defining role in delivering that connected future.”

NEW COMPOUND TO ENABLE 3D-PRINTED ANTENNAS

Researchers from UBC Okanagan and Drexel University have collaborated on a new compound that can be used to 3D print telecommunication antennas and other connectivity devices. These 3D-printed products, created by combining a two-dimensional compound called MXene with a polymer, could make a vast improvement in communication technology including elements such as antennas, waveguides and filters. The work has been described in the journal Materials Today.

Waveguides are structures or pipes that help direct sound and optical waves in communication devices and consumer appliances like microwave ovens. They vary in size, but historically they are made of metal due to its conductive attributes. Dr Mohammad Zarifi and his team in UBC Okanagan’s Microelectronics and Gigahertz Applications (OMEGA) Lab have been developing state-of-the-art communication components that have a compatible performance to metal, but are 10 to 20 times lighter, less expensive and easy to build.

MXenes, meanwhile, are an emerging family of two-dimensional materials — with the titanium carbide MXene being a leader in terms of electrical conductivity. As stated by Dr Yury Gogotsi, Director of the A.J. Drexel Nanomaterials Institute at Drexel University, “Think of MXenes as nanometre-thin conductive flakes that can be dispersed in water-like clay. This is a material that can be applied from dispersion in pure water with no additives to almost any surface. After drying in air, it can make polymer surfaces conductive. It’s like metallisation at room temperature, without melting or evaporating a metal, without vacuum or temperature.”

The integration of MXene onto 3D-printed nylon-based parts allows a channel-like structure to become more efficient in guiding microwaves to frequency bands. According to Omid Niksan, a UBCO School of Engineering doctoral student, this capability in a lightweight, additively manufactured component can impact the design and manufacturing of electronic communication devices in the aerospace and satellite industry.

“Whether in space-based communication devices or medical imaging equipment like MRI machines, these lightweight MXenecoated polymeric structures have the potential to replace traditional manufacturing methods such as metal machining for creating channel structures,” Niksan said.

The researchers have a provisional patent on the polymer-based MXene-coated communication components. And while there is still additional research to be done, Zarifi said the potential of the equipment is quite literally sky-high.

“We aim to explore and develop the possibilities of 3D-printed antennas and communication devices in space,” he said. “By reducing payloads of shuttle transporters, it gives engineers more options.”

Omid Niksan holds a prototype of a 3D-printed MXene-coated component.

Empowering first responders through technology investment

First responders are under pressure to react faster to emergencies with better and more informed decisions. Multimedia mission-critical data services are essential to support crucial features for emergency response teams, such as situational awareness, position tracking, distribution of images or live video streams. Highly efficient and secure communication between control centres and emergency responders will also depend on the availability of public or dedicated 4G/5G mobile networks. The future of mobile mission-critical communication will be broadband.

Innovative technology and investment in the Public Safety industry is essential for next generation control room solutions and mission-critical communication systems. Frequentis LifeX and MissionX will support the demands of next generation control rooms and ensure mission-critical communication over standardised mobile networks. For a safer world.

Meet us at Comms Connect Melbourne, 16-17 October, stand 20

Industry Talking

Welcome to the latest edition of the ARCIA President’s Report, which finds us well into 2024 and busy as usual.

The opening major event in Perth set the year off to a great start, thanks to all the Western Australian members and ARCIA partners. Both the daytime conference and networking dinner saw record numbers and the feedback has been very positive. The conference program was a mix of familiar themes with some new areas of interest, and I think is providing great value to our member community. Sydney is the next major ARCIA event, with the conference and dinner on 30 May, and we expect to hear another great series of sessions in all areas of critical communications. And if you’re in Queensland, or visiting, don’t forget to make a note in your diary for 25 July in Brisbane too.

Network tester with OpenZR+ support

The Anritsu MT1040A is a B5 size 400G handheld tester with good expandability and operability. It is a touch panel-operated field measurement instrument equipped with a 9 ″ screen that is small enough to carry with a single hand, and supports a range of interfaces from 10M up to 400G. Anritsu has now released a 400G (QSFP-DD) multi-rate module (MU104014B) that supports the new interface standard OpenZR+.

Unfortunately I was unable to attend Critical Communications World in Dubai this year, which is a huge event in the comms calendar, put on as always by TCCA; however, I was fortunate to attend IWCE in Orlando during March. It was great to be back in the USA for the first time since COVID hit and to me the show seemed to be back in full swing. While lots of the suppliers and ways of doing things were naturally focused on the US market, there are lessons to be learned for Australia. The USA has many areas of low population density and of course a massive challenge with indoor coverage for LMR, even with legislation to ensure indoor public safety coverage. The US market is a huge challenge for spectrum, technology and, of course, funding. However, when you see market forces at work, and technology working at scale, there is a better chance it will pass the same test Down Under.

It was also great to see so many ANZ companies represented in Orlando — too many to name here for fear I will miss someone. Of particular note was the company Analog Devices, and their unveiling of a brand new LMR chipset — a real demonstration that there is life in the LMR market yet. The new chipset promises a raft of new LMR and other possibilities that bode well for our industry.

The consistent theme we are seeing across all these conferences, and for many market verticals, is how to make the most of the available communication modes for end users. From LMR plus LTE to LTE over LEO satellite and everything in between, suppliers are finding new ways to deliver critical comms solutions to users. This is extending the value of LMR services to many more user groups, whether that’s simple voice-only communications or the expected additional data services, like location and messaging.

There’s quite a challenge for our industry learning new ways of integrating services, networks, devices and control rooms — and as always, responding to market trends has its moments, but our industry and people will be stronger for it. This is one of the reasons I enjoy the conferences around Australia; it helps us to understand the driving forces behind decisions and, most importantly, the impact it has on and for end users.

All these changes in the marketplace are one of the reasons that ARCIA is discussing our association name and branding, to more accurately reflect what we actually do and represent, as we are well beyond what was envisaged by our founders 17 years ago, so our constitution and branding are due for a refresh. When you consider the broad range of equipment and services our members deliver around Australia and the way they are used to deliver massive value to our economy, the word ‘radio’ simply does not seem to fit anymore. Our industry is so much more!

Hamish Duff President, Australian Radio Communications Industry Association.

This measurement solution supports tests for transitioning from high-cost networks using existing WDM1 systems to low-cost networks using OpenZR+ transceivers. Through this solution, the MT1040A helps reduce network construction and expansion costs. With good heat dissipation and cooling performance, the measurement module is able to prevent communication failures caused by the heat generated by OpenZR+ transceivers. This helps enable more accurate measurement of network performance.

OpenZR+ transceivers are inexpensive compared to the existing WDM systems. OpenZR+ also supports various network configurations and is suitable for the construction of data centre interconnects (DCI). Because OpenZR+ is capable of long-haul transmission, some OpenZR+ transceivers consume nearly 1.5 times as much power as the existing 400ZR transceivers and generate more heat. In order to measure an OpenZR+ transceiver accurately without failure, the measurement module needs to have a transceiver heat dissipation measure in place to suppress the heat generated by the transceiver. The measurement solution answers this need.

Anritsu Pty Ltd www.anritsu.com

COMMS CONNECT NEW ZEALAND CHRISTCHURCH

RETURNING TO

What: Comms Connect New Zealand

When: 26–27 June 2024

Where: Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre Web: www.comms-connect.co.nz/

The Southern Hemisphere’s premier critical communications and public safety event, Comms Connect, is gearing up for its first show of the year, with the New Zealand edition of the critical comms conference and expo running from 26–27 June at the Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre.

Over 40 leading technology suppliers are set to showcase their wares at the exhibition, giving attendees the chance to see exclusive product demonstrations and ask any burning questions. The accompanying conference will meanwhile feature a range of industry experts presenting the latest technologies, applications and case studies in areas such as satellite comms, DMR Tier 3, PTT over cellular, professional LTE, AR/VR, IoT, private networks, transport, disaster response and more.

The opening keynote, co-presented by Michael Healy from Christchurch City Council, actually serves as something of a sequel to last year’s. In 2023 Healy spoke about the Smart Christchurch Programme’s Early Fire Detection and Environment Monitoring project, which deployed sensor arrays in local forests in order to detect the earliest possible sign of bushfire (and ideally prevent a repeat of the devastating 2017 Port Hills fires). In February 2024, the Port Hills caught fire once again — so how much of a difference did the detection network make? Join Healy and co-presenter Wayne Hamilton, from Fire & Emergency New Zealand, to find out.

Healy and Hamilton will be followed by Michael Appleyard, from Land Information New Zealand, speaking about SouthPAN — the Southern Positioning Augmentation Network. The positioning network compares satellite data against precisely measured positions to identify and correct any discrepancies; these corrections are sent to geostationary satellites and then broadcast to users throughout Australia and New Zealand. Appleyard’s presentation will be a great opportunity to get the latest updates on the network, which recently achieved 99.5% accurate service availability (up from 95% previously). This means its positioning

services should be available 99.5% of the time, enabling better support for industries such as agriculture, transportation and spatial sciences.

There will also be plenty to say on the subject of P25 — the suite of standards for digital two-way radio products. A plenary session on day one will discuss the future of P25 for New Zealand public safety — having demonstrated its resilience time and again during natural disasters — while day two will feature a comprehensive, two-part P25 workshop. Day one will also see Tait Communications’ Managing Director for APAC, Dr Paul Elmes, explain how recent advances in technology are helping to fix the lack of interoperability between P25 and Digital Mobile Radio (DMR), which is expected to significantly enhance interagency and interstate radio communication. This breakthrough in interoperability will then be detailed in a case study from Surf Life Saving NSW.

The event will once again be run with the support of the Radio Frequency Users Association of New Zealand (RFUANZ), which will be holding its AGM at the conference venue after lunch on day one and its annual gala dinner following the day one networking drinks. As per tradition, the dinner will see the presentation of the RFUANZ Industry Excellence Awards, which recognise and acknowledge the many forms of excellence seen in the comms industry.

Award nominations can be made at https://rfuanz.org.nz/awards until 31 May, while registration for the dinner is available at https:// rfuanz.org.nz/gala-dinner. For more information and to register for the conference and exhibition, visit www.comms-connect.co.nz

Lauren Davis

STAND 4

Meshed data radio systems

Delivering 100% uptime for voice, video and data services to field operators is a key requirement for efficiency and safety. Modern P25 radios provide broadband connectivity via Wi-Fi as well as cellular, which when combined with a mesh solution can eliminate radio blackspots and allow full operation in environments such as caves, valleys, cellars, car parks and compromised or remote areas. Amber Technology is a supplier of such solutions.

Cellular and LEO satellite networks are fundamental to emergency services connectivity. However, there is no circumstance where 100% uptime at any given location can be guaranteed by these services. Ignoring the obvious cases such as underground and remote area operations, loss of connectivity can happen all too easily if permanent infrastructure is lost.

The solution is to deploy a hybrid approach that seamlessly combines the major data media — cellular and SATCOM — with a self-relaying mesh data radio system equipped with Wi-Fi hotspots for operators to connect their existing radios, tablets and phones. Amber Technology has developed and delivered these systems using dedicated network routers coupled with Silvus Technologies Mobile-Networked MIMO (MN-MIMO) radios, tried and tested in Australia for applications ranging from airborne fire surveillance, to urban communications networks, to mobile communications hubs and vehicles-as-a-node (VaaNs). The technology can even be coupled with unmanned systems for surveillance and radio relaying, increasing its capabilities.

Amber Technology Limited www.ambertech.com.au

STAND 27

Micro data centre

When it comes to data centres, flexibility and standardisation have become critical, as has the need for robust resiliency. With this in mind, critical digital infrastructure provider Vertiv has launched the Vertiv SmartCabinet 2-M — a self-contained micro data centre designed for edge computing applications.

The product leverages Vertiv’s original SmartCabinet strategy of providing a complete data centre in a compact and easily installed package, but with less capacity, a shorter rack and less depth, meeting the requirements of smaller edge sites. The enclosed system has a locking door, 1500 W of cooling and 19U of usable IT space. It also includes the Vertiv Liebert GXT5 uninterruptible power supply (UPS) and a power management unit.

The small yet powerful system can fit into even the most unconventional of edge spaces, owing to its compact footprint, allowing organisations to easily expand their IT compute when and where needed.

Vertiv Australia Pty Ltd www.vertiv.com/en-asia

STAND 8

DC power system

Enetek Power — a manufacturer of DC power products catering to telecommunications, data centres and industrial applications — has introduced the Modupac+ 2U 6 kW 48 VDC Powercore, designed to deliver efficient DC power in a compact 2U rack size. It features hot-swap rectifier modules, high power density and an efficiency rating of up to 95%.

The product supports modular and scalable configurations, meaning it can adapt to varying power needs. Its front-to-back airflow design and good EMC performance enable stable operations under diverse environmental conditions.

The power system is suitable for mission-critical applications where continuous, uninterrupted power is crucial. It is particularly suited to use in telecom/data centres, industrial settings and facilities utilising renewable energy technologies.

The product offers a blend of high efficiency and adaptability. It is compliant with global standards, which makes it a versatile choice for organisations looking to enhance their power infrastructure with a scalable solution that minimises operational disruptions and maximises uptime.

Enetek Power services the Australian and New Zealand market through its strategic partnership with Powerbox.

Powerbox Pacific Ltd www.powerbox.co.nz

Shark-fin antenna built for NGCC

Panorama Antennas has delivered the Dual MiMo Sharkee combination antenna — a mission-critical solution tailor-made for New Zealand’s Next Generation Critical Communications (NGCC).

Capable of 4x4 MiMo 5G LTE covering full 600–6000 MHz bands, with optional (up to four) active GPS/GNSS elements and optional (up to 6x6 MiMo) Wi-Fi 6E elements, the product is built as a single antenna solution to connect to a number of 5G LTE routers and gateways, including from Cradlepoint, Peplink and Sierra Wireless. With the additional feature of a dual-band VHF/UHF antenna element, it can also connect directly to a Tait P25 mobile radio, offering the emergency services a single solution for all voice and data functionality.

Available in shark-fin styling, the product comes with a range of accessories, utilising the latest technology trends in a single housing. It is designed to reduce the antenna footprint on the vehicle, thus reducing installation lead time and costs occurred for withdrawing the vehicle from service, as well as improving resale value.

Panorama Antennas Pty Ltd www.panorama-antennas.com STAND 12

Antenna upgrade enables better sewer management

Amphenol Procom recently consulted a US company that produces market-leading devices that collect data and other information relevant to collection system flows, sewer levels and the effects of rainfall. Amongst many benefits, these allow accurate sewer billing and sewer capacity management. This data is collected and reported back wirelessly on commercial LTE networks.

Problem statement

Typically, the antennas used to send data are buried just under the road surface next to the manhole cover; inside the hole is the concealed data collection equipment, making maintenance or swapping out the antenna difficult and expensive. In situations where it’s not buried, but rather mounted alongside the equipment, there is a risk of flooding and, without best-in-class waterproofing, the antenna is liable to fail.

The incumbent antenna did not cover all 4G/5G and Wi-Fi network frequencies. It was narrow banded, meaning it could only see a few networks covered by the frequencies of the antenna. This prevented the customer from swapping data contracts with the mobile network operator to optimise operational costs, unless they swapped out the antenna for a new one that worked on the chosen network.

Ensuring ingress protection, for water specifically, was timeconsuming and messy. If the cable became detached even during routine maintenance, water could get in the antenna lead via the SMA male connector. The housing of the antenna was a two-piece design that over time would also fail.

Design objective

The goal for this customer design ultimately became a ‘fit once’ solution. Step one was optimising the performance of the antenna so it would work on all 4G/5G and Wi-Fi networks. The next agenda item was how to eliminate the swap-out of antennas that became damaged by water ingression. Finally, it required an SMA connector that was also resilient to water ingression.

This naturally started to define the product specification. It needed the antenna to cover 600 MHz–6 GHz without compromising return loss. Some manufacturers will increase the return loss to 3.1:1, basically meaning you have a huge amount of reflected power.

The housing of the antenna should be IP67 protected, achieved by overmoulding into one piece, removing the chance of ingression. A best-in-class SMA connector was used from Amphenol RF that, even when not mated, provided IP67 protection. This would be the final piece of the ingress protection.

Results and achievements

Within six weeks from initial consultation to approval of first samples, the UWTA 600-6000 was approved by the customer.

The product is wideband, not only making it suitable for all global LTE and 5G networks but also futureproofing it all the way up to Wi-Fi 6 while achieving a VSWR across a band of 2:0:1, achieving the goal of creating a product for all 4G/5G and Wi-Fi networks.

The design and manufacturing of the moulding process created a product that is IP67 ingress protected, providing a water-sealed housing that will have an operational lifetime of at least 10 years. This is compared to the incumbent antenna that was swapped every 12–18 months, reducing the maintenance costs by over 5x.

Additional features allow the antenna to be installed in a multitude of ways. A 3M scotch pad can be sourced and stuck to the back side of the moulding, or one can use the lug holes with screws to mount on a wide selection of surfaces. Areas that would benefit from this antenna include vending machines, metering, ATMs and numerous other fixed wireless applications.

Amphenol Procom products are proudly supplied by Hi-Tec Aerials in New Zealand.

Hi-Tec Aerials NZ Ltd www.hi-tec-aerials.co.nz

Control room video streaming software

Zetron’s Stream solution is a web-based application that enables control room operators engaged in a live call to quickly send a link via text that the caller can access to transmit real-time video easily and securely from their mobile device directly to the control room. It also includes embedded chat and automatic language translation capabilities that help facilitate optimal context and communication between caller and operator.

Be it a bystander that’s witnessed an accident or a lineworker evaluating damaged infrastructure in the field, there are countless instances when words alone can’t adequately relay an accurate or complete picture of what’s happening. With Stream, they don’t have to. From anywhere on any connected mobile device, video streaming from the field provides centralised emergency and operations teams with real-time onscene video that is designed to heighten situational awareness and preparedness, thus enabling a faster, safer and smarter response.

Zetron Australasia Pty Ltd www.zetron.com

STAND 1

All-outdoor high-capacity radio system

To a large extent, fibre-based connectivity has allowed suburban dwellers to enjoy virtually unlimited bandwidth — but for hard-toreach communities and individuals, the only practical solution is wireless-based access, and increased data in the last mile has put pressure on the backhaul to keep up. With WISPs demanding more from their radio backhaul vendors, Ceragon has introduced the IP-50C all-outdoor high-capacity radio system, which has the ability to transport data at fibre-like speeds over traditional microwave radio frequencies.

A key benefit of the system is support for 224 MHz channelling and up to 4 kQAM modulation. With two separate transceivers in each outdoor unit, it can deliver 4 Gbps of capacity on a radio channel and deliver it over a single 10GE interface to the backbone network.

The product is available in all frequencies from 6–38 GHz, meaning that WISPs are not constrained to short (E-band) sub-2 km links, but can deliver good capacity over distances in excess of 40 km. The all-outdoor product eliminates the need for rack space inside an equipment hut and also consumes little power, making it suitable for remote locations relying on solar- or wind-powered generation.

The system has already been adopted by many of NZ’s leading WISPs, with one North Island-based WISP deploying it over a 5.8 km link. The WISP licensed 2 x 110 MHz adjacent channels on cross pole (2+0); merging the two channels from each polarisation together, they created a V/H 220 MHz channel pair. Using XPIC, they were able to build a 4 Gbps >99.95% availability link, using 600 mm antennas. The WISP used adaptive modulation to further enhance the link availability during difficult propagation conditions.

Due to its high capacity, the radio offers 10GE interfaces and combines the traffic from the two polarisations into a single Ethernet feed for connection into the WISP router. In the event that additional capacity is required, the product can be further expanded to 4+0, doubling the capacity. For higher availability on longer links, Ceragon also offers a high-power version which is capable of +37 dBm transmit power.

Agile Networks Ltd www.agilenetworks.co.nz

UHF omni array base antennas

Benelec has developed a range of high-performance UHF omni array base antennas. These broadband antennas cater to the popular frequency bands 380–490 and 400–520 MHz. They have a patented configuration designed to provide the most even omnidirectional radiation pattern in the market, enhancing a site’s coverage. Offering cutting-edge performance, the antennas are rated at 500 W of RF power, suitable for multiple repeaters combined on a base site. The dipole array is internally cabled, providing an even omnidirectional pattern. The series of antennas is constructed of stainless steel with proven anti-water ingress protection. All stainless steel antennas made by Benelec are electropolished, enhancing the appearance and extending the corrosion resistance of the stainless surface. These features result in having a base antenna that is ‘set and forget’, providing decades of service suited to last in extreme environments.

The antennas are available in a variety of configurations to suit the user’s specific needs. Choose from single feed dual stack 3 dBd, quad stack 6 dBd or 2 x 3 dBd dual stacks for RX–TX feeds. The antennas are fitted with RG214 interface tails and terminated with either N sockets or 4.3-10 DIN sockets, providing the flexibility required for the user’s site design. They are suitable for any radio network where coverage is critical and reliability is a necessity. Benelec Pty Ltd www.benelec.au

Spectrum Analysers, Electronic Countersurveillance Systems, Software-Defined Radio and general Test & Measurement.

Spectrum Analysers

Models for 1Hz – 43GHz

USB and SFP+ models

TeraHertz sampling speeds!

• Full function spectrum analyser on your PC or laptop

• Windows and Linux software supplied

• Full API support for custom applications

Signal Generators

Tracking generators to 12.4GHz

Vector Signal Generators for arbitrary waveform generation to 6GHz

• 5G/LTE testing

• Spectrum monitoring

• Interference testing

• Workshop, lab and hobbyist applications

• Government and defence users 1/21 Nagle Street Wagga Wagga NSW 2650

(02) 6931 8252

High-performance aggregation layer switch

Scalable enterprise networks are designed with multiple layers: the access layer at the network edge connects servers, desktop computers, printers, Wi-Fi APs, etc, while the aggregation layer connects multiple access layer switches, typically via 10 Gbps uplinks.

Cambium Networks’ cnMatrix EX3024F switch complements the company’s line-up of EX1000, EX2000 and EX3000 series switches at the aggregation layer with 24 SFP+ 10 Gbps ports.

The switch is built with next-generation architecture that delivers non-blocking performance, automated policy-based configuration, and enhanced security and segmentation functionality — all managed via Cambium’s cnMaestro cloud management system. It is part of a complete Cambium ONE Network solution for the enterprise that includes Wi-Fi, switching, security and SD-WAN.

The switch offers a complete network technology stack with single point of truth management. It includes zero-touch provisioning for scalable rollout and simplicity with policy-based automation. It also features dual redundant power supplies.

Cambium Networks Ltd www.cambiumnetworks.com

STAND 10

Enclosures for high-tech equipment

Ventech Systems specialises in standalone industrial enclosures tailored to safeguard critical high-tech equipment in exposed environments. The enclosures provide protection for seismic sensors, surveillance cameras, meteorological and hydro-technical systems, and vital communication equipment, including batteries, across New Zealand.

Featuring a patented ventilation system that is self-regulating and thermostatically controlled, the enclosures eliminate the need for expensive air conditioning. Scientifically tested to withstand temperatures ranging from -25 to +30°C, the enclosures are IP66 rated for dust and water ingress, capable of withstanding wind speeds up to 220 km/h.

Ventech engineers often integrate solar modules or methanolpowered EFOY fuel cells for off-grid installations. By harnessing natural resources, the company promotes an economic, energyefficient and environmentally friendly approach to safeguarding highly critical equipment in any terrain, including extreme conditions. Ventech Systems www.ventechsystems.co.nz

9

Endpoint antenna

The ProShotG antenna, a shot glass-style omni mobile antenna, is engineered to provide wideband coverage across a broad frequency range of 617–7200 MHz. This makes it suitable for 2G/3G/4G and 5G networks, Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 networks, as well as IoT and M2M applications, among others. Its wideband capabilities mean the antenna is versatile for a wide range of applications.

The product is designed for easy mounting and is weatherproof, with IP67 and IK10 ratings. Its omnidirectional pattern and wideband frequency coverage make it suitable for various use cases, including vehicles, industrial robotics, telemetry, smart metering, smart cities, automated parking, backup and remote terminal data connections.

Hi-Tec Aerials NZ Ltd www.hi-tec-aerials.co.nz

Field testing analysers

3

Anritsu has unveiled its latest field testing equipment — the Site Master MS2085A Cable and Antenna Analyzer and the MS2089A with Integrated Spectrum Analyzer. The products are designed for functionality, precision and user-friendly operation, making them suitable for diverse field testing applications.

The dual offering merges the functions of cable and antenna analysis with spectrum analysis and monitoring in a seamless, integrated solution. It is tailored to support a wide spectrum of industries, including telecommunications, broadcasting, aerospace, satellite and defence, facilitating applications from distributed antenna systems (DAS) and satellite monitoring to interference analysis and routine installation and maintenance tasks.

The integration of cable and antenna analysis alongside spectrum analysis equips professionals with a singular, versatile tool for a wide array of testing and analysis needs. It stands as a comprehensive solution for assessing antenna systems, diagnosing wireless networks or conducting spectrum signal monitoring. Multiple testing functions are merged into one device, optimising field testing workflows. This consolidation reduces the need for multiple instruments, which should streamline testing processes and allow for more achievements in shorter timeframes — effectively enhancing productivity while minimising operational costs.

Engineered for precision and robustly constructed to withstand rigorous field conditions, the analysers offer consistent measurement outcomes, allowing for informed decisions under any circumstances. Other key features include real-time spectrum analysis (RTSA), IQ capture and streaming, and PIM hunting. WWG Comtest www.comtest.nz STAND 43

STAND

STAND

CASE STUDY

Vertiv boosts colocation data centre capacity for Chorus

Vertiv, a global provider of critical digital infrastructure and continuity solutions, has helped Chorus expand its colocation offering in New Zealand’s largest city, Auckland, and unlock customers’ computing potential in regional locations using its existing distributed network of telecommunications (telco) buildings.

Chorus is a New Zealand wholesaler of telco infrastructure, operating and owning the largest copper and fibre networks in the country. Since its inception in 2011, the organisation has provided New Zealand’s 90-plus retail service providers (RSP) with open layer 1 and layer 2 services on its copper and fibre networks.

Chorus has undergone a colocation data centre evolution to expand its digital reach, repurposing four existing metrobased telephone exchange facilities into EdgeCentre modular data centre sites.

Within these sites, Vertiv SmartAisle data centre infrastructure has been operating to support the Chorus fibre network. Recently, the wholesaler sought to deepen its Auckland data centre capability — where demand is highest — and so opted to expand its Mount Eden EdgeCentre site.

“New Zealand RSPs are increasingly determined to offer wraparounds of cloud managed services, and we want to keep being the wholesaler for their network and hosting service requirements in that relationship,” said Mohammad Hadi, Colocation Product Manager at Chorus.

“Mount Eden was our pilot build in 2015, and every rack in that facility has since sold out. To give our customers room to play in today’s digital ecosystem, we needed to expand our capacity in Auckland where customers needed it. This demand led to the significant expansion of the Mount Eden site.”

environmental monitoring unit that tracks energy consumption, alerts teams to potential failures and rapidly diagnoses problems.

“Our 23 racks of new capacity live in a single row on a back wall — an efficient use of space,” Hadi said. “That’s relevant because sites such as Mount Eden used to be occupied by large, legacy copper telco equipment. They’re now being replaced with smaller, more sustainable fibre alternatives, and Vertiv is helping us free up new space to put it to other uses.

“We’re now looking at more data centre growth in the region. With close to 600 telephone exchange buildings already dispersed throughout the country, we have a head start in giving regional areas access to the computing power and functionality they currently lack, right at the network’s edge.

“This move will also benefit our customers who are making decisions around resilience. In the unfortunate event of a natural disaster, geographical diversity — where workloads spread across multiple locations — is critical for business resilience.”

“With a combined fibre network and distributed data centres offering, Chorus is making a splash on the digitisation of New Zealand,” said Mark Langford, Head of New Zealand at Vertiv. “We’re proud to offer Chorus confidence throughout its colocation journey. With robust edge solutions, the company is inviting innovation within its existing real estate and trusts our leading design in facilitating scalability alongside the colocation demand curve.”

Vertiv Australia Pty Ltd www.vertiv.com/en-asia

CASE STUDY

Extreme enclosure heli-lifted into an extreme environment

Dennis Hill and his crew at Ventech Systems recently designed and developed a massive enclosure that was installed on the peak of Mt Wainui, on the Kāpiti Coast of New Zealand’s North Island, where it will support Wellington Regional Council’s critical communications equipment. With a weight of 2300 kg and a size of 4.9 m3, the enclosure was specifically engineered for conditions on the 722-metre-high mountain peak, and comes equipped with a modern, climate-friendly energy solution.

“This site is off-grid and the weather is harsh, yet all critical communications equipment needs to work 24/7 without any issues or hiccups due to rain, ice, dust, insects or heat,” said Hill, who has 20 years’ engineering experience.

People from all sorts of organisations have visited Ventech’s Wellington workshop, where Hill and the team are always ready to solve their clients’ individual needs. In the case of the Mt Wainui enclosure, that was commissioned by Dave Rangi from Tait Communications.

“I’ve been in business for 30 years plus and we went searching for a reliable enclosure to house our gear; Dennis’s name came up,” Rangi said. “His services are not only his patented ventilation and temperature-controlled systems within his enclosures, he also designs and manufactures individually to customers’ specifications. The major issue for us was that the cabinet needed to be heli-lifted into place to an off-grid location, and with a gross weight of 2300 kg.”

Ventech Systems designed the enclosure around the footprint of the critical communications equipment and batteries that required housing. The mast had to be incorporated in the build of the plinth.

“We had to manufacture everything so it was collapsible for transport without exceeding the maximum lift of the helicopter (1000 kg),” Hill said. “The enclosure had to be able to house 960 kg of batteries, the EFOY and 240 L of methanol, including the high-tech radio equipment. There was a lot of calculation involved beforehand.

Also, heavy weight tends to start spinning hanging below a helicopter, so I made amendments to that as well to stabilise the load in flight.”

The engineer brought the cabinet to Tait to add some of the equipment and all the cables. Checking the load at a weigh station, he made sure the maximum lifting capacity of the helicopter wasn’t exceeded.

“Dennis even got us the certification for the heli-lift,” Rangi said. “He did a fantastic job and helped us with lots of input we hadn’t even thought of before.”

The 4.9 m3 enclosure was flown in by helicopter and landed safely on the installation pad. A second lift brought in the batteries.

“By calculation and maximising each load, we could minimise the heli-lifts required, equating to a saving on transport costs,” Hill concluded.

Ventech Systems www.ventechsystems.co.nz

Command & Control Communications at the Heart of Utilities Worldwide

Electricity, natural gas, water, wastewater, telecommunications, and Internet connectivity are all public utilities often taken for granted in our everyday lives — until, that is, one or more of them fails.

Nothing provides better or more perspective on how much we rely on our core utilities than when an outage forces us to go without, even for a brief period. e impact is immediate, widespread and sometimes devastating.

Utilities providers obviously have an important job. And while it’s easy to take it for granted, most consumers don’t understand the extraordinary complexity of the infrastructures, networks and communications that must be skilfully and continuously managed by utilities organisations to “keep the lights on”.

From handling incoming subscriber calls and issues, to managing critical eld operations, personnel, and the massive amount of data constantly being processed at the command centre, the role of utilities providers is complicated, but essential. To e ectively maintain operations and services, utilities need an e cient communications centre, capable of processing a myriad of information quickly and seamlessly — continuously connecting the right people and the right data 24/7/365.

e infrastructure complexity of utilities demands providers to continuously reinvest in cutting-edge technologies, while maintaining optimal levels of security, safety and customer service. And each

utilities organisation has unique operational and data management challenges, so there are no “one size ts all” solutions.

But command and control solutions that are purpose-built to centralise communications, optimise work ows, and streamline resource management provide numerous long-term positive outcomes for utilities organisations.

ACOM Command & Control (ACOM) is an example of a completely customisable and exible system that adapts with the evolving needs of utilities providers and o ers operational bene ts in many areas, including:

• Monitoring and Control: real-time access to data enables faster and more informed decision-making.

• Reliability: minimise downtime, prevent service disruptions, and improve overall infrastructure resilience.

• Asset Management: collection and storage of data to optimise maintenance schedules, reduce costs and extend the lifespan of assets.

• Energy E ciency: hub for Smart meters, sensors and communications networks to provide detailed information on energy consumption patterns that help consumers and businesses make better energy usage decisions.

• Cybersecurity and Data Protection: secure communication protocols and encryption

to help safeguard sensitive data, ensuring the integrity and con dentiality of critical information.

ese bene ts and more are being realised by Powerco, New Zealand’s second largest utility provider, and one of many utilities providers using the ACOM communications system. As Powerco’s needs were changing, emergency communications in particular had become an issue. ey were using an RT (radiotelephone) system with limited reach, making it hard for fault sta to keep in contact with the control centre. Powerco then installed the ACOM Command & Control system to drive the company’s 32-position console system and complement its eet of Hytera DMR Tier 3 VHF radios. Since deploying the new ACOM system, Powerco operators have increased overall call handling e ciency by 50–70%.

ACOM systems are tailored to suit the speci c needs of utilities control operations, providing the exibility to respond to diverse eld requirements. To learn more about ACOM Command & Control or request a demo, visit www.zetron.com.

Ian Miller*

Back in the 1970s, when CB radio was beginning to come into common use, all of the products were based on the American 27 MHz HF products which were being imported in large volumes. The spectrum regulator at that stage, the Spectrum Management Agency (SMA), was finding that the imported products were likely to cause problems due to the different frequency allocations in Australia and the United States. With thousands of radios being imported from overseas, it was proving to be impossible to manage interference caused by the imported radios.

Although many within the SMA and the general radio industry felt that this was not a legitimate service, there was also some acceptance that the users of the products were actually gaining benefit and that there should be some recognition and regulation of the CB band. Ian McKenzie, the General Manager of Philips-TMC, was one who recognised that the CB service did offer genuine benefits, particularly in the transport industry for truck drivers to be able to communicate with each other. In addition, there was also a genuine group of volunteers who were happy to provide a listening service and monitor CB for emergency calls.

This led to Philips-TMC lobbying the SMA to make changes to the existing 27 MHz frequencies, plus provide a service in a more suitable band. Philips suggested the 80 MHz band and pointed out that the transport industry would be well served, with several channels in that band for communications between drivers and those who support the industry. The SMA finally accepted that there would be a market for CB radio in a higher frequency band, and preferably using frequency modulation (FM) for better-quality signals and audio. The spectrum team went away to work out the details, and it must be admitted that they were not highly motivated to do it quickly.

And so our article headline came to be: the SMA announced that they would be allocating 1 MHz of spectrum in the UHF band to provide 40 channels for CB use. Ian McKenzie’s reaction? “UHF CB — you must be joking.”

Having made his feelings known to the SMA, he then decided that maybe it was worth exploring to see what could be done, and a meeting was held with the marketing and engineering teams at PhilipsTMC. The bulk of the imported radios were operating on standard AM transmissions and were priced between $60 and $120; it was quickly decided that there was no way that a product could be manufactured to compete in that market. The more serious CBers were buying units with a single-sideband option and at a much higher product quality; these units were priced between $270 and $350 on average.

The marketing team felt there was a high chance that a quality UHF CB radio would find a place in the market in commercial quantities if it could be sold through dealer channels at around $330. The engineering team were not sure they could make a radio at that level; they were in an era when the FM90 Series had a manufacturing price higher than the supposed sell price of the new radio. Ian McKenzie’s response: Take four of your best engineers and put them into an isolated area so they can concentrate and show me what you can

do. Oh, and you have four weeks to give me a viable product design, after which I will lock the doors and you will only have pizza and flounder to eat — things I can slide under the door to you.

It was a tough ask and initially the design team worked based on trimming back the FM90 design to make it a lower-cost radio; it soon became apparent that this was not going to work, so totally new design concepts were put forward, and amazingly there was a product design provided in a very short timeframe. With the basic design completed, the purchasing team stepped in to source components at the best possible prices and the marketing team began planning for product releases.

While this was happening, the standard 27 MHz CB market continued to grow exponentially with products of all types and price levels now on the market. Dick Smith had negotiated some good deals with known brand names like Sony and had established a strong presence in the market, a market where many small and unknown brands and importers were creating confusion. In the late 1970s one of the CB radio magazines organised a conference in Canberra and the Philips organisation decided this would be an ideal situation to release the FM320 and talk up the benefits of UHF CB.

One of the Philips-TMC managers would give a keynote address, with another keynote to be given by Dick Smith. Although the general mood of the CB fraternity towards UHF CB was less than positive, Dick Smith made some very positive comments and stated that UHF CB may just be good for Australian manufacturing and users over the longer term. He could see the long-term opportunities and although he didn’t feel that UHF CB would fit his company’s marketing profile or meet the needs of his customer base, he still felt it was a viable product and service.

Philips then began the manufacture and promotion of the UHF CB concept and products, initially through the commercial radio dealerships and the through the car radio divisions of Philips’ consumer products divisions. In the very early stages, there was internal resistance from within the sales side of Philips-TMC as the sales staff felt that UHF CB was going to take away their commercial clients and they would lose business potential. In fact, that proved to be correct in the rural areas of Australia where the community aspect of CB radio became a positive in both the business as well as the farming communities. In the first couple of years the highest number of UHF CB radios sold was in the New England area of NSW, where the ability of the farming support businesses to talk directly to their customers became a real benefit to doing business.

User groups from within several market sectors started to become established and, in many ways, became the ‘quasi-regulators’ of the UHF CB spectrum. A couple of the very early ones were the Citizens Radio Emergency Service Teams (CREST), who set up monitoring stations on the calling and emergency channels to provide support in the case of emergency or as demand required. A second user group was Truckers Radio Australia (TRA), who coordinated call signs and encouraged proper use of UHF CB by the long-distance truck drivers, many of whom saw UHF CB as being both a social outlet as well as a business tool. Some of these organisations still exist in some form today.

As demand for the better-quality communications of FM radios grew, so did the frustrations of limited range, and there was a push for the SMA to provide repeater channels for increased coverage. One of the major difficulties was the fact that there was only a 1 MHz block of spectrum allocated and to operate repeaters in such narrow spectrum confines was difficult. Over time the SMA made the recommendations that some existing channels be set aside for repeater input operation and others ‘paired’ with the repeater output to permit repeater operation, although these repeaters would have to be licensed under similar conditions to commercial two-way radio repeaters. This meant that in combination with high-quality antenna and filtering systems, repeaters could be set up and licensed for operation.

Over time other enhancements were developed, things like selective calling and then monitoring and control to provide features that suited some of the more specialised markets and generally increased the utility of the UHF CB spectrum. In our modern world there is a whole new segment of social users like the grey nomads travelling around the country during their retirement and seeking ways to communicate with others as they travel our often-lonely highways. Agriculture has also developed many applications to improve farming practices in general, plus community organisations like rural fire brigades also use UHF CB as a back-up to other communications systems.

Wi-Fi 6 radio development kit

Gateworks’ GW11048-5-A Wi-Fi 6 Development Kit is designed to facilitate the validation of the Silex SX-SDMAX and SX-PCEAX WiFi 6 radios (not included), providing developers with a seamless, out-of-the-box evaluation experience.

The kit delivers ruggedised wireless connectivity for a diverse range of industrial applications, from remote real-time monitoring to predictive maintenance and enhanced logistics. Suitable for those seeking to develop and deploy IoT applications and systems, it comes with a pre-loaded Linux system and all the necessary accessories to get started quickly.

Key features include an onboard NXP i.MX8M Mini processor (1.6 GHz quad-core); 8 GB eMMC flash storage and 1 GB LPDDR4 DRAM; two Gigabit Ethernet ports and two Mini-PCIe expansion slots; multiple connectivity options including MicroSD, Nano SIM, I2C, SPI and serial ports; real-time clock, voltage and temperature monitoring; wide-input voltage range (8 to 60 VDC) with PoE support; and operation in temperatures ranging from -40 to +85°C.

element14 au.element14.com

AS THE MARKET HAS GROWN AND MUCH OF AUSTRALIAN MANUFACTURING HAS MOVED OFFSHORE … MANY NEW PLAYERS HAVE STEPPED UP TO ADD EVEN MORE TO THE USER BENEFITS BEING OFFERED.

As the market has grown and much of Australian manufacturing has moved offshore, Philips has stepped back out of the UHF CB market and many new players have stepped up to add even more to the user benefits being offered, but there is no doubt that it was Philips-TMC, and Ian McKenzie in particular, that saw the future potential and created this uniquely Australasian market opportunity. Even as Philips has faded away from the market, the vision of Dick Smith has held true with at least one Australian company continuing to manufacture and develop products for the market, and then to use that strong design base in the manufacture of products in other commercial sectors.

So, we have gone from “UHF CB — you must be joking” to a community communications segment unique to Australia and New Zealand; one that meets many business and social needs and is based around good old Aussie design and initiative — and that’s no joke!

*Ian Miller is the Convenor of the Spectrum & Technical Sub-Committee at the Australian Radio Communications Industry Association (ARCIA).

Lead-free radio frequency SMA connectors

HUBER+SUHNER has released a family of radio frequency SMA connectors, leveraging the company’s SMA interface in a lead-free solution for connectors that can deliver the same levels of electrical performance and mechanical properties as conventional connectors.

The lead-free SMA connectors feature a broadband frequency range of up to 18 GHz and offer good return loss and high mechanical strength. They are also inter-mateable with PC3.5 adapters and SK connectors.

The 50 Ω, SMA coaxial connectors include a straight cable plug (male); a right-angle cable plug (male); a straight bulkhead cable jack (female); a straight PCB jack (female); and a right-angle PCB jack (female). They are suitable for communications, defence, aviation, test and measurement, and a range of industrial applications.

Richardson RFPD www.richardsonrfpd.com

Cradlepoint ‘Vehicle as a Node’ is the Next Frontier for Emergency Services

Nathan McGregor, Senior Vice President Asia Paci c, Cradlepoint

Iwas fortunate enough to be at this year’s Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, where Cradlepoint and Ericsson had a demo that probably got visitors wondering if Ericsson and Cradlepoint just got into the video arcade business … well, not exactly … Cradlepoint had an interactive emergency services vehicle set up to demonstrate our latest capabilities for in-vehicle connectivity. Cradlepoint’s cloudbased, in-vehicle connectivity solutions allow companies and agencies to have an o ce or agency on wheels or what we call a ‘vehicle as a node’, which enables mission critical communication. In the realm of public safety, mission critical communications refer to any communication that a life depends on. Mission critical communications also include use cases found among utility agencies that rely on IoT applications and alert systems that notify sta and the public of potential hazards or current dangers.

Cradlepoint’s in-vehicle wireless edge routers enable mission critical communication that connects all applications, including dash cameras, license plate readers, vehicle telemetry, AVL systems, and sensors — all while the vehicle is moving, and as secure as in the o ce. We can even have two di erent WAN links for greater reliability and performance. Besides vehicles, our customers use this solution in boats, military vehicles, refuse trucks, and even helicopters.

How can we pull o an o ce on wheels? First, devices and applications connect through the air using Cradlepoint routers, with one or two modems. With two modems, our SD-WAN technology chooses which link, or load, balances between both modems based upon current conditions like network coverage and data usage. Cradlepoint Cellular Intelligence is a collection of software features — built into Cradlepoint’s wireless edge routers and adapters — that enable networking IT teams to visualise and optimise

cellular connections, data plans, and network tra c ow. Cellular Intelligence features tools that include coverage area heat mapping, location tracking, geo fencing, and dead reckoning. Further, Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) systems can be integrated to provide robust eet, asset, and safety management. Intuitive centralised management is key to managing thousands of vehicles at a time. ey can be end-user managed or managed by a telecommunications Carrier Service Provider. Carriers can leverage extensibility tools for large organisations to capture data into their management systems.

First responders and other connected vehicles need to access the best-in-class productivity tools while in motion to make informed decisions, ensure safety, and optimise their travel — even in challenging coverage areas. In crisis moments you want the best-in-class, always-on connectivity to support these tools. Often, emergency services eets number in hundreds or thousands that need to scale and can be managed from anywhere. Cradlepoint’s intuitive, cloud-based, centralised management can be end-user managed or part of a managed service to easily provide maintenance at scale.

In the eld, the question of “Do I have connectivity?” quickly transitions to “What do

I have access to?” Zero trust implementation — expanded upon with a ZTNA solution that restricts access for certain vendors or employees — protects networks without putting roadblocks between rst responders and their duties. is allows rst responders to be rapidly equipped with information so they can make informed decisions without having to just rely on their gut.

Cradlepoint is already connecting WWAN to over 5,000 emergency services agencies worldwide, with over 178,000 endpoints under subscription in emergency services. Our global customers include US Federal Government agencies as well as 3000+ rst responder agencies and customers in over 50 countries, including Australia.

See a demo of Cradlepoint’s ‘Vehicle as a Node’ at Mobile World Congress 2024 here: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?app=desktop&v=U_8RrFDDdgE

CASE STUDY

PTToC system enhances firefighter comms in Portugal

Effective communication systems are critical for the safety and efficiency of fire brigades in firefighting and rescue operations. Traditional push-to-talk (PTT) capabilities are no longer deemed sufficient, prompting the need for modern solutions that enhance operational efficiency and safety measures. A Fire Services Communication Centre in Portugal recently found a viable path for migrating to the mission-critical communications system of the future.

The wish list for the new communication system included clear voice messages, interoperability across devices, wide-area coverage, and visualised data management and dispatch capabilities — all features that would bolster fire incident prevention, suppression and disposal efforts. Ultimately, a robust push-to-talk over cellular (PTToC) system was established with Inrico Communications’ T320 smart PoC radios and DR10 gateway, plus relevant mobile apps and dispatch platforms from Inrico’s partner, iConvNet. This advancement empowered the team to excel in incident response and ensure community safety.

In firefighting scenarios characterised by high noise levels and chaos, the T320 radio’s dual-mic noise cancellation technology enables clear voice calls. Its robust 2 W speaker meanwhile provides loud and clear audio, facilitating effective communication even in challenging environments.

Engineered to meet IP65 standards, the rugged radio withstands harsh conditions, minimising maintenance costs. Equipped with dual cameras and high-definition video capture, the radio enhances visibility in smoke-filled and dimly lit environments. Leveraging broadband LTE and Wi-Fi networks, it incorporates multimedia and GPS capabilities, facilitating realtime situational awareness for firefighting commanders.

Addressing communication challenges across diverse areas, the nationwide cellular coverage provided by mobile network operators

P25 multiprotocol portable

eliminates the limitations of traditional two-way radio or professional mobile radio (PMR) networks. The DR10 gateway bridges the gap between PTToC and PMR systems, enabling seamless interconnection of heterogeneous systems and centralised management. iConvNet meanwhile utilises AI detection technology to enhance safety measures by detecting firefighting equipment status, monitoring personnel, and triggering alerts in case of emergencies.

Inrico’s PTToC solution has been designed to break down communication barriers between different agencies, enhancing interoperability and coordination during rescue operations. Taking advantage of new-generation technologies and advancements in AI, it significantly improves firefighting communication and coordination, contributing to public safety efforts.

Inrico Technologies Co Ltd www.inricosolutions.com

Tait Communications is releasing a portable radio that should improve communications between public safety and other community organisations, enabling rapid, efficient coordination to make our communities safer.

The TP9900 rugged portable radio is designed to easily connect communities where the local law enforcement and other first-responder agencies are using the radio standard P25 while other organisations — such as schools and universities, airports, highway control, utilities and public transport providers — are using DMR. This mix of land mobile radio technologies is common in North America and Asia Pacific.

A further complication to widespread interoperability is that different user groups often will be operating on different radio frequencies. Now a police force can set up a fleet of TP9900 portable radios so its officers can talk to school security teams, teachers and administrative staff at all schools in their district, as well as talk to neighbouring police and other first-responder agencies such as ambulance and fire.

That’s because the radio is built to speak in three ‘languages’ (P25 and DMR digital as well as in analog) and can access a wide spectrum of radio frequencies. Changing between P25 and DMR or VHF and UHF is as easy as changing channels — users don’t need to worry about which frequency or protocol the radio uses and can just focus on which channels are the right ones for different groups of users or situations. The portable radio includes features such as over-the-air programming (OTAP) and over-the-air rekeying (OTAR) for encryption management, and is configurable to operate on any combination of VHF, UHF, 700/800 and 900 MHz spectrum bands. It will be available from mid-2024.

Tait Electronics (Aust) Pty Ltd www.taitcommunications.com

‘CURVING’ LIGHT BEAMS COULD ENABLE TERAHERTZ COMMS

Scientists know that in the near future they’ll need to transition to much higher communication frequencies than what current systems rely on, but before that can happen there are a number of quite literal obstacles standing in the way. Now, researchers from Brown University and Rice University say they’ve come one step closer to getting around these solid obstacles, including walls, furniture and even people.

Current systems rely on microwave radiation to carry data, but it’s become clear that the future standard for transmitting data will make use of terahertz waves, which have as much as 100 times the data-carrying capacity of microwaves. One longstanding issue has been that, unlike microwaves, terahertz signals can be blocked by most solid objects, making a direct line of sight between transmitter and receiver a logistical requirement.

“Most people probably use a Wi-Fi base station that fills the room with wireless signals,” said Daniel Mittleman, a professor in Brown’s School of Engineering. “No matter where they move, they maintain the link.

“At the higher frequencies that we’re talking about here, you won’t be able to do that anymore. Instead, it’s going to be a directional beam. If you move around, that beam is going to have to follow you in order to maintain the link, and if you move outside of the beam or something blocks that link, then you’re not getting any signal.”

In the new study, Mittleman and his colleagues introduced the concept of self-accelerating beams. These are special configurations of electromagnetic waves that naturally bend or curve to one side as they move through space. The beams have previously been studied at optical frequencies but are now being explored for terahertz communication.

Using this idea as a jumping off point, the researchers engineered transmitters with carefully designed patterns so that the system can manipulate the strength, intensity and timing of the electromagnetic waves that are produced. With this ability to manipulate the light, the researchers make the waves work together more effectively to maintain the signal when a solid object blocks a portion of the beam.

Essentially, the light beam adjusts to the blockage by shuffling data along the patterns the researchers engineered into the transmitter. When one pattern is blocked, the data transfers to the next one, and then the next one if that is blocked. This keeps the signal link fully intact. Without this level of control, when the beam is blocked, the system can’t make any adjustments, so no signal gets through.

This effectively makes the signal bend around objects as long as the transmitter is not completely blocked. If it is completely blocked, another way of getting the data to the receiver will be needed.

“Curving a beam doesn’t solve all possible blockage problems, but what it does is solve some of them and it solves them in a way that’s better than what others have tried,” said Hichem Guerboukha, who led the study as a postdoctoral researcher at Brown and is now an assistant professor at the University of Missouri–Kansas City.

The researchers validated their findings through extensive simulations and experiments navigating around obstacles to maintain communication links with high reliability and integrity, with their results published in the journal Communications Engineering . The work builds on a previous study from the team that showed terahertz data links can be bounced off walls in a room without dropping too much data.

“This is the world’s first curved data link; a critical milestone in realising the 6G vision of high data rate and high reliability,” said Edward Knightly, a professor of electrical and computer engineering at Rice University.

By using these curved beams, the researchers hope to one day make wireless networks more reliable, even in crowded or obstructed environments. This could lead to faster and more stable internet connections in places like offices or cities where obstacles are common. Before getting to that point, however, there’s much more basic research to be done and plenty of challenges to overcome as terahertz communication technology is still in its infancy.

“One of the key questions that everybody asks us is how much can you curve and how far away,” Mittleman said. “We’ve done rough estimations of these things, but we haven’t really quantified it yet, so we hope to map it out.”

Illustration by the Mittleman Group.

CASE STUDY

Amsterdam convention centre adds private 5G network

RAI Amsterdam is understood to be the first convention centre in Europe to be equipped with its own private 5G network, after the technology became available in the Netherlands at the start of December.

The private 5G network, claimed to be the fastest and most secure mobile network currently available, was used for the first time from 5–9 February during Cisco Live, one of the world’s largest IT events. Working closely with partners NTT Data and Cisco, RAI Amsterdam managed to install the new network in just six weeks.

“We are delighted to jointly offer this first network solution for private 5G in the complex environment of conferences and events,” said Jeroen van Hamersveld, General Manager of NTT DATA Netherlands. “Acquiring private 5G as a service not only provides RAI Amsterdam as a venue with maximum speed and security… RAI clients can also take advantage of the support 5G provides for any new concepts and innovations they are looking to present.”

where events take place,” Baas said. “New technologies are of critical importance to both our clients and ourselves. They open up a world of possibilities during events, such as flying drones and showing and forwarding high-quality videos. At the same time, our premises are becoming ever smarter, facilitating elements such as crowd control and sustainability.

“Delivering a private 5G network within just six weeks is an impressive achievement, and the rollout benefits both RAI Amsterdam and Cisco,” added Edwin Prinsen, Managing Director at Cisco Nederland. “It allows us to use interactive real-time video for live streaming throughout the entire location during the Cisco Live event; removing the need for long cables makes everything that much simpler. What’s more, it opens the door to other innovative applications related to crowd management and the management of large visitor flows.”

The new private 5G network has been framed as the next step in RAI Amsterdam’s digital transformation trajectory — and is an area in which the organisation is leading the way, according to RAI’s Manager of IT and Digital, Bret Baas.

“RAI is increasingly evolving from a traditional exhibition and conference venue into an innovation platform and knowledge centre

“One of the key benefits of a private 5G network is that, unlike with Wi-Fi, network overloading will rarely occur. Nor does it require cables. 5G offers exhibitors and customers far more options, while allowing us to be exceptionally flexible on their behalf.”

Outside of Cisco Live, Baas sees enormous potential for other events. “Examples include Intertraffic Amsterdam and IBC, which require a great deal of communication between the equipment onsite,” he said. “In a similar vein, Interclean features lots of cleaning robots and our private 5G network will ensure that these can be seamlessly operated.”

“This private 5G network means that RAI Amsterdam is truly ready for the future,” Prinsen concluded.

NTT DATA Business Solutions Australia Pty Ltd www.nttdata.com/au/en

Personal emergency location device for lone workers

The MCM Electronics NEVERalone personal emergency location device has been designed for lone and isolated workers.

Equipped with advanced 4G technology, the device provides real-time location tracking and emergency assistance at the touch of a button. Whether working in remote areas or high-risk environments, employees can instantly alert supervisors or emergency services to their precise location in case of an accident or emergency.

With its rugged and durable construction, the product is built to withstand tough conditions and performs well in safety-critical situations. Its compact size allows for easy attachment to clothing or equipment, enabling workers to carry it with them at all times without inconvenience by using a belt clip or lanyard.

By utilising the NEVERalone, employers demonstrate a commitment to the safety and wellbeing of their employees. By complying with safety regulations outlined by organisations like Safe Work Australia, employers can mitigate risks associated with lone work, ultimately creating a safer workplace environment for all.

MCM Electronics Pty Ltd

www.mcmelectronics.com.au

Cyber secured at critical network device level has never been more important

Chris Barson, Eaton Aus/NZ Product Manager

– Power Quality/DC Power Solutions

We live in a hyper connected world with a vast number of connected devices. ose devices generate signi cant amounts of data, which creates opportunities and risks for organisations. A security breach can result in operational downtime and/or data loss, as well as impact safety and lifecycle costs — any one of which can seriously impact a company’s reputation and worse.

As organisations expand their digital footprint, it becomes imperative to protect the availability, integrity, and con dentiality of their systems. Cybersecurity threats must be taken very seriously and met proactively with a system-wide defensive approach. Plainly speaking, asking a supplier if their equipment has cybersecurity built in and receiving a response of “yes, we have cybersecurity” is, generally speaking, insu cient. ere is an extended discussion that needs to be had, not least by asking the question “how?”. e answer to such a question is the rst step in building and maintaining con dence in the hardware/software that manufacturers o er. An in-depth defence mechanism that is e ective today may not be e ective tomorrow, because the ways and means of cyberattacks constantly change. is is why administrators of critical communication/control system networks must be working with suppliers who are ever-alert to changes in cybersecurity and constantly working to protect customers against potential vulnerabilities. Historically, many device types have been overlooked by network operators with regards to cybersecurity. But what is well documented in the news in recent years is that any device on a network that is capable of remote communication is a potential vulnerability risk.

Cybersecurity incidents can cripple an organisation in minutes. Across the world, there are repeating stories from di erent organisation that a hardware device or software became the access point for a breach, and shortly thereafter the organisation had breached the trust of their entire customer base and in some cases was unable to operate entirely. Because of this, customers need to use software and hardware from suppliers that they can trust. ose suppliers must be able to provide credible evidence that they not only manufacture products today that are tested to recognised cybersecurity standards, but that they will continue to keep pace with the changing landscape of cybersecurity risks.

Eaton introduced the rst research and testing facility approved to participate in UL’s Cybersecurity Client Lab Validation program in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. And in 2018, UL approved a second Eaton lab to join the program — another industry rst — in Pune, India. ese accredited lab environments provide the global capability to test Eaton products with intelligence or embedded logic to key aspects of UL Standards.

Michael Regelski, senior vice president and chief technology o cer for Eaton’s Electrical Sector, explains, “We know cybersecurity is a global threat and having the capability worldwide to ensure the highest standards are consistently applied to our technology is a key advantage for our customers.”

ere is no need to take chances with connected solutions. With products tested in Eaton specialised labs, our customers can rest easier, knowing Eaton devices are compliant with the highest industry cybersecurity requirements before they’re installed in critical power networks. e products are required to meet the rigorous testing standards to operate securely worldwide. With a combination of industry-standard technologies and custom developed tools, Eaton goes well beyond what’s typically expected. rough customised vulnerability analysis, malware detection, static and binary code analysis, protocol fuzzing, and automatic software testing to name a few, Eaton o ers a complete framework at an independently certi ed test house that enables customers to suitably manage the cybersecurity risk. Cybersecurity is a key aspect in the lifecycle of Eaton products and services. It is not a ‘nice to have’, but rather an absolute must. Customers rely on Eaton to understand, dissect, and alleviate cybersecurity risks, and we’re proud to build it into our core DNA.

At Eaton, we see ourselves as the technology leader in cybersecurity. Our motto is “secure by design”, addressing cybersecurity in the age of electri cation, digitalization, and the energy transition globally.

For further information please contact your local Eaton sales o ce or Eaton partner, or refer to the www.eaton.com/au website.

Yajampa

GNSS platform

u-blox has announced the F10, the company’s first dual-band GNSS platform combining L1 and L5 bands to offer enhanced multipath resistance and metre-level positioning accuracy. The platform caters to urban mobility applications, such as aftermarket telematics and micromobility.

Applications that use GNSS receivers for positioning are on the rise, yet current receivers do not fully perform in urban areas. Accurate positioning in dense urban environments, where buildings or tree foliage can reflect satellite signals, requires GNSS receivers to mitigate multipath effects. The L5 band’s resilience to these effects improves positioning accuracy. Combined with the L1 band, an L1/L5 dual-band GNSS receiver can deliver <2 m positioning accuracy (CEP50), against about 4 m with the L1 band only, according to u-blox.

The platform’s firmware algorithm prioritises L5 band signals in weak signal environments, enabling positioning even when paired with small antennas. The product is also equipped with protection-level technology that provides a real-time trustworthy positioning accuracy estimate.

When a cellular modem is extremely close to a GNSS receiver, it can interfere with the receiver’s reception. Some F10 module models (NEO-F10N, MAX-F10S and MIA-F10Q) are equipped with a robust RF circuit that allows the GNSS and the cellular modem to operate without interference.

The platform is pin-to-pin compatible with the previous u-blox M10 generation for easy migration. It also supports u-blox AssistNow, which offers real-time online A-GNSS service with global availability to reduce GNSS time-to-first-fix and power consumption.

u-blox Singapore Pte Ltd www.u-blox.com

Business two-way radios

Hytera Communications’ S Series business two-way radios have been designed to cater to small and midsize businesses (SMBs) with versatility and style. The series comprises the S1 mini, S1 and S1 Pro models, each featuring good ergonomics, intuitive operation and crystal-clear audio. They are designed to bring versatile functionalities to users from hospitality, retail and beyond.

Tailored for businesses such as boutique stores and restaurants, the S1 mini two-way radio combines compactness with robust performance. Its sleek design, with a size akin to a lipstick, enables minimal intrusion and burden during the work shift. With flexible wearing options, users can clip it onto uniforms or wear it with a lanyard for added convenience. Equipped with a miniature HD display, the radio provides essential information such as channel number, ID and battery level at a glance. With an external antenna, it covers an indoor communication range of 10,000 m2. The pushto-talk (PTT) button in the front of the radio and ultra-light earpieces make PTT calls easy and comfortable.

Designed to meet the demands of the retail sector, the S1 elevates communication efficiency with its dual PTT buttons, which help retail staff talk with either of the two standby groups with manual selection. Seamlessly connecting different teams and departments, it enables quick responses to customer inquiries and requests. Available in pearl white and metallic grey, it blends well with professional attire, showcasing discretion and style. Its lightweight design and long battery life enable uninterrupted operation.

Suitable for hotels and resorts, and inspired by the classic Doric column, the S1 Pro has been designed to convey elegance and professionalism, with a 1.8 ″ OLED display that makes essential icons, numbers and texts easily accessible. With AI-noise cancellation technology, it provides clear audio in challenging scenarios. Attendants, valets, receptionists and security can hear and be heard when they are required to sync information instantly. With the Whisper Mode, staff can communicate discreetly without disturbing their customers. Hytera Communications Co. Ltd www.hytera.com.au

Bayswater

NETWORK SENSING PROJECT TO ENABLE REAL-TIME FLOOD INTELLIGENCE

The NSW Government is funding a breakthrough technology trial that could help protect communities during severe weather events, by harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) and the mobile phone network to predict the possible impacts of flooding.

The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) has partnered with researchers from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) and TPG Telecom to develop and test network sensing technology, which extracts localised weather information including rainfall, water levels and river flows using signals transmitted on the communications network. Real-time weather information is combined with historical Bureau of Meteorology data and flood information, with a 4D visualisation made possible through the NSW Spatial Digital Twin (SDT) to demonstrate changes to the landscape and built environment.

The SDT allows for large amounts of data to be visualised in 3D and 4D models and to understand and analyse the data through detailed analytics. AI could then be used to predict risks to infrastructure and communities, paving the way for the NSW SES to potentially use the data for the rapid dissemination of information to affected communities through targeted alerts.

While still in development, the technology could be transformational for emergency services, as accurate real-time information can be challenging to obtain due to the number of flood sensors, sensor network coverage and network outages during weather events. In addition to rainfall and water levels, realtime environmental data, including wind and landslide information, can be combined with historical flood information to better predict the risk of floods and storms to communities.

The Flood and Storm Intelligence Sensing project is funded through Transport for NSW’s Smart Places Acceleration Program, a special reservation of the Digital Restart Fund, administered by the Department of Customer Service. Testing of the network sensing technology is now underway along Sydney’s Parramatta and Georges Rivers, and will continue as the centrepiece project of the new TPG–UTS Network Sensing Lab.

The NSW Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government, Jihad Dib, said researching this new technology provides the opportunity to pioneer a new era of flood and storm intelligence, which will be vital as we face increasingly severe weather influenced by climate change.

“The new technology will improve datadriven decision-making for first responders, filling an information gap that could make an important difference in emergency situations,” Dib said.

“This work will build on our investment in early warning systems and work to ensure communities are better prepared before disasters strike.”

NSW SES Commissioner Carlene York said intelligence forms the basis for decisionmaking during emergency responses for the SES, so it is critical that the Service has access to timely and accurate information.

“This technology could give the SES access to real-time flood and storm intelligence data, potentially changing the way we are able to respond to disasters,” York said.

“The real-time delivery of localised data from this new technology, and its capability to visualise the impacts of floods, could be applied to decisions relating to deployment of assets and personnel, warnings, evacuations, property protection, resupply and the provision of information and advice to community members.

“This is a really exciting partnership for the NSW State Emergency Service, and I look forward to seeing how this groundbreaking research program unfolds.”

UTS Vice-Chancellor Professor Andrew Parfitt said the project builds on six years of research from the university’s wireless research team, led by Distinguished Professor Jay Guo, establishing the foundation for the flood and storm intelligence sensing system now in development.

“Network sensing can potentially transform the way our emergency personnel manage and mitigate flood and storm risks, but there are other applications for the technology that also will be explored in the new TPG–UTS Network Sensing Lab,” he said. According to Guo, these include traffic management, object and intruder detection for smart transport, collision avoidance, search and rescue, and health and sports monitoring.

Parfitt concluded, “This landmark partnership between UTS, TPG Telecom, NSW SES and the NSW Government has the potential to place NSW and Australia at the forefront of how new telecommunication technologies can help in addressing climate challenges and saving lives.”

DESIGNING CELLULAR ANTENNAS INTO SMALL IoT PRODUCTS

Small products that use cellular protocols like CAT-M and NB-IoT are in demand; indeed, consumers expect wearable electronics such as smart watches, fitness trackers and pet trackers to be very small. These Internet of Things (IoT) products must still work well even though the ground plane is shortened. This article, from antenna provider Antenova, examines the options available to design a cellular antenna into a small area.

For cellular antennas operating below 1 GHz (sub-GHz) frequencies, a ground plane of 100+ mm is usually required to maintain high antenna efficiency. Low efficiency will cause issues gaining network approval for the finished product. So the challenge for the product designer is to create a physical design that meets the limitations of size and space, and still performs well in operation. The Pharaoh antenna, for example, is able to operate on a smaller PCB while still having good performance.

The challenge

The challenges faced when selecting antennas for IoT devices today are not dissimilar to those faced by the manufacturers of

smartphones when they were first introduced. The challenge is to design a product containing several antennas, some covering multiple frequencies, in a small environment, and still achieve good performance. Over the last decade, smartphones have become bigger because it’s all about the display. IoT products are smaller. They don’t usually have screens, and they need to be small because they are body-worn, like a smart watch or a fitness band.

In addition to this, network providers are pushing everyone to move over to 4G, particularly in the US where 3G is now discontinued. However, the majority of IoT devices only transmit small packets of data, sometimes not every day, and they very rarely transmit any voice signals, so the 4G

network is overkill for their requirement. 4G frequencies in the US go down to 698 MHz.

Sub-GHz antennas ideally require at least 100 mm of ground plane, but many IoT devices today are around 50 mm long. Some are also body-worn, which detunes the antenna and reduces performance. There are network approvals to pass which are more stringent in the US than in any other country. Fortunately, the AT&T network has reduced the efficiency requirements for devices smaller than 107 mm in length.

Design-in of an embedded antenna

Unlike a digital component, an antenna will only perform to the specifications given in the data sheet, when it is correctly integrated

into the design. The factors that affect its performance are:

• Other components in proximity.

• The outer casing and its material.

• The position of the antenna within the device.

• The layout of the PCB (power/noise issues).

• The length of ground plane — this is the challenge for the design of a small cellular product.

The overall RF layout of the PCB is important to maintain antenna efficiency. It is important that the copper ground plane is not too complex — not cut up with traces or divided between layers. It is recommended to use a four-layer PCB structure, where you have a top and bottom ground plane layer. Both grounds should be tightly knitted together to prevent a floating ground, and all

digital signals and power lines should be run in between them.

Attention should also be given to the following:

• Keep the RF trace/feed between the radio and the antenna as short as possible.

• Run vias at short intervals along the feed line connecting the grounds.

• Try to keep the RF trace going straight to the antenna.

• Allow for a PI matching circuit close to the antenna feed point to fine-tune the antenna later.

• Flood any free areas with ground.

Ground plane

A dipole antenna has two radiator arms; the length of each radiator is related to the wavelength of the frequency being received or transmitted. Embedded chip antennas have only one radiator. So, for the antenna to function, the ground plane of the host PCB becomes the second radiator. Therefore, your PCB ground plane length is important.

A half-wave is the resonant length of an antenna. Therefore, an antenna the length of a quarter-wavelength uses the ground plane as the other side of a dipole to form a half-wave.

A full-wave 698 MHz antenna is 430 mm, and a quarter of this is 108 mm; therefore, the ground plane length needs to be at least 108 mm. A surface mount chip antenna contains a track with the length of a quarter-wave.

around and underneath the existing ground. An example of this is a watch application. In this case, the ground extension can be run into the watch strap.

Another option is the use of a flexible PCB (FPC) antenna which is stuck onto the product housing with a cable and a connector. FPC antennas reduce the requirements for a long ground plane since the cable acts as a ground. The positioning of the FPC antenna and the cable routing are important.

A new option recently introduced is an antenna type designed to operate on a short ground plane. This antenna, called Pharaoh, operates on a ground plane down to 50 x 40 mm, whereas the ground plane length needed for a typical cellular antenna is more than 110 mm. The trade-off is that Pharaoh is larger, at 37 x 13 mm, compared to typical cellular antenna sizes of 35 x 8 mm that require at least 110 mm of ground plane.

Conclusion

More options to make sub-GHz antennas

work in

small designs

Copper foil can be added to extend the length of the ground plane. However, care must be taken not to loop this piece of copper

Embedded antenna design is never easy, particularly if the environment is challenging and there is the need to support sub-GHz bands. In all designs, it is extremely important to consider the antenna placement and layout first, before moving on to the rest of the design. Why? An antenna only works effectively in a few places on a PCB. Its position and layout are critical to its effective operation. Our advice is to follow the data sheet guidelines and the advice from your antenna supplier carefully. If your product fails network approval, then many months of redesign effort are required before trying again for network certification.

Figure 2: Antenna fitted on a 90 mm PCB.

Figure 3: A cellular antenna within an OBD tracker.

Figure 1: Comparison of ground plane lengths — 120 mm vs 60 mm for the Pharaoh antenna.

Spectrum

The critical drive for technological innovation in emergency services

In Australia’s vast and challenging landscape, where bushfires, floods and other natural disasters frequently disrupt lives, the pivotal role of technology in emergency services cannot be overstated. Our latest report at SOTI, ‘Digitising the Frontline: Transformative Technologies in Critical Care’, reveals that 97% of first responders encounter issues with their mobile devices, highlighting a critical need for technological transformation in the sector. The increasing frequency of these natural disasters heightens the urgency for technological advancement to match the escalating challenges in disaster management.

First responders should never have to question the reliability of their mobile devices or apps during an emergency. The public trusts these professionals to act swiftly and effectively, and rightfully, they should expect the same level of dependability from the technologies they use. However, 43% of emergency service workers said that the issues they experience with devices cause increased stress levels for them and their teams.

Our research also revealed that 75% of Australian emergency service workers have reported occasions where the care they provided was reduced or delayed due to mobile technology failures. A staggering 70% of emergency personnel report that these delays can take up to 30 minutes to resolve, significantly impacting situations where swift decision-making is crucial. Mobile device issues were also attributed to 45% of the

delays in accessing digital records and 27% in receiving crucial location details. These are not just statistics — they represent real moments when the efficacy of emergency response is critically undermined.

While first responders continue to encounter technology issues, many still rely on outdated methods. Our findings reveal that 52% of frontline workers still rely on pen-and-paper systems, highlighting a significant area for modernisation in emergency services. The consequences of such reliance were tragically highlighted earlier this year when emergency services struggled to locate a woman in a wheelchair inside a burning home due to firefighters using a printed map that led them to the incorrect address1

This incident is one of many that highlight the evident and urgent need for a comprehensive enterprise mobility management (EMM) solution. Implementing EMM would not only enhance operational efficiencies but

also dramatically improve the capabilities of our emergency services. We are at a critical juncture where ensuring our personnel have immediate access to essential real-time data and effective communication tools is essential for improving disaster response outcomes.

There is a significant opportunity for Australia to modernise its approach to emergency services. Integrating advanced navigational tools and streamlining device management will drastically improve operational effectiveness and response times. Transitioning from manual, paper-based systems to sophisticated, digital solutions is crucial to enhance our capabilities in critical moments where every second can save lives.

SOTI’s report is a call to action for all stakeholders involved in Australian emergency services. By addressing these technological gaps, we not only strengthen the resilience of our emergency response — we also ensure teams are equipped, supported and prepared to face the challenges of our unique and often harsh environment.

1. https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/ firefighters-relied-on-a-printed-map-to-find-adying-woman-they-went-to-the-wrong-house20240112-p5ewua.html

Michael Dyson serves as VP of Sales, APAC at SOTI, where he supports the wider team to drive the company’s growth and revenue across the region. He has a career spanning over 35 years in sales, business development and executive management, having worked in the technology integrator and reseller community to develop and implement mobility solutions for business-critical applications across the retail, healthcare, transportation and logistics, manufacturing, emergency services, utility and field service sectors. Prior to joining SOTI, Michael held key roles at Advanced Mobile IT, Panasonic Toughbook, Sensor Dynamics and Multimedia Technology.

Critical communication solutions for rail and metro – When reliable communication is crucial

With the rapid expansion of urban populations and the persistent growth of road congestion, rail and metro are increasingly becoming the primary choices for comfortable and smooth local and long-distance journeys across all levels of society.

But as the utilisation of rail systems increases, the greater the need for robust and reliable communications becomes. Not just to keep personnel and passengers safe and fully informed at all times, but also to enhance journey speed, punctuality, and the effective utilisation of infrastructure.

collaborating with leading metro and rail providers, we have extensive experience in providing large-scale integrated voice and data solutions. This includes the successful implementation of interoperable TETRA Packet Data to comply with the demands of European Train Control Systems (ETCS) Level 2.

DAMM Australia

Phone: +61 7 5539 4638

Email: info@damm-aus.com.au

With 40 years of expertise in radio communication and a proven track record of

Learn more at: www.damm-aus.com.au