Airbus Defence and Space has announced that mobile TETRA with satellite connectivity has been successfully tested. It is part of a field test by the German Federal Agency for Digital Radio of Security Authorities and Organisations (BDBOS).

The TETRA satcom solution consists of a mini TB3p TETRA base station, a portable DXT3p TETRA switch and VSAT satellite dishes, enabling the temporary expansion of existing networks. The federal state project group of Brandenburg provided support for the dual-phase test, focusing on carrier signal power between ground-based TETRA transmitters, receivers and the satellite in geostationary orbit.

Teststellung Brandenburg, a three-week operation, was carried out in March to qualify the devices used and the test parameters. The first phase was investigated over one week of the operation, examining 33 cases, which comprised of 198 individual tests over 16 days. In the second phase, the mobile TETRA satcom system operated without any disruptions with investigations completed a week earlier than planned. It was carried out under realistic operational conditions and covered any disruptions when establishing connections.

According to Airbus Defence and Space, large events such as concerts, or disasters, have made it necessary to temporarily expand professional mobile radio (PMR) networks at short notice. This also applies for network coverage on foreign missions or at sea, potential users being the police, fire brigades, technical aid agencies and rescue services. “An additional satellite connection for the TETRA network is an effective and economic solution, but users have so far had reservations about the process”, the company adds.