TETRA is a secure radio network technology favoured by public safety users around the world, and the MCU500e can be supplied with factory-fitted firmware suitable for use with TETRA terminals. The MCU500e combined with a suitable TETRA terminal creates a powerful AVL and telematics solution for use on TETRA networks. The RS232 bearer port (usually COM0) connection implements the ETSI standard PEI (Peripheral Equipment Interface). ETSI PEI has been implemented slightly differently across the various TETRA terminal manufactures, please check with Thorcom for further details.
The MCU500e uses the PEI interface to send AVL and telematics data over-air using the TETRA SDS (Short Data Service). In small scale systems, the SDS message can be landed on a fixed mobile, for larger scale applications, or those requiring very high reliability, the SDS message is usually landed inside the TETRA network infrastructure. For Motorola Dimetra-P network users (such as Airwave users), the SDS gateway is known as the SDR (Short Data Router).
The MCU500e has been tested and approved by Thorcom with the following TETRA terminals, and carries the appropriate Airwave conformance for use on the Airwave TETRA network in the UK.
Motorola MTM700 & MTM800
Sepura SRM2000 & SRG2000
Cleartone CM9000
MCU500e for GPRS
GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) is a data transmission technique available on standard GSM mobile phone networks. It allows devices such as the MCU500e to not need to set up a continuous channel (circuit) for the transmission and reception of data, but transmits and receives data in packets. For use on GPRS networks, the MCU500e can be supplied with factory-fitted firmware suitable for use with GPRS terminals, and when combined with a suitable GPRS terminal, a very cost-effective and flexible AVL and telematics solution is produced. The RS232 bearer port (usually COM0) connection implements standard UDP/IP over a local PPP connection to the GPRS terminal. As various different manufacturers of GPRS terminals have implemented their interface slightly differently, please check with Thorcom for information about interfacing to your chosen GPRS module.
The MCU500e uses the GPRS module to send AVL and telematics data over-air using UDP messages over the GPRS. GPRS services require infrastructure termination (to the network provider’s gateway known as a ‘GGSN’). Large scale users, or those with mission critical type applications, will usually provide their own GGSN connection, smaller scale users may prefer to securely share Thorcom’s own GGSN connection. For users with their own GGSN connection, Thorcom is able to provide a complete termination solution include routers and RADIUS server supply, configuration and test.
The MCU500e has been tested and approved by Thorcom with the following TETRA terminals, and carries the appropriate Airwave conformance for use on the Airwave TETRA network in the UK
The MCU500e has been tested and approved by Thorcom with the following GPRS terminals:
Siemens MC35iT, recommended for use in the UK and Europe
Teltonika T-ModemCOM, recommended for use in UK, Europe or US territories
MCU500e for MPT1327 Networks
MPT1327 trunked radio networks (sometimes called ‘Trunked PMR’ or just ‘PAMR’) are well established and offer flexible, cost effective radio communications, often at a ‘campus’ or regional level. Primarily designed to offer an efficient way to share multiple voice channels, MPT1327 systems also offers a data service, known as ‘SDM2’ – Short Data Message Type 2.
For use on MPT1327 networks, the MCU500e is supplied with factory-fitted firmware suitable for use with MPT1327 capable mobile radios to provide a high quality AVL and telematics solution. The MCU500 RS232 bearer port (usually COM0) connection implements standard MAP27 data protocol to the radio. As various different manufacturers of MPT1327 radios have implemented their interface slightly differently, please check with Thorcom for information about interfacing to your chosen MPT1327 radio.
Most MPT1327 systems use either a fixed mobile terminate, or an infrastructure equivalent to mobile terminate, which is usually presented on a conventional RS232 interface using the same MAP27 protocol used at the mobile end. If so, no special interfacing is required from Thorcom – please check for specific information from Thorcom about your system.
The MCU500e has been tested and approved by Thorcom with the following MPT1327 radios using the MAP27 protocol:
