Role Oriented Communications integrates TETRA radios seamlessly to field operations

Using TETRA in constantly changing environments - like Airports, Transport, Logistics and Public Safety organisations - is made easier and more efficient with a solution from Mentura Group.

TETRA network user organisations often have differing dispatching structures, and different data-applications, factors that need to be taken into account when radio profiles are being planned.

As a rule, the radio configuration can be frozen and only when new features are added is there a need to make changes to it. However, some organisations need to frequently change their internal work processes and structure as a natural part of what they do. This can lead to a situation where it is just about impossible to make a fleet map containing all current and future needs.

A solution to this problem is Mentura’s ROCS (Role Oriented Communications Server), a system that uses virtual numbering and dynamic grouping. The aim is to solve these problems by allowing TETRA to be integrated seamlessly into dynamic operations. ROCS gives an organisation the freedom to change its structure at any time.

Aliasing, tactical numbers, functional numbers
When ROCS is employed, a subscriber can use any terminal from the organisation’s pool of terminals. The terminal will dynamically receive the user’s personal number, task related numbers and talk groups based on both the tasks he is assigned to and his role.

An example of this concept in use is at airports where aircraft need to be turned around between flights. Subscribers have an alias identity based on the task they have for aircraft turn-around and talk groups are set up and dialed on the basis of the flight number and the task involved. This ensures and enhances the efficient turn-around of aircraft, saving considerable time and costs.

Once a subscriber’s radio terminal has been initiated into this temporary talk group, the radio terminal is automati¬cally included in the talk group every time communication takes place. It is no longer necessary to know the specific identity or name of the ramp agent – the call is made based on the flight number and the alias identity.

Automatic talk group management for flights and other tasks
Each process can be assigned a dynamic talk group, and all personnel assigned to the process are automatically added to the talk group. Authorised users can request to join a process’s talk group, or send information to the team easily.

Easy to use in the field
ROCS is flexible, and in addition to the cost savings, it can cut the need for training. An organisation with 30 different talk group sets, can eliminate the need to train users how to swap folders. Of course this can be done, but for normal users it is much more convenient if they can just log on and use those talk groups that can be automatically downloaded.
Simplified terminal logistics

ROCS removes the need to re-program the radios whenever there is a change in the fleetmap. This makes changes easier, faster and more economical. As any compliant radios can be shared via a pool and a single radio can carry multiple roles at the same time, the organisation can optimize the radio investment.

The dynamic model allows flexible deployment of radios to the users as the communication privileges need not be pre-defined in the radio. Users get talk group rights and privileges at the same time they are assigned to certain tasks. This allows allocating radios to different organisations that only occasionally participate in operations, e.g. voluntary resources and subcontractors.

About Mentura
Mentura Group Ltd provides technology solutions that help PMR user organizations to improve the security, efficiency and reliability of their operations. Mentura is based in Helsinki, Finland, and Dubai, U.A.E. Mentura products are used in TETRA and GSM-R networks.