Metro city police control mom with GPS, CIS, AVLS

& digital radio rmnlmtt systima.

Wireless Communication
Networks in Government
Organisations in India
 Chapter- 2

Wireless Communication Networks in Government Organisations in

India

2.1. Introduction

The last fifty years have seen a revolution in tlre area of communications.
essentially reducing the world into a global village. This Information Technology
(1.T) has erased the boundaries between nations, continents, religions and betwen
the rich and the poor. The cell phone culture has engulfed even the economically
backward countries. Even the economy of several nation states are dominated by
the 1.T revolution. Several governments are exploiting these advancements in
effective governance of their various wings. In this chapter, an attempt IS made to
describe some of the communication networks and equipment deployed in India by
state and central government organizations, with specla1 reference to the primary
users such as Defence services, Police, Railways, Transport, Education and Health.

The author of this thesis has been involved for several years now in
planning, modernizing and choosing the optimum combination of the networking
described below:

1. HF Communication Systems.
2. MEF/lJHF Communication Systems.
3. Satellite Communication Systems.
4. OPS Systems.
5. Cellular Communication Systems.
2.2. HF Communication Systems
2.2.1. Need

For long distance point to point and point to multi point c o m m u n i ~ o n s ,

Radio frequency band between 3 and 30 MHz,.called High Frequency (HF) or
"shortwave", is widely used since the invention of radio by Manvnr and Popuv.
HF communications are growing at the moment despite the all-around
implementat~on of cellular and satellite communication systems. HF
communications is the only way of achieving global communication coverage
without using expensive terrestrial and satellite infrastructure. HF communication
still remains GI-safe means for communicating in low latitudes, includ~ng
communication with mobile objects, e , g for tracking airplanes on their routes etc.,
It is failsafe as in many instances, the user may have no control on satellite
transponders.

2.2.2.The Primary usem of HF communicntions

a)Marine & Fishing: Marine and fishing vessels require HF communications to

reach thousands of miles and when a ship is far from shore, no other
Communication systems would be as effective and inexpensive.
b) Aviation: Although aircrafts are often flying in areas where line-of-sight
communication (such as UHF and VHF) are useful, HF communications is
necessary for long-distance coverage.
c) Military: Various branches of military are using HF communication systems for
base and field communications. In fact, during the desert storm operation of early
nineties (1991) of last century. W at near vertical incidence was used even for
short range communications succensfully.
d) Govanmeat: HF systems are used exclusively for sensitive, long distance
communicationsand in remote regrons which are difficult to reach- such as deserts,
dense forem and mountainous regions and for embassy communications - HF
systems play a vital role.
e) Law Enforcement: For long distance communication and for remote,
inaccessible areas, for inter communications with in the forces that are deployed for
tracking down extremists groups operating in dense forests and remote areas.
9 Amateur Radio: Amateur operators (known as 'HAMS') are licensed hobbiests
who communicate via two way radio using HF frequency band for word-wde
contact with Radio HAMS.
g) Commercial: Commercial users of the HF system typically use the system to
contact personnel in distant or remote areas where any other medium 1s e~ther
impossible or too expensive

2.2.3. Operating modes of HF communications

2.2.3 (a) Morse Code (continuous Wave)

Morse code which consists of dits and dots is widely used. All amateur
radio operators who use the HF bands are required to send and receive Morse code
at least five Words Per Minute (WPM). CW might appear to be out dated now, as
present day computers can send and receive many types of digital communications
reliably. Still Law enforcing agencies like military @nd police in India use Morse
code for their internal communication (figure 2.1) because of its simplicity and cost
effectiveness and a modest signal to noise ratio. The specifications of a HF
transmitter & receiver is given in table 2. I. The CW signal is very efficient because
only the pattern of the signal (not the audio on the signal) needs to be understood.
As a result CW is most reliable form of communication for human operators.

2.23. (b) Voice Com~muaiutions

HF eqrupment can be used for Votce communlc&ons The modulatton

techn~quesam AM or SSB. Amplitude Modul&on (AM) Consists of a base carrier
 a) General specifications
1
Receiver frequency n n g c W C O t o W M H z
Transmitter frequency range I 1.8 MHz., to 30 M H z

I
b) Transmitter
Power nut 1n1I I I(M) W (JZB, JJE. A I A )

c) Receiver
Cnrrirr t y w I Doobleeenverniun
Intermediate frequrnricn
nuper hctenxlync
1 LM 47.05s M H z
.
I
Sensitkie- (for 10 db S/N)
I
For 8.5 to 1.8 MHz., i s fl p V
I
I
Squelch sendthity &ner than 2 p V

(1.8 to 29.999 MHz)

IF mjcctiua B m c r than 60 dB

--
Imam rejection Bencr than 70 dB
Sekrtirity
I
1 2.2 KHz (-6 dB) 1
5.0 KHz ( 4 1 dB)
f3110Flz
Alwlioamtpst A t k u t 1.5wbto1
I I I
T a M e 2.1. HF Trammkttcr & receiver specifi.tiona
ILhaoter 2.Winless Comrnuniation Nmxwlrs in G o m m m t Omanisations in India

Figure 2.1. National Level HF (Morse code) network for long

distance communicationin India.

Figure 2.2. HF-voice communlcation network covering

a' ' of A -a Pr
modulated upper and lower side bands. Very fiw amatcur radio operators use AM
two way stations. The modem transceivsrs provide SSB apart from AM as single
side band (SSB) technique is widely used for two way HF communicat~onsworld
wide as this is rarely hampered by .fading and much more efficient than other voice
modes. A typical HF voice communication network covering all districts of
Andhra Pradesh, India is shown in figure 2.2.

2.2.3. (c) Data Communications: RTTY

Radio Tele Type (R'lTY) is one of the earliest forms of data transmission In
this system, printed data is transmitted via a h~ghspeed machine, rather than a
hand-keyed, as is the case with CW commun~cations.Although CW is a form of
data communications, it is typed by a human operator. In order to send and receive
R'JTY, we need interface equipment. In addibon to the standard HF transceiver and
antenna combination, now the most common arrangement would be to interface a
personal computer with the transceiver with appropriate demodulating 1 modulating
software. The HF transceiver (figure 2.3) normally used for long distance
communication and produced by commercial manufacturers, has typical
specifications as outlined in table 2.1.

2.3. W F Communications

Very High Frequency (VHF) range is from 30 to 300 MHq and the s~gnals
propagate principally by Line-Of-Sight (LOS). The range of frequencies normally
used are LB (Low Band) VHF from 60 to 80 MHz and HB (High Band) VHF from
130 to 180 MHz.The security agencies avoid using LB VHF frequency as these
frequencies can be easily monitored using FM band radio receivers. Although LOS
restrictions limit the ground range of VHF systems, LOS is an efFective means of
ground communication for distances upto 50 km (depending on termln and antenna
height, transmit power) without using a repeater. By placing repeaters properly
Figure 2.4. VHF communimtion network for Kurnol
district nf Andhrs Pradrah with two MIF repenten.
along the required commun~cationpath, long-range VHF transmissions through a
series of short U3S hops is possible. Depending on the use, range, and number of
channels intended, VHF transmitter power can range from 2 watt fbr a portable
hand-held FM radio to several hundred watts for a 12/24 multi channel LOS
system. The specifications of a typical VHF trans-receiver is given in table 2.2.
The higher the frequency, the less power required to transmit VWF s~gnalsover a
given distance. An example of covering a distnct Kumool of Andhra Pradesh w~th
two VHF repeaters is shown in figure 2.4

Single-channel VHF radios are portable, vehicular, or airframe mounted, and

can usually be operated in motion. The larger multi channel systems are commonly
mounted aboard ships and trucks and requires careful onentation of directional
antennas. Typical uses include short-range FM combat radio nets, radar, radio
navigation, wideband LOS multi channel systems (repeated or non repeated) and
television broadcasting. VHF links can provide excellent circu~t quality,
comparable to cable systems with upto 99 percent rel~ability.VHF links can handle
either analog or digital transmissions in singlelmulti channel modes. Data rates may
vary from 45.5 to 75 bits per second (bps) for mobile VHF radio nets to 1.2 to 9.6
Kbps per channel for LOS multi channel radio relay systems.

2.4.1. Ultra High Frequency (UHF) Communications

The UHF range is from 300 to 3,000 MHz.The main propagation methods
include tropospheric scatter, satellite, airlground and LOS.Due to the flexibility of
UHF communications, the distance range varies significantly. LOS coverage is 20
to 140 Km, depending upon the terrain. In this type of communicat~onsystems.
transmitter power can range from a low of 10 to 100 watts for LOS and satell~te
systems, while troposcatter systems operate in the 2,500 to 10,000-watt range.
Many UHF systems are transportable by vehicle. aircraft or ship. Some
UHF/sateliite terminals are small and light enough to be portable. Common UHF
 a) General:
a Prequenc) range 1M M H z to 174 MHz
Cbnnnel mpncit? 16 to 12N rhnlnels
I
Power Supply 7.5 Vdts + 241%
Avenge Batlerj life zNhm

b) Transmitter:
RF OIliput bnr 1 W (or) Hi* 5 W
Frequency I 3 6 MHr, 111 174 MHz.
Channel Spacing 12.5/2(1/23 KHz
Freq. Stnbilih ((-30"C to + 60 "<') (1.000235%
Spu~nrmonicr: -36 dBm c I GH&
-30 dBm > 1 Ctlr-
Audio Renpanse +l. -3 dB
h d i n Disturtion: < 5%
P M Noise 4 0 dB

C) Receiter:

Freqwnc? 1% MHI. to 171 MHr.

Seariti%it) a I 2 dB SINAD: 0.35 fl V

Adj=ent Channel Sekcti\ it? -70 dB

Inter mudulatifrn -ci5 dB
Fmq. Stahilit? (-30" C m + 60 'C ) fl.tnn12~~h
Spur rejection -70 d B

h a p Rejection -70 d B
~ ~ doiutaput a < 5% d i o r t i n n ( S(HImW

Table 2.2. W F Transceiver specifications: (Handheld Set).

applicdons are seen daily in local ambulance, fire and police radio nets, with
repeater operations being typical. On military installations, the nontactical lntra
Base Radio (IBR) nets are usually VHF or UHF.UHF systems are capable of high-
quality, reliable and high-capacity transmissions with data rates of 2.4 Kbps and
higher. UHF is used widely to provide securdnon secure voice, data and Facsimile
services in both mobile and fixed configurations. Along with VHF, UHF is the
band preferred for television.

Some typical Frequency Bands in use are: 400- 800 MHz.Trans- receivers
of 25 W Transmit power and receiver sensitivity of 0.25 micro volts are used for
static, vehicular & mobile operations which can provide range upto 30 krn without
repeater. Hand held sets of 5 W transmit power are being used which can provide a
range upto 5 krn.The range of Communication can be extended using one and two
repeaters. This concept is usefbl for establishing VHFIUHF commun~cationlink for
longer distance. Main users are Police, Municipal services, Health, Electricity and
Fire Services

The VHFAJHF communications are reliable throughout day and night,

unlike HF communications. Data Communications links are also established using
VHF networks in inaccess~ble areas. In simplex mode, for two way
communications one RF channel is used. D~fferentchannels can be used for
different group communications. Trans-receivers of 64 channels capacity are
commonly available for accessing different channels. Digital sets upto 255
channels are also available. Communication secrecy can be installed using
encryption devices called scramblers in VHFRIHF sets for speech secrecy. Ten
million code combinations are programmable in these secrecy devices
2.4.2. Radio Trunking Systems

These networks operate in VHFKJHF frequency bands 150 to 200, 400 &
800 MHz. The main advantage is to ease traffic congestion when more number of
users are trying to access one channel at any point of time. Here more than two

channels can be made available for access. Even though the system is costlier, it
provides broadcast call which is most important for security agencies. This
network can. also handle voice, data & video by incorporating protocols like
APCO-25 and TERTA. The system selects a free channel automatically and
reallots to other user. This has connectivity (optional) to the PSTN,for telephone
access from any mobile location as shown in figure 2.5. Radio T ~ n k i n gindustry
standards are based on Common Air interface/code word signaling protocols.
Several protocol systems were developed over many years. LTR (Logic Tmnked
Radio) system is developed during the p a r 1970. MPT (British Ministry of Posts &
Telegraphy) 1327 &' 1343 are developed during the year 1984. APCO (Associated
Public safety communications officers) APCO-16 is developed during the year
1985. APCO-25 is developed around 1994. TETRA (Trans European Trunked
Radio), digtal TDMA protocol system is developed recently to cater to high speed
data and video. lvbn users are Industry sectors for distribution & del~very.
Financial sectors like Bank~ng,stock brokers, construction companies, Medical,
Transport, Electricity etc.

2.5. Satellite Communication Systems

There are over 750 satellites, many of which are pr~marilyava~lablefor use
in communications. The orbit of the satellite either polar, meaning it travels around
the earth over the poles, or geo-synchronous, where the posit~onIS fixed (mostly)
somewhere over the equator. h-synchronous orbits are at 36,000 km in altitude.
The time deiay for the signal to fravel to the satellite and back is about 0.3 sec and
is noticeable. Polar orbits are much lower, so there is no delay. Polar orbit satellites
Figure 2.5. Radio Trunking system connecting l w o metro srcns.
travel around the earth any where from 1-12 hrs, and require many satellites for
complete World coverage. Satellite communication frequency bands must be
UHF and higher in order to penetrate the ionosphere, and are commonly in the SW
range. They are generally either C band (3.75-7.5 GHz), Ku band (12-18 GHz) or
Ka band (27 to 40 GHz) (Ref figure 2.6). Further more, circular polar~zationis
predominately used since it is difficult to properly orient the receiving antenna to
match the satellite antenna if linear polarization is used.

2.5.1 INMARSAT Satellite communication Equipment

INMARSAT is an international organization, set up in 1979 to provide

world-wide mobile satellite commun~cations,for commercial, emergency and
safety applications on land, at sea and in the mr. Recently INMARSAT-3 has
enabled the introduction of satellite phones smaller than Laptop Computer, w~th
advanced features found in cellular systems. INMARSAT satellites provide voice,
fax and data communication services.

The INMARSAT satell~tesIre In geo-statlonary orb~t36,000 km distancs m

space Each satellite covers up to one th~rdof the Earth's surface and 1s
strategcally poslhoned above one of the four ocean reglons for continuous global
coverage It WII use h e h~gh-poweredspot beams and one global beam to wrve
the four Ocean regions to cover more than 95 per cent of the globe land mass The
W A R S A T phone IS a bnef case vers~onThe upper cover houses the antenna and
the lower houses the equspment The bnef csse AZ and EL angle to be set In such
a way to see the Indlan ocean SBtcll~tefor Ind~aand to be a4usted for maxlmum
received signal for clear communication.

INSAT (lndii Nationid Satellite Systsnn) seaies of setellitss are multipurpose

~ l for tslseormnmications,
i ~ brosdcastmg, mdaorology and search & rescue
CbeUtsr 2. .lnlas Canmuoicatim networks in Government Orvaniulirms in India

Frequency: Transmit 1626.5- 1640.5 M H z

Receive -
1525.0 1559.0 MAIL
Mode of opratiw BPSK - QPSK.- FDMA
I
Receker venxitiriv 139 dBm
Pow-er conmmption I IIIW(SIBi)Il2(1Wd
loput suppl? AC md Ib35 VDC

Bancry Pack Ni Cd S AAIl8 V

-
Table 2.3 Specifications o f lnmarsnt Phone

Figure 2.5. Inmarut Satellite Phone.

senice6. Commissioned in 1983, INSAT is rhe largest domastic wedlite communication
system in the Asia-Paci6c -on Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is
Indian national space agency. ISRO was setup in 1969 under India's Department of
Atomic Energy. Its first satellite was launched in 1975 by a Soviet booster and its
first domestic launch in 1980. India created the space commission and Department
of Space in June 1972.

Satdlitw in Service
INSAT-2C: Launched on December 7, 1995 is located at 93.5' E longitude.
INSAT-2DT: To partly augment the capacity of the MSAT system consequent to the loss
of INSAT-2D (in October, 1997), is located at 55' E.
INSAT-2E: Launched on April 03, 1999. It is located at 83' E longitude. Under an
agreement with the International Telecommunicaons Satellite organisation
(INTELSAT). Eleven 36 MHz equivalent units of C-band capacity on INSAT-2E have
been leased to INTELSAT under a commercial agreement.
INSAT-3B: hunched on March 22,2000. 11 is located along with INSAT-2E at 83' E

INSAT Services
1) Telecommunicalions
2) Mobile satellite Services- Mobile Telephony & Mesage Reporting System
3) Television coverage
4) Radio Networking
5) Telemedicine
6) Meteorology
7) Satellite Aided search, Navigation & Rescue

INSAT Satdlitc3B Ku Band Operation description

INSAT Master Control Facll~ty(MCF)at Hassan In Karnataka IS responsible

for mmal and m-orbit operatton of all INSAT satellites It has a network of SIX

Satellite Control Earth St&ons (SCES) wth a full motion 11 m diameter antenna
and two 7 2 m d~ameter,l~mltedmobon antennas, commw~onedto m a t the
requirement of INSAT-3 series of satellites. MCF has an advanced computer
network with six servers and fif~client workstations axdusively dedicated to
spacecraft mission operations. MCF also has an elaborate backup power system to
ensure uninterrupted mission operations.

INSATJB will boost the Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) services
that have seen a rapid growth. Today about 45,000 VSATs are servlng. The major
VSAT users' include banking and financial institutions, stock markets, goods sector
and medium to heavy engineering companies. Several public and private sector
units have established dedicated closed-user group networks for their in-house
applications. INSAT-3B will almost double the transponder capacity for these
services. For the first-time Ku-band frequencies will also be used for VSAT
services, which enables the use of smaller ground terminals

2.5.3. Very SmaU Aperture Terminals (VSATs)

As terminal technology advances, the size of the antenna required to achieve

a particular link quality (bit error rate) decreases. A class of terminals smaller than
VSATs is now available; these are termed Ultra Small Aperture Terminals
(USATs). For most practical purposes, USATs ire just VSATs with smaller
antennas. It must always be remembered, however, that as antenna size decreases,
the antenna beam widens and that a point is rapidly reached when there is no
further advantage in decreasing antenna size because of increased interference with
other systems. The practical present day lower limit on antenna size IS 55 cm
diameter.

The most common VSAT configurabon IS the T D W M A star network

t outbound camer (TDM)from the hub to the remote earth
These have a high b ~rate
stations, and one or more low or medium b ~ rate
t Time Dwu~onMulbple Acccss
(TDh4A) ~nboundcam-. W~th ~ t sstar configurat~on nstwntk archttocture,
interactive VSAT technology is appropriate for any organisation with cantralisad
management and data processing. This configuration has bsen developed to
minimise overall lifetime costs for the complete network including satellite
transmission costs. The use of a single high performance hub allow the use of low
cost remote VSAT terminals and optimises the use of satellite capacity. Even so, in
most VSAT networks, the cost of the VSAT terminals usually Far excwds the cost
of the hub (typically a VSAT terminal is 0.1 to 0.2% of the price of the hub). In a
typical VSAT network as shown in figure 2.7, remote user sites have a number of
personal computers, dumb terminals and printers connected to the VSAT terminal
which connects them to a centralised host computer either at the organisation's
head office or data processing centre. Data sent to the VSAT terminal from the
DTEs ( Data Transmitting Equipment) is buffered and transmitted to the hub In
packets. Communication Satellites provides an efficient method of sending Rad~o,
Telephone, Telegraph signals and other data over a vast area. The development of
Satellite Communication technology has not only improved the internat~onal
communications but also domestic communication system. This has been
demonstrated by INSAT - for domestic Communications in India. VSAT networks
have the facility to add new sites and to change the capacity of the network.
VSAT, networks through satellites can provide Wide Area Networks (WAN) by
interconnectivity of LAN and other networks. In India some of the VSATs
network operators are NIC (National Informatrcs Centre). Banking sectors, Stock
exchanges etc. as shown in figure 2.7.

2.6. GPS - Global Positioning Systems

The Global Positiqnrng System is based on 24 earth-orbiting satellites. Each

transmits a very precise timing signal from an on-board atomlc clock. A OPS
receiver (figure 2.8) anywhere in the world can receive these signale and from
minute diilkences in their timings figure out the exact distance to cach satelltte.
Using simple geometry, it thus knows e w t l y where it is on the planet. Designed
Cnmter2. l r ~ Commun~cation
l ~ Newwks in Govemmcnt Oraanisationr in India

Figure 2.7. VSAT-Hub Network of Stock exchange.

Ghavtu 2. lreless Communication Naworh in Govmment Oramiurtirms in India

Figure 2.8. Deployment of GPS receivers for specific operations.

Figure 2.9. Cellular Network Scenario.

by the United States Department of Definse for use by the Military. the GPS was
made available to civilians for use in aviation, marine, surveying, general out door
recreation markets. Today millions of people utilize the accuracy and convenience
of this amazing technology to hunt, fish, fly, Cruise. GPS cosrdinate systems are
positions or locations that are described in a unique way. Different coordinate
systems are LATkON, UTM, TD,OSOB, Irish Gnd. Swedish Gnd, Swiss Grid,
Fennish Grid. UTM OJniversal Transverse Mercator) and LATtLON are most
commonly &ed co-ordinate systems.

Satellites transmit two codes. PPS - Military only enclypted code and SPS
(Standard Positioning Service) codes. All GPS receivers are SPS receivers. Satellite
transmits two types of data - Almanac & Ephemeris. Almanac is the general
information on the location and health of each satellite and Ephemeris is the precise
satellite positioning ~nformationused for ranging. Both almanac and ephemeris
data is used for a GPS receiver to locate and acquire satellites quickly and compare
a position fix. DGPS is a Differential GPS which compares the size of the error and
applies it to positioning information.

As ionosphere is a dispersive medium, it is possible to use two or more GPS

frequencies and make correction for the ionospheric group delay which IS caused
by the total number of electrons in the ionosphere. But single tiequency systems
need an average Total Electron Content (TEC) input to make the correction.
Models developed for use in mid-latitude countries are not accurate for lndia
because of EIA gradients and large diurnal variation in TEC.W~nrofiand 'hnder
(2000) used time delay neural networks with back propagation for hourly fbF2

predictions with some success. Sanm el a/.. (2000) described reference station
placement for the Indian Wide Area Augmentation System (INWAAS) and it is
expected hi adequate data b m India will be generated m n to meet for
ionospheric and tropoephmc errors in GPS.
2.7. Cdlular communication systems
2.7.1. Ceilular Networks

The cellular network uses 800-900, 1 100-1200 MHz ftequency bands to

connect mobile stations (Cell Phones) to central receiving antennae and base
station. The area of coverage by that base station defines the cell The base stations
are interconnected by fixed media similar to the telephone network A central
system takes care of locating the recipient and the signal is sent to the appropriate
antenna in that cell for broadcast, or alternatively passed on to the fixed telephone
network

When a cellular subscriber moves from one cell into another, the base
stations perform a handoff and transfer the call to the next base station. Even when
not placing calls, cellular phones send low power signals in order for the system to
determine the phone's location for incoming calls. Somewhere around 50 MHz of
bandwidth is available divided between the transmit and receive side. Most cellular
phone signals are MSK (Minimum Shift Keying, a variety of FSK) and have a
signal bandwidth of 200 KHz. That glves a capacity of about 125 channels per
cell.

A cellular network allows cellular subscribers to wander anywhere In the

country or any part of the World and remaln connected to the Publlc Sw~tched
Telephone Network (PSTN) vla thetr moblle phones as shown in figure 2 9 A
cellular network has a h~erarchicalstructure and it IS formed by connecttng the
major components menhoned In the figure 2 10 All BSCs wthrn a cluster are
c o n n e d to a Moblle Swtchxng Centre (MSC) usrng land llnw Each MSC of a
cluster ts then connected to the MSG of other clustera and a PSTN main mtchtng
centre The MSC stom rnformatron about the subwnbers located wthln the cluster
and re responstble for d~rect~ng calls to them The size of the cell largely dapenda
on the area m d t c h the cell ISlosetcd CMaally, rural areas have fess eubscnbers
compared to urban areas. SO in an urban area more channels are needed to
accommodate the larger number of subscribers. If each cell in. a given rural and
urban area had fixed number of channels, the cell size in the urban area would have
to be smaller to allow more channels in the given aria. Reducing the cell size
would result in cells, using similar channel frequency, to be located closer to each
other. Therefore reducing the size too much would cause. an increase in co-channel
interference. Size of the cell can be varied by varying the power and sensitivity of
the base d o n

A cellular network could also be used to transmit data, images, text and
video. A lot of research has been done and is still in progress to maximize the
ability to transmit these other forms of information via cellular networks which are
commercially available. All these new inventions would require the existing
cellular network to be improved. One of the most important improvement 1s to
create a single global standard for cellular network to transmit all forms of
information. This would allow information to be transmitted throughout the world
and eventually make the world smaller and more united.

2.8. Future plans-modernisation of communication systems

2.8.1. Satellite Communications-Hand held devieca

Thuraya Satellites launched m 2001 1s a regional mob~lecommunlcatlon

system that prov~des satell~tetelephony and data servlces to Europe, The
Med~terranean,Northern Africa, the Mtddle East and other AsIan regions

(covermg more than 100 countries) as shown ~n figure 2 10 Thuraya Satellrte

Telecommunicatrons Company d w h e d in April 1997, 1s a consomum of over
21 nafional telcos and investment h o w . Ut~litmgtwo geostat~onqaatellltes and
a ground s a o n based m Shagah, UAE,Thuraya offers a unlque product mlx of
mobzle satellite and GSM s m c e s fiom one small handheld satelltte phone as
shown m figure 2 11 Thuraya has roaming agreements with many global phone
Figure 2.10. Thuraya Global coverage.

Figure 2. I I. Thuraya satellite handheld set.

GSM operators around the world which allow ease of use when d l i t e oovsrage
is not required (within populated regions). Thuraya was the first mobtle satellite
service to truly integrate satellite and terrestrial mobile services through one
handset, allowing users to move freely in and out of terrestrial coverage or within
structures which impede satellite coverage.

2.8.2. GIs, GPS & AVLS Networks

The US Geologrcal Survey defines GIS or Geographic informatton System

as 'a computer system capable of assembling, stonng, mantpulat~ngand drsplay~ng
geographically- referenced informatton, that is, data rdentified accordtng to thew
locations' Thts means that different types of data (residing on a database) can be
presented as layers, one on top of another, and then placed on a dtgitiwd map The
advantage of GIs is that it can vrsualtze and can show a 3 D scenarlo of a process
or a&on tn a few seconds or m~nutesthat could o t h m s e take up a few weeks ~f
done manually

2.8.3. Geographical Information System (GIs)

GIs IS a boon for mllrtary commanders who are often deployed wrth in a
short notice to different battlefield scenarios. One of the essential skills needed to
be the overall in charge of Military or Police operations is in obtaining information
about the Territory topography and relief features from detailed maps and then
formulating plans for troop movement. Traditionally. sand and mud relref models
have been used to simulate possible offensrve or defensive actions. GIs models
can help the commander brief his 'boys' about the topography, possible routes for
infiltration, rescue of hostages and extraction of the special team &r the
operation. He can also simulate possible c o u m of action that the operation might
take. For the commander could use it to simulate the effect of rain and
slush and the subsequent delay these factors would have caused in an operation.
Using a GIS model, it is possible to predict how much the roads should be widened,
what kind of drainage facilities should be provided, and how many buildings and
people should be relocated to facilitate smooth flowing of traffic. A GIS system is
made up of the required hardware, GIs software and a database. GIS is much more
than digitized cartography. GIs can also be combined with GPS recetvers to
simulate or study situations in emergencies or natural disasters An example of
using GPS, GIs, AVLS (Automatic Vehicle Location System), & Digital Rad~o
Trunking system for the deployment of patrolling vehicles for enforcing law and
order is shown in figure 2.12.This system is developed integrating GIs and GPS
Technology. This will track vehicles as per predetermined algorithms and almanac
and determine the position of the vehicle to an accuracy of about 50 meters or less
with additional infrastructure. With differential correction, it is possible to achieve
accuracy less than a meter. AVLS is fully network compatible, can work via
internet, can automaticallyrecognize all vehicles in motion. Primary users are Fleet
movers, Security Agencies. Police and Fire Services.

2.9. Conclusion

Convergence of telecommunications and computers is the important

implication of information technology. This convtirgence has a major impact on
technology, economy and society. Whereas computer provides-precision and
storage of information, it is the telecommunication that provide a connected
communications world wide and global communication enhances social and
economic growth. All Government organizations are continuously modernis~ngand
improving their communications infrastructure and capabilities to serve the Society
effectively. However, a ,coherencive and exhaustive study on the propagation
impairments on these Frtquencies is very much required to provide optimum
service to user community.
 LnaDter 2.ltreless Communieati~~n-rks in Govemrncal Ommi lions in India

Figure 2.12. Metro city police control room with CW, CIS, AVLS
& digital rndio trunknet systems.
 Availability of service should be'ensured for 99% of time. In this context it
is very much required to study the ahnospheric constraints for HF. VHF. UHF and
higher fkequencies. The aim of this study is to identify suitable models for the
Radio wave propagation in the above bands. The study also compares the
adaptability of ITU-R models in general to tropical countries and in particular to
Indian sub-continent. The results are expected to be useful for future planning of
radio networks in India.

As plans are on the anvil in India to use the Ku band (12 to 18 GHz), Riun
morphology and Rain attenuation become very cr~tical At the upper end of Ku
band, even water vapour attenuation is important. As there are hundreds of HF
links operating in India, fading In HF, Atmospheric Radio Noise, HF fnquency
predictions, etc., are of concern Some of these problems are addressed in the
following chapters with observational data wherever possible from a number of
stations in India. In the UHF, the primary focus for cellular operations & Radio
trunking, is the 800 to 900 MHz band. It is essential to study propagat~on
characteristicdpath loss etc., In this band for urbanlsemi-urban areas In view of the
extreme demand in cellular traffic.
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