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Software requirements for automating a radiotelephone system
Author(s)
Van der Walt van Zyl, Louis Stephanus
Date Issued
2000
Type
Thesis
Publisher
Cape Technikon
Abstract
Sentech is the common carrier signal distributor in South Africa for Television and Radio
programs. This radio telephone system is used by the company as a communications link
for voice and data between remote transmitter sites and the Transmitter Control Centre.
The system was installed in 1986 and consists of a mixture of fixed bases and mobile
units.
The location of these transmitting sites is mainly on top of mountains in remote, sparsely
populated areas. The use of cellular telephones for communication is impossible, as 80%
of the sites fall outside the coverage area of the cells. Telkom infrastructure in these
areas is most of the time not available or consists of shared farm lines. Only in the big
metropolitan centres can data lines be considered at the main sites. It is not cost effective
to consider it for the small sites.
When the new system was installed, it replaced a single repeater system that relayed
VHF radio signals from as far as 200 Km. The new system was a major improvement
over the old system. Within a year it became apparent that it did not fulfill in all the needs
of the company. A telephone-patch and two-tone cell call was added to increase the
functionality. Data transfer and call-out systems were added to implement the new
telemetry system to the sites.
When the old handhelds became unreliable and the new units only use DTMF signalling,
it became apparent that the system had to be upgraded.
programs. This radio telephone system is used by the company as a communications link
for voice and data between remote transmitter sites and the Transmitter Control Centre.
The system was installed in 1986 and consists of a mixture of fixed bases and mobile
units.
The location of these transmitting sites is mainly on top of mountains in remote, sparsely
populated areas. The use of cellular telephones for communication is impossible, as 80%
of the sites fall outside the coverage area of the cells. Telkom infrastructure in these
areas is most of the time not available or consists of shared farm lines. Only in the big
metropolitan centres can data lines be considered at the main sites. It is not cost effective
to consider it for the small sites.
When the new system was installed, it replaced a single repeater system that relayed
VHF radio signals from as far as 200 Km. The new system was a major improvement
over the old system. Within a year it became apparent that it did not fulfill in all the needs
of the company. A telephone-patch and two-tone cell call was added to increase the
functionality. Data transfer and call-out systems were added to implement the new
telemetry system to the sites.
When the old handhelds became unreliable and the new units only use DTMF signalling,
it became apparent that the system had to be upgraded.
Additional information
Thesis (MTech (Information Technology))--Cape Technikon, Cape Town, 2000
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