Integration of TETRA with Satellite Networks: A Contribution to the IMT-A Vision

The paper addresses the integration architecture (I-concept) between a terrestrial technology—TETRA (TErrestrial Trunked Radio)—and satellite systems. This approach, that enhances and harmonises the features of both technologies, could provide an interesting contribution to the effectiveness of the International Mobile Telecommunications-Advanced (IMT-A) and, hence, to the 4G vision. TETRA can represent an interesting building block of an integrated network devoted to both civil and military scenarios; it meets the “suitable technological capability” requirement for integration, because it represents a consolidated terrestrial technology that can be trusted, hence focusing the integration effort on the definition, design and implementation of proper interfaces. System architectures are here proposed referring to short, medium term and long term scenarios.