Physics:Xfin
Xfin is the brand name for a trunked radio system developed by TeamSimoco. It is a Private Mobile Radio (PMR) system that interconnects MPT-1327 radio base stations via an IP backbone. The name is taken from the technology behind Xfin – an Intel XScale architecture supported by a Blackfin Digital Signal Processor (DSP).
Overview
The Xfin IP MPT-1327 Radio System consists of blades which contain a controller, VoIP softswitch and analogue air interface.
MPT-1327 is an industry standard for analogue trunked radio communications systems, typically used by the emergency services and utility companies. The digital alternatives include Tetra, Project-25 (P25) and DMR.
Traditional MPT-1327 trunked radio systems consist of separate components for the base station, site controller and switch. Xfin combines an MPT-1327 air interface with a Voice over IP (VoIP) backbone, switched by an IP softswitch. Multicast IP is used to deliver group call functionality over an IP network.
The Xfin technology is similar to Tetra based radio systems, but has the advantages of MPT-1327.
Citation from MPT-1327: “The advantage of MPT1327 over TETRA is the cost of equipment, the ease of installation, the familiarity with the equipment, and many believe that MPT1327 is superior to TETRA, due to its uncompressed FM audio, and greater receiver sensitivity. MPT1327 typically has greater range than TETRA, since the TETRA protocol uses a complex modulation scheme that requires a far higher Signal to Noise ratio to function than 1200bit/s FFSK signalling.”
Xfin is based on independent interconnected blades, each capable of standalone operation providing a data/control channel. The blades communicate via IP to select a Master blade, which becomes the site controller.
Xfin is used worldwide. Case studies include a major installation in Panama [1] and the radio system at Tottenham Hotspur Football Club.[2]
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