Wireless data for public-safety

Guiart TICA software is capable of using TETRA, GSM GPRS and LAN or WLAN services. The theoretical limit for packet switched data under GPRS is approximately 170 kbit/s. A realistic bit rate is 30-70 kbit/s. A change to the radio part of GPRS called EDGE allows higher bit rates of between 20 and 200 kbit/s.

TETRA single-slot data rate is 7.2 kbit/s giving applications 2.4 kbit/s data rate. TETRA multi-slot IP packet data provides up to 28.8 kbit/s gross bit rate, which yields a bit rate of around 9 kbit/s for applications. This can provide an enhanced service for images, documents and low-speed video, although it can’t match the GPRS service in GSM networks.

To meet the strict data safety requirements TETRA System makes it possible to use different encryption algorithms, for example, to comply with national regulations. Guiart TICA software offers customer specific or standard end-to-end encryption for GPRS and other open network users.

ETSI is currently defining TETRA Enhanced Data Service (TEDS), a new air interface standard to increase TETRA data speeds up to 30–150kbit/s. TEDS will be more than 10 times faster than multi-slot packet data.

WiMAX is supporting mobility with the standardization of 802.16e. WiMAX will complement Wi-Fi in metro networks. The impact on cellular will be complementary.

The IEEE technical group expects to have a ratified 802.11s standard for wireless mesh networking by early 2008. Wi-Fi may not be adequate for public-safety networks that require carrier-grade technology to meet required reliability levels.

PDA market showed a steep decline in 2007

The IDC Worldwide Handheld QView PDA market report shows a continuing steep decline. Dell has decided to withdraw from the handheld device market. Guiart has decided not to continue the PDA software development due to a very low customer interest in the PDA applications. Guiart TICA has a very small footprint in mobile computers which enables running the TICA applications in all known rugged small size computers like Panasonic Toughbooks.

Mobile devices capable of cellular connectivity replace the PDA devices in a fast pace. Even the inclusion of new features like multimedia, GPS, and wireless have not stopped the decline in shipments. According to IDC's Worldwide Handheld QView, vendors shipped a total of 720,000 units during the second quarter of 2007, a 43.5% decrease from the same quarter in 2006. There is no sign of PDA market recovery for the coming years.