NI Fire & Rescue service (NIFRS) had purchased a new SICCS compliant solution to operate with the shared “Barracuda” Tetra based radio system. Sungard Vivista’s DS2000 solution had been installed & tested and was nearing the time to go-live.

For such an important system, the customer wanted to ensure that a consistent quality of communications was delivered at all operator positions and telephone terminations. Testing needed to be objective and was therefore to be based on the ITU-T P.862 PESQ algorithm. A minimum voice quality score of 3.5 was the design requirement.

The Solution

Syntech’s approach was to devise a bespoke test programme to simulate speech and measure audio levels and quality across a number of different circuit types and termination points.

Prior to testing, Syntech worked with Sungard Vivista to ensure all interfaces and pre-test configurations were understood and accounted for so that best use of the time on-site could be made.

Syntech subsequently spent two days undertaking on-site measurements using their specialist PESQ test equipment. Measurements were taken using a range of scenarios at SICCS operator positions and telephone handsets using both male and female voice samples.

Results were processed, analysed and a detailed report was provided revealing the performance of each circuit tested together with any associated observations.

Results

The result was a clean bill-of-health for DS2000 giving the customer confidence that the SICCS would deliver excellent voice quality.  

Key Services

• PESQ testing
• SICCS 

Client Comment/Testimonial

“Key to the choice of Syntech Systems for carrying out this work was their ability to react quickly by mobilising the necessary equipment and personnel to site within a few days along with their knowledge of the DS2000, Motorola’s TETRA solution and the relevant voice quality standards. Site work was completed within the required timescales and a clear, comprehensive report to the satisfaction of NIFRS was produced within a few days.”

Joe Durham, Project Manager, Sungard Vivista