Protecting against EMPs

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A specialist in designing, building, and maintaining radio and telecommunication networks, product development, and electrical assembly, Fitelnet is also part of an expert consortium offering a state-of-the-art solution for guaranteeing data transfer and integration during crises and natural catastrophes.

Fitelnet Oy

www.fitelnet.fi

Essential electronic equipment, especially that used by defence forces and the authorities, needs to be protected against the threat posed by electromagnetic pulses (EMPs) resulting from intentional electromagnetic interference or a high-altitude nuclear detonation. The voltage surges that ensue can damage or destroy all the unprotected electronic equipment or components in their path.

Fitelnet's FAPS-8 filter secures all interfaces against electromagnetic pulses.

System cabinets from Fitelnet have been designed to provide the protection needed against this threat.

Fitelnet's EMP-protected system cabinets are constructed of stainless steel for strength and durability, combined with light weight – and are designed and tested for excellent attenuation over a very wide frequency spectrum.

All interfaces and connectors, such as 2M transmission connectors, are EMP-protected and supplied to meet customer specifications. Optical interfaces can be used when higher rates are required. Interfaces are protected with the FAPS-8 filter, the most effective unit of its type on the market.

Flexible options

Fitelnet's cabinets are designed for flexibility, with several options for rack and sub-rack configurations. Integration with commercial telecommunications equipment and products – such as TETRA base stations, transmission systems, links, or GSM – is fully supported.

Fitelnet offers a modular, rack-based solution for TETRA base stations (TBS). This features a single-rack, single-carrier design or a dual-rack, dual-carrier base station, integrated into a system cabinet. Smaller cabinets are designed for mobile use and easy integration into vehicles.

EMP-protected system cabinets have already been supplied to the Finnish Defence Forces as part of their Deployable COTS Network (DCN) project.

Efficient contracting

Fitelnet provides a wide range of telecom contracting services, in addition to EMP-protected systems and filters.

Fitelnet's EMP-protected system cabinets are designed to provide excellent attenuation over a very wide frequency spectrum.

These are offered to operators, importers, and manufacturers on a turnkey basis, and primarily cover the construction of base stations for GSM, TETRA, UMTS, and other networks.

Fitelnet also carries out power engineering and transmission work, and builds indoor fixed or radio/wideband networks.

In addition to consulting and planning, installation, commissioning, and system integration, Fitelnet also provides a range of product development, project management, project export, testing, supervision, and maintenance services.

A unique package

Fitelnet is part of the DCN Group (www.dcn.fi), an expert consortium that offers a state-of-the-art, off-the-shelf solution for creating and operating fast and efficient telecommunication systems for use in crises and natural catastrophes.

The DCN concept harnesses commercially available technology to provide fast, reliable, and highly flexible mobile data transfer networks – for military and civilian crisis management teams, as well as commercial operations working under particularly demanding conditions.

DCN uses the latest COTS data transfer technologies, and combines the best in commercial systems with the best in military data transfer networks.

Thanks to this smart combination, the DCN Group is the world's only provider of mobile, high-capacity data transfer platforms for network solutions, including GSM, TETRA, UMTS, HF, and SATCOM.

Extensively based on the operational conditions and test experience of the Finnish Defence Forces, with whom the underlying system was developed, DCN's COTS technology is constantly being developed to ensure that it remains capable of offering the best in the field.

Keeping things safe

Fitelnet's FCSC system cabinet is a key part of the integrated DCN approach, and provides users with capabilities for a variety of environments, for connecting standard networks and implementing mobile DCNs.

Its standards-compliant design, robust structure, and EMP protection features make it a flexible and reliable operating platform for COTS data communications systems.

Designed to be set up with a minimum of personnel, the FCSC cabinet simplifies overall systems management, enabling operations to be managed through a single terminal rather than multiple control devices. Additional features can be added for military use.

> Markku Valkealahti

(Published in High Technology Finland )