"DMR S-TRUNKING" What is this now?

[kd4efm]

For this write up, I am using KPG-D3 for the following information.

From what I have been working on and what little I can go by, here is a little primer on the DMR "S-TRUNKING" or Simple Trunk for Tier 2"
Basically it is this, SMALL FORM DMR TRUNKING in a DMR Tier 2 world. Is it XPT? IS IT FINALLY A LCP or LCP+ or CAP+ MAX capable thing?
NO.
It is a standard designed by the ETSI for DMR Tier 3 Trunking in a small form package using Tier 2 bases.
ETSI STANDARDS, not the other guys vendor locked stuff. This is open protocol.


So here is how Kenwood is going to make use of this with the NX-3000 and NX-5000 radio platforms.
The Base Stations will be coming shortly so more info forthcoming.

Go to "Product INFO", and enable or turn on the "DMR S-Trunking" option from the newly release Firmware and Software.



Now, let's take a look at what this mean for us system ops putting this together for our users.

The lingo:

Network Model; this is the scale size of the DMR Network layout. You have; Tiny, Small, Large, Huge
The bit configuration for Network ID and Site ID of System Code varies as follows according to the scale of the network.


Location Area ID; allows you to configure the ID for identifying the Site group for which the use of transceiver is permitted. Grouping the Sites allows the coverage area to be divided according to the Location Area.
Location Site ID; allows you to configure the Site ID for which the use of transceiver is permitted within the Location Area.
Coverage Type; allows you to configure the range of the site for which the use of transceiver is permitted.
The transceiver can roam in the area configured for Coverage Type.
Single Site: The transceiver can be operated only within the repeater site with the matching Network Model, Network ID, Location Area ID, and Location Site ID.
Intra-Location Area:The transceiver can roam between the repeater sites with the matching Network Model, Network ID and Location Area ID in a system to which multiple repeater sites belong.
Intra-Network:The transceiver can roam between the repeater sites with the matching Network Model and Network ID in a system to which multiple repeater sites belong.

Here is a look at what a "Tiny" model, with ID 1, DMRLA 1, Location 1, Site 1 looks like, note system code is in binary;
this is using a fixed channel plan



NOTE: you only have 7 site names!
Does not matter the coverage type, you have to define your networking model.


Group Subscription; allows you to configure whether to register the group used by the transceiver in the system during registration of the transceiver.
Using this function enables the system to identify the site in which a transceiver is waiting for a group call. Depending on the system specifications, this function allows for efficient operation such as by limiting the calling range to the site where the transceiver is present.

HUNT Options
Normal Hunt allows you to configure parameters for various functions related to a control channel used for Normal Hunt.
Various parameters can be configured in Normal Hunt only if DMR Tier III Trunking is enabled in Product Information.



Like NXDN HUNT OPTIONS, this also is used for this form of DMR S-Trunking.

Last Control Channel allows you to configure whether the last used Site is retained in the transceiver even after the transceiver is turned OFF. The transceiver will be connected to the last used Site even after the transceiver is turned ON again.

Range:
Check (Enable):
Enables the capability to retain the status for the last used site even after the transceiver is turned OFF. When the transceiver is turned ON again, the transceiver starts searching for a control channel from the retained site.

Uncheck (Disable):
Disables the capability to retain the status for the last used site even after the transceiver is turned OFF. When the transceiver is turned ON again, the transceiver starts searching for a control channel on the channel configured as the Normal Hunt Control Channel.

System Search Policy allows you to configure the policy for searching a system. The transceiver can also be configured to easily start roaming to enable a user to use a system having high signal strength. The transceiver can also be configured not to start roaming to use a system even if the current system is positioned near the system critical point.
The transceiver releases connection to the current control channel and starts a channel hunt sequence based on the System Search Policy.

Moving on to other areas now.
UNIT ID; The DMR S-Trunking uses the same ID format in the DMR world. 1 to 16776415 (fffcdf in hex)

Note:These functions can be configured if Fleet Dialing Plan is enabled.


Number Prefix (NP) allows you to configure the Prefix number for the call address assigned to the transceiver.
A unique call address is assigned to each transceiver. The call address consists of the Prefix number, the Fleet number and the Individual number.
Range: 328 to 806 in steps of 1

Fleet Individual Number (FIN) allows you to configure the Fleet number for a call address dedicated for an Individual Call assigned to the transceiver.
A unique call address is assigned to each transceiver. The call address consists of the Prefix number, the Fleet number and the Individual number.
Range: 20 to 89 (in steps of 1)


Individual Number (IN) allows you to configure the Individual Number for a call address assigned to the transceiver.
A unique call address is assigned to each transceiver. The call address consists of the Prefix number, the Fleet number and the Individual number.
Range:
The configurable range varies as follows according to the Fleet Individual Number (FIN) settings:


Global ID allows you to configure whether to use the same Unit ID or Number Prefix (NP), Fleet Individual Number (FIN) and Individual Number (IN) on all DMR systems.
Range:
Check (Enable):
Enables the capability to configure one Unit ID for all DMR systems.
Uncheck (Disable):
Disables the capability to configure one Unit ID for all DMR systems.

Fleet Group Number (FGN) allows you to configure the Fleet number for a call address dedicated for a Group Address assigned to each transceiver.
Range:
20 to 89 (in steps of 1)

On this note, I am going to hold out at this time.
There is a lot to talk about with Tier 2 Trunking that is just now coming into play around the U.S.
Some ask is this CAP+ or LCP, I will say this, NOPE. It is more like XPT just more ETSI standardized
without all the VENDOR LOCKING of that Mother Load.

Photo of a personality with the Fleet Dial Enabled


This is regular without DMR Fleet Dialing


As I get more information on the actual base stations and infrastructure, I will be able to put a little PRIMER out on that to give a better scope as to what S-Trunking is about. Just know this is BASIC DMR TRUNKING at a VERY LOWER LEVEL compared to Tier 3 DMR Trunking. T2 and T3 are two different animals in the DMR world altogether.


So in closing, S-Trunking, or SIMPLE DMR TRUNKING, will have its plus and minuses just like ANYTHING ELSE OUT THERE.
but for those who want the dmr flavor, this will be worthy of the those who are into it, and need to make a little bit more of it for a "customer"
in need of getting more out of 4 separate DMR channels.
NXDN Gen1 and Gen2 has its place, DMR Tier 3 has its place, and now for the 20 to 50 acre Hotel with everything under the sun, this too
will have its place in the price books between a few thousand, and the few MEGA 100 thousands systems.




Thanks.

 

[RRR]

Completely ridiculous how Kenwood makes everything so difficult, by "offering more options".

Want good performing, easy to program and maintain DMR? = Mototrbo. Hands down they have it nailed. Kenwood seems to make something that could be very basic, very complicated, so radios can be restricted so much.

Of course, Kenwood has NXDN nailed. I wouldn't want a Motorola version of it, when I could get what works great from Kenwood.

 

[slicerwizard]

Completely ridiculous how Kenwood makes everything so difficult, by "offering more options".

Want good performing, easy to program and maintain DMR? = Mototrbo.

Right - because Motorola hasn't offered "more options"? What are Capacity Plus, Connect Plus and Capacity Max then?

Why would you complain about a vendor offering standard / vendor neutral DMR Tier III trunking? I must be missing something...

 

[buddrousa]

Motorola does not want to play with anybody but Motorola. The Kenwood NX5400's sounds better than the APX6000's series radios on the TACN System that were priced to us and the APX6000's were at much higher price.

 

[KE5MC]

slicerwizard & buddrousa,
If one were to come across a DMR S-Trunking system what consideration for programing a SDS100/200 would be needed and would that type of system be easily recognized? No offence intended to KD4EFM and possibly you have the information I ask about, but the other two are more familiar "faces".
Mike

 

[kd4efm]

slicerwizard & buddrousa,
If one were to come across a DMR S-Trunking system what consideration for programing a SDS100/200 would be needed and would that type of system be easily recognized? No offence intended to KD4EFM and possibly you have the information I ask about, but the other two are more familiar "faces".
Mike

No offence taken. Keep in mind, I made the point, that Kenwood, like Motorola, is also a member of the ESTI DMR Forum. JVCK is taking
the same road as other ETSI Compliant radio members. The S-Trunking is a low budget Tier 3 clone DMR Trunking format. While you say
Mother M has the market, okay sure. They DO. Guess what thou, your stuck paying that price tag too. Do you want to invest in a $35,000 gateway Max Cap+ controller, before you even get the SLR repeaters to go with it? Why when you as a radio shop can offer DMR Trunking
in a smaller to large footprint for half the cost, and offer more choices in the long run?

The chances of product obsolescence is smaller when you have more options to choose from. How long where xpr6550 on the market?
7 years. They are now EOL. "But I like my 6550! Sorry you have to buy the 7550e and to get that once free option, you have to pay 200 for it now". Yes every manufacture has a good mouse trap. Motorola owns that class. Kenwood, Harris, Midland, Alinco, all of them have their ways to keeping the product lines fresh. Any radio shop guy on here knows this. Radios evolve too. (i digress)

What was the goal of this initial posting? To get the info out there for those who have SDR's and what not to help build those fun programs
like WinDSD (which I wish there was a newer version out that's a little more updated). I am just a curious about this as others may be, and if I am going to be building out these systems for commercial and private use, by god, I better be on my toes and on top of it. (or someone else will be more than me, but hey, it's my job to be on top of things)

I like radios, I like what I do, and my job if fun for me, and I do a little ham radio too when I am not knee deep in commercial work.
I find this rather neat, but also a educational item as well. S-Trunking, poor mans DMR trunking, just like NXDN, we have Type C and Type D.
Type D to me is NXDN in LTR mode. Type C is like Moto Type 2 Trunking, has a control channel, and tells the radios what to do. Pros and Cons
at every corner, even in DMR. Equal Opportunity Offending on all levels, Analog too.

Now, my next little project, since I started the ham radio NXDN network stuff, I hope to soon see VHF Low-Band repeaters come out and
have the 6m world tied into the VHF and UHF systems (and yes, the hotspots too) and really have some fun on 6m again. I think I
saw someone already trying to mate a MMDVM to a 6 meter set up with cross-band. *(hmmm)

Enjoy gang, like I said, once I see more info come my way, I can help others get a better understanding to this now available mode for DMR.

EM

 

[KevinC]

Let's try to keep this thread about embracing JVCKenwood's new venture into DMR as opposed to what "other" manufacturers do or don't do.

 

[buddrousa]

Evan thanks for the new heads up. It is not a format I have use for at this time but like having more options for a single radio.

 

[slicerwizard]

If one were to come across a DMR S-Trunking system what consideration for programing a SDS100/200 would be needed and would that type of system be easily recognized?

I would expect it to look like any other DMR Tier III system, so probably no different than programming for Hytera TIII or Motorola Capacity Max. Check the owner's manual or the Uniden forum...

 

[kd4efm]

So talking with a few people, the s-trunk platform is going to use the Kairos bases.

 

[kd4efm]

Without getting too technical here is a brief note about Kenwood S-Trunking, in a few words I can
say.

S-Trunking is a JVCKenwood proprietary DMR-based TDMA Trunking system.

Presently, there is support for DMR Tier 3 Trunking, and it's centralized trunking relay system that has
exclusive control channel (FB8)*.

JVCKWD S-Trunking conforms to sharded channel license environments. In order to conform, the TSCC is basically
transmitted in intervals (data pulses).
In other words, it negates interference to neighboring systems unlike the other equipment out there. (my comment)

System size; up to 15 sites max , and up to 8 repeaters per site (1 TSCC and 15 Payload channels) max.

Reference: ETSI TS 102 361-4 (DMR Tier III Trunking Systems)

* Shared channel (FB6) and Exclusive control channel (FB8) are Station Class Codes defined by the FCC of
United States. The code describes the purpose for which a particular station is used.

Contact your local Kenwood Dealer to learn more about S-Trunking.

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

Kenwood should get more serious about DMR Tier II. That is really where the business is.

 

[kayn1n32008]

I would expect it to look like any other DMR Tier III system, so probably no different than programming for Hytera TIII or Motorola Capacity Max. Check the owner's manual or the Uniden forum...

Never mind.