08/01/2017
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About
RFI supported Singapore radio communication experts, CitiCall. Citicall were chosen by the Singapore SEA Games Organising Committee to provide digital radio services for the South East Asia (SEA) games in 2015. A new digital trunked radio network was installed just in time for the games.
The Challenge
The Southeast Asia Games was the single largest sporting event held in Singapore and the region. There was a sheer complexity to the games as the competition venues are spread out across the country. Reliable communication is critical to the success of these games. The main venue was the National Stadium, but there were also 31 other stadiums and sporting facilities around the country. Additionally, there was no central village to accommodate everyone; instead, no fewer than 7,000 athletes and supporting staff were accommodated at 20 different hotels throughout Singapore. Providing communications for the officials and 17,000 volunteers at all these locations was of significant importance. There was also both air and land borders that needed network coverage with requirements at immigration checkpoints for the VIPs and athletes arriving from the 10 other countries. As a result, clear and coordinated communications was critical to the overall success of the games.
The Solutions
RFI was responsible for the antenna sub-system solution to support the total radio communications solution. Due to narrow operating bands and the critical communication requirements, the choice of equipment was of vital importance.
RFI reviewed the unique coverage requirements for a stadium solution, with open outdoor corridors requiring coverage as well as coverage needed in and around the stadium. RFI assisted in the review of each site and for the antenna requirements recommended low PIM, narrow band antennas, including our global-leading range of dipole arrays and our patented COL45 meander antennas. Another added obstacle was the high possibility of lightning strikes – which are quite prevalent in the area. As a result, RFI recommended ruggedised, directly grounded installations with reliable lightning arrestors.
RFI also supplied the multicoupling systems used in the critical project, including assisting with the design of the overall solution. A narrow frequency range and significant coverage requirements inside and outside the stadiums meant Citicall needed a reliable, agile combiner. Our Mini system combiners, Series combiners and RX multi coupler systems were perfect for overcoming these problems. Because of this being such a high profile project, it was important that radio communication technicians on site were well traversed in our system. RFI provided a great deal of training to installers and maintenance personnel around the principles of the design of the multi coupling system supplied and the choice of antennas.
The Result
Throughout the operational period, there was zero equipment and network failure. The flexibility of the technology and hardware enabled the first-ever Cycling Race through the Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway tunnel with good signal strength along the entire race route. The system provided by CitiCall enhanced the decision-making process at the Games HQ as they were able to monitor ground operations and maintain command and control of events and incidents across the full spectrum.
Products Used