Dycon believes that the new GPRS Duet4 is pushing dual signalling further by embracing the latest technologies in use in modern communication systems, including downloading to most alarm panels.

The Duet4 is an advanced auto-dialling digital communication device for adding GPRS, GSM, SMS and LAN reporting to control panels that have a telephone line connection. It continuously monitors the telephone line that is normally connected to the control panel’s PSTN connection. If a radio path fault is detected, the Duet4 allows the control panel to dial out on the PSTN network and sends a radio fault alarm to the ARC on the LAN path (if available). This combination ensures that the alarm signalling will always have a back-up path in the event of an accidental or deliberate fault on either path (radio or telephone). Any subsequent alarm transmission from the control panel is then sent to the ARC via one of the Duet4 paths. Alarms can also be sent by SMS text to mobile phones.

The Duet4 can be used as the primary or secondary path for alarm transmission but will be the main path for test calls. It is compatible with most existing standard communicating alarm panels. It captures the information from the control panel and re-transmits it to the alarm receiving centre through any of its available transmission formats (Fast Format 8 and 16, Contact ID and SIA). As the Duet4 also continuously monitors the radio path, if a fault is detected on the radio path, the Duet4 enables the control panel to signal via PSTN. The Duet4 monitors the GSM network for incoming calls, either to download to the Duet4, or to receive SMS controls.