SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONVEYING AERONAUTICAL RADIO VOICE AND SIGNALING OVER A SATELLITE IP NETWORK

• US 20150180567A1
• Filed: 03/15/2013
• Published: 06/25/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Inaccess Networks S.A.
• Original Assignee: Inaccess Networks S.A.
• Inventors: Apostolakos, Spyridon, Simaiakis, Konstantinos
• Granted Patent: US 9,281,890 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18508 with satellite system used as relay, i.e. aeronautical mobile satellite service
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1026 at the edge
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1069 Session establishment or de-establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/4061 Push-to services, e.g. push-to-talk or push-to-video
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/10 Push-to-Talk [PTT] or Push-On-Call services

Abstract

Systems and methods for conveying aeronautical radio voice and signaling over a satellite IP network are described. According to disclosed embodiments, a remote very high frequency (VHF) transceiver is connected with a central location where Air Traffic Control is exercised. The system implements an end-to-end path employing satellite communications to transmit radio voice and signaling. A method is also provided that enables radio call setup and voice transport so as to allow aircraft pilots and flight controllers to communicate.

Claims

1. A system for conveying aeronautical communications between a remote site and a central location, the system comprising:

a very high frequency (VHF) transceiver installed at the remote site;

a first radio-over-IP gateway connected to the VHF transceiver installed at the remote site;

a first satellite router connected to the first radio-over-IP gateway installed at the remote site;

a second satellite router installed at the central location;

a second radio-over-IP gateway connected to the second satellite router installed at the central location; and

a voice communication system (VCS) connected to the second radio-over-IP gateway installed at the central location.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first radio-over-IP gateway comprises:

a push-to-talk (PTT) detection module configured to detect PTT signaling from the VHF transceiver and to relay the PTT signaling to the first satellite router.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first radio-over-IP gateway comprises:

a playback module configured to capture incoming voice data from the first satellite router and transmit the incoming voice data to the VHF transceiver.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the second radio-over-IP gateway comprises:

a push-to-talk (PTT) detection module configured to detect PTT signaling from the VCS and to relay the PTT signaling to the second satellite router.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the second radio-over-IP gateway comprises:

a playback module configured to capture incoming voice data from the first satellite router and transmit the incoming voice data to the VCS.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first radio-over-IP gateway and the second radio-over-IP gateway comprises:

a voice encoder module configured to compress outgoing voice data to reduce its bit rate.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first radio-over-IP gateway and the second radio-over-IP gateway comprises:

a voice decoder module configured to decompress incoming voice data to its original bit rate.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first radio-over-IP gateway and the second radio-over-IP gateway comprises:

a transmit buffer module configured to store at least one of the incoming voice data and the outgoing voice data.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first radio-over-IP gateway and the second radio-over-IP gateway comprises:

a call control module configured to set up and tear down voice calls comprising at least one of the incoming voice data and the outgoing voice data.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first radio-over-IP gateway and the second radio-over-IP gateway comprises:

a voice transport module configured to encapsulate and decapsulate compressed voice data.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first radio-over-IP gateway and the second radio-over-IP gateway comprises:

an IP interface module configured to convey call control and the outgoing voice data over an IP network.

12. A method of conveying aeronautical communications, the method comprising:

detecting push-to-talk (PTT) signaling from a first external radio system;

relaying the PTT signaling to the first external radio system;

capturing voice data from the first external radio system;

encoding the voice data;

storing the voice data in a first transmit buffer;

initiating a call setup sequence;

if the call setup sequence is successful;

transmitting the voice data to a second external radio system,

decoding the voice data, and

clearing the first transmit buffer; and

if the call setup sequence is unsuccessful;

clearing the first transmit buffer.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising, if the call setup sequence is successful:

reducing end-to-end delay between the first external radio system and the second external radio system.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of reducing end-to-end delay comprises:

preventing new voice data from entering the transmit buffer if;

(a) the call setup sequence is successful,

(b) no PTT signaling is present, and

(c) no PTT signaling has been present for a minimum silence period; and

removing the first transmit buffer if it is empty.

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising, if the call setup sequence is successful:

detecting PTT signaling from the second external radio system;

relaying the PTT signaling to the second external radio system;

capturing voice data from the second external radio system;

encoding the voice data; and

storing the voice data in a second transmit buffer.

transmitting the voice data to the first external radio system;

decoding the voice data; and

clearing the second transmit buffer.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

if voice data is simultaneously stored in the first transmit buffer and the second transmit buffer, clearing the first transmit buffer and the second transmit buffer.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

starting a timer each time PTT signaling is detected from the first external radio system or the second external radio system; and

if the timer exceeds a minimum silence period, initiating a call teardown sequence.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

aborting the call teardown sequence if PTT signaling is detected from the first external radio system or the second external radio system.

19. A computer readable medium having computer executable instructions embedded thereon for performing the steps of:

detecting push-to-talk (PTT) signaling from a first external radio system;

relaying the PTT signaling to the first external radio system;

capturing voice data from the first external radio system;

encoding the voice data;

storing the voice data in a first transmit buffer;

initiating a call setup sequence;

if the call setup sequence is successful;

transmitting the voice data to a second external radio system,

decoding the voice data, and

clearing the first transmit buffer; and

if the call setup sequence is unsuccessful;

clearing the first transmit buffer.