Digital wireless voice and data modem

• US 7,411,982 B2
• Filed: 07/31/2007
• Issued: 08/12/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Karma Automotive LLC (Wanxiang Group Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Airbiquity Incorporated
• Inventors: Smith, Philip Ray
• Primary Examiner(s): Pham, Chi H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BOAKYE, ALEXANDER O
• Application Number:
  US11/831,815
• Publication Number:
  US 20070268934A1
• Time in Patent Office: 378 Days
• Field of Search: 370/480, 370/352, 370/494, 370/493, 370/522, 370/338, 370/349, 370/465, 370/527, 370/528, 375/222, 455/556.1, 455/550.1
• US Class Current: 370/480
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/406 with more than one transmission mode, e.g. analog and digital modes
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/064 Data transmission during pauses in telephone conversation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

Simultaneous transmission of voice and data over the voice channel of a digital wireless communications network, such as a “cell phone” network, is reconfigurable on the fly among multiple operating modes, including a lull detection mode in which data is transferred during a lull or quiet period in the voice content. Additionally, control signaling in the voice channel, rather than over a separate control or “overhead” channel is employed to support SVD. The described system operates transparently over any wireless telecommunications system.

Claims

1. A method of substantially simultaneous transmission of voice content and data over a single voice channel of a digital wireless telecommunications system, a voice channel call being established between first and second stations, and the method comprising the steps of:

partitioning the voice channel so as to comprise at least two logical bands, including a voice band and a control band, all within the audio range of frequencies;

transmitting voice content from the first station to the second station over the voice band of the voice channel;

while transmitting voice content, monitoring the voice content to detect a lull; and

responsive to detecting a lull in the voice content, transmitting a control tone in the control band of the voice channel to signal the second station to receive data;

and then sending data to the second station while continuing to simultaneously transmit voice content over the voice band of the voice channel.

2. A method according to claim 1 and wherein said transmitting voice content includes limiting the voice spectrum to frequencies below a predetermined maximum frequency so as to allow data transmission over the voice channel using frequencies greater than the voice spectrum maximum frequency.

3. A method according to claim 1 and further comprising:

controllably switching the voice band between a first configuration that is band limited to frequencies up to approximately a first predetermined audio frequency while data is not being transmitted, and a second configuration that is band limited to frequencies up to approximately a second predetermined audio frequency, the second frequency being lower than the first frequency, for use during a lull in voice content when data is being transmitted, thereby reducing the voice spectrum of the transmitted signal while data is being transmitted.

4. A method of simultaneous transmission according to claim 3 and wherein the first predetermined audio frequency is approximately 3.1 kHz.

5. A method of simultaneous transmission according to claim 3 and wherein the second predetermined audio frequency is approximately 1.8 kHz.

6. A method of simultaneous transmission according to claim 3 and wherein said switching the voice band configuration includes selecting a corresponding low-pass filter.

7. A method according to claim 1 wherein the control tone has a selected frequency greater than approximately 3.1 kHz.

8. A method of simultaneous transmission according to claim 1 and wherein said sending data step comprises transmitting a complete data packet.

9. A method of transmission of voice content and data over a single voice channel of a digital wireless telecommunications system, a voice channel call being established between first and second stations, and the method comprising the steps of:

transmitting voice content from the first station to the second station over the voice channel;

transmitting a control signal to the second station over the voice channel to signal beginning transmission of data over the voice channel;

after transmitting the control signal, reducing a frequency spectrum of the transmitted voice content; and

while continuing to transmit voice content within the reduced frequency spectrum, commencing simultaneous transmission of data to the second station over the same voice channel.

10. A method according to claim 9 wherein:

said transmitting voice content from the first station within the reduced frequency spectrum includes filtering the voice content by means of a first low-pass filter prior to transmission.

11. A method according to claim 9 wherein the control signal is transmitted periodically at a predetermined time interval, so that data is transmitted to the second station periodically at the same predetermined time interval.

12. A method according to claim 9 wherein the control signal is transmitted responsive to detecting a lull in the voice content originating at the first station.

13. A method according to claim 9 and wherein said transmitting a control signal includes mixing a predetermined audio frequency control tone together with the voice content and the data for transmission of all three said components over the single voice channel.

14. A method according to claim 9 and wherein the control signal comprises a control tone having a selected frequency greater than approximately 3.1 kHz.

15. A method according to claim 9 and wherein the control signal comprises a control tone having a selected frequency of approximately 3.4 kHz.

16. An asymmetrical method of transmission of voice content and data over a single voice channel of a digital wireless telecommunications system, a voice channel call being established between first and second stations, and the method comprising the steps of:

transmitting first voice content from the first station to the second station over the voice channel;

while continuing to transmit first voice content, commencing simultaneous transmission of first data to the second station over the same voice channel;

transmitting second voice content from the second station to the first station over the voice channel;

blanking the said transmission of second voice content; and

while the said transmission of second voice content is blanked, transmitting a burst of second data from the second station to the first station over the same voice channel.

17. A method according to claim 16 and further comprising:

transmitting a control signal to the second station over the voice channel to signal beginning transmission of the first data over the voice channel.

18. A method according to claim 16 wherein the first station is a mobile station.

19. A method according to claim 16 and further comprising:

transmitting a control signal from the first station to the second station over the voice channel to request a change in the mode of operation of the call.

20. A method according to claim 16 wherein the control signal comprises a control tone having a selected frequency greater than approximately 3.1 kHz.