System and method for satellite-based transmission of voice signals using an otherwise dedicated wireless channel

• US 7,327,691 B2
• Filed: 09/08/2003
• Issued: 02/05/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Dynamics C4 Systems Incorporated (General Dynamics Corporation)
• Original Assignee: General Dynamics Decision Systems, Inc. (General Dynamics Corporation)
• Inventors: Budge, Damien W., Berisha, Visar S., Abousleman, Glen P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pham; Chi
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRAN, PHUC H
• Application Number:
  US10/658,435
• Publication Number:
  US 20050053100A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,611 Days
• Field of Search: 370/310, 370/329, 370/431, 370/438
• US Class Current: 370/248
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18515 Transmission equipment in satellites or space-based relays

Abstract

In a wireless communication system (20) configured for default communication of subsectional signals of a first transmit signal (72/73) over multiple wireless channels (46), a signal selector (82) and method (138) detect an intent to convey a voice signal (86) over one of the wireless channels (46) from a handset (58). The signal selector (82) and method (138) prevent communication of one of the subsectional signals (72A) over the wireless channel (46) for a predetermined interval, and enable a transmission attempt of the voice signal (86). When a complete dialed digits sequence is detected within the time interval, the handset (58) is enabled to utilize the wireless channel. However, when a transmission attempt of the voice signal (86) is unsuccessful or when transmission of the voice signal (86) terminates, the signal selector (82) and method (138) restore default communication of subsectional signals of the first transmit signal (72/73).

Claims

1. In a wireless communication system configured for default communication of subsectional signals of a first transmit signal over multiple wireless channels, a method for utilizing one of said multiple wireless channels for transmission of a second transmit signal, said method comprising:

detecting an intent to convey said second transmit signal over said one of said multiple wireless channels;

preventing communication of one of said subsectional signals via said one wireless channel;

enabling a transmission attempt of said second transmit signal in response to said preventing operation; and

establishing transmission of said second transmit signal over said one wireless channel when said transmission attempt is successful.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:

determining termination of transmission of said second transmit signal; and

permitting, in response to said determining operation, communication of said one of said subsectional signals via said one wireless channel.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said subsectional signals of said first transmit signal are provided by a signal source, said second transmit signal originates from a handset, a transceiver is in selective communication with said handset and said signal source, and said method further comprises synchronizing an operation of said handset with said transceiver in response to said detecting operation.

4. A method as claimed in claim 3 wherein said transceiver is configured to provide power at a first voltage, and said synchronizing operation comprises:

converting said power to a second voltage; and

providing said power at said second voltage to said handset in synchronization with a high state of a transceiver provided logic signal.

5. A method as claimed in claim 3 comprising:

detecting a disconnect between said handset and said transceiver; and

restoring communication of said one of said subsectional signals over said one wireless channel.

6. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second transmit signal originates from a handset, and said method further comprises:

establishing a predetermined time interval during which said preventing operation occurs; and

when a complete dialed digits sequence is detected from said handset within said predetermined time interval, said enabling operation enables said handset to utilize said one wireless channel.

7. A method as claimed in claim 6 wherein said subsectional signals of said first transmit signal are provided by a signal source, and said method further comprises enabling said signal source to utilize said one wireless channel when said dialed digits sequence is incomplete upon expiration of said predetermined time interval.

8. A method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising indicating, in response to said preventing operation, that said one wireless channel is being prevented from communicating said one of said subsectional signals.

9. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said wireless communication system is a satellite-based communication network and said wireless channels are wireless voice channels managed by said satellite-based communication network.

10. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second transmit signal is a voice signal.

11. In a wireless communication system, an apparatus for selectively utilizing wireless channels, said apparatus comprising:

a first signal source for providing subsectional signals of a first transmit signal;

a second signal source for providing a second transmit signal;

transceivers in default communication with said first signal source, one each of said transceivers supporting one each of said wireless channels for transmitting said subsectional signals over multiple ones of said wireless channels; and

a signal selector in selective communication with each of said first signal source, said second signal source, and one of said transceivers, said signal selector comprising;

a detector element for detecting an intent to convey said second transmit signal over one of said multiple wireless channels;

a disable timer in communication with said detector element for preventing communication of one of said subsectional signals via said one wireless channel for a predetermined time interval; and

an enable element for enabling a transmission attempt of said second transmit signal during said predetermined time interval, said enable element synchronizing an operation of said second signal source with said one of said transceivers.

12. An apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein said detector element is a user-activated switch.

13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein:

said second signal source is a handset;

when a complete dialed digits sequence is detected from said handset within said predetermined time interval, said signal selector enables said handset to utilize said one of said transceivers for transmission of said second transmit signal over said one wireless channel; and

when said dialed digits sequence is incomplete upon expiration of said predetermined time interval, said default communication between said one of said transceivers and said first signal source is restored.

14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein:

said one of said transceivers provides power at a first voltage; and

said enable element comprises a converter and an output in communication with said converter, said converter receiving said power at said first voltage and converting said power to a second voltage, and said output being in communication with said second signal source and providing said power at said second voltage to said second signal source in synchronization with a high state of a transceiver provided logic signal.

15. An apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein said signal selector further includes a reset circuit in communication with said one of said transceivers, said reset circuit restoring said default communication between said first signal source and said one of said transceivers upon detecting a disconnect between said handset and said one of said transceivers.

16. An apparatus as claimed in claim 11 further comprising a user indicator in communication with said disable timer, said user indicator indicating that said one transceiver supporting said one wireless channel is being prevented from communicating said one of said subsectional signals.

17. In a satellite-based communication network configured for default communication of subsectional signals of a first transmit signal provided by a signal source over multiple wireless voice channels, a method for utilizing one of said multiple wireless voice channels for transmission of a voice signal originated from a handset, said method comprising:

detecting, from said handset, an intent to convey said voice signal over said one of said multiple wireless voice channels;

preventing said signal source from communicating one of said subsectional signals via said one wireless voice channel;

establishing a predetermined time interval during which said preventing operation occurs;

indicating, in response to said preventing operation, that said one wireless voice channel is being prevented from communicating said one of said subsectional signals;

when a complete dialed digit sequence is detected from said handset within said predetermined time interval, enabling a transmission attempt of said voice signal; and

synchronizing an operation of said handset with said transceiver.

18. A method as claimed in claim 17 further comprising enabling said signal source to utilize said one wireless channel when said dialed digits sequence is incomplete upon expiration of said predetermined time interval.

19. A method as claimed in claim 17 further comprising:

determining termination of transmission of said voice signal; and

permitting, in response to said determining operation, communication of said one of said subsectional signals via said one wireless channel.