Access Node for Interoperable Radio Communication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current radio communication systems often fail to interoperate between different agencies due to incompatible platforms, requiring time-consuming reprogramming and leading to confusion and interference, especially in emergency situations where rapid communication is critical.

Innovation Solution

A distributed communication platform that facilitates communication between disparate types of devices by using an access node to connect and reprogram radios via a common control protocol, allowing edge devices to control and communicate with various radios through a network, enabling rapid reconfiguration and audio communication across different frequencies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If different radio platforms are used by different agencies, then each agency can use its own tailored control console and radio architecture, but different agencies cannot interoperate with one another without time-consuming reprogramming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility between different radio platformsVSAvoidtime required for reprogramming radios

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a common control protocol as an intermediary layer between disparate radio platforms and control consoles. This protocol enables different radio types to communicate through a standardized interface, eliminating the need for time-consuming reprogramming while preserving each platform's native architecture and control capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The common control protocol is designed to be universally compatible with multiple radio platforms simultaneously. It provides a single standardized interface that can control various radio types (different agencies' equipment) without requiring platform-specific adaptations, thus resolving the contradiction between versatility and time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If radios are reprogrammed to use the same frequencies for inter-agency communication, then communication between agencies becomes possible, but the process is time-consuming and laborious

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to communicate across different frequenciesVSAvoidtime required for frequency reprogramming

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs frequency coordination and reprogramming actions in advance through automated processes. Configuration parameters including frequency settings are pre-negotiated and stored, allowing radios to be quickly switched to appropriate frequencies without time-consuming manual reprogramming when inter-agency communication is needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The common control protocol includes automated feedback mechanisms that monitor radio status and frequency usage. This enables the system to automatically coordinate frequency assignments and reprogramming actions based on real-time information about which frequencies are in use by different agencies, eliminating manual coordination time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If each radio platform has its own native control format, then each platform can be optimized for its specific architecture, but control consoles cannot control radios from different platforms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol capability across different radio typesVSAvoidnumber of different control formats required

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The common control protocol serves as a universal intermediary that translates between different radio platform native formats and a standardized control interface. This allows a single control console to control multiple radio types without requiring multiple platform-specific control formats, reducing operational complexity while maintaining platform optimization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8804608B1Methods, apparatus, and systems for facilitating audio communications between disparate devices

Publication Date: 2014.08.12 LOCKHEED MARTIN CORP

AI summary

An access node for facilitating communications between disparate devices is disclosed. The access node includes an access communication device (ACD) interface configured to connect to an ACD and a network interface configured to communicate with a network. The access node provides configuration information associated with the ACD to an edge device coupled to the network in a common format irrespective of a native format in which the configuration information is maintained by the ACD, and facilitates modification of configuration parameters of the ACD by the edge device. The access node also facilitates audio communications between the ACD and one or more edge devices irrespective of the location of such edge devices, or of differences between the manners of audio signaling of the ACD and the edge devices.