Digital Trunking Terminal Direct Mode Operation Switch

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current digital trunking communication systems are unable to implement Direct Mode Operation (DMO) communication, which is essential for enabling short-range communication without network coverage or when the network is interrupted.

Innovation Solution

A method and digital trunking terminal that includes a DMO controlling module, a DMO controlled module, a DMO radio frequency module, and a digital trunking radio frequency module, where the DMO controlling module manages the transition from digital trunking to DMO communication by closing the digital trunking radio frequency module, establishing a connection with the DMO controlled module, and setting subaudio frequency, squelch level, and frequency parameters to enable DMO communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a digital trunking terminal uses traditional digital trunking communication mode, then it can provide group scheduling and commanding communication services, but it cannot implement Direct Mode Operation (DMO) communication when network coverage is unavailable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication mode adaptabilityVSAvoidcommunication reliability without network coverage
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal is designed to support multiple communication modes (digital trunking mode and DMO mode) through a unified architecture. The terminal can automatically switch between trunking mode when network is available and DMO mode when network is unavailable, providing universal communication capability across different operational environments without requiring separate dedicated devices

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal implements dynamic mode switching capability where the communication mode is not fixed but can change based on network availability. The system continuously monitors network status and dynamically transitions between digital trunking communication and direct mode operation, ensuring communication reliability adapts to changing environmental conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the terminal switches to DMO communication mode, then it can communicate without network coverage, but it requires closing the digital trunking radio frequency module and opening the DMO radio frequency module

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication mode switching capabilityVSAvoidradio frequency module management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the digital trunking radio frequency module and DMO radio frequency module into a unified terminal architecture with shared components (antenna, baseband processor, control unit). This integration reduces the need for completely separate hardware systems and allows coordinated management of both communication modes through a single control mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit serves as an intermediary that manages the transition between digital trunking mode and DMO mode. It coordinates the closing of the digital trunking radio frequency module and the opening of the DMO radio frequency module, centralizing the complexity of radio frequency management and simplifying the user interface while maintaining precise control over mode switching

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2421327B1Method for implementing communication with direct mode operation and digital cluster terminal
Publication Date: 2017.05.10 ZTE CORP
  • EP2421327B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2421327B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A digital cluster terminal for implementing communication with Direct Mode Operation (DMO) includes: a User Interface (UI) module, a DMO controlling module, a DMO controlled module, a DMO radio frequency module and a digital cluster radio frequency module. A method for implementing DMO communication includes: after the digital cluster terminal is started and when the DMO controlling module receives a DMO starting command sent by a user through the UI module, the DMO controlling module instructs to close the digital cluster radio frequency module, establishes a connection with the DMO controlled module, and informs the UI module after the connection is established successfully; and the UI module sends frequency point information set by the user to the DMO controlled module through the DMO controlling module, and after the DMO controlled module sets a parameter of itself to be the frequency point information and when the DMO radio frequency module is in an open state, the DMO controlled module enters a DMO communication free state, wherein the DMO controlling module instructs to open the DMO radio frequency module in any step after instructing to close the digital cluster radio frequency module.