A communication apparatus, a communication arrangement and a communication method

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a communication device or communication system that allows a single user or group of users to communicate in a shared location with one or more remote users or remote user groups. Some embodiments of the invention particularly relate to a communication device or system comprising an optical connection between the radio unit (s) / part (s) and the control unit (s) of the communication system.

BACKGROUND ART [0002] A communication system for use by a single user or group of users sharing the same location for communication with one or more remote users or groups of users may be provided as a combination of separate components interconnected by electrical connections such as electrical wiring . A communication system can be described as a distributed communication system, as opposed to an integrated communication system housing all components of the communication system in a single device.

[0003] In Fig. 1 the communication system 100 is shown in the diagram as an example of a distributed communication system. Communication system 100 includes a control unit 110 and one or more radio units 140-i (shown in the drawing of Fig. 1 as 140-1 and 140-2 radio units). Each of the 140-i radio units was coupled to the control unit 110 via appropriate 120-c electrical wiring. Connections between components are typically provided using electrical cables that are detachably connected to the control unit 110 and the radio units 140-i. Radio units 140-i work as professional mobile radios ( professional mobile radios (PMR) known in the art, each of the 140-i radio units adapted to allow point-to-point or point-to-point communication between the respective 140-radio unit and the 100 communication system and one or more appropriate remote units radio. The control unit 110 is provided with audio input means (e.g. a microphone provided in or connected to the control unit 110) to receive audio input from a user of the communication system 100 and with audio output means (e.g. one or more speakers provided in or connected to the control unit 110) for audio reproduction to the user of the communication system 100. The control unit 110 is further provided with a user interface that allows the user of the communication system 100 to control audio communication with other users, e.g. using the push to talk method push-to-talk - PTT) according to the state of the art, using the radio unit 140-i according to his choice. Therefore, the 120-i electrical cabling of the 120-i communication system carries audio signals between the control unit 110 and the 140-i radio units as well as control signals from the control unit 110 to the 140-i radio units.

[0004] The use of a distributed communication system, such as communication system 100, instead of an integrated system, allows flexibility in the choice of components, such as audio input / output means, radio units (140-i) and control units (110) with advantageous type and features to meet the requirements of a favorable use scenario. The distributed approach also causes the replacement of a component of the communication system with a new one (as a result of e.g. damage or fault) is a simple task, while also allowing the user to reconfigure system 1

EP 3 031 148 B1 100 only by connecting only the radio unit (s) 140-i that are currently required. The distributed approach also contributes to the improved usability of the communication system by enabling the user to adapt (or carry) components in positions that allow ease of use and good performance under application conditions that include extensive user activity and / or mobility as well as simple and solid work with free hands. For this purpose, components of the distributed communication system are typically provided as wearable components or components that can otherwise be mounted on clothes or other equipment worn or carried by the user of the communication system, or which can be mounted to structures attached to the location user. Distributed communication systems are typically used in professional use when performance requirements for a communication system are high and when simple and robust work "with free hands" of the communication system plays an important role. Such application scenarios include military use (in both combat and training conditions) as well as use through e.g. police, firemen, construction workers etc.

[0005] Designing a distributed communication system containing many components for professional use, where the components typically come from different manufacturers, requires careful selection, configuration and testing of the components of the system as well as the system as a whole. As a result of the electrical connection between the components, it is typically important to take measures that ensure electrical compatibility between the components of the system to guarantee performance that meets the requirements related to quality, reliability and security of communication. In particular, the communication system may require compliance with EMC law. electromagnetic compatibility - EMC) and / or intrinsic safety (ang. intrinsic safety - IS), for certification of a communication system as applicable in specific professional use.

[0006] Regarding EMC, examples of EMC standards and regulations include those set out in Directive 2004/108 / EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of December 15, 2004. Regarding IS, examples of IS ordinances include Directive 94/9 / EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of March 23, 1994 for equipment and security systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres (ATEX), the International Electrotechnical Commission System for Certification in accordance with Standards for Equipment for applications in explosive atmospheres International Electrotechnical Commission System for Certification to Standards Relating to Equipment for use in Explosive Atmospheres - IECEx system) as well as IS certifications provided by the Joint Factory (FM) Research Corporation and Guarantor Laboratory (UL) Factory Mutual (FM) Research Corporation and Underwriters Laboratory (UL)) (in the United States). Examples of FM standards in this regard include FM 3600 (Approved Standard for Electrical Equipment for Use in Hazardous (Restricted) Places - General Requirements, Class number 3600, December 2011) (App. Standard for Electrical Equipment for Use in Hazardous (Classified) Locations - General Requirements, Class Number 3600, December 2011) and FM 3610 (Standard Approval for Intrinsically Safe Devices and Related Devices for use in Class I, II and III, Chapter 1, Dangerous places (Restricted), Class number 3610, January 2010) ( Approval Standard for Intrinsically Safe Apparatus and Associated Apparatus for Use in Class I, II and III, Division 1, Hazardous (Classified) Locations, Class Number 3610, January 2010). Examples of UL standards in this regard include UL 913 (Intrinsically Safe Devices and Related Devices for Class I, II and II, Chapter 1, Places 2

EP 3 031 148 B1

Dangerous (Restricted), July 29, 1988) Intrinsically Safe Apparatus and Associated Apparatus for Use in Class I, II, and III, Division 1, Hazardous (Classified) Locations, July 29, 1988) UL 60079-0 (Explosive Atmospheres - Part 0: Equipment - General Requirements, version 5, October 21, 2009), and UL 60079-11 (Explosive Atmospheres - Part 11: Equipment Protection by Intrinsic Safety "I", version 5, September 30, 2009) (Explosive Atmospheres - Part 11: Equipment Protection by Intrinsic Safety 'I' , ed. 5, September 30, 2009).

[0007] In the prior art, US 2007/004464 A1 discloses a communication system introducing a microphone connected wirelessly to a half-duplex communication device, such as a two-way radio or a radio simulating cell phone. The microphone may have a built-in transmit / receive switch, the transmit signal being transmitted wirelessly from the microphone to the communication device to direct the communication device to enter the transmit mode. The microphone can communicate with the half-duplex communication device through a magnetic induction link.

[0008] Furthermore, in the prior art, US 4,817,204 A discloses an optical communication device for bidirectional transmission and reception of control and audio signals. The device includes a telephone line interface unit that receives electrical audio and control signals and converts them into optical signals. It also includes means for receiving optical signals representing audio and control signals. The data unit receives optical audio and control signals from the interface unit and converts them into electrical audio and control signals, and also includes means for receiving electrical audio signals and control signals and converts them into appropriate optical signals. The optical link connects the telephone line interface unit and the data unit for two-way optical communication. [0009] Compliance with desired performance requirements and EMC and / or IS regulations is likely to further complicate the process of matching communication system components for joint work, probably leading to performance below the optimality of certain components of the communication system or even to deteriorated communication quality as a result mismatch or even conflicting requirements of the components introduced in the system. Modification of a distributed communication system by e.g. the introduction of an additional component, the removal of one of the existing components and / or the replacement of one of the existing components with a new one, in particular, will probably require the reconfiguration of the components of the communication system and / or the reconfiguration of the communication system as a whole to guarantee favorable quality and reliability of communication - as and retesting compliance with the relevant EMC and / or IS regulations. Reconfiguration and retesting can be time consuming, inconvenient, and in many cases costly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0010] The object of the invention is to provide a distributed communication system that allows simple configuration and reconfiguration.

[0011] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a press and talk communication device on a professional mobile radio. The device includes a control part for controlling push and talk communication, the control part being connectable to a microphone and a loudspeaker and includes a first optical transceiver adapted to convert an optical downlink signal to an electric downlink signal to be presented to the user through the loudspeaker and for converting the electrical uplink signal into an optical uplink signal for delivery to Part 3

EP 3 031 148 B1 interface. The device further includes two or more interface parts, each interface part connected to the control part via an appropriate optical connection, each interface part is connectable to the relevant radio part through an appropriate electrical connection, which radio part enables communication with one or more remote communication devices via an appropriate wireless communication link on one or more communication channels, each interface part comprising a respective second optical transceiver adapted to convert a downlink signal received from the respective radio part as an electrical signal into an downlink optical signal for delivery to a control part and for converting an uplink optical signal uplink for delivery to the appropriate radio section.

[0012] Uplink and downlink signals may include audio signals. The one or more interface parts may include an audio processing part adapted to apply the audio processing of the specific radio part. Alternatively or differently, the control part may comprise an audio processing part adapted for use independent of the radio part of the audio processing.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the second aspect of the invention, there is provided a push to talk communication system on a professional mobile radio. The system comprises a device according to a first embodiment of the invention and one or more radio parts, each connected to a corresponding interface part via a suitable electrical connection.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for controlling push-to-talk communications on a professional mobile radio, wherein the method is used in a communication device comprising a control part for controlling press and talk communications, which control part is connectable to the microphone and to the speaker and to two or more interface parts, each interface part is connected to the control part via an appropriate optical link, each interface part connected to the appropriate radio part by an appropriate electrical connection, which radio portion enables communication with one or more remote communication devices via an appropriate wireless communication link on one or more communication channels. The method includes providing an uplink signal in the optical link, comprising converting, in the control part, an electrical uplink audio signal from the microphone to an uplink optical signal for delivery to the interface portion, providing the uplink optical signal through an appropriate optical link to the interface part and the conversion, in the interface part, of the optical uplink signal to the electric uplink signal for delivery to the corresponding radio part. The method further includes providing a downlink signal on the optical link, including conversion in the interface part, downlink signal received from the corresponding radio part as an electrical signal for an optical downlink signal, for delivery to the control part, providing the optical link signal down on the appropriate optical link to the control part and conversion, in the control part, an optical downlink signal for an electric downlink audio signal, to present to the user through the loudspeaker.

[0015] In the method, the uplink and downlink signals may include audio signals. Furthermore, the uplink signal delivery may include the use, in the interface part, of a specific audio processing of the radio part for adapting the features of the uplink electric audio signal to meet the requirements of the respective radio part, and the downlink signal delivery may include the application,

In the interface part, audio processing of a specific radio part, for adapting the characteristics of the downlink electric audio signal to meet the requirements of the control part. Alternatively or differently uplink signal delivery may include application, in the control part, Generic audio processing for adapting the features of the uplink electric audio signal to meet the audio signal requirements desired for presentation to the user, and providing downlink signal may include application, in the control part, Generic audio processing to adapt the characteristics of the downlink electrical audio signal to the audio signal adapted for presentation to the user.

[0016] Embodiments of the invention disclosed in this patent application are not to be construed as imposing restrictions on the application of the appended claims. The words "contains", "includes" and their derivatives are used in this patent application as an open limitation that does not exclude the existence of unlisted characteristics. The features described below can be freely combined with each other, unless otherwise described.

[0017] New features which are considered to be characteristic of the invention are listed in particular in the appended claims. However, the invention itself, both in its design and method of operation, along with its additional objectives and benefits, will be best understood from the following detailed description of specific embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES [0018]

Fig. 1 schematically shows an example of a distributed communication system or device. Fig. 2 schematically shows certain components of an exemplary communication system or device according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 3 schematically shows some components of a control part according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 4 schematically shows certain components of the interface part, according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 5 schematically shows some components of an exemplary communication system or device according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 6 schematically illustrates certain components of an exemplary communication system or device according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 7 shows a method according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0019] Fig. 2 schematically shows some components of an exemplary communication system 200. The communication system 200 includes a control part 210 for controlling the operation of the radio parts 140-1 and 140-2 (representing one or more radio parts that can also be described as the radio part (s) 140 or parts radio 140). System 200 further includes interface parts 230-1 and 230-2 (constituting one or more interface parts that can also be described as interface part (s) 230 or interface parts 240) enabling optical communication between the relevant radio part 140 and the control part 210. The system further includes optical links 220-1 and 220-2 (constituting one or more optical links, which may also be described as optical link (s) 220-or optical links 220) connecting the respective optical interface parts 230-and with part control 210. Optical connection 220-i is preferably provided using one or more optical cables that are detachably connected to the control unit 210

EP 3 031 148 B1 and / or with the corresponding interface part 230-i. The optical cable may contain one or more optical fibers, which will then be described in more detail in this document. The communication system 200 may also be described as a communication device.

[0020] In Fig. 2 in addition, one or more radio parts 140-i are shown for communicating with radio parts of remote communication systems at radio frequencies. The 140-i radio parts may be adapted to allow audio and / or data communication. The optical interface parts 230-i are connected to the respective radio parts 140-i to provide a link between the radio parts 140-i and the control part 210. In fig. 2 furthermore, a microphone 150 (or series of microphones) for capturing audio signals and one or more speakers 160 (e.g. pair of speakers) for reproducing audio signals, both the microphone 150 and the speaker (s) 160 are connected or coupled to the control part 210.

[0021] Therefore, the communication system 200 allows the user to communicate audio and / or data communication between one or more users. The control portion 210 and one or more interface parts 230-and together with the optical links 220-and connecting the respective interface parts 230-and with the control parts 210 can be considered as a (communication) device for controlling communication on one or more radio links. The user may use a (communication) device to control one of one or more radio parts 140-i, for communication with another user using the cooperating radio part, e.g. another user using a communication system containing a radio part of a similar type to that used for communication by the (first) user.

[0022] The control portion 210 is typically provided in its dedicated housing, separate from other components of the communication system 200. Each of the 230-i interface parts is similarly preferably provided in its dedicated housing provided with a system for connecting the 230-i optical interface part to the corresponding 140-i radio part, while each of one or more of the 140-i radio parts is typically provided in its dedicated housing. The system for providing the interface part 230-i of the respective radio part 140-i in a separate housing enables flexible replacement of the radio part 140-i with another (having similar features), e.g. in the event of a fault or damage, without changing the 230-i interface part. Alternatively, the interface part 230-i may be provided in the same housing with a separate part 140-i, thereby providing a system 200 with fewer separate units. 150 microphone and 160 speaker (s) adapted to e.g. the headset is further provided separately from the control part 210. To summarize in this regard, the communication system 200 may be considered a distributed communication system (which may also be described as a distributed communication device), at least two of the components being provided as separate units interconnected via an optical link 220-i. As an example in this regard, each of the dotted rectangles in Fig. 2 represents a single unit, thereby providing an example of a possible division of the components of the communication system 200 and the components connected to it into separate units.

[0023] As a result of the distributed approach, there is flexibility in assembling and installing communication system units 200 according to the requirements of the actual application scenario. In one exemplary application scenario, the communication system 200 may be provided for personal use by a single user. As a result, the user can apply a distributed approach by mounting units constituting the communication system 200 in their equipment, which issue 6

EP 3 031 148 B1 would be appropriate. In such a scenario, the control portion 210 is typically provided in a control unit that is attached to clothes or other personal equipment worn or carried by the user in a place that is easily accessible to the user. In another example application scenario, the communication system 200 may be provided for use by a jointly placed group of users sharing the communication system 200. As a result, communication system units 200 can be installed in fixed structures of the place of use, e.g. inside the vehicle or inside the room. In such a scenario, the control portion 210 is typically provided in a control unit that is attached to a place (on the wall, on the countertop, on the vehicle's dashboard, etc.) that is easily accessible to a group of users. In both of these sample scenarios, the user may have access to the communication system by connecting his personal microphone 150 and speaker (s) 160 (adapted in e.g. headset worn by the user) to the control unit 210.

[0024] The advantage of using optical links 220-i instead of e.g. the electrical wires of the communication system 100 is that they provide full electrical decoupling between the components of the communication system 200, between e.g. the control part 210 and the interface parts 230-i. As a result, typical other significant electrical coupling is between each pair of interface part 230-i and corresponding radio part 140-i.

[0025] While this leads to a reduction of electrical interference between the radio parts 140-i, which are connected to the 200 communication system, this is also another benefit - perhaps even more important - resulting from this electrical decomposition: instead of adapting all components of the communication system, possibly together with the components connected to it, as a single unit that they jointly meet favorable EMC and / or IS requirements (as in the case of e.g. communication system 100), optical links 220- and communication system 200 allow the control part 220 to be adapted, possibly together with the microphone 150 and the speaker (s) 160, as well as other components / units connected / connected as possible to meet the requirements of EMC and / or IS independent of (230-i interface parts) and 140-i radio parts. Similarly, the communication system 200 allows adaptation of each pair of interface part 230-i connected to / connected to the corresponding radio part 140-i to meet the EMC and / or IS requirements regardless of the adaptation of other components of the communication system 200. As a result, measures are taken to ensure that the relevant EMC requirements are met (such as shielding of the housings of the components of the communication system 200 and / or electrical wires connected within and / or between the components, filtering the electrical signal within and / or between the components of the communication system 200) can be used to a lesser extent, thereby contributing to the simplification of the design of the 200 communication system, that is, probably leading to a reduced cost of introduction and design. Similarly, the measures taken to ensure that the relevant IS requirements (such as compliance with the interconnection parameters in the interface between the components of the communication system 200, in particular in the interface (s) between the interface part (s) 230 and the relevant part (s) are met. -mi) radio (ex) 140-i, e.g. (maximum) voltages, currents and / or power levels as well as resistances and / or capacities of interfaces) can be used to a lesser extent, thus further contributing to the simplification of the design of the communication system 200, which probably leads to a reduction in cost

EP 3 031 148 B1 to the introduction and design, while also contributing to the improved performance of the radio part (s) 140-i.

[0026] The independent configuration avoids any conflicting or mis-matched requirements arising from e.g. various radio protocols and transfer techniques used in the 140-i radio parts that could degrade the overall performance of the communication system 200 when adapted to meet the EMC and / or IS requirements. The independent configuration of the pairs of the 230-i interface part / 140-radio part also allows for a simple extension of the communication system 200: adding a new 140-i radio part to the 200 communication system, there is no need to reconfigure the 200 communication system as a whole, to ensure compliance with EMC and / or IS requirements, and it is sufficient to configure a newly introduced pair of interface part 230-i / radio part 140-i, because compliance with EMC and / or IS requirements in existing components of communication system 200 is not influenced by the introduction of a new pair of interface part 230-i / radio part 140-i, as a result of electrical decoupling enabled by 220-i optical links.

[0027] The radio parts 140-i preferably allow bi-directional PTT communication in the PMR system. The 140-i radio part provides a point-to-point half-point or point-to-point multi-point connection on the radio link to the remote part / radio unit using the same radio communication protocol. Each radio part 140-i may be in other words adapted to enable communication (PTT) in a predetermined protocol (PMR). The 140-i radio components can use digital or analogue radio systems. Several radio protocols typically operating in the ultra short wave band ( Very High Frequency (VFH) or Ultra High Frequency (UHF) are known in the art, examples include Terrestrial Bus Radio (ang. Terrestrial Trunked Radio - TETRA), Project 25 radio (P25 or APCO-25), MPT-1327 radio, Digital Mobile Radio (ang. Digital Mobile Radio - DMR) and Radio Private Roles (ang. Private Role Radios - PRR), such as PR4 H4855.

[0028] The radio portion 140-i may allow communication on a single communication channel or the radio portion 140-i may enable communication on two or more communication channels. In this context, a communication channel refers to a logical connection between radio part 140-i and one or more appropriate radio units of one or more remote users. Therefore, depending on the protocol / radio technology used and the preferred mode of communication on the communication channel, the communication channel may provide a connection to a specific remote user and / or location with a specific calling group (e.g. the number of remote users and / or locations), in a specific frequency band or channel, etc. The radio parts 140-and are preferably pre-adapted to provide a predetermined communication channel or two or more predetermined communication channels, while the control unit 210 provides the user with means to trigger communication on one of the communication channels provided by one or more radio parts 140-i, which will then be described in more detail in this document.

[0029] The microphone 150 and speaker 160 may be provided as e.g. headset, providing a speaker or a pair of 160 speakers adapted as headsets with the microphone 150 attached thereto, the headset being connected to control part 210. As another example, the microphone 150 and one or more speakers 160 may be integrated with a hand-held audio input / output unit, which may be described as a (remote) speaker-microphone unit (RSM) and which is connected to control portion 210. As a next example, the microphone 150 and / or one or more loudspeakers 160 can be integrated into the helmet or helmet system for wearing by 8

EP 3 031 148 B1 to the user of the communication system 200. Regardless of the system (s) used to provide the microphone 150 and / or loudspeaker 160, they are preferably removably connected to the control unit 210 via electrical wiring. As another example, the system (s) for providing the microphone 150 and / or the speaker can be connected to the control unit via a wireless (short range) link such as Bluetooth or a Wireless Local Area Network Wireless Local Area Network - WLAN). In other words, the microphone 150 and the speaker (s) 160 are typically provided as separate units or as a single separate unit that is detachably connected to the housing of the unit containing the control portion 210. Such an arrangement can be particularly useful in a usage scenario in which a group of (jointly placed) users can connect their personal microphone 150 and speaker (s) 160 to the control unit 210 when they wish to communicate using one of the 140-i radio parts .

[0030] The control portion 210 serves as a unit that controls at least the audio transmission (uplinks) via one or more radio parts 140-i according to commands provided by the user of the communication system 200 and which controls the audio reproduction (downlinks) according to data received from one or more radio parts 140-i.

[0031] In Fig. 3 schematically show some components of the control part 210. The control portion 210 is provided with a user interface 212 comprising control means that allow a user of the communication system 200 to control the operation of one or more radio parts 140-i, for transmitting and / or receiving audio signals on one or more communication channels. In particular, the user interface 212 may be configured to allow the user to use a PTT communication method using his voice communication channel. In this regard, user interface 212 may include one or more user-operated buttons provided as e.g. buttons or as a keyboard on the housing of the unit containing the control part 210. A user interface button or key 212 may be provided to enable the corresponding communication channel in one of the 140-i radio parts between speech mode and listening mode. Speech mode can also be considered as transfer mode, while listening mode can be considered as receive mode.

[0032] As an example, pressing and holding the button or key may cause the control unit 210 to provide, via an appropriate optical connection 220-i, one or more control signals to set or maintain the appropriate communication channel in the corresponding radio portion 140-i in speech mode . On the contrary, the lack of pressing (or releasing) of the button or key may cause the control unit 210 to provide, via an appropriate optical connection 220-i, one or more control signals to maintain or set the appropriate communication channel in the corresponding radio portion 140-and in listening mode. Alternatively, the failure to provide the control signal (s) for the speech mode indication may be interpreted as the listening mode indication. In this arrangement, the control portion 210 may bypass the provision of dedicated control signal (s) indicating the listening mode, but may be based on the absence of a control signal indicating the speech mode for a particular communication channel, serving as an indication listening mode for the corresponding communication channel.

[0033] Simultaneously with providing the control signal (s) indicating the speech mode, the control part 210 may be adapted to provide the (input) audio signal received from the microphone 150 to the corresponding optical interface part 230 for the next transmission on the selected communication channel via the relevant 140-i radio section, while in listening mode 9

The control part 210 may be adapted to provide an audio signal received from one of the optical interface parts 220-i to the speaker (s) 160, for reproduction to the user of the communication system 200.

[0034] The processing of the (input) audio signal for delivery to one of the 220-optical links may involve several stages, some of which are then described. In this regard, the control portion 210 includes means for converting the (input) audio signal from an analog format to a digital format, e.g. 214 analog-to-digital converter analog-to-digital - A / D). The 214 A / D converter typically provides a digital audio signal, such as a Pulse Code Modulation signal. Pulse-Code Modulation (PCM), with a predefined sampling rate (or sampling rate). For example, the sample rate may have e.g. 8 kHz or 16 kHz. The control portion 210 further includes optical transmitters 218-1 and 218-2 (constituting one or more optical transmitters 218-i) adapted to receive the digital audio signal as an electrical signal, to convert the electrical signal into an optical signal and to provide the optical signal via a link 220-i optical to the corresponding 230-i optical interface part. The (input) audio signal, typically coming from the microphone 150, passing from the control part 210 towards the interface parts 230-i, may be described as an uplink audio signal.

[0035] Similarly, the processing of an audio signal received (as an optical signal) from one of the optical links 220-i may involve several steps, some of which are described below. In this regard, control portion 210 includes optical receivers 219-1 and 219-2 (constituting one or more optical receivers 219-i) adapted to receive a digital audio signal as an optical signal from one of the optical links 220-i for signal conversion optical to an electrical signal and to provide the audio signal as an electrical signal provided to the speaker (s) 160, thereby providing a presentation to the user. The optical receiver 219-i can be provided separately from the respective optical transmitter 218-i or the optical receiver 219-i can be provided together with the optical transmitter 218-i, thereby forming the optical transceiver for the corresponding optical link 220-i. The control portion 210 further includes means for converting the audio signal from a digital format to an analog format, e.g. D / A converter 215 digital-to-analog converter D / A), to an audio signal in analog format, and thus in a format adapted for delivery to e.g. loudspeaker (s) 160. An audio signal received via one of the optical links 220-i may be described as a downlink audio signal.

[0036] The control portion 210 typically includes an audio processing portion 216 adapted to pre-process the uplink audio signal before delivering it to the optical link 220-i to meet (predetermined) transmission requirements on the optical link 220-i. Similarly, the audio processing portion 217 may be adapted to post-process the downlink audio signal prior to delivery to the 215 D / A converter to provide an audio signal having advantageous features, e.g. met (predetermined) requirements for an audio signal considered to be suitable for presentation to a user. Audio processing may include, for an uplink and a downlink audio signal, e.g. one of the following: cancellation / suppression of noise in the audio signal for improved voice quality and audio intelligibility, automatic control of the amplification / level of the audio signal to ensure the appropriate level of the audio signal, compression or decompression of the dynamic range of the audio signal, modification of frequency characteristics (e.g. filtering, e.g. band-pass and low-pass filtering) of the audio signal to meet predetermined criteria. Audio Processing Part 216 10

EP 3 031 148 B1 is particularly adapted to perform audio processing that is applied in a similar manner, regardless of the intended use of the uplink audio signal or the downlink audio source. Any communication channel or signal processing (audio) specified for the radio part is in contrast performed in the corresponding interface part 230-i. The distribution of the audio processing function serves as a simplification of the structure of the control part 210 because there is no need to include the processing function (audio) that is specified for a specific communication channel and / or for the radio part with certain characteristics that ultimately may or may not be coupled to the part control 210. Therefore, exactly the same adaptation of the control part 210 can be made regardless of the characteristics of the coupled or non-coupled radio parts 140-i.

[0037] In a variation of the operation of the control part 210 regarding the speech and listening mode control described above, a voice activation technique may be implemented to switch between the speech mode and the listening mode. In this regard, the audio processing portion 216 may be (further) adapted to employ a voice activity detection technique voice activity detection (VAD) or similar technique to detect the audio input that is the active voice. Such techniques are known in the art. As a result, the control portion 210 may be adapted, in response to the detection of an input audio signal comprising voice activity, to provide a control signal for setting the communication channel in speech mode. On the contrary, control portion 210 may be adapted, in response to no detection of an input audio signal containing voice activity (or detection of an input audio signal not containing voice activity), to provide control signal (s) to maintain and set all communication channels in listening mode. In the case where the choice of speech / listening mode is based on voice activation technique, the user interface buttons 212 may be used as a means of selecting the communication channel used.

[0038] In the scenario, in which the control unit 210 is adapted to allow communication on a single communication channel through one or more radio parts 140-i connected to it, explicit control signals providing an indication of the speech / listening mode may be omitted: in this scenario, the 230-i interface part receiving the uplink audio signal serves as an indication of the start of the speech mode on only the communication channel provided by the corresponding radio part 140-i, while, on the other hand, the interface portion 230 and not receiving an uplink audio signal indicates the listening mode for the exclusive communication channel of the respective radio portion 140-i.

[0039] Instead of or in addition to audio signal data, the communication system 200 may be adapted to allow transmission and / or reception of generic (binary) data on one of the communication channels provided by the radio parts 140-i. In this regard, control portion 210 may be provided with one or more data ports for receiving data (uplinks) for transmission on one of the communication channels and / or for providing data received on one of the communication channels. For example, the data port can be a serial data port such as RS-232 data port, RS-485 data port, USB (Universal Serial Bus) port, NMEA 0183 (National Marine Electronics Association) port, etc. As a specific example, data to be received through a data port (for transmission on a communication channel) can be location data, e.g. GPS (Global Positioning System) data from the positioning / navigation device to indicate the location of the communication system 200, while the data (received in the communication channel), to be provided by the data port, may be location data indicating the location of the remote communication system. For site data transfer, data port can be 11

EP 3 031 148 B1 should be provided as NMEA 0183 port. Instead of or in addition to site data, data received / provided by one or more data ports can be essentially any data, e.g. data constituting the stream of IP (Internet Protocol) packets. The data to be transmitted on the communication channel is preferably received with address information indicating the communication channel and / or the radio portion 140-i in which they are to be transmitted via communication system 200. In e.g. of the scenario, in which the communication system 200 uses only a single radio portion 140-i adapted to provide a single communication channel, however, address information may be unnecessary and may be omitted.

[0040] When the control part 210 is adapted to allow transmission and / or reception of generic (binary) data, the optical transmitter (s) 218-and further adapted to receive (binary) data as an electrical signal from the data port, for the conversion of an electrical signal into an optical signal and for providing an optical signal via a 220-i optical link to the corresponding 230-i optical interface part. The (input) data from the data port, to pass from the control part 210 to the interface parts 230-i, may be described as uplink data. Similarly, the optical receiver (s) 219-i may be further adapted to receive (binary) data as an optical signal from one of the 220-i optical links, for the conversion of the optical signal into an electrical signal and to provide data as a signal electric provided by the data port. Data (binary) received on one of the optical links 220-i can be described as downlink data. The control portion 210 may be adapted to pass data between the control port and the optical transmitter or receiver 218-i, 219-i without modification, or the control portion 210 may include a data processing portion for customizing data features. Generally, the data processing portion can be used for data processing, ensuring that the data to be delivered to the optical link 220-i meet (predetermined) link requirements and / or that the data to be delivered to the data port meets (predefined) port requirements. For example, the data processing part may be adapted to convert data from the format used in the data port to a format adapted to provide on the optical link (s) 220-i for conversion from the format used on the optical link (s) s) 220-i to the format used in the data port. As another example, the data processing part may convert the data ratio to that suitable to be provided via a data port or on an optical link 220-i.

[0041] As briefly described above, the control portion 210 may be adapted to provide to the corresponding radio portion 140-i, control signal (s) that serve as an indication of a particular communication channel in speech mode, such as also possibly providing control signal (s) that serve as a clear indication of the particular communication channel in the listening mode. Control signals may include e.g. a control signal indicating the speech / listening mode and a control signal that identifies the communication channel for which the indication of the speech / listening mode has been provided (in the case of the corresponding radio part 140-and adapted to provide two or more communication channels). Additionally or differently, the control portion 210 may be adapted to send or provide an uplink of other types of control signals to control communication on a specific communication channel and / or to control the operation of a specific radio portion 140-i. It may be, for example, an uplink control signal for setting the on and off of a particular 140-i radio portion, an uplink control signal for changing or adjusting the features (of a given communication channel) of a particular 140-i radio portion, an uplink control signal for increasing or reduce transmission power for a specific communication channel, etc. As the next example, in 12

If the control part 210 has been adapted to allow transmission and / or reception of generic (binary) data, there may be an uplink control signal that clearly indicates the type of the uplink signal, whether e.g. the corresponding uplink signal is uplink audio signal or uplink (binary) data.

[0042] Similarly, the control portion 210 may be adapted to receive control signals over the optical link (s) 220-i. Such downlink control signals may include, for example, a control signal indicating a communication channel from which the corresponding downlink signal is received (in the case of the corresponding radio portion 140-i adapted to provide two or more communication channels). As a further example, when the control portion 210 is adapted to allow the transmission and / or reception of generic (binary) data, a downlink control signal may appear that clearly indicates the type of the respective downlink signal, e.g. the corresponding downlink signal is the downlink audio signal or descending (binary) data. As further options, a control signal serving as a kind of indication that may indicate a downlink signal including a notification, indication or alarm received on the communication channel.

[0043] The optional transmitter 218-i may further be adapted to convert any control signal sent by the control portion 210 from the electrical signal to an optical signal. As an example in this regard, the optical transmitter 218-i may be adapted to receive a control signal to maintain / set one of the radio parts 140-and in speech mode or in listening mode, convert the control signal into an optical control signal and send the optical control signal through appropriate 220-i optical connection to the corresponding 230-i optical interface part. The optical transmitter 218-i may also be adapted to use similar types of conversion for any subsequent control signals provided by one of the interface parts.

[0044] The control portion 210 may further include additional parts or components, such as a controller or processor for controlling the operation of the control portion 210 according to user input and signals received via optical links 220-i. The control portion 210 may further include a memory for temporarily recording audio signals, control signals and other data, and possibly also for recording the program code to be executed by the controller / processor, to provide control of the control portion 210. Control part 210, e.g. user interface 212 may include a display for displaying information for the user of the communication system 200.

[0045] The interface parts 230-i serve as units providing an interface function between the control part 210 and the radio part 140-to which the interface part 230-i is connected or connected. The interface part 230-i is connected to the control part 210 via the corresponding optical connection 220-i is connected to the corresponding radio part 140-i via electrical connection. The electrical connection can be provided by e.g. electrical wiring between the interface part 230-i and the corresponding radio part 140-i / or by fitting one or more electrical connectors adapted in the housing of the 230-i interface part and in the housing of the respective 140-i radio part. One or more electrical connectors may, for example, provide one or more connection ports for connecting the 140-i radio part to the corresponding 230-i interface part, wherein one or more connection ports may include one or more of the following: audio port for sending digital audio signals, data port for sending binary data (e.g. NMEA 0183 port for sending location data), control port for sending control signals and control information.

[0046] In the simplest embodiment, the interface portion 230-i only provides conversion between optical and electrical representations of digital audio signals or generic (binary) data. In this regard, the interface portion 230-i includes an optical receiver 238-ii an optical transmitter 239i, as schematically illustrated in Fig. 4. Optical receiver 238-i optical transmitter 239-i can be provided separately from each other or optical receiver 238-i optical transmitter 239-i can be provided together, thereby forming the optical transceiver of interface part 230-i. The 238-i optical receiver is adapted to receive a digital audio signal (from the corresponding 220-i optical link) as an optical signal from the corresponding 220-i optical link, to convert the optical signal to an electrical signal and to provide the audio signal as an electrical signal delivered to the corresponding radio part 140-i. The 239-i optical transmitter is adapted to receive a digital audio signal as an electrical signal (from the corresponding 140-i radio section), to convert the electrical signal into an optical signal and to provide an optical signal through the appropriate 220-optical link to control part 210, for further process and then reproduce to the user.

[0047] Each of the interface parts 230-i has been adapted to match the features of the radio part 140-i of a particular type. Folding can be ensured by e.g. Adaptation of the interface part 230-i for signal processing (audio) to be provided to the corresponding 140-i radio part connected to it to meet the requirements of this particular (type) 140-i radio part, e.g. audio signal format, audio signal level, audio signal strength, etc. The interface part 230-i may be similarly adapted to process (audio) signals for reception from the corresponding 140-i radio part to be connected to meet the requirements of control part 210, e.g. audio signal format, audio signal level, audio signal strength, etc.

In this regard, the interface portion 230-i may further include an audio pre-processing portion 234 adapted to receive a digital audio signal from an optical receiver 238-i (e.g. uplink audio signal), as an electrical signal, for processing the audio signal and providing the resulting modified audio signal for the corresponding radio part 140-i. The audio pre-processing portion 234 may be adapted to modify the features of the digital audio signal to enable efficient transmission and (possibly) audio coding of the audio signal. Such modification may include, for example one or more modifications to the frequency characteristics (e.g. filtering) of the audio signal, scaling or limiting the energy level of the (input) audio signal according to a predetermined principle, applying noise cancellation or suppression of the audio signal, converting the sampling rate of the audio signal to that adapted for further processing of the audio signal in the relevant radio part 140-i e.t.c. Alternatively or additionally, the audio pre-processing portion 234-may be adapted to use audio coding (e.g. audio compression) for an audio signal to reduce the data rate of the audio signal to be transmitted over the radio link via the corresponding 140-i radio portion. Audio coding can be considered as a transformation of an audio signal from an audio domain into a compressed domain. Generally, the audio pre-processing portion 234 may be adapted to use audio signal modification and / or audio coding according to the features and / or requirements of the respective radio portion 140-i, e.g. adapt the audio signal to meet the requirements of the communication protocol used via the (appropriate communication channel) of the relevant 140-i radio section.

[0049] The interface portion 230-i may further include an audio processing portion 236- and adapted to receive a digital audio signal from a (appropriate communication channel) corresponding to

EP 3 031 148 B1 of the radio part 140-i, to process the audio signal and to provide the resulting modified audio signal for delivery via the corresponding optical link 220-i. The audio processing post-processing portion 236 may be adapted to modify the characteristics of the received digital audio signal to allow the audio signal to be provided on the corresponding optical link 220-i, for adapting the audio signal so that it meets the requirements of control portion 210 and / or allows the audio signal to be provided with beneficial features for the next reproduction to the user. The modification may include e.g. one or more filtering of the audio signal, scaling or limiting the energy level of the audio signal according to a predetermined principle, the use of echo cancellation or echo suppression for the audio signal, conversion of the sampling rate to that adapted for next processing in control part 210, etc. Alternatively or additionally, in the case of an audio signal received from the corresponding radio portion 140i, in a compressed format, the audio processing portion 236 and the secondary processing may further be adapted to use audio decoding (e.g. audio decompression) for the received audio signal to convert the audio signal from the compressed domain into the audio domain, for the next processing / modification of the audio signal in the interface part 230-i / or in the control part 210. Instead of providing separate dedicated parts, the audio pre-processing portion 234 and the audio re-processing portion 236 may be provided jointly in the interface portion 230-i as the audio processing portion.

[0050] The audio pre-processing portion 234 and / or the audio re-processing portion 236 and, if provided on the corresponding interface portion 230, is adapted in particular to perform any audio signal processing specified for the radio portion 140-i, while (as previously described) the audio processing part 216 in the control part 210 is adapted to perform audio processing independent of the radio part, e.g. audio processing that is applied in a similar manner regardless of the purpose of the uplink audio signal or the downlink audio source.

[0051] The interface portion 230-i may be further adapted to receive generic (binary) link data upstream of the control portion 210. As a result, the optical receiver 238-i may be adapted to convert the uplink data from the optical signal to the corresponding electrical signal along the lines previously described for audio signals (uplinks). Similarly, the interface portion 230-i may be further adapted to receive generic (binary) link data down from the respective radio portion 140-i, and then the optical transmitter 239-i may be adapted to convert the link data down from the electrical signal to the corresponding optical signal, analogously as described previously for audio signals (downlinks). In addition, the pre-processing portion 234-i may be adapted to convert or translate uplink data from the format received from the control portion 210 to a format adapted for the corresponding radio portion 140-i, wherein the 236-and the secondary processing portion may be adapted for conversion / translating the downlink data from the format received from the corresponding radio part 140-i into a format adapted for the control part 210.

[0052] The interface portion 230-i may further be adapted to receive an uplink of control signals from the control portion 210, such as control signals for controlling the speech / listening mode of the respective radio portion 140-i. As a result, the optical receiver 238-i may be adapted to convert the uplink control signal from the optical signal to the corresponding electrical signal along the lines previously described for audio signals (uplink). The interface part 230-i may also be adapted to receive a downlink of control signals from the corresponding radio part 140-i. IN

As a result, the optical transmitter 239-i can be adapted to convert the downlink of the control signal from the electrical signal to the corresponding optical signal, in analogy to that previously described for audio signals (downlinks). In addition, the pre-processing portion 234 may be adapted to convert or translate the uplink control signal from the format received from the control portion 210 to the format adapted for the corresponding radio portion 140, and the secondary processing portion 236 may be adapted for conversion / translating the downlink of the control signal from the format received from the corresponding radio part 140 to the format adapted for the control part 210.

[0053] As described above, each of the optical links 220-i is typically provided as one or more optical cables containing one or more optical fibers, and the optical cables are preferably releasably connectable to the control unit 210 and / or to the respective interface portion 230 -and.

[0054] The optical connection 220-i may be provided, for example, as a single optical cable that enables half-duplex communication, thereby enabling the transmission of audio (and / or other data) in only one direction at a time. A single optical cable may contain a single optical fiber or a set of optical fibers. As another example, the 220-i optical link can be provided as a single optical cable that simultaneously allows audio (and / or other data) to be sent in both directions by using a set of one or more optical fibers that enable full duplex communication , or by using two sets of one or more optical fibers, each set being intended for communication in one direction. As a further example, two sets of optical fibers can be provided in separate optical cables, thereby providing a dedicated optical cable for both directions of communication.

[0055] While several configurations of the 220-i optical link are applicable within the scope of the frames of the communication system 200, preferably each of the 220-i optical links is provided as an optical cable containing a single optical fiber that allows the transmission of audio signals (and possibly also other data) in both directions. In particular, the single optical fiber may be sized to allow the transmission of audio signals (and possibly other data in real time) in both the uplink and downlink directions. This can be enabled by e.g. sending an uplink audio segment that is N milliseconds (ms) of audio in the uplink direction over a period that is less than or equal to N / 2 ms, thus leaving at least N / 2 ms to send the corresponding downlink audio segment downlink direction. As a result, while in practice the bi-directional data link between the control part 210 and the interface part 230-i is not provided at the same time, the optical link 220-i provides the ability to transfer data, which is seen as the simultaneous transmission of audio signals in both directions on the link optical 220-i. Despite the fact that PTT communication is unidirectional at a certain point in time, the communication system 200 allows e.g. transmitting the audio signal using the first (first communication channel) of the 140-i radio part, while receiving an audio signal through the second (second communication channel) of the 140-i radio part. Therefore, the 220-i optical links adapted for "adopted simultaneous transmission of audio signals in both directions" enable the simultaneous transmission and reception of audio signals using two 140-i radio parts. The communication protocol (s) used on the 220-i optical links are preferably adapted to the requirements of the communication system 200 in terms of available

EP 3 031 148 B1 data coefficient on 220-i optical links and in the range of data features to be transferred on 220-i optical links. The details of such communication protocol (s) are, however, outside the scope of the invention.

[0056] In Fig. 5 some components of the exemplary communication system 300 are schematically shown as variants of the communication system 200. In the communication system 300, the microphone 150 and the speaker (s) 160 may be provided in the same unit with the control part 210, as indicated by a dashed rectangle grouping the same components of the communication system 300 in a single unit. The control part 210 may in particular be integrated together with the microphone 150 and the speaker (s) 160 in the RSM unit, which in turn is connected via the optical links 220-i via the respective interface parts 230-i to the respective radio parts 140-i. In other cases, the structure and functionality of the communication system 300 corresponds to those of the communication system 200.

[0057] In Fig. 6 some components of the exemplary communication system 400 are schematically shown as another variation of the communication system 200. The communication system 400 includes a control portion 410, which in turn includes a communication interface 413 for enabling the control portion 410 to communicate with the next communication system (s) shown in Fig. 6 through the 400 'communication system. In other cases, the control part 410 is similar to the control part 210. The communication system 400 'contains components matching those of the communication system 400, therefore the control part 410' of the communication system 400 'includes communication interface 413. The control part 410 can in particular be adapted for communication via communication link 413, via an electrical connection (e.g. one or more electrical wires) and through the communication interface 410 ', thereby enabling electrical connection between two communication systems 400, 400'. The communication system 400 and / or the communication system 400 'can be connected via appropriate communication interfaces 413, 413' to the next communication systems. The control part 410, 410 'can be adapted to receive and / or transmit data via a communication interface 413, 413' which can be used to send audio signals, generic (binary) data and / or control signals between the control parts 410, 410 ' .

[0058] The user of the communication system 400 'may for example use the microphone 150' for audio input and the speaker (s) 160 'for audio reproduction when using one of the radio parts 140 and the communication system 400 for radio communication. In such use scenarios, for example, the audio input (uplink) comes from the 150 'microphone, the audio input signal is converted to an uplink digital audio signal in the 410 'control part, the digitized uplink audio signal is sent as an electric signal through the communication interfaces 413 'and 413 to the control part 410, and control part 410 uses an optical transmitter 218-i to convert the digital uplink audio signal into an optical signal, before delivery via the appropriate 220-i optical connection to the appropriate 230-i interface part, for the next message in the preferred communication channel. In the reverse audio path, the 219-i optical receiver converts the (digital) downlink audio signal received from the corresponding 220-i optical link to an electric signal and sends the downlink audio signal as an electric signal through communication interfaces 413 and 413 'to the control part 410 ', for D / A conversion and providing reproduction to the user through the 160' speaker (s).

[0059] As a variation of the above example, the audio source (in the 400 'communication system) may be one of the 230-' interface parts instead of the 150 'microphone, and similarly the purpose of the audio signal (in the 400' communication system) may be one of 230-i 'interface parts instead of speaker (s) 17

EP 3 031 148 B1

160 '. Therefore, control portions 410 and 410 'may be adapted to retransmit or transmit (digital) audio signals received through one of the communication channels of the communication system 400, using one of the communication channels of the communication system 400' and / or vice versa.

[0060] As another example, the control port data port 410 'can serve as a source of uplink generic (binary) data, which is then provided as an electrical signal through the communication interfaces 413' and 413 to the control part 410, which then uses one of the 140-i radio parts connected to it to transmit uplink data on the selected communication channel (described e.g. in the context of the communication system 200). Towards downlink, generic (binary) uplink data received on one of the optical links 220-i is sent as an electrical signal via communication interfaces 413 and 413 'to control part 410' for subsequent provision via control part 410 'through data port . As a change in this example, the source of generic (binary) data (in the 400 'communication system) can be one of the 230-' interface parts instead of the data port of the 410 'control part, and similarly the purpose of generic (binary) data (in the communication system 400 ') can be one of the interface parts 230-i' instead of the data port of control part 410 '. Therefore, control portions 410 and 410 'may be adapted to retransmit or transmit generic (binary) data received on one of the communication channels of the communication system 400, using one of the communication channels of the communication system 400' and / or vice versa.

[0061] The operations, procedures and / or functions described previously in the context of the communication system 200, 400, especially in the context of the control part 210, 410 and the interface part (s) 230- and can also be expressed as steps of a method for performing the corresponding operation, procedures and / or functions. As a non-limiting example in this regard, a method 500 for controlling communication is provided (e.g. PTT communication) in a radio network (e.g. PMR system), and is also represented by the flow chart of Fig.

7.

[0062] The method 500 includes providing an uplink signal on the 220-i optical link as shown by block diagram part 500a and providing a downlink signal on the 220-i optical link as seen in block diagram part 500b. Uplink signal supply includes providing the input signal as seen in block 505. The input signal is provided as an electric signal. This may include, for example audio input and / or reception. Uplink signal delivery may further include the use of common processing for the input signal to create an uplink signal as seen in block 510. This may include, for example use of (pre) audio processing that is common to all 230-i interface parts and / or 140-i radio parts, such as described in the context of the 200 communication system. Uplink signal delivery further includes conversion, e.g. control portion 210, an electrical uplink signal to an optical uplink signal to provide the corresponding interface portion 230-i, as seen in block 515. The uplink signal supply further comprises providing the uplink signal on a corresponding optical 220-i link to the corresponding interface portion 230-i, as seen in block 520. Uplink signal delivery further includes conversion, e.g. the interface part 230-i, the optical uplink signal to the electric uplink signal to provide the corresponding radio part 140-i, as seen in block 525. The uplink signal delivery may further include the use of the processing specified for the radio part (or defined for the interface part) for the uplink signal as seen in block 530. This may include processing specified for the radio part (or defined for the interface part) of the audio signal as described in e.g. context of the communication system 200. On 18

Finally, providing the uplink signal includes providing the uplink signal to the radio portion

140-i, for wireless communication.

[0063] Providing a downlink signal includes receiving a downlink signal, e.g. wireless connection as seen in block 555. Providing the downlink signal may further include applying the processing specified for the radio part (or specified for the interface part) for the downlink signal, e.g. audio processing as seen in block 560. Downlink signal delivery further includes converting the downlink signal from the electrical signal to the downlink optical signal for delivery to the control portion 210 as seen in block 565. Providing the downlink signal further includes providing the (optical) downlink signal on the optical link 220-i to the control portion 210, as seen in block 570, followed by conversion of the optical downlink signal in the control portion 210 to an electric signal downlinks as seen in block 575. Downlink signal delivery may further include the use of common processing for the downlink signal as seen in block 580. This may include, for example the use of (secondary) audio processing that is common to all 230-i interface parts and / or 140-i radio parts, e.g. described in the context of the 200 communication system. Finally, providing the downlink signal includes providing the downlink signal for presentation to the user.

[0064] Method 500 provides an example that can be changed and / or considered in a number of ways, as e.g. described in more detail in the context of communication systems 200 and 400.