US 12,726,287 B2Granted

Split time division multiple access network detector

AssigneeBAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.

InventorJohn H. Chongoushian

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Abstract

A node of a first TDMA network, such as a link 16 network, uses a first receiver to participate in the first network, while using a second receiver to detect and report a second TDMA network, which is not synchronized with the first network, by listening for a characteristic message from the second TDMA network. The timing error between the networks can be estimated from the received message timing. Upon detection, the node can join the second network and/or request updated timing information from the second network. In embodiments where timeslot-specific TRANSEC filters are required, the node selects a TRANSEC filter for a timeslot that is further in the future than an estimated timing error bound. The first and second networks can implement the same network protocol and architecture, differing only due to the timing offset between their network timing references, as would be the case for a split network.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A node of a first TDMA network, the node comprising:

a transmitter;
a first receiver;
a second receiver;
a first internal time base;
and
a controller;
wherein the controller is configured to:
synchronize the first internal time base with a first network time reference of the first TDMA network;
cause the transmitter and the first receiver to participate in the first TDMA network;
cause the second receiver to await reception of a second TDMA network characteristic message transmitted by a second TDMA network implementing a TDMA protocol and architecture that are known to the controller, the second TDMA network comprising a second network time reference, wherein a timing offset exists between the first and second network time references, said timing offset being initially unknown to the controller;
and
upon said receiving by the second receiver of the second TDMA network characteristic message transmitted by the second TDMA network, and upon recognition and interpretation thereof, report detection of the second TDMA network;
wherein the controller is further configured to cause the second receiver to suspend awaiting reception of the second TDMA network characteristic message during a timeslot in which the first TDMA network is transmitting a first TDMA network characteristic message that is identical to the second TDMA network characteristic message.

10 more elements

Non-transient media containing instructions that are executable by a controller of a node of a first TDMA network, said instructions being configured, when executed by the controller, to cause the controller to execute steps comprising:

synchronizing the first internal time base of the node with a network time reference of the first TDMA network;
causing a transmitter and a first receiver of the node to participate in the first TDMA network;
causing a second receiver of the node to await reception of a second TDMA network characteristic message transmitted by a second TDMA network implementing a TDMA protocol and architecture that are known to the controller, the second TDMA network comprising a second network time reference, wherein a timing offset exists between the first and second network time references, said timing offset being initially unknown to the controller;
upon receiving, recognizing and interpreting by the second receiver of the second TDMA network characteristic message transmitted by the second TDMA network, and upon recognition and interpretation thereof, reporting a detection of the second TDMA network;
wherein the second TDMA network characteristic message is a first network characteristic message of a plurality of spaced-apart network characteristic messages transmitted by the second TDMA network, and wherein the instructions are further configured to cause the controller to:
cause the second receiver to receive a second network characteristic message of the plurality of spaced-apart network characteristic messages;
and
estimate a timing rate difference between the first and second network timing references according to a difference between an expected time separation between the receiving of the first and second network characteristic messages and an actual time separation between the receiving of the first and second network characteristic messages.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.