Voice-radio interconnectivity in air defense networks

The attempt to design a stable and industry-wide standard for a converged telecommunications network carrying IP-only data and voice communications in a voice radio network environment has resulted in a new international standard. Under the cooperative work of RTCA and EUROCAE, Working Group 67 (WG-67) focused on a broad industry agreement for an IP based protocol enabling use of voice radios in an IP based mission critical environment. Rather than deploying one of the numerous proprietary solutions available, the WG-67 approach was to define all protocol aspects within and on top of existing IP standards with broad industry support. Published under the document numbers ED-137 to ED-139, these standards are now publicly available and deployments have commenced around the world. This paper outlines the protocol and its target applications in defense networks using an open standard connecting remote voice radio sites to central command and control facilities. It further includes the results of bandwidth utilization, latency, and efficiency measurements as tested in field trials over the last 3 years by involved industry participants. It concludes with an outline of the first nationwide deployment of the ED-137 series protocol in a native IP wide area Air Defense network.