Voice call group function for a satellite based air traffic control system

US6185430A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Motorola, Inc. · US

Inventors

• David Moon Yee · Scottsdale, US
• Robert H. Bickley · Paradise Valley, US
• Philip John Zucarelli · Glendale, US
• Theodore Woolley Keller · Scottsdale, US
• Jeffrey S. Osman · Scottsdale, US
• Randall K. Derr · Phoenix, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 26, 1997
• Grant date: Feb 6, 2001
• Expiry date: Nov 26, 2017

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H04B7/18508
• WIPO field: Telecommunications
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

Voice call group functionality is provided in a satellite based air traffic control system to allow air traffic controllers and pilots of one or more aircraft to establish and maintain voice communication over a group call. A pilot of an aircraft may maintain voice communication with the same air traffic controller the entire duration of the flight over the entire globe. Voice communication between the pilot of an aircraft may be handed off from one air traffic controller to another by switching voice call groups. The voice call group functionality allows an air traffic controller to communicate simultaneously with pilots of different aircraft, and also allows pilots of different aircraft to communicate with each other.