Interoperable secure voice communications in tactical systems

With the increased dependence on peace-keeping operations under the auspices of the UN and NATO, interoperability among and between coalition member nations is imperative. An essential element is to overcome differences in voice coding algorithms from system to system and nation to nation. Our goal is to ensure interoperability between communications equipment produced by different nations designed to common standards. Tactical environments are very often characterized by harsh acoustic environments, and stressed or jammed channels. The next generation tactical communications systems are conceived with interoperability as a primary consideration. A key step is to adopt a single high performance voice coding algorithmic suite. This suite must be capable of multiple transmission rates which can dynamically adapt to available bandwidth, channel SNR, or by user direction. Integrating powerful forward error correction codes will optimize the system quality of service, delivered to the user by selecting the optimal combined voice and channel coding for a given impaired scenario. Most importantly, this adaptation must occur seamlessly, dynamically and instantaneously. This paper discusses one voice coding technology, the enhanced mixed excitation linear prediction, MELPe voice coding algorithmic suite, where it is today, and the additions under development and in consideration.