JIC-1 Infrared Communication System
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GENERAL

The JIC-1 Infrared Communication System is a defined-area wireless comms system which has numerous advantages over other approaches i.e. radio or magnetic loop. The system transmission being both optical and digital, this comms system is almost absolutely secure from external eavesdropping and/or attack. Ease of re-configuration makes this system easy to deploy and maintain while the wireless feature allows the users to roam at will without the hindrance of being attached by a fixed wire.

 

Although primarily designed for military Command & Control, this system is particularly suitable for secure wireless communication in any defined areas such as operations/control rooms, ship's bridges, air traffic control towers etc.

 

SYSTEM DESCRIPTION

From the operational point of view, the system is a multi-channel full-duplex voice communication system. The maximum capacity is eight (8) full-duplex channels.

 

The system consists of three basic units:

 

  • IR Headsets (IRH)
  • Infrared Repeaters (IRR)
  • Central Control Unit (CCU

 

IR Headsets (IRH)

Each user wears a lightweight headset and a belt- or webbing-carried small control box. There are two versions of the gear:

 

  • One channel (has a single earpiece and a microphone)
  • Two channel (has two earpieces and one microphone)

 

The control box has following controls:

 

Volume control (1 or 2)Controls volume in each earpiece
On/Off switchMain unit switch
PTT switchPress-to-talk
PTT/VOX switchSelection of manual PTT switch or voice operated switching on half-duplex circuits

 

The user equipment is powered with 4x AA size NiMH batteries, The battery life is dependent on talk time (the unit draws a lot more power when the user talks than when just listening). With talk/listen ratio of 50%, the battery will last over 8 hours.

 

Infrared Repeaters (IRR)

The IRR's are interconnected via a standard Category 5 Ethernet wiring. Each unit has an input connector and an output connector (daisy-chain). Both data and power is carried along this cable. The control unit provides for two such chains. The maximum number of IRR's in each chain is limited to approx. 25.

The IRR's are positioned strategically along the route where the communication is required. For communication to be possible there has to be one IRR always visible to the user's headset within 5-6 meters.

 

Control Unit (CCU)

The Central Control Unit has interfaces to 

 

  • Infrared repeaters (IRR)
  • External communication system
  • Remote Control/Status
  • Power supply
 

Infrared repeaters (IRR)

Two connectors are provided enabling the system to be configured in two separate daisy-chains. This is useful e.g. if two separate areas on opposite sides have to be serviced.

 

External communications system

The IR communication system has eight independent full-duplex voice channels. These channels can be configured remotely on-the-fly to provide almost any combination possible:

N independent channelsEach channel to one external line
N channels on a party line (FDX open line)Internal comms only, no external connection
N channels party line + M independent channelsInternal comms plus external connection
Listen onlyDual earpiece headset required
Press-to-talk (PTT)Half-duplex (HDX) comms are possible since each headset has the PTT button or can use voice switching (VOX).

 

Following external interfaces are provided:

 

  • 8 off - 4-wire (FDX) interface
  • 8 off - Keying output for above (activated by PTT or VOX)

 

Remote Control / Status

A control line enabling remote set-up of various modes as well as monitoring.

StandardRS-232C Serial interface
Optional10Base-T Ethernet interface for remote control
 

Power Supply

Several options are available:

 

  • DC (24/28V)
  • 115 V 60Hz
  • 240V 50Hz

 

 

ENVIRONMENTAL

  • The equipment complies with MIL-STD-461. All hull-mounted equipment complies with MIL-S-901 and MIL-STD-167. 
  • Protection rating  is IP65
 

 

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