The European Organisation for Civil Aviation Equipment

Working Group 67: “Voice over IP for ATM”

Working Paper

Short time differences in Climax, a theoretical study

Ver 00.01
2006-04-01

By
Alf Nilsson (WG67 SG 1)
(SAAB Communication – Sweden)

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 The European Organisation for Civil Aviation Equipment
Working Group 67: “Voice over IP for ATM”

1. ABSTRACT
General
There exist a requirement that for Climax the difference in one-way delay should be between 4 ms and
20 ms. The upper limit represents the value above which echo effects will become disturbing. The
lower limit represents the value below which fading effects will become disturbing. This study tries to
explain and visualize the fading mechanism and the impact on the frequency response in relation to
the frequency range.

The study presented in this paper is theoretical and based on calculations in a lap-top under ideal
circumstances. It is not a substitute for a practical test on radios, where also other possible practical
effects may be presented.

Conclusions
The effects shown in this study, appears to be dramatic and are certainly of importance in the TDM
case with fixed delays. However, this study does not look into a practical VoIP system. For a practical
VoIP-system the delay may vary and how this affects a real situation is not investigated here, but
should be studied.

For short difference delay, shorter than 0.1 ms, the spectrum is very little affected in the 300 – 3400
Hz range. For 0.25 ms delay difference, there is one dip at 2000 Hz. From ca 1300 Hz to 2700 Hz the
level is less than -6 dB relative to the maximum value. This indicates that the frequency region
responsible for the intelligibility of the speech is affected.

For higher difference delays there are more dips, but they are narrower. And when the difference
delay is more than 4 ms the number of dips and the frequency information lost is said to be
acceptable, according to statements given during SG-1 discussions.

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 The European Organisation for Civil Aviation Equipment
Working Group 67: “Voice over IP for ATM”

2. SCOPE
This working paper presents a theoretical study of the effect on the spectrum when a copy of a signal
is added to itself after a short delay under ideal circumstances. It is not a substitute for a practical test
on radios, where also other possible practical effects may be presented.

This study tries to explain and visualize the fading mechanism and the impact on the frequency
response in relation to the frequency range for difference in time delay of 0 - 4 ms.

3. BACKGROUND
Two speech signals is added when a controller is listening to two receivers at the same frequency.
The disturbing effects of echo and fading can be remedied by the use of Best Signal Selection (BSS),
where one of the signals only (the best) is selected for listening.

The pilot does not have this possibility because he is already listening to one receiver. Hence, when in
an offset-carrier (Climax) environment his headset signal will be the result from the reception from two
or more transmitters transmitting the same speech signal. Therefore it is critical that the time
difference between the received signals is within 4 - 20 ms. The propagation in the air is insignificant
here as this is much shorter than the time difference in the ground segment.

For TDM-systems, with fixed delays for one and the same connection, this has been solved by delay
lines adjusted to make sure the delays between different transmitters in the Climax-chain is kept within
the above 4 - 20 ms. The upper limit represents the value above which echo effects will become
disturbing. The lower limit represents the value below which fading effects will become disturbing.

4. RESULTS
4.1. Calculations

Fig 1 Adding the same signal delayed Δt

A fixed delay can be converted to phase for a frequency. The higher the frequency, the shorter the
Period T, hence more radians for the same Δt. This can be expressed as:

Time period T = 1/f ¨

One period T represents 2π radians. The delay is therefore equivalent with an angle of

φ = Δt/T*2π = Δt*2πf

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 The European Organisation for Civil Aviation Equipment
Working Group 67: “Voice over IP for ATM”

Let the signals be represented by two vectors A and B, and the resultant signal be vector C.

Fig 2 Adding the same signal delayed Δt

The magnitude (length) of C according to Pythagoras theorem will be:

C = ( A + B cos ϕ) 2 + ( B sin ϕ)
2

4.2. Diagrams equal level

The results for different delays are presented below. The first diagrams are for the same magnitude of
A and B which will give very deep minima. The next diagrams are where the B-vector is reduced by 3
dB which give less deep minima.

All calculations and diagrams assume that the wiring is such that the signals are in phase for no delay.
The distance between minima will be the same also when the branches has been changed, but shifted
a half section so the minima now will be where the maxima was.

As there are two signals added in phase for no delay, the summation signal will be 6 dB higher than
one original signal.

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 The European Organisation for Civil Aviation Equipment
Working Group 67: “Voice over IP for ATM”

Addition of two copies of the same signal, with delay

10,0

5,0 0.1 ms

0,0
Summation level, dB

-5,0

-10,0
0.25 ms

-15,0

-20,0

-25,0

-30,0
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500 5000
Frequency, Hz

Fig 3 Summation of the same signal delayed 0,1 ms and 0,25 ms

Note that more than 6 dB is lost between 1300 Hz and 2700 Hz for 0,25 ms delay. The frequencies
which are most important for the intelligibility of speech are affected.

Addition of two copies of the same signal, with delay

10,0

5,0

0,0
Summation level, dB

-5,0

-10,0

-15,0
1 ms

-20,0 0.5 ms

-25,0

-30,0
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500 5000
Frequency, Hz

Fig 4 Summation of the same signal delayed 0,5 ms and 1 ms

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 The European Organisation for Civil Aviation Equipment
Working Group 67: “Voice over IP for ATM”

Important portions of the speech frequencies are still affected when the delay is 0,5 and 1 ms
respectively.

Addition of two copies of the same signal, with delay

10,0

4 ms
5,0

0,0
Summation level, dB

-5,0

-10,0

-15,0

-20,0 0.25 ms

-25,0

-30,0
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500 5000
Frequency, Hz

Fig 4 Summation of the same signal delayed 4 ms compared to 0,25 ms

For 4 ms delay less consecutive parts of the frequency spectrum are lost. The critical bandwidth of the
ear is 100 Hz up to about 350 Hz and then increases. For mid-frequencies the critical bandwidth is
about a third octave. At 1000 Hz, the critical bandwidth is about 160 Hz. The 4 ms time difference
results in 250 Hz between the notches. It has been stated during the meetings in EUROCAE WG67
SG-1 that 4 ms time difference is the minimum difference allowed for Climax operation.

If this has to do with the critical bandwidth of the ear has not been studied, it is just noted that the 4 ms
time difference gives energy within all critical bands above around 1000 Hz. It is out of the scope of
this paper to try to find a detailed explanation of why 4 ms is considered an acceptable value.

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 The European Organisation for Civil Aviation Equipment
Working Group 67: “Voice over IP for ATM”

4.3. Diagrams 3 dB level difference

If there is a level difference, the bottoms of the notches will not be so deep. And the maximum level
will be less than 6 dB. In this study the impact of a level difference of 3 dB has been studied.

Addition of two copies of the same signal, with delay

10,0

5,0

0,0
-3 dB diff
Summation level, dB

-5,0

-10,0

-15,0

-20,0 0 dB diff

-25,0

-30,0
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500 5000
Frequency, Hz

Fig 5 Summation of the same signal, level difference -3 dB and delayed 0,25 ms

This is shown only for the delay 0,25 ms. The effect is the same for all other delays. The bottom of the
peak will now become about -11 dB and the top decreases with one dB from +6 dB to slightly less
than +5 dB. The width of the range where the loss is more than 6 dB compared to the maximum value
is about the same.

4.4. Adding more signals than two

This can happen where there is Climax operation of more than two stations. Due to the slightly
different time differences, it is probable that the notches in practice will not be so deep, and the
summation of three signals would be more flat. And it is also likely that there would be more difference
in level from three stations than from two stations which also would flatten the spectrum somewhat.
Two signals could in theory give the same level in the receiver and therefore cancel out. Signals from
three stations have not been investigated in this study.

4.5. Latency in a radio network

Ref[1] describes measurements of the round-trip latency in already established connections for 142
radio channels in Sweden. Note that this is not VoIP, but TDM-connections. It must also be noted that
Climax operation is not used in Sweden today, and therefore the measured values is as is and no
delay-lines for compensation has been used.

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 The European Organisation for Civil Aviation Equipment
Working Group 67: “Voice over IP for ATM”

Assuming the round-trip latency is twice the one-way latency; the given figures can be cut in half to get
the one-way latency. The following table states measured one-way delays and the difference in delays
for some frequencies used by the Swedish CAA. If they would be used in Climax-operation many of
them would fall in the 0 – 4 ms range, hence need compensating delay lines. This report covers only
lines within Sweden and does not cover lines elsewhere in Europe, but it seems likely that
compensating delay lines are needed for many, if not all, TDM lines for Climax operation.

The lines in ref[1] are used in most cases for best signal selection (BSS) operation. The method where
the channels were mixed during the BSS evaluation time (first 500 ms), was abandoned in favour of
the method where the first received frequency was used during the BSS evaluation time. Switching to
a better frequency took place if the BSS-function found that feasible. The reason for change of method
was the fading effects described in this paper.

Delay difference

rel next rel third rel fourth

rel shortest shortest shortest
round-trip one-way shortest delay delay delay
Station Frequency ms ms ms ms ms ms
Bjurholm 7,9 3,95 0,0
Måttsund 12,0 6,00 2,1 0,0
125,60
Älvsbyn 16,4 8,20 4,3 2,2 0,0
Vännäs 17,2 8,60 4,7 2,6 0,4
Sundsvall rr 0,6 0,30 0,0
129,55
Kramfors 3,8 1,90 1,6
Arvidsjaur 13,4 6,70 0,0
Gällivare 16,1 8,05 1,4 0,0
131,05
Måttsund 18,1 9,05 2,4 1,0 0,0
Storuman 18,7 9,35 2,7 1,3 0,3
Sundsvall rr 2,0 1,00 0,0
Kramfors 132,15 3,8 1,90 0,9 0,0
Östersund 6,2 3,10 2,1 1,2
Sundsvall rr main 2,0 1,00 0,0
Sundsvall rr st-by 2,8 1,40 0,4 0,0
Kramfors 135,02 5,2 2,60 1,6 1,2 0,0
Gävle 7,1 3,55 2,6 2,2 1,0 0,0
Umeå 16,5 8,25 7,3 6,9 5,7 4,7

Table 1 Example of difference in line delays, Sundsvall ATCC

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 The European Organisation for Civil Aviation Equipment
Working Group 67: “Voice over IP for ATM”

Delay difference

rel next rel third rel fourth

rel shortest shortest shortest
round-trip one-way shortest delay delay delay
Station Frequency ms ms ms ms ms ms
Rydholm/Arn TWR 2,6 1,30 0,0
Gävle 118,20 11,5 5,75 4,5 0,0
Borlänge 18,9 9,45 8,2 3,7
Rydholm/Arn TWR 2,5 1,25 0,0
Eskilstuna 118,28 7,8 3,90 2,7 0,0
Solvalla/Glia 11,5 5,75 4,5 1,9
Malmen 10,1 5,05 0,0
Solvalla/Glia 118,40 11,6 5,80 0,8 0,0
Krokek 15,9 7,95 2,9 2,2
Bromma 8,9 4,45 0,0
119,40
Solvalla/Glia 11,6 5,80 1,4
Granhult/Gustavsborg 2,4 1,20 0,0
119,63
Rydholm/Arn TWR 2,6 1,30 0,1
Rydholm/Karlslund 2,6 1,30 0,0
120,15
Solvalla/Glia 11,6 5,80 4,5
Solbacken/Gustavsborg 2,3 1,15 0,0
120,50
Rydholm/Arn TWR 2,5 1,25 0,1
Solbacken/Gustavsborg 2,2 1,10 0,0
123,75
Rydholm/Arn TWR 2,4 1,20 0,1
Solbacken/Gustavsborg 2,3 1,15 0,0
124,10
Rydholm/Arn TWR 2,5 1,25 0,1
Granhult/Karlslund 2,4 1,20 0,0
126,65
Rydholm/Arn TWR 2,5 1,25 0,1
Granhult/Karlslund 2,4 1,20 0,0
Rydholm/Arn TWR 129,18 2,6 1,30 0,1 0,0
Eskilstuna 8,9 4,45 3,3 3,2
Rydholm/Arn TWR 2,6 1,30 0,0
Malmen 10,1 5,05 3,8 0,0
Gotland N 129,45 14,8 7,40 6,1 2,4 0,0
Krokek 17,2 8,60 7,3 3,6 1,2 0,0
Visby 21,6 10,80 9,5 5,8 3,4 2,2
Granhult/Karlslund 2,4 1,20 0,0
Rydholm/Arn TWR 129,95 2,5 1,25 0,1 0,0
Berga 11,5 5,75 4,6 4,5
Rydholm/Arn TWR 2,3 1,15 0,0
130,40
Uppsala 6,6 3,30 2,2
Rydholm/Arn TWR 2,6 1,30 0,0
131,13
Filipstad 31,7 15,85 14,6
Granhult/Gustavsborg 2,3 1,15 0,0
Berga 9,7 4,85 3,7 0,0
132,48
Gotland N 11,2 5,60 4,5 0,8 0,0
Visby 21,9 10,95 9,8 6,1 5,4
Rydholm/Arn TWR 2,6 1,30 0,0
Malmen 10,1 5,05 3,8 0,0
133,45
Gotland N 11,4 5,70 4,4 0,7 0,0
Krokek 19,1 9,55 8,3 4,5 3,9
Rydholm/Arn TWR 2,6 1,30 0,0
Berga 133,70 9,6 4,80 3,5 0,0
Krokek 15,8 7,90 6,6 3,1
Solbacken/Gustavsborg 2,3 1,15 0,0
134,20
Uppsala 7,1 3,55 2,4
Solbacken/Arlanda TWR 2,2 1,10 0,0
Gävle 10,9 5,45 4,4 0,0
135,20
Borlänge 19 9,50 8,4 4,1 0,0
Filipstad 26,5 13,25 12,2 7,8 3,8

Table 2 Example of difference in line delays, Stockholm ATCC

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 The European Organisation for Civil Aviation Equipment
Working Group 67: “Voice over IP for ATM”

5. CONCLUSION
There is a lower limit of 4 ms time difference for Climax operation today according to statements in
SG-1. This lower limit has been set a long time ago, and the time difference is controlled by adjustable
delay-lines. This study has shown what happens to the spectrum, theoretically, when adding the same
signal with less time difference than 4 ms.

It is out of the scope of this document to explain why 4 ms has been considered acceptable in the
past.

It is probable that differences less than 4 ms, and especially differences below 1 ms has a detrimental
effect on the spectrum.

It is also clear that with TDM-systems with fixed delay for an established connection, this may be a
problem. It is not clear whether this is a real problem or not when it comes to VoIP. In VoIP-systems
the delay will vary, and it is therefore less probable that the time difference will be in the range of 0 - 4
ms for a prolonged time. On the other hand, it is not clear how it is perceived when the time difference
varies and passes the range 0 - 4 ms, which may be dependant on the implementation. This is for
further study.

Round-trip latencies measured in Sweden (TDM), makes it likely that compensating delay-lines are
necessary to keep the delay difference out of the range 0 – 4 ms in a TDM network, should they be
used for Climax operation.

6. REFERENCES

1. “Latency in the radio network of the Swedish CAA”, Ver 01.01, Alf Nilsson, SAAB
Communication, 2006-01-30

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