When every second counts, communication must be absolutely reliable. This is precisely what the new, innovative measurement system developed by Salzburg Research in collaboration with Commend International GmbH provides. The goal is to ensure the quality of safety-critical voice communication, such as that via emergency call stations, even in modern wireless networks, such as 5G.

Communication quality as a lifesaver

A stable network connection is essential in safety-critical areas, such as hospitals, public buildings, and mobile emergency call systems. However, the increasing digitalization of these systems also brings new challenges. While intercom systems used to be mostly wired, today, hybrid or wireless networks are becoming more common. While these open up new possibilities, they make it more difficult to guarantee consistent transmission quality.

Measurement system for real-time performance

In response to this challenge, Salzburg Research and Commend developed an intelligent measurement and monitoring system that analyzes the performance of voice and video streams in real time. It extracts central network parameters, such as latency, jitter, and packet loss, directly from communication data (e.g., SIP/RTP headers), without transmitting additional data or increasing system load.

The system also reliably supports encrypted transmission, enabling precise statements about communication quality. This is a decisive factor for security-critical applications.

Focus on 5G and dynamic application scenarios

The particular focus is on communication via 5G. In a specially designed test environment, Salzburg Research is investigating the effects of changing network conditions, such as artificial load or reduced bandwidth, on voice quality. The goal is to ensure that critical mobile scenarios, such as SOS emergency calls in public spaces, are as secure as possible.

The solution supports technicians during commissioning and operators during ongoing quality assurance.

Research that creates value

The collaboration with Commend is part of the long-term research program ASBIS (Advanced Security Building Intercom Systems), which is funded by the FFG. The program aims to enable secure, future-proof communication with AI-based audio analysis, gesture-controlled operation, and cloud-based crisis management.

The partners at Commend emphasize the importance of research: “The jointly developed prototype of a performance measurement solution is a decisive step forward. Our philosophy, “Trusted. Communication. Always.”, demands the highest level of reliability because in an emergency, this technology can save lives”, says DI (FH) Klaus Hirschegger, Commend International GmbH.