NASA seeks interested parties to license the Ad Hoc Selection for Voice Over Internet (VoIP) Streams technology developed by engineers at Johnson Space Center. This technology features the ability to select specific audio streams from one or more sources and then convert them into a multicast to the user's audio player. This selection ability benefits the user by allowing a wide range of information and/or data to be monitored from a remote location using existing network technologies in near real time. For example, a user with a personal computer equipped with special-purpose audio player software first needs to launch the program and provide an identification and a password. Once both access control checks are completed, the audio software graphic is displayed, including audio stream and volume control buttons. The user can now select up to 21 streams to monitor simultaneously.

This technology was initially developed to broadcast multiple audio streams through the NASA Mission Control Center (MCC) VoIP system. The technology has provided significant benefits to NASA by enhancing situational awareness among flight-support personnel and management who are located outside of the MCC, and it has excellent potential to provide similar benefits in commercial applications. The innovation allows multiple users to monitor the activities taking place at various locations by integrating multiple audio streams into a single source in real time. The technology offers excellent sound reproduction, and adds users automatically for networks supporting multicast traffic. It does not require dedicated connections, and the total data-processing load on the distribution system is relatively minimal, allowing for wide and secure distribution at low cost.

The audio distribution process begins with feeding the audio signals to analog-to-digital converters. These converters create digital streams of MP3 VoIP audio packets. Using a user datagram protocol (UDP), the resulting digital streams are sent through an audio Intranet to a server that converts them to encrypted multicast data packets. These packets then are routed throughout the network to provide access to one or more audio streams concurrently on personal computers of authorized users.

The technology features real-time encrypting of the multicast audio streams for privacy, the ability for users to individually control volume, and high fidelity with excellent reproduction of voice. Applications include audio multicasting and monitoring, air-traffic training, EMS communications and telemedicine, and stock exchange and other information and data sharing.

NASA is actively seeking licensees to commercialize this technology. Please contact Michelle P. Lewis at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to initiate licensing discussions. Follow this link for more information: here .