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Stream Hang Time Feature

Overview

The stream hang time feature prevents talkgroup hijacking during multi-transmission conversations. When a DMR transmission ends, the timeslot remains reserved for the same talkgroup (or original user) for a configurable period, preventing other talkgroups from interrupting an ongoing conversation.

The Problem

In DMR, a typical conversation consists of multiple separate transmissions on the same talkgroup:

Time: 0s    User A transmits on TG 3120 (stream 1)
Time: 3s    Stream 1 ends
Time: 3.5s  User B replies on TG 3120 (stream 2) - same conversation

Without hang time, a different talkgroup could hijack the slot:

Time: 0s    User A transmits TG 3120 (stream 1)
Time: 3s    Stream 1 ends, slot becomes available
Time: 3.1s  User C transmits TG 9999 (hijacks the slot!)
Time: 3.5s  User B tries to reply on TG 3120 - BLOCKED

The Solution

Hang time reserves the slot for the same talkgroup (or original user) after transmission ends:

Time: 0s    User A transmits TG 3120 (stream 1)
Time: 3s    Stream 1 ends, slot enters HANG TIME for TG 3120
Time: 3.1s  User C tries TG 9999 - DENIED (slot reserved for TG 3120)
Time: 3.5s  User B transmits TG 3120 - ALLOWED (same talkgroup)
Time: 6.5s  User B's stream ends, hang time starts
Time: 9.5s  Hang time expires, slot available for any talkgroup

Configuration

Add to the global section of your configuration file:

{
    "global": {
        "stream_timeout": 2.0,
        "stream_hang_time": 10.0
    }
}

Parameters

Parameter Type Default Description
stream_timeout float 2.0 Fallback timeout when DMR terminator frame is lost
stream_hang_time float 10.0-20.0 Seconds to reserve slot for same talkgroup after stream ends

Recommended Values

  • stream_timeout: 2.0 seconds (fallback only)

    • Primary detection: DMR terminator frame (immediate)
    • Fallback detection: Timeout after 2 seconds without packets
    • This timeout is only used when the terminator packet is lost
    • 2.0 seconds provides safety margin for worst-case packet loss
    • Too short: May trigger during temporary network congestion
    • Too long: Delays cleanup when terminator is actually lost

  • stream_hang_time: 10.0-20.0 seconds (configurable for your network)

    • This is the slot reservation period to prevent talkgroup hijacking
    • Typical PTT release and re-key time: 0.5-2.0 seconds
    • 10.0 seconds: Good for active/fast-paced conversations
    • 20.0 seconds: Better for slower operators or tactical operations
    • Longer values improve conversation flow but reduce slot availability
    • Shorter values risk conversation interruption

Stream End Detection Methods

Primary: Immediate Terminator Detection (~60ms) ✅

  • Checks packet header flags in byte 15
  • Frame type == 0x2 (HBPF_DATA_SYNC) AND dtype_vseq == 0x2 (HBPF_SLT_VTERM)
  • Uses Homebrew protocol's built-in terminator flags
  • Provides optimal ~60ms detection latency
  • 3x faster than timeout-based methods

Fallback: Timeout Detection (2.0s inactivity)

  • Triggers after stream_timeout (2.0s default) with no packets
  • Used when no new transmission attempts to take the slot
  • Ensures streams eventually clean up even if operators don't key up again
  • Checked every 1 second by background task

How It Works

Stream States

A stream progresses through three states:

  1. ACTIVE: Receiving packets, ended=False

    • Packets from same stream_id: ACCEPTED
    • New stream from different TG: DENIED (slot busy)

  2. HANG TIME: Stream ended (ended=True), slot reserved

    • Packets from SAME talkgroup: ACCEPTED (conversation continues)
    • Packets from SAME rf_src: ACCEPTED (original user can switch TGs)
    • Packets from DIFFERENT TG/source: DENIED (slot reserved)
    • Duration: stream_hang_time seconds

  3. EXPIRED: Hang time elapsed

    • Slot cleared (set to None)
    • Available for any talkgroup

State Transitions

+---------------+
|    ACTIVE     | <--- New packet, same stream_id
| ended=False   |
+-------+-------+
        |
        | Terminator or timeout
        v
+---------------+
|   HANG TIME   | <--- Same TG or same rf_src can use slot
| ended=True    |      Different TG/source DENIED
+-------+-------+
        |
        | stream_hang_time elapses
        v
+---------------+
|    EXPIRED    |
| slot=None     | <--- Any talkgroup can use slot
+---------------+

DMR Packet Timing

Understanding DMR timing clarifies the detection behavior:

  • Voice Packet Rate: ~60ms per packet (16.67 packets/second)
  • Typical Transmission: 30-90 seconds (500-1500 packets)
  • Immediate Detection: Terminator frame detected at end of transmission (~60ms)
  • Fallback: 2.0s timeout if terminator packet is lost
  • hang_time: Slot reservation to protect talkgroup conversations

Logging

Stream End via Terminator (Primary Method)

INFO - DMR terminator received on repeater 312100 slot 1: 
       src=3121234, dst=3120, duration=2.46s, packets=41 - 
       entering hang time (10.0s)

Stream End via Timeout (Fallback Method)

INFO - Stream timeout on repeater 312100 slot 1: src=3121234, dst=3120, 
       duration=4.52s, packets=226 - entering hang time (10.0s)

Same Source Resumes

INFO - Same source resuming on repeater 312100 slot 1 during hang time: 
       src=3121234, old_dst=3120, new_dst=3121

Different Talkgroup Denied

WARNING - Hang time contention on repeater 312100 slot 1: 
          slot reserved for TG=3120, denied TG=9999

Hang Time Expires

DEBUG - Hang time expired on repeater 312100 slot 1

Use Cases

Normal Talkgroup Conversation

Multiple users on TG 3120:

0.0s:  User A starts TG 3120 (stream 1) → ACTIVE
2.5s:  User A stops, stream ends → HANG TIME (reserved for TG 3120)
3.0s:  User B transmits TG 3120 (stream 2) → ACTIVE (same TG allowed)
5.0s:  User B stops, stream ends → HANG TIME (reserved for TG 3120)
8.0s:  User C transmits TG 3120 (stream 3) → ACTIVE (same TG)
11.0s: User C stops, stream ends → HANG TIME
21.0s: Hang time expires → AVAILABLE

Attempted Talkgroup Hijacking

TG 3120 active, TG 9999 tries to interrupt:

0.0s:  User A transmits TG 3120 (stream 1) → ACTIVE
2.5s:  User A stops, stream ends → HANG TIME (reserved for TG 3120)
2.8s:  User X transmits TG 9999 → DENIED (hang time protecting TG 3120)
3.0s:  User B transmits TG 3120 (stream 2) → ACTIVE (same TG)

Slot Reuse After Conversation

Conversation ends, different talkgroup can use slot:

0.0s:  User A transmits TG 3120 (stream 1) → ACTIVE
2.5s:  User A stops, stream ends → HANG TIME (reserved for TG 3120)
12.5s: Hang time expires → AVAILABLE
13.0s: User X transmits TG 9999 (stream 2) → ACTIVE (slot free)

Same User Switching Talkgroups

Original user can switch TGs during hang time:

0.0s:  User A (3121234) transmits TG 3120 → ACTIVE
2.5s:  Stream ends → HANG TIME (reserved for TG 3120 or User A)
3.0s:  User A (3121234) transmits TG 3121 → ACTIVE (same user, different TG allowed)

Benefits

✅ Prevents Talkgroup Hijacking: Ongoing TG conversations are protected ✅ Natural Operation: Users don't notice the mechanism ✅ Configurable: Adjust for different operator speeds and network behavior ✅ Per-Slot: Each timeslot operates independently ✅ Fair Access: After conversation ends, slot is available to all ✅ User Flexibility: Original user can switch talkgroups during hang time

Limitations

⚠️ Slot Reservation: Hang time does reserve the slot, reducing availability for other TGs ⚠️ Single TG Protection: Only protects one talkgroup at a time per slot ⚠️ No Priority: All talkgroups treated equally (first-come-first-served)

Stream End Detection

HBlink4 uses a two-tier detection system for stream end:

Tier 1: DMR Terminator Frame Detection (Primary)

The primary method detects explicit DMR terminator frames:

Terminator Detection:

  • Checks packet header flags in byte 15
  • Frame type == 0x2 (HBPF_DATA_SYNC) AND dtype_vseq == 0x2 (HBPF_SLT_VTERM)
  • Uses Homebrew protocol's built-in terminator flags
  • When detected: Immediately ends stream and starts hang time

Benefits:

  • ✅ Immediate stream end (~60ms after PTT release)
  • ✅ Fast slot turnaround for new conversations on same TG
  • ✅ Accurate hang time start
  • ✅ Better slot utilization
  • ✅ 3x faster than timeout-based detection

Tier 2: Timeout Detection (Fallback)

  • Triggers after stream_timeout (2.0s default) with no packets
  • Used when terminator frame is lost in transmission
  • Ensures streams eventually clean up even without explicit terminators
  • Checked every 1 second by background task

Testing

Comprehensive tests in tests/test_hang_time.py:

  • ✅ Active streams don't trigger hang time
  • ✅ Ended streams enter hang time correctly
  • ✅ Hang time expires after configured duration
  • ✅ Same source can resume during hang time
  • ✅ Different source is denied during hang time
  • ✅ Edge cases (boundaries, zero hang time, etc.)