Data acquisition using spare data bus capacity

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for data acquisition utilizing spare or unused data bus capacity. In one example aspect, the system includes a vehicle including an engine and a controller. The controller generates a data file indicative of continuous engine operating data (CEOD). The data file is transmitted over a serial data bus to a bus recorder. In particular, the data file is continuously generated by the controller and stored in a buffer. An available bandwidth of a transmission frame of the serial data bus is determined. A portion of the data file is retrieved from the buffer based at least in part on the determined bandwidth. The portion of the data file is divided into relatively small transmission payloads and packed into the available bandwidth of the transmission frame. This process is continuously repeated and the bus recorder records the data. The data file is then reconstructed and decoded.

Description

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of application number 201910993079.5, filed October 18, 2019, entitled “DATA ACQUISITION UTILIZING SPARE DATA BUS CAPACITY.”

[0002] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0003] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62 / 747,228, filed October 18, 2018, entitled “DATA ACQUISITION UTILIZING SPARE DATA BUS CAPACITY,” the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0004] The subject matter of the present disclosure relates generally to data acquisition utilizing spare or unused bandwidth of a data bus. BACKGROUND

[0005] An aircraft can include one or more engines for propelling the aircraft. Each engine can include and / or be in communication with one or more electronic engine controllers (EECs). The EECs can record data related to the engine with which they are associated, such as continuous engine operating data (CEOD). If the data resides on the EEC, a number of challenges can be encountered. For example, the EEC can require additional or substantial memory devices to store the data, particularly if the task of the EEC is to record data for multiple flights. Further, the data can be difficult for a ground station or end user to access and use. For example, accessing the EEC can be difficult and time consuming, as the EEC is typically installed underneath the engine cowl. Thus, the EEC must be accessed while the aircraft is on the ground, and typically the entire data file is downloaded at one time, which is time consuming, as noted above, and often requires a mobile terminal.

[0006] Some aircraft include an Ethernet-based data bus that communicatively couples the EECs with engine interface units (EIUs) of the aircraft. The Ethernet-based data bus typically has the bandwidth capacity to transfer large data files to the EIUs. Thus, engine data can be transferred over the Ethernet data bus, and thus the engine data no longer resides on the EECs. However, many aircraft include serial data buses, such as ARINC 429, MIL-STD-1553, etc., and do not include an Ethernet-based data bus. The bandwidth capacity of the serial data bus is more limited, and thus it is not conventionally possible to transfer large data files (e.g., CEOD) over the serial data bus. Rather, such serial data buses have conventionally been used to transfer only certain engine parameters (e.g., fan speed, core speed, etc.) to the EIUs.

[0007] Accordingly, improved systems and methods addressing one or more of the challenges described above would be useful. SUMMARY

[0008] Aspects and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure will be set forth in part in the following description, or can be learned from the description, or can be learned through practice of the embodiments.

[0009] One example aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a system. The system includes a vehicle. The vehicle has a vehicle interface unit positioned on the vehicle, a bus logger, and a data bus. The vehicle further has a computing device positioned on the vehicle and communicatively coupled with the vehicle interface unit and the bus logger via the data bus. The computing device is structured to: generate a data file; store the data file in a buffer of the computing device; determine an available bandwidth of a transmission frame of the data bus; retrieve a select size portion of the data file based at least in part on the available bandwidth of the transmission frame; partition the retrieved select size portion of the data file into a transmission payload; and allocate the partitioned transmission payload into available time slots of the transmission frame, wherein the transmission frame is transmitted over the data bus and received by the bus logger.

[0010] In some embodiments, the transmission frame is one of a plurality of transmission frames of a transmission schedule transmitted over the data bus to and received by the bus logger. In such embodiments, for each of the plurality of transmission frames of the transmission schedule, the computing device is structured to: determine an available bandwidth of the one of the plurality of transmission frames; retrieve a select size portion of the data file based at least in part on the available bandwidth of the one of the plurality of transmission frames; partition the retrieved select size portion of the data file into a transmission payload; and allocate the allocated transmission payload into available time slots of the one of the plurality of transmission frames, and wherein the plurality of transmission frames of the transmission schedule are transmitted over the data bus consecutively and received by the bus logger.

[0011] In some embodiments, the vehicle further includes an onboard computing device communicatively coupled with the bus logger. The onboard computing device is structured to: receive the plurality of transmission frames; and reconstruct the data file based at least in part on the received plurality of transmission frames.

[0012] In some embodiments, the system further includes a remote station, and wherein the vehicle further includes a communication unit positioned on the vehicle and communicatively coupled with the bus logger, the communication unit operable to transmit the plurality of transmission frames to the remote station.

[0013] In some embodiments, the remote station comprises a remote computing device. The remote computing device is configured to: receive a plurality of transmission frames; and reconstruct a data file based at least in part on the received plurality of transmission frames.

[0014] In some embodiments, reconstructing the data file comprises extracting a transmission payload from each of the plurality of transmission frames and sequentially configuring the transmission payloads into the reconstructed data file.

[0015] In some embodiments, the remote computing device is further configured to: decode the reconstructed data file to render a human-readable file.

[0016] In some embodiments, each transmission payload forms a portion of a data word, and wherein each data word has a tag indicating that the transmission payload is associated with the data file.

[0017] In some embodiments, the tag indicating that the transmission payload is associated with the data file is assignable into more than one of the available time slots of the transmission frame. In some embodiments, the tag indicating that the transmission payload is associated with the data file is assignable into consecutive available time slots of the transmission frame.

[0018] In some embodiments, the one or more data words comprise a counter payload indicating a count of transmission frames or a count of payloads.

[0019] In some embodiments, the carrier is an aircraft having a cockpit and an avionics bay, and wherein the bus recorder is located in one of the cockpit and the avionics bay.

[0020] In some embodiments, the computing device is an electronic engine controller (EEC), and the carrier interface unit is an engine interface unit of the carrier.

[0021] In some embodiments, the carrier interface unit located on the carrier is operable to ignore partitioned transmission payloads assigned into available time slots of the transmission frame.

[0022] Another example aspect of this disclosure relates to a method. The method includes generating a data file by one or more computing devices located on a carrier. The method also includes storing the data file in a storage device of the one or more computing devices. Furthermore, the method includes determining the available bandwidth of a transmission frame of a data bus by the one or more computing devices. Additionally, the method includes retrieving a selected size portion of the data file by the one or more computing devices, at least partially based on the available bandwidth of the transmission frame. Furthermore, the method includes partitioning the retrieved selected size portion of the data file into a transmission payload by the one or more computing devices. The method also includes allocating the partitioned transmission payload to time slots of the transmission frame by the one or more computing devices. Furthermore, the method includes transmitting the transmission frame via the data bus. Additionally, the method includes receiving the transmission frame at a bus recorder located on the carrier and communicatively coupled to the one or more computing devices.

[0023] In some implementations, the transmission frame of the data bus includes one or more unavailable time slots having one or more data words allocated therein.

[0024] In some embodiments, a transport frame is one of a plurality of transport frames in a transport arrangement. In such embodiments, the method further includes: for each of the plurality of transport frames, determining the available bandwidth of the transport frame by one or more computing devices; retrieving a selected size portion of a data file based at least in part on the available bandwidth of the transport frame; dividing the retrieved selected size portion of the data file into transport payloads; allocating the divided transport payloads to available time slots of the transport frames; transmitting the plurality of transport frames via a data bus; and receiving the plurality of transport frames at a bus recorder. In some embodiments, the plurality of transport frames can be transmitted continuously via the data bus. In some embodiments, the plurality of transport frames can be received continuously by a bus recorder.

[0025] In some embodiments, the bus recorder is communicatively coupled to the wireless communication unit. In such an embodiment, the method further includes: storing multiple received transmission frames as bus data by the bus recorder; and transmitting the bus data to a remote station via the wireless communication unit.

[0026] In some implementations, the remote station includes a remote computing device. In such an implementation, the method further includes: receiving bus data by the remote computing device; and reconstructing a data file based at least in part on the bus data.

[0027] Another example aspect of this disclosure relates to an aircraft. The aircraft includes an engine. The aircraft also includes one or more aircraft systems. The aircraft further includes an engine interface unit located on a carrier and communicatively coupled to the one or more aircraft systems. Additionally, the aircraft includes a bus recorder and a serial data bus. Furthermore, the aircraft includes an engine controller having storage devices and located on the carrier, the engine controller being communicatively coupled to the engine interface unit and the bus recorder via the serial data bus. The engine controller is configured to: generate a binary data file indicating continuous engine operation data; store the binary data file in the storage device of the engine controller; determine the available bandwidth of a transmission frame of the serial data bus; retrieve a selected-size portion of the binary data file based at least in part on the available bandwidth of the transmission frame; divide the retrieved selected-size portion of the binary data file into transmission payloads; allocate the divided transmission payloads to available time slots of the transmission frames, wherein the transmission frames are transmitted via the serial data bus and received and stored by the bus recorder.

[0028] In some embodiments, the aircraft has a cockpit and an avionics bay, wherein a bus recorder is located in one of the cockpit and the avionics bay, and wherein an engine controller is mounted to the engine.

[0029] In some embodiments, the aircraft further includes a communication unit communicatively coupled to a bus recorder, the communication unit being operable to transmit multiple transmission frames to a remote station.

[0030] In some embodiments, the remote station is operable to receive multiple transmission frames and has one or more remote computing devices configured to: reconstruct a binary data file based at least in part on the received multiple transmission frames to present the reconstructed data file; and decode the reconstructed data file to present a human-readable file.

[0031] In another aspect, a method is provided. This method includes receiving bus data from a remote station, the bus data comprising transmission frames transmitted via a data bus to a bus recorder, the transmission frames containing one or more transmission payloads, wherein the one or more transmission payloads are packaged into the transmission frames by: generating a data file by one or more computing devices located on a carrier; storing the data file in a storage device of one or more computing devices by one or more computing devices; determining the available bandwidth of the transmission frame by one or more computing devices; retrieving a selected-size portion of the data file from the storage device by one or more computing devices, at least in part based on the available bandwidth; dividing the retrieved selected-size portion of the data file into one or more transmission payloads by one or more computing devices; and allocating the divided one or more transmission payloads into time slots of the transmission frame by one or more computing devices.

[0032] In some implementations, the allocated transmission frames are transmitted via a data bus to a bus recorder located on the carrier.

[0033] In some implementations, the remote station is a ground station.

[0034] In some implementations, a transport frame is one of a plurality of transport frames of bus data, wherein the plurality of transport frames package one or more transport payloads, and wherein the one or more transport payloads are packaged into each transport frame by the following steps: generating a data file by one or more computing devices located on a carrier; storing the data file in a storage device of one or more computing devices by one or more computing devices; determining the available bandwidth of the transport frame by one or more computing devices; retrieving a selected size portion of the data file from the storage device by one or more computing devices, at least in part based on the available bandwidth; dividing the retrieved selected size portion of the data file into one or more transport payloads by one or more computing devices; and allocating the divided one or more transport payloads into time slots of the transport frame by one or more computing devices.

[0035] On the other hand, a system is provided. The system includes a carrier having one or more computing devices, the computing devices including a storage device, a data bus, and a bus recorder. Furthermore, the system includes a station having one or more computing devices configured to: receive bus data, the bus data including transmission frames transmitted via the data bus to the bus recorder, the transmission frames containing one or more transmission payloads, wherein the one or more computing devices of the carrier package the one or more transmission payloads into the transmission frames by: generating a data file; storing the data file in the storage device of the one or more computing devices of the carrier; determining the available bandwidth of the transmission frame; retrieving a selected-size portion of the data file from the storage device, at least in part based on the available bandwidth; dividing the retrieved selected-size portion of the data file into one or more transmission payloads; and allocating the divided one or more transmission payloads to the transmission frames.

[0036] In some embodiments, the station is a remote ground station.

[0037] In some embodiments, standing on the carrier.

[0038] In some embodiments, the data bus is a serial data bus, such as any serial data bus described herein.

[0039] In another aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium is provided. This non-transitory computer-readable medium includes computer-executable instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of an engine controller associated with an engine of an aircraft, cause the one or more processors of the engine controller to: generate a data file; store the data file in a buffer of the engine controller; determine the available bandwidth of a transmission frame of a data bus, the data bus communicatively coupled to the engine controller and a bus recorder of the aircraft; retrieve a selected-size portion of the data file from the buffer, at least in part based on the available bandwidth of the transmission frame; partition the retrieved selected-size portion of the data file into a transmission payload; allocate the partitioned transmission payload to available time slots of the transmission frame; and cause the allocated transmission frame to be transmitted via the data bus to the bus recorder.

[0040] In some embodiments, the data bus is a serial data bus, such as any serial data bus described herein.

[0041] In some embodiments, each transmit payload forms part of a data word, and each data word has a label indicating that the transmit payload is associated with a data file.

[0042] In some embodiments, the tag indicating the transmission payload associated with the data file can be allocated to more than one available time slot of the transmission frame. In some embodiments, the tag indicating the transmission payload associated with the data file can be allocated to consecutive available time slots of the transmission frame.

[0043] In some embodiments, one or more data words include a counter payload indicating a count of transmitted frames or a payload count.

[0044] In some embodiments, the aircraft has a cockpit and an avionics bay, wherein a bus recorder is located in one of the cockpit and the avionics bay.

[0045] In some embodiments, a transport frame is one of a plurality of transport frames in a transport arrangement.

[0046] In some embodiments, the aircraft further includes an onboard computing device communicatively coupled to a bus recorder. The onboard computing device is configured to receive a plurality of transmission frames and reconstruct a data file based at least in part on the received plurality of transmission frames.

[0047] Other exemplary aspects of this disclosure relate to systems, methods, aircraft, engines, controllers, devices, and non-transitory computer-readable media for recording and transmitting engine data. Variations and modifications may be made to these exemplary aspects of this disclosure.

[0048] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the various embodiments will be better understood by referring to the following description and the appended claims. Embodiments of this disclosure are illustrated in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, and serve to explain the relevant principles. Attached Figure Description

[0049] The specification provides a detailed discussion of embodiments for those skilled in the art, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0050] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an example data acquisition system according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure is provided;

[0051] Figure 2 Provided Figure 1 Another schematic diagram of the data acquisition system;

[0052] Figure 3 Provides data files that can be stored or written to. Figure 2 A diagram illustrating an exemplary approach in the buffer of a data acquisition system;

[0053] Figure 4 Provided for Figure 2An example transmission arrangement of the serial data bus in a data acquisition system;

[0054] Figure 5 A diagram of an example data word according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure is provided;

[0055] Figure 6 A flowchart is provided for a portion of retrieving, partitioning, and allocating data files according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0056] Figure 7 Provided Figure 4 Another view of the transmission arrangement, which depicts the data words allocated or packaged into the available time slots of the transmission frames of the transmission arrangement;

[0057] Figure 8 Views depicting a portion of an example transmission arrangement of various transmission frames according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are provided;

[0058] Figure 9 Views depicting a portion of an example transmission arrangement of various transmission frames according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are provided;

[0059] Figure 10 A block diagram is provided depicting an example manner in which bus data can be reconfigured according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0060] Figure 11 A flowchart is provided for an example method of transferring a data file via a serial data bus according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0061] Figure 12 Schematic diagrams of computing systems for implementing one or more aspects of this disclosure are provided according to exemplary embodiments thereof; and

[0062] Figure 13 An example carrier is provided according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0063] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Each example is provided by way of illustration rather than limitation. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to this disclosure without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For example, features shown or described as part of one embodiment may be used with another embodiment to produce yet another embodiment. Therefore, this disclosure is intended to cover such modifications and variations that fall within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0064] As used in the specification and appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural indicators unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. When used in conjunction with numerical values, the term “about” refers to less than 25% of the stated amount.

[0065] Examples of this disclosure relate to systems, carriers, and methods for data acquisition utilizing spare or unused bandwidth of a data bus. In one example aspect, a data acquisition system is provided. This data acquisition system includes a carrier and a remote station. The carrier may include one or more engines and one or more computing devices or engine controllers associated with the one or more engines. The one or more engine controllers may receive sensor inputs from various sensors of the engines and may generate binary data files indicative of Continuous Engine Operation Data (CEOD). The CEOD can be generated continuously as the engines operate. The carrier may include a serial data bus (e.g., an ARINC429 data bus) through which data can be transmitted. For example, one or more sensed, calculated, and / or predicted parameters related to one or more engines may be packaged into a transmission frame and transmitted via the serial data bus to a carrier interface unit, such as an engine interface unit. The engine interface unit receives the parameters and directs them to various carrier systems, such as those for controlling the carrier. For example, the engine interface unit may direct one or more parameters to the flight management system of an aircraft.

[0066] It is noteworthy that, conventionally, many transmission frames transmitted over a serial data bus have unused bandwidth. However, according to an example aspect of this disclosure, the systems and methods described herein utilize the spare or available bandwidth capacity of one or more transmission frames to transmit relatively large data files, such as CEOD binary data files. Specifically, one or more engine controllers may generate the data file. The data file may be relatively large. When the data file is generated by the engine controller, it is written to or stored in a buffer of the engine controller. One or more engine controllers determine the available bandwidth of a particular transmission frame for the transmission arrangement on the serial data bus. Based at least in part on the determined available bandwidth, one or more engine controllers retrieve or extract a selected-size portion of the data file from the buffer. As an example, the selected-size portion of the data file retrieved from the buffer may have the same size as the determined available bandwidth. As another example, the size of the selected-size portion of the data file retrieved from the buffer may be smaller than the determined available bandwidth. Once the selected-size portion of the data file is retrieved from the buffer, this portion of the data file is divided into smaller-sized transmission payloads. The payload can be loaded into a data word, and a tag can be assigned to the data word indicating that the data loaded into the data word is related to a data file generated by the engine controller.

[0067] Next, the transmission payload, or the data words containing the transmission payload, is allocated or packaged into time slots of a specific transmission frame. That is, the transmission payload is packaged into time slots representing the available bandwidth capacity of that specific transmission frame. It will be understood that some time slots of the transmission frame are unavailable, or are used to transmit data to the engine interface unit of the carrier, for example, for controlling the carrier.

[0068] The allocated or packaged transmission frames are then transmitted via a serial data bus to various receiving devices, such as engine interface units. Additionally, according to an example aspect of this disclosure, the system includes a bus recorder operable to receive and record data transmitted via the serial data bus. The bus recorder can record all data transmitted via the serial data bus or selective portions of the data. For example, the bus recorder can record only data related to data files originating from one or more engine controllers. One or more data fields of a data word can indicate that the data word is associated with a generated data file, relative to a data word associated with data destined for the engine interface unit or some other receiving device.

[0069] The process of generating data files by one or more engine controllers and storing or writing the data files to buffers of one or more engine controllers can be performed continuously or in a rolling fashion. Similarly, a portion of the data file can be retrieved or taken from the buffer, divided into transmission payloads, packaged into the available bandwidth of a specific transmission frame, and transmitted continuously or in a rolling fashion via the serial data bus, at least in part, based on the available bandwidth of a specific transmission frame. Therefore, multiple transmission frames containing portions of the data file can be transmitted continuously or in a rolling fashion via the serial data bus. Thus, for each transmission frame of the serial data bus transmission arrangement, the process of retrieving a portion of the data file from the buffer, dividing that portion into transmission payloads, packaging the transmission payloads into the available bandwidth of a specific transmission frame, and transmitting the transmission frame via the serial data bus is repeated. The received transmission frames and other data recorded by the bus recorder are collectively referred to as bus data.

[0070] In some embodiments, the data logger may be located in an accessible area of ​​the vehicle, such as the cockpit or avionics bay of an aircraft. Advantageously, by transferring data files to a logger located in a more accessible area, the transmitted data can be accessed more easily. For example, instead of retrieving data from one or more engine controllers located under the engine cowling, data can be retrieved from a more accessible area, such as the cockpit or avionics bay of an aircraft. This can, for example, significantly speed up data download processing.

[0071] In some embodiments, data received and stored on the bus recorder can be transmitted to a remote station, such as a ground station, naval station, air station, space station, or some combination thereof. For example, the carrier's wireless communication unit can be communicatively coupled to the bus recorder. Bus data or a collection of frames can be directed, in whole or in part, to the wireless communication unit, which can wirelessly transmit the bus data to the remote station. In some alternative embodiments, the carrier's bus recorder and / or communication unit may include means for wired transmission of bus data to, for example, a remote or portable station.

[0072] Once the remote station receives the bus data, its remote computing device can reconstruct the data file generated by one or more engine controllers on the carrier. That is, the data file can be rebuilt. The remote computing device can reconstruct the data file by extracting the transmission payload from the data words of each transmission frame and sequentially building backups or reconstructing the binary transmission payload into a reconstructed data file. In some example embodiments, the carrier's onboard computing device can receive the bus data and reconstruct the data file on the carrier. Furthermore, in some example embodiments, the remote computing device at the remote station and / or the carrier's onboard computing device can decode the reconstructed data file. That is, one or more computing devices can decode the reconstructed data file to present a human-readable document. The reconstructed and decoded data file can be used for visualization, analysis, archiving, etc.

[0073] The systems and methods of the example aspects of this disclosure provide the ability to transmit large data files via a serial data bus without affecting the operation of existing launch vehicle systems. For example, in one example aspect, in addition to sending data to the engine interface unit of an aircraft, the systems and methods provide the ability to transmit CEODs via an ARINC429 data bus. In particular, the systems and methods of this disclosure provide a novel way in which large data files are divided into relatively small bit-sized transmission payloads and packaged into transmission frames with available bandwidth. Tags can be assigned to data associated with the data file, indicating that the data in the transmission frame is related to the data file, so that existing launch vehicle equipment can easily ignore such data. A bus recorder has been added to the existing system to “listen” to and record data transmitted via the serial data bus. The data recorded by the bus recorder can then be transmitted from the launch vehicle to a suitable destination, such as a ground station. The systems and methods of the example aspects of this disclosure have the technical effect of using available bandwidth to transmit data via a serial data bus, which was previously considered unavailable due to the lack of spare tags, the inability of conventional equipment to record such data, and the variable size of such data files (e.g., the variable size of CEODs). Furthermore, transferring data from the originating computing device to the bus recorder allows the data to be moved to a more easily accessible area, such as from under the engine cowling to the avionics bay. Additionally, the computing device generating such data files does not need to include a large amount of storage equipment, as the data can be transferred to a location more suitable for storing that storage equipment, such as in the avionics bay, cockpit, or cargo hold, rather than under the engine cowling. The systems and methods disclosed herein also offer other suitable technical advantages.

[0074] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an example data acquisition system 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is provided. As shown, system 100 includes a carrier, which in this embodiment is an aircraft or aircraft 110. Although aircraft 110 is described as a fixed-wing aircraft, in other exemplary embodiments, aircraft 110 may be a rotorcraft, a smaller fixed-wing aircraft, a land-air hybrid aircraft, an unmanned aerial vehicle, or some other type of aircraft. Furthermore, the subject matter of this disclosure can be applied to other types of carriers, including but not limited to land-based carriers, amphibious carriers, watercraft or aircraft, spacecraft, and certain combinations thereof.

[0075] like Figure 1As shown, the aircraft 110 includes a fuselage 112, one or more engines 114, and a cockpit 116. The cockpit 116 may include a flight deck with various instruments and flight displays. The engines 114 provide propulsion and / or onboard power generation for the aircraft 110. The engines 114 may be gas turbine engines, such as jet turbine engines, turboprop engines, turbofan engines, turboshaft engines, or any other suitable engines, including piston propeller engines. The gas turbine engine may include a fan and a core arranged in flow communication with each other. Additionally, the core of the gas turbine engine typically includes a compressor section, a combustion section, a turbine section, and an exhaust section in a continuous flow sequence. In operation, air is supplied from the fan to the inlet of the compressor section, where one or more axial compressors progressively compress the air until it reaches the combustion section. Fuel is mixed with the compressed air and burned within the combustion section to provide combustion gases. The combustion gases are directed from the combustion section to the turbine section. The flow of combustion gases through the turbine section drives the turbine section and is then directed through the exhaust section, for example, into the atmosphere.

[0076] like Figure 1 As further shown, the aircraft 110 includes one or more computing devices associated with the engines 114. In this embodiment, the computing device is an electronic engine controller 118 (EEC) equipped with a Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) or FADEC system. Each engine 114 has an associated EEC 118. The FADEC system dynamically controls the operation of each gas turbine engine 114 and requires minimal pilot supervision (if any). Other control systems of the aircraft 110 may be communicatively coupled to the EEC, such as a fuel control system including one or more fuel controllers configured to control the fuel flow to one or more engines 114.

[0077] Aircraft 110 includes an avionics bay 120 that houses one or more avionics systems. Examples of avionics systems include communication systems, navigation systems, weather systems, radar systems, air traffic systems, ground proximity warning systems, etc. In some embodiments, the avionics system may include or communicate with a positioning system. The positioning system may include a Global Positioning System (GPS), an inertial reference system, etc. For this embodiment, the carrier interface unit 122 of aircraft 110 is located in the avionics bay 120. In this embodiment, the carrier interface unit 122 of the engine interface unit engages the EEC 118 with various other aircraft systems, such as flight management systems, display systems, flight control systems, digital control systems, throttle systems, inertial reference systems, flight instrument systems, auxiliary power systems, fuel monitoring systems, engine vibration monitoring systems, communication systems, flap control systems, landing systems, navigation systems, fuel control systems, and other systems.

[0078] The EEC 118 and the vehicle interface unit 122 are communicatively coupled or connected via a serial data bus 124. The serial data bus 124 can be any suitable type of serial data bus. For example, the serial data bus 124 can be an ARINC429 data bus, an ARINC629 data bus, an RS422 data bus, a MIL-STD-1553 data bus, an ARINC615 data bus, an ARINC708 data bus, an ARINC828 data bus, a CAN data bus, etc. For this embodiment, the serial data bus 124 is an ARINC429 data bus. As will be described herein, for example, various parameters associated with the engine 114 can be transmitted from the EEC 118 to the vehicle interface unit 122 via a transmission frame arranged in a transmission schedule through the serial data bus 124, so that this information can be utilized by various systems of the aircraft 110. For example, parameters may include fan speed, core speed, thrust level input, engine response to thrust level input, vibration, engine shutdown, fuel consumption, ignition status, anti-icing capability, fuel filter status, fuel valve status, oil filter status, and other parameters typically transmitted via a serial data bus.

[0079] Additionally, in this embodiment, the receiver or bus recorder 126 is located in the avionics bay 120. In other embodiments, the bus recorder 126 may be located in other locations on the aircraft 110, such as the cockpit 116, cargo hold, cabin, wing, mounted to the engine, etc. The bus recorder 126 is communicatively coupled to the EEC 118 via a serial data bus 124. Specifically, in this embodiment, the bus recorder 126 is electrically connected to the serial data bus 124 between the EEC 118 and the carrier interface unit 122. That is, the bus recorder 126 is electrically connected to the serial data bus 124 upstream of the carrier interface unit 122. According to an exemplary aspect of this disclosure, the bus recorder 126 is operable to receive and store data transmitted via the serial data bus 124. More specifically, as will be explained in further detail herein, the bus recorder 126 is operable to receive and store partitioned portions of data files transmitted via the serial data bus 124. In some embodiments, each EEC 118 has an associated bus recorder 126.

[0080] The aircraft 110 also includes one or more communication units. In this embodiment, the aircraft 110 includes a wireless communication unit (WCU) 128. Although in Figure 1 Only one WCU is shown, but it should be understood that the aircraft 110 may include multiple WCUs, or more generally, multiple communication units. For example, each bus recorder 126 may have an associated WCU 128. Figure 1 As shown, WCU 128 is communicatively coupled to bus recorder 126 via communication link 130 and can communicate with other systems and devices of aircraft 110. For example, in some embodiments, EEC 118 can be communicatively coupled to WCU 128 directly. WCU 128 can be located at any suitable location on aircraft 110.

[0081] Typically, EEC 118 can record continuous engine operating data (CEOD) during operation, as well as other sensed, calculated, or predicted parameters associated with engine 114, and such data can be transmitted to bus recorder 126 via serial data bus 124. Data can be recorded by bus recorder 126 and transmitted to WCU 128 via communication link 130. Bus recorder 126 and WCU 128 can communicate on communication link 130 using wireless and / or wired communication. In some embodiments, communication with bus recorder 126 and WCU 128 can be unidirectional (e.g., bus recorder 126 to WCU 128). In some embodiments, communication with bus recorder 126 and WCU 128 can be bidirectional.

[0082] WCU 128 can transmit (e.g., transmit, send, push, etc.) data to a remote station via, for example, an antenna of WCU 128. In this embodiment, the remote station is ground station 150. However, in other embodiments, the remote station can be any suitable station located remotely from the air station or aircraft 110. In some embodiments, the remote station can be a naval station, another air station, a space station, etc. WCU 128 can communicate wirelessly. Wireless communication can be performed using any suitable wireless technology and / or protocol. For example, WCU 128 can perform wireless communication using peer-to-peer communication, network communication, UHF, VHF, cellular-based communication, satellite-based communication, etc. Figure 1 As shown, WCU 128 can communicate with ground station 150 via VHF technology and / or via UHF SATCOM using one or more satellites 152. As a further example, wireless communication can be performed using Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ZigBee, etc., especially when the aircraft 110 is on or near the ground.

[0083] The data acquisition system 100 also includes a ground station 150. The ground station 150 includes one or more ground transceivers 154 (e.g., such as...). Figure 1 One or more ground computing devices 156 (shown as a butterfly-shaped satellite antenna and / or cellular tower) are communicatively coupled to ground transceiver 154. Ground transceiver 154 is operable to receive data communications transmitted from spacecraft 110. The data communications can be directed to ground computing device 156. As will be explained in more detail herein, ground computing device 156 is operable to receive data communications and reconstruct data, for example, reconstruct data files generated by one or more EECs 118. Furthermore, ground computing device 156 is operable to decode the reconstructed or reconstructed data files. In this way, ground computing device 156 can present or output human-readable documents.

[0084] Figure 2 Another schematic diagram of the data acquisition system 100 is provided. An example manner in which a ground station can acquire data via the data acquisition system 100 will now be provided. When the engine operates and generates thrust for propelling the aircraft 110, the EEC 118 records data related to the engine 114, such as CEOD. More specifically, the engine 114 may include one or more sensors 132 that record various parameters related to the engine 114, such as fan speed, core speed, temperature at various stations along the core airflow path, etc. For example, as... Figure 2As shown, engine 114 includes a first sensor S1, a second sensor S2, and so on, up to the Nth sensor. Signals from sensors S1, S2, and S1 can be directed to and processed by EEC 118. EEC 118 can then calculate or predict other parameters, such as exhaust temperature, mass flow rate at various stations of engine 114, residual stall margin, etc. The sensed, calculated, and predicted parameters can then be used to generate a binary data file 170 indicating CEOD or continuous operation data. Specifically, EEC 118 generates a binary data file 170 indicating CEOD.

[0085] Once the EEC 118 generates the binary data file 170, it stores the binary data file 170 in the EEC 118's buffer 134 or a storage device. In some embodiments, the EEC 118 writes the binary data file 170 to the buffer 134 continuously or in a rolling fashion. In other embodiments, the EEC 118 writes the binary data file 170 to the buffer 134 at predetermined intervals, such as every 12 milliseconds, every 25 milliseconds, or every second.

[0086] Figure 3 A diagram is provided illustrating an example of how data file 170 can be stored or written to buffer 134. For example... Figure 3 As shown, buffer 134 is a circular buffer. That is, as data is written to buffer 134, i.e., stored in buffer 134, older data is overwritten. EEC 118 ( Figure 2 The data file function (CEOD function 136 in this embodiment) generates a data file 170 and writes the data file 170 to the buffer 134. Figure 3 In the depicted embodiment, the CEOD function 136 moves from left to right, overwriting old data with new data from the data file, hence designated as "new" and "old". The current record of the file written to buffer 134 is shown, and indicates the point at which new data is written above the old data stored in buffer 134. As will be explained further below, the EEC 118's payload transfer function 138 is at least partially based on the serial data bus 124 ( Figure 2 The specific transmission frame of the transmission arrangement determines the available bandwidth to retrieve or extract a selected size portion of the data.

[0087] Figure 4 Provides a serial data bus 124 ( Figure 2 Example transmission arrangement 180. As shown, transmission arrangement 180 includes multiple transmission frames 182, which are composed of... Figure 4 The column organization in the transmission arrangement 180. Although shown Figure 4The transmission arrangement 180 has 21 columns of transmission frames 182, but the transmission arrangement 180 can have any suitable number of transmission frames. Each transmission frame 182 has multiple associated time slots 184, which are... Figure 4 The row organization in the transmission arrangement 180. Although shown Figure 4 The transmission arrangement 180 has 20 rows of time slots 184, but the transmission arrangement 180 can have any suitable number of transmission frames, such as 40 rows of time slots 184. Each transmission frame 182 can correspond to EEC 118 ( Figure 2 The time step or refresh period. For example, each transmission frame 182 can correspond to approximately 12 milliseconds.

[0088] For a given transmission frame 182, some time slots 184 include data words packed or allocated within them, and some time slots include zero (0) or null values. Figure 4 The data words represented by the digital labels in the text indicate data sensed by one or more sensors 132 (e.g., S1, S2, SN) of engine 114 or by EEC 118 (…). Figure 2 Specific parameters are calculated or predicted. For example, label "300" for transmission frame 0: time slot 1 can correspond to the first parameter; label "112" for transmission frame 1: time slot 1 can correspond to the second parameter; and label "167" for transmission frame 2: time slot 1 can correspond to the third parameter. As shown in the figure, the first parameter corresponding to label "300" is repeated or provided every four transmission frames, the second parameter corresponding to label "112" is repeated or provided every other transmission frame, and the third parameter corresponding to label "167" is repeated or provided every four transmission frames. Furthermore, for the allocated time slot 184, the label repeats discontinuously within a specific transmission frame. It is worth noting that the labels allocated to... Figure 4 The data word in time slot 184 shown is destined to be transmitted via serial data bus 124 ( Figure 2 ) transmit and be handled by carrier interface unit 122 ( Figure 2 The data is then received. This data word is then processed by the carrier interface unit 122 and directed to various aircraft systems 140, such as... Figure 2 The aircraft system shown is system 1, system 2, and so on, up to the Nth aircraft system.

[0089] It is worth noting that it is still referenced Figure 4 In each transmission frame 182, some time slots 184 do not include the data words packed or allocated within them. Instead, they are empty or unused time slots. Therefore, the serial data bus 124 has unused or spare bandwidth capacity. According to an example aspect of this disclosure, EEC 118 ( Figure 2 The system is configured to determine the available bandwidth of the transmission frames of the serial data bus 124 and allocate data to unused time slots 184, which...Figure 4 It is shown in shaded areas. For example, as... Figure 4 As shown, for transmission frame 0, time slots 11 to 20 are unused. Therefore, 10 time slots are unused in transmission frame 0. For transmission frame 4, time slots 9 to 20 are unused. Therefore, 12 time slots are unused in transmission frame 4. For transmission frame 17, time slots 4 to 20 are unused. Therefore, 17 time slots are unused in transmission frame 17. As shown, other transmission frames 182 also have available bandwidth. It is worth noting that the unused bandwidth for each transmission frame can vary. Additionally, for this embodiment, data words with up to 32 bits can be packed or allocated within a given time slot. In some embodiments, each data word is between 19 and 23 bits and can be used for use or for transmitting a specific transmission payload. Example data words are provided below.

[0090] Figure 5 A diagram of an example data word 190 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is provided. As shown, the data word 190 includes multiple fields, including (from right to left): an 8-bit tag field (label), a 2-bit source / destination identifier (SDI) field, a 19-bit data field (data), a 2-bit symbol / state matrix (SM) field, and a 1-bit parity field (P). The tag field (label) contains a label represented in octal format and identifies the data type. A portion of the tag field is shown in... Figure 4 The transmission arrangement 180 is shown. The source / destination identifier (SDI) field can indicate the intended receiver (e.g., Figure 2 The bus recorder 126) or transmission system (e.g., Figure 2 (EEC 118). The Symbol / Status Matrix (SM) field can be used for various purposes, such as indicating whether data is correct, valid, lost, etc. The Parity (P) field can indicate whether data word 190 has been corrupted or garbled during transmission. It is worth noting that, as will be explained in detail herein, the data fields have available bits for receiving data (e.g., transmitting payload 174). Depending on whether the SDI and SM fields are available, the number of available bits per data word 190 can be between 19 and 23 bits. It will be understood that this disclosure is not limited to 32-bit data words with between 19 and 23 available bits per data word. Rather, the invention is applicable to data words with other suitable amounts of available bits (e.g., 64 bits), and data words with other suitable amounts of available bits. Therefore, data words with more or less than 32 total bits and less than 19 or more than 23 available bits can be applied to or incorporated into the teachings disclosed herein without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0091] return Figure 4 EEC 118 Figure 2The available bandwidth is determined by determining the number of time slots available in a specific transport frame 182, thus determining how many bits are available for data transmission. For example, since 10 time slots are not used in transport frame 0, EEC 118 can determine that 190 or 230 bits are available for data file transmission, depending on the number of data words per 190 (…). Figure 5 The number of available bits is determined. For example, if 19 bits are available per data word (i.e., the SDI and SM fields are unavailable), then 190 bits of data represent the available bandwidth for transmission frame 0. If 23 bits are available per data word (i.e., both the SDI and SM fields are available), then 230 bits of data represent the available bandwidth for transmission frame 0. In some embodiments, the EEC 118 can make this determination if certain bits of the SDI and SM data fields are available in some data words but not others, so the available bandwidth for transmission frame 0 can be between 190 and 230 bits of data. The EEC 118 can determine the available bandwidth for each transmission frame 182 of transmission arrangement 180 in the manner described above. Typically, the number of more time slots available in a particular frame is related to the transmission of the data file 170 generated by the EEC 118 (…). Figure 2 The larger bandwidth capacity of a portion of the transmission frame is associated with the smaller bandwidth capacity of the transmission frame for a portion of the data file 170 generated by EEC 118. Conversely, fewer time slots available in a particular frame are associated with a smaller bandwidth capacity for the transmission frame for a portion of the data file 170 generated by EEC 118.

[0092] Figure 6 A flowchart is provided for retrieving, partitioning, and allocating portions of data file 170 according to an example embodiment of this disclosure. Specifically, in EEC 118 ( Figure 2 ) Determine the serial data bus 124 ( Figure 2 After determining the available bandwidth of a given transmission frame 182, the EEC 118 retrieves a portion 172 of the selected size of the data file 170 based at least in part on the available bandwidth of the transmission frame 182. For example, continuing the example above, the EEC 118 can determine the portion 172 of the selected size of the data file 170 for transmission frame 0 ( Figure 4 The available bandwidth is 190 bits (assuming 19 bits are available per data word). That is, the 10 time slots of Transmit Frame 0 can be used to pack data words, and each data word has 19 bits available for data; therefore, 190 bits are available for transmission during Transmit Frame 0, or mathematically: (1 data word / available time slot * 10 available time slots * 19 bits / data word = 190 bits). Therefore, for Transmit Frame 0, EEC118 (or more specifically, Transmit Payload Function 138) Figure 3 The size selection portion 172 of data file 170 is retrieved. In this example, the size selection portion 172 of data file 170 is 190 bits. Therefore, the EEC 118's payload transmission function 138... Figure 3) Retrieve or extract 190 bits of data from buffer 134.

[0093] Once the selected size portion 172 of the data file 170 is retrieved or taken from buffer 134, the EEC 118 transmits the payload function 138. Figure 3 The retrieved data file 170 is divided or partitioned into a selected size portion 172 and then into a transmission payload 174. For example, such as... Figure 6 As shown, the selected-size portion 172 of the retrieved data file 170 is divided into transmission payload 1, transmission payload 2, and so on, up to the Nth transmission payload N. Typically, the selected-size portion 172 of the retrieved data file 170 is divided into transmission payloads 174 based on the available bits of each data word to be transmitted in the transmission frame. In this example, the selected-size portion 172 (containing 190 bits of data) is divided or split into 10 transmission payloads, each containing 19 bits of data from the retrieved portion 172 of the data file 170.

[0094] Once a selected portion 172 of the data file 170 is divided into a transmission payload 174, the divided transmission payload 174 is allocated or packaged into available time slots 184 of the transmission frame. For example, as Figure 6 As shown, the transmission payload is allocated or packaged into available time slots of the transmission frame. Specifically, transmission payload 1 is allocated or packaged into available time slot 1, transmission payload 2 is allocated or packaged into available time slot 2, and transmission payload N is allocated or packaged into available time slot N. Continuing the example above, for Figure 4 Transmission frame 0 of transmission arrangement 180, available time slot 1 corresponds to time slot 11 of transmission arrangement 180, available time slot 2 corresponds to time slot 12 of transmission arrangement 180, and available time slot N corresponds to time slot 20 of transmission arrangement 180.

[0095] In some embodiments, the transmit payload is loaded into a corresponding data word before being allocated or packaged into an available time slot of the transmit frame. Therefore, in some embodiments, each transmit payload forms part of a data word. For example, as... Figure 5 As shown, a transmission payload 174 is illustrated as being loaded into an example data word 190. Furthermore, tags can be assigned to each data word 190, at least in part, based on the data in the data fields loaded into the data word 190. Therefore, each data word 190 in which a transmission payload is loaded has an assigned tag. Among other things, the tag may also indicate whether the transmission payload 174 or the data word 190 is associated with the data file 170 (…). Figure 2) is associated with it. Furthermore, the Source / Destination Identifier (SDI) field can indicate the expected receiver as bus logger 126 ( Figure 2 Therefore, as will be explained in detail in this paper, data file 170 can be reconstructed and decoded more easily and efficiently.

[0096] Figure 7 Provides a serial data bus 124 ( Figure 2 Another view of example transmission arrangement 180 depicts the data words allocated or packed into available time slots in transmission frame 0. Figure 7 In this diagram, data words are represented by their labels. As shown, data words are allocated or packaged into available time slots, which are time slots 11-20 of transmission frame 0. It is worth noting that the bandwidth of transmission frame 0 is maximized because there is no available bandwidth remaining.

[0097] Furthermore, as shown in the figure, tags indicating the transmission payload associated with the data file can be allocated to more than one available time slot in the transmission frame. For example, as Figure 7 As shown, transmission frame 0 contains several tags that are repeated multiple times, such as tag 122 in time slots 11 and 12, tag 123 in time slots 13 and 14, and tag 125 in time slots 16, 17, and 18. Typically, the tag for a data word will not be repeated more than once in a single transmission frame, because the carrier interface unit typically requires one tag per transmission frame for data processing and distribution to various aircraft systems, etc., to control the carrier. According to an example aspect of this disclosure, bus recorder 126 ( Figure 2 It is operable to "listen" on and record data transmitted through the serial data bus 124. The bus recorder 126 can receive and record / store data from transmission frames with repeating tags because the bus recorder 126 is not constrained or limited in the same way as a typical carrier interface unit.

[0098] Furthermore, in some example embodiments, one or more data words allocated or packaged into an available time slot of a given transport frame may include a counter payload indicating a count of the transport frame. The counter payload may be included as part of a tag field, data field, or some other suitable field of a given data word. For example, such as Figure 8 As shown, a portion of the transmission arrangement 180 describing various transmission frames 182 is provided. As illustrated, for transmission frame 0, multiple data words are packaged into a time slot and sent to carrier interface unit 122 (…). Figure 2 For example, the data within these time slots could be... Figure 4 and 7The data is distributed within time slots 1-10 of transmission frame 0. The first data word packed into the first available time slot of transmission frame 0 includes a synchronization or counter payload represented by count 0, corresponding to transmission frame 0. Similarly, for transmission frame 1, the first data word packed into the first available time slot of transmission frame 1 includes a synchronization or counter payload represented by count 1, corresponding to transmission frame 1. The first data word of each transmission frame associated with data file 170 may also include a counter payload for up to the Nth transmission frame of the transmission arrangement. For example, this can facilitate the reconstruction and decoding of the data file. In other embodiments, the counter payload may be included at the end or last time slot of a given transmission frame.

[0099] In other example embodiments, one or more data words may include a counter payload indicating a transmission payload count. The counter payload may be included as part of a tag field, data field, or some other suitable field of a given data word. For example, such as Figure 9 As shown, a portion of the transmission arrangement 180 describing various transmission frames 182 is provided. As illustrated, for transmission frame 0, multiple data words are packaged into a time slot and sent to carrier interface unit 122 (…). Figure 2 For example, the data within these time slots could be... Figure 4 and 7 Data within time slots 1-10 of transmission frame 0. The first data word packed into the first available time slot of transmission frame 0 is marked as transmission payload 1, and transmission payload 1 includes a synchronization or counter payload indicated by count 1, which corresponds to the start of the transmission payload count. Similarly, for transmission frame 1, the first data word packed into the first available time slot of transmission frame 1 is marked as transmission payload 1, and transmission payload 1 includes a synchronization or counter payload indicated by count 11, which corresponds to the transmission payload count. For this example, data is transmitted via transmission frame 0 through serial data bus 124 ( Figure 2Ten transport payloads were transmitted, therefore, the first data word packed into the first available time slot of transport frame 1 was counted as the 11th transport payload. Similarly, for transport frame 2, the first data word packed into the first available time slot of transport frame 2 was marked as transport payload 1, and transport payload 1 included a synchronization or counter payload represented by count 21, corresponding to the transport payload count. In this example, ten transport payloads were transmitted via serial data bus 124 via transport frame 0, and ten transport payloads were transmitted via serial data bus 124 via transport frame 1; therefore, the first data word packed into the first available time slot of transport frame 2 was counted as the 21st transport payload. Counting can continue in subsequent transport frames. For example, counting transport payloads in the manner described above facilitates the reconstruction and decoding of the data file at a later time.

[0100] In other embodiments, a counter or synchronization payload indicating the transmission payload count or transmission frame count may be included at other intervals. For example, it may be included at the beginning and / or end of each transmission arrangement, such as at... Figure 4 and 7 At the end of the 21 transmission frames of transmission arrangement 180, a counter payload is included in the data word. The counter payload may, for example, indicate the transmission arrangement.

[0101] Now for reference Figure 2 Once data words or transmission payloads are allocated or packaged into available time slots of a transmission frame, the transmission frame is transmitted via serial data bus 124 and received by bus recorder 126. Both carrier interface unit 122 and bus recorder 126 receive transmission frames transmitted via serial data bus 124. It will be understood that for each transmission frame of the transmission arrangement, the processes of retrieving a selected size portion of data file 170, dividing the selected size portion of data file 170 into transmission payloads, loading the transmission payloads into data words and assigning them tags, and allocating or packaging the data words into available time slots of a given transmission frame, based at least in part on the available bandwidth of the determined given transmission frame, can be repeated. For example, this process can be repeated every 12 milliseconds.

[0102] The carrier interface unit 122 can receive transmission frames and extract tags or data words associated with the parameters required to operate the carrier 110, for example, from Figure 4 and 7The data in time slots 1-10 of transmission frame 0 of transmission arrangement 180. In some embodiments, carrier interface unit 122 is operable to ignore the allocated transmission payload (or the data word associated with the allocated transmission payload) in the available time slots of the transmission frame. Carrier interface unit 122 can easily ignore the time slots of the transmission frame associated with data from binary data file 170. For example, carrier interface unit 122 can... Figure 4 and 7 The tags in time slots 11-20 of transmission frame 0 of transmission arrangement 180 are identified as associated with binary data file 170. Additionally or alternatively, carrier interface unit 122 can identify or determine that the source / destination identifier field (SDI) indicates bus recorder 126 as the intended receiver. Therefore, the use of available bandwidth of bus recorder 126 or serial data bus 124 does not interrupt the normal operation of carrier interface unit 122 and the wider carrier 110.

[0103] As described above, bus recorder 126 receives transmission frames transmitted via serial data bus 124 and can store these transmission frames in its memory device. More specifically, bus recorder 126 receives multiple transmission frames of a transmission arrangement transmitted via serial data bus 124 and can store these transmission frames in its memory device. Multiple transmission frames of transmission arrangement 180 can be continuously transmitted via serial data bus 126 and received by bus recorder 126. In some embodiments, bus recorder 126 can store all data transmitted via serial data bus 124, i.e., the data of each data word of each transmission frame. In other embodiments, bus recorder 126 can selectively record the data it records. For example, bus recorder 126 can record only the data associated with CEOD data file 170, for example, by identifying a tag or SDI field that indicates that bus recorder 126 is the intended receiver of the data. Additionally or alternatively, bus recorder 126 can begin recording data upon identification of a count or synchronization tag. Once the bus recorder 126 identifies a count or synchronization tag, it can record the remaining data of the data word within the transmission frame and can stop recording until a count tag is identified in the next transmission frame. In some embodiments, the carrier 110 ( Figure 1 The bus logger 126 itself can timestamp or provide a counter for periodically stamping or organizing data. This makes it easier to reconstruct and decode data files at later times and locations, such as at a ground station.

[0104] Data received and stored / recorded in bus recorder 126 can be transmitted or additionally downloaded to other sources in a variety of suitable ways. For example, data recorded by bus recorder 126 can be wirelessly transmitted to, for example, ground station 150, another aircraft, or carrier. For instance, data recorded by bus recorder 126 can be wirelessly transmitted in flight via SATCOM and / or air-to-ground (ATG) technology. As another example, data recorded by bus recorder 126 can be wirelessly transmitted after flight via cellular, Wi-Fi, and / or Bluetooth networks.

[0105] For example, such as Figure 2 As shown, WCU 128 is operable to transmit multiple transmission frames (collectively referred to as bus data 176) to ground station 150. As illustrated, in this embodiment, WCU 128 includes a radio frequency (RF) interface 142 and an antenna 144. In other example embodiments, antenna 144 is located at another suitable location on aircraft 110. RF interface 142 is communicatively connected to antenna 144 via RF cable 146. In some embodiments, bus data 176 recorded by bus recorder 126 is transmitted to WCU 128 via communication link 130 to RF interface 142. Bus data 176 is guided along RF cable 146 to antenna 144. Antenna 144 then wirelessly transmits bus data 176. As illustrated, bus data 176 can be wirelessly transmitted to ground station 150 and received by ground transceiver 154. Bus data 176 can then be guided to ground computing device 156, which may be multiple computing devices.

[0106] In some example embodiments, the ground computing device 156 receives bus data 176 recorded by the bus recorder 126 and reconstructs the data file 170 based at least in part on the bus data 176. That is, the ground computing device 156 reconstructs the data file 170 based at least in part on the bus data 176. For example, reconstructing the data file 170 may include extracting the transmission payload from the data words of each of a plurality of transmission frames. Reconstructing the data file 170 may also include sequentially constructing the transmission payload into a reconstructed data file, which may be a binary data file indicating CEOD as previously described. The ground computing device 156 may use a payload counter of the data to facilitate the organization and reconstruction of the bus data 176. The bus data 176 may also include metadata, communication logs, error logs, etc., and the ground computing device 156 may utilize it to reconstruct the data file 170.

[0107] Figure 10A block diagram is provided illustrating an example manner in which bus data 176 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure can be reconstructed. As shown, a transmission payload 174 is first extracted or extracted from the data fields and possibly other fields of the data words of the transmission frames of bus data 176, denoted as TF0, TF1, and TFN. The transmission payloads of each transmission frame are then collected together into frame data packets 175. The frame data packets 175 are then sequentially added together to form a reconstructed data file 178. In some embodiments, the transmission payload 174 does not need to be collected together into frame data packets 175; instead, the extracted transmission payload 174 can be directly written into the reconstructed data file 178.

[0108] Now for reference Figure 2 and Figure 10 In some other embodiments, the ground computing device 156 is configured to decode the reconstructed data file to present a human-readable document, for example, based at least in part on multiple transmission frames or bus data 176 transmitted to the ground station 150 via the communication unit of the carrier 110. For example, similar to the binary data file 170 generated by EEC 118, the reconstructed data file 178 is also a binary data file 170. Therefore, the reconstructed data file 178 is typically only a machine-readable document. To make the reconstructed data file 178 more useful, the ground computing device 156 decodes the reconstructed data file, for example, to convert the binary numbers into human-readable values, units, etc. The ground computing device 156 can use any suitable technology to decode the reconstructed data file 178. In some embodiments, the reconstructed data file 178 can be sent to a downstream or end user, who can then decode the reconstructed data file 178. By decoding the reconstructed data file 178, the reconstructed and decoded data file can be used for visualization, analysis, archiving, etc.

[0109] Additionally or alternatively, the bus data 176 recorded by bus recorder 126 may be transmitted via one or more wired connections to, for example, a portable maintenance access terminal (PMAT). Specifically, in some embodiments, bus recorder 126 may include an interface for communicating with one or more PMATs 160. The access terminal may be implemented, for example, on a laptop computer, tablet computer, mobile device, or other suitable computing device. The interface may be, for example, a ground support equipment (GSE) interface 162 or other suitable interface. Maintenance professionals can use PMAT 160 to retrieve data from bus recorder 126, as well as for other possible tasks. For example, PMAT 160 may be used to calibrate, troubleshoot, initialize, test, etc., of bus recorder 126. PMAT 160 itself may be used to reconstruct and / or decode bus data 176, or PMAT 160 may act as an intermediary between bus recorder 126 and other computing devices configured to process bus data 176. As previously described, in some embodiments, bus recorder 126 is located within the cockpit 116 or avionics bay 120 of aircraft 110. In this way, the bus recorder 126 is more easily accessible to the PMAT 160 for connection. That is, the wires connecting the PMAT 160 to the bus recorder 126 do not need to pass through the engine 114 shroud, but can be connected to the bus recorder 126 and a more open area. In other embodiments, the bus recorder 126 is a removable medium that can be easily removed from the carrier 110, transported to a download location, and returned to its position on the carrier 110. In this way, when the bus recorder 126 is on the carrier 110, no devices or wires need to be connected to the bus recorder 126.

[0110] Figure 11 A flowchart of an example method (400) for transferring data files via a serial data bus is provided. For example, it can be used... Figure 1 and 2 The various components of the system 100 are used to achieve this. Figure 11 The method (400). For illustrative and discussion purposes, Figure 11 The steps are described in a specific order. Using the disclosure provided herein, those skilled in the art will understand that the individual steps of any method disclosed herein can be modified in various ways without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0111] In (402), method (400) includes generating a data file by one or more computing devices located on the carrier. For example, the one or more computing devices may be... Figure 1 The EEC 118 of the aircraft 110. The EEC 118 can access sensors located on one or more engines 114 of the aircraft 110 (e.g., Figure 2The EEC 118 (S1, S2, SN) receives one or more sensor inputs. The EEC 118 can generate data files based at least in part on one or more sensor inputs. For example, the EEC 118 can generate continuous engine operating data or CEOD based at least in part on one or more sensor inputs.

[0112] In (404), method (400) includes storing a data file in a storage device of one or more computing devices. For example, an EEC 118 may store a data file in a storage device of an EEC 118. This storage device may be, for example, a buffer 134. Buffer 134 may be a circular buffer. Figure 3 As shown, EEC 118 can continuously store data or write it to buffer 134, for example, via CEOD function 136. When CEOD function 136 writes data file 170 to buffer 134, the new data written to buffer 134 can overwrite the old data previously written to buffer 134.

[0113] In (406), method (400) includes determining the available bandwidth of a transmission frame of a serial data bus by one or more computing devices. For example, refer to Figure 4 The transmission arrangement 180 includes 21 transmission frames organized in columns, with each transmission frame having 20 time slots. The time slots are organized in rows. Each time slot of each transmission frame is constructed as a received data word. The data word has a predetermined number of bits. Specifically, the data word has a number of bits available for data transmission. For example, a data word may have 19 bits available for data to be loaded into the data word (e.g., a data field of the data word). As another example, a data word may have 23 bits available for data to be loaded into the data word. As yet another example, a data word may have between 19 and 23 bits available for data to be loaded into the data word. In some implementations, determining the available bandwidth of a particular transmission frame of the serial data bus includes determining the number of available time slots and the number of available bits per data word. For example, refer to... Figure 4 Transmission frame 8 of transmission arrangement 180 has 15 time slots available (i.e., time slots 6 to 20). Assuming each data word has 23 bits available, EEC 118 can determine that transmission frame 8 has 345 bits of available bandwidth. The same process can be used to determine the bandwidth of each transmission frame in the transmission arrangement.

[0114] In (408), method (400) includes retrieving a portion of a selected size of a data file by one or more computing devices, at least in part, based on the available bandwidth of the transmission frame. For example, the portion of the selected size of data file 170 retrieved from buffer 134 of EEC 118 may be a determined portion of the available bandwidth of the transmission frame. Continuing the example above, for transmission frame 8, the determined available bandwidth is 345 bits. Therefore, the portion of the selected size of the data file retrieved from buffer 134 is 345 bits. However, in some implementations, the portion of the selected size of the data file retrieved from buffer 134 may be smaller than the determined available bandwidth. For example, in some cases it may not be desirable to load the serial data bus at full capacity, or some available bandwidth may be available for other purposes, such as using the available bandwidth for a counter payload, etc. Figure 3 As shown, a selected size portion of the data file 170 can be retrieved or taken from the buffer 134 via the transmit payload function 138. In particular, the transmit payload function 138 can typically move left and right to retrieve portions of the data file 170 and can lag behind the CEOD function 136 in writing the data file 170 to the buffer 134.

[0115] In (410), method (400) includes dividing a selected size portion of the retrieved data file into a transmission payload by one or more computing devices. For example, as Figure 6 As best illustrated, a portion of the retrieved data file of a selected size is divided into one or more transport payloads for a specific transport frame. In some implementations, each transport payload includes between 19 and 23 bits. The number of transport payloads into which a portion of the retrieved data is divided is based at least in part on the available bandwidth of the transport frame, or more specifically, on the number of available time slots in the transport frame and the available bits per data word. For example, for transport frame 8, the determined available bandwidth is 345 bits, and each data word has 23 available bits; therefore, for transport frame 8, the retrieved portion of data with 345 bits is divided into 15 transport payloads.

[0116] In some implementations, after one or more computing devices have divided a selected size portion of the retrieved data file into transmission payloads at (410), method (400) includes one or more computing devices loading the divided transmission payloads into data words. More specifically, each divided transmission payload is loaded into a data field of the data word, and in some cases into the SDI and SM fields of the data word (see [link to implementation details]). Figure 5Furthermore, in some embodiments, the method (400) includes assigning a tag to each data word by one or more computing devices, the tag indicating or representing data in the transmitted payload. In some cases, the tag may indicate that the data word is associated with data file 170.

[0117] In (412), method (400) includes one or more computing devices allocating the divided transport payloads to time slots of the transport frame. That is, the transport payloads are packaged into available time slots of the transport frame. In some embodiments, the data words carrying the transport payloads are packaged or allocated into time slots. Continuing the example above, for transport frame 8, the divided transport payloads (or the data words carrying them) can be loaded into time slots 6-20, such as Figure 7 As shown in the optimal diagram. In transmission frame 8, time slots 1-5 are used for transmission and delivery to carrier interface unit 122 ( Figure 2 Various data words related to various parameters of the aircraft 110, for example, so that they can be used to control the aircraft 110. Figure 1 and 2 Therefore, transmission frame 8 has one or more unavailable time slots, in which one or more data words are allocated. Time slots 1-5 thus include data associated with parameters sent to carrier interface unit 122 (e.g., for controlling aircraft 110). The data in time slots 1-5 is not related to data file 170. On the other hand, time slots 6-20 contain data associated with the data file. Since all time slots of transmission frame 8 are utilized, the bandwidth of transmission frame 8 is at full bandwidth capacity.

[0118] In (414), method (400) includes transmitting the transmission frame via a serial data bus. Once the transmission frame is packaged with data associated with parameters destined for carrier interface unit 122 (e.g., timeslots 1-5 of transmission frame 8) and data associated with a data file (e.g., timeslots 6-20 of transmission frame 8), the transmission frame can be transmitted via a serial data bus, such as an ARINC429 data bus. The transmission frame can be transmitted via a serial data bus in any suitable manner.

[0119] In (416), method (400) includes receiving a transmission frame at a recorder located on a carrier and communicatively coupled to one or more computing devices. For example, the recorder may be... Figure 2The bus recorder 126 "listens" for and receives transmission frames. The bus recorder 126 can then record or store the transmission frames. It will be understood that data files can be continuously generated and stored or written to buffer 134 by one or more computing devices. Then, for each transmission frame of the transmission arrangement, one or more computing devices can determine the available bandwidth for a given transmission frame, at least in part based on the available bandwidth, retrieve a selected-size portion of the data file from the buffer, then divide the selected-size portion of the data file into transmission payloads, which can be allocated to time slots of the given transmission frame (or data words loaded with transmission payloads can be allocated or packaged into time slots), and transmit the given transmission frame via the serial data bus. Finally, the recorder receives the given transmission frame. The received transmission frames and other data recorded by the recorder are collectively referred to as bus data. Multiple transmission frames of the transmission arrangement can be continuously transmitted via the serial data bus and received by the recorder.

[0120] In some implementations, the recorder is communicatively coupled to a wireless communication unit. For example, the wireless communication unit may be... Figure 2 The WCU 128. In such an implementation, the method (400) may include storing multiple received transmission frames as bus data by a recorder. The method (400) may also include transmitting the bus data to a ground station via a wireless communication unit, or more broadly, to a remote station (i.e., a station outside the aircraft or air station). For example, as Figure 1 As shown, WCU 128 can communicate with ground station 150 via appropriate ATG technology (e.g., VHF technology) and / or via UHF SATCOM technology, such technologies utilizing satellite 152 and butterfly satellite antenna 154 as ground station transceivers or receivers. As a further example, particularly when aircraft 110 is on or near the ground, wireless communication can be performed using Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ZigBee, etc. Additionally or alternatively, in other embodiments, the method (400) may also include transmitting bus data to a remote station, such as PMAT 160, via a wired connection.

[0121] In some implementations, the method (400) further includes receiving bus data from a remote computing device. For example, the remote computing device may be... Figure 1 and 2 The ground computing device 156 of the ground station 150. Once the remote or ground station receives the bus data, the method (400) may include reconstructing a data file based at least in part on the bus data. In this way, the ground computing device 156 may present or generate a reconstructed data file, for example, a binary reconstructed data file representing a CEOD generated by one or more EECs 118 of the aircraft 110.Figure 10 It provides example ways to reconstruct data files.

[0122] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the method (400) may include decoding the reconstructed data file by a remote computing device. By decoding the reconstructed data file, the remote computing device can present or generate human-readable documents. The reconstructed and decoded data files can then be used for visualization, analysis, archiving, etc.

[0123] In some alternative implementations, such as Figure 2 As best shown, one or more onboard computing devices 148 positioned on the aircraft can be communicatively coupled to the recorder 126. In such an embodiment, bus data 176 can be transmitted or otherwise directed to one or more onboard computing devices 148. The one or more onboard computing devices 148 can then reconstruct and decode the bus data 176 to present a reconstructed and decoded human-readable data file.

[0124] Figure 12 A block diagram of an example computing system 500 is provided, which can be used to implement the methods and systems described herein according to example embodiments of this disclosure. Computing system 500 is an example of a suitable computing system for implementing the computing elements described herein. Computing devices such as EEC 118, ground computing device 156, airborne computing device 148, WCU 128, and other computing devices mentioned herein can be constructed and operated in a similar manner to computing system 500.

[0125] like Figure 12 As shown, computing system 500 may include one or more computing devices 502. The one or more computing devices 502 may include one or more processors 504 and one or more memory devices 506. The one or more processors 504 may include any suitable processing device, such as a microprocessor, microcontroller, integrated circuit, logic device, or other suitable processing device. The one or more memory devices 506 may include one or more computer-readable media, including but not limited to non-transitory computer-readable media, RAM, ROM, hard disk drives, flash drives, and other memory devices, such as buffer 134.

[0126] One or more memory devices 506 may store information accessible by one or more processors 504, including computer-readable instructions 508 executable by one or more processors 504. Instructions 508 may be any set of instructions that, when executed by one or more processors 504, cause one or more processors 504 to operate. Instructions 508 may be software written in any suitable programming language or may be implemented in hardware. In some embodiments, instructions 508 may be executed by one or more processors 504 to cause one or more processors 504 to operate.

[0127] Storage device 506 may further store data 510 that can be accessed by processor 504. For example, data 510 may include sensor data, such as engine parameters, model data, logic data, etc., as described herein. According to exemplary embodiments of this disclosure, data 510 may include one or more tables, functions, algorithms, models, equations, etc.

[0128] One or more computing devices 502 may also include a communication interface 512 for communicating, for example, with other components of the system. The communication interface 512 may include any suitable components for engaging with one or more networks, including, for example, a transmitter, receiver, port, controller, antenna, or other suitable components.

[0129] Figure 13 An example vehicle 600 according to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure is provided. The systems and methods of this disclosure can be implemented on aircraft, helicopters, automobiles, ships, submarines, trains, unmanned aerial vehicles or drones and / or any other suitable vehicle. Although this disclosure is described herein with reference to aircraft embodiments, it is intended to be illustrative only and not restrictive. Those skilled in the art will understand that the systems and methods of this disclosure can be implemented on other vehicles without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0130] Furthermore, although aspects of the invention disclosed herein have been discussed with reference to binary data files associated with CEOD, it should be understood that aspects of the invention disclosed herein are not limited to data generated by EEC. Rather, binary data files can be generated by any suitable computing device that generates data on a serial data bus.

[0131] The techniques discussed herein refer to computer-based systems and the actions taken by and from computer-based systems, as well as the information sent to and from computer-based systems. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the inherent flexibility of computer-based systems allows for a wide variety of possible configurations, combinations, and divisions of tasks and functions between and within components. For example, the processing discussed herein can be implemented using a single computing device or multiple computing devices working in combination. Databases, memory, instructions, and applications can be implemented on a single system or distributed across multiple systems. Distributed components can operate sequentially or in parallel.

[0132] While specific features of various embodiments may be shown in some figures but not in others, this is merely for convenience. Any feature of the figures may be referenced to and / or claimed in accordance with the principles of this disclosure, in conjunction with any feature of any other figure.

[0133] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also enables any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any device or system and performing any combination of methods. The patent scope of the invention is defined by the claims, but may include other examples that would occur to a person skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to fall within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that are not different from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements that are not substantially different from the literal language of the claims.

Claims

1. A method, characterized in that, include: Bus data is received by a remote station. The bus data includes transmission frames sent to a bus recorder via a data bus. The transmission frames are packaged into one or more transmission payloads, wherein the one or more transmission payloads are packaged into the transmission frames through the following steps: Data files are generated by one or more computing devices; The data file is stored in a data storage device by the one or more computing devices; The available bandwidth of the transmission frame is determined by the one or more computing devices, the transmission frame including multiple available time slots for data to be transmitted by the data bus; Based at least in part on the available bandwidth of the transmission frame, the one or more computing devices retrieve a portion of a selected size of the data file from the data storage device; The one or more computing devices divide a selected size portion of the data file into the one or more transmission payloads; and The one or more computing devices allocate the one or more transmission payloads to selected time slots from the plurality of available time slots, and The data bus is configured to send the transmission frame, which is packaged with one or more transmission payloads allocated to a selected time slot among the plurality of available time slots, to the bus recorder, and the bus recorder is configured to receive the transmission frame. The remote station generates a reconstructed data file at least in part based on the one or more transport payloads, wherein allocating the one or more transport payloads to a selected time slot from the plurality of available time slots includes: The one or more computing devices generate a plurality of data words, wherein a corresponding one of the plurality of data words includes a corresponding one of the one or more transport payloads and a tag that associates the corresponding one of the one or more transport payloads with the data file; and The data file for reconstruction generated by the remote station includes: The remote station extracts the one or more transmission payloads from a corresponding one of the plurality of data words and combines the transmission payloads extracted from the corresponding one of the plurality of data words with each other.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, in, Both the data bus and the bus recorder are located on the vehicle, and the remote station is located away from the vehicle.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, in, The remote station is a ground station.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, in, The transmission frame is one of a plurality of transmission frames of the bus data, and the plurality of transmission frames are packaged with one or more transmission payloads in the following manner: Determine the available bandwidth of a corresponding one of the plurality of transmission frames, each of the plurality of transmission frames including a plurality of available time slots for data transmitted by the data bus; The selected size portion of the data file is retrieved at least in part based on the available bandwidth of the corresponding one of the plurality of transmission frames; The selected size portion of the data file is divided into multiple transmission payloads; The plurality of transport payloads are assigned to a selected time slot from the plurality of available time slots of a corresponding one of the plurality of transport frames; The data bus is configured to transmit the plurality of transmission payloads corresponding to the corresponding one of the plurality of transmission frames to the bus recorder; and The bus recorder is configured to receive the plurality of transmission payloads corresponding to the respective one of the plurality of transmission frames.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Further includes: The reconstructed data file is decoded by the remote station to present a human-readable file.

6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, in, The transmission frame has one or more unavailable time slots, and the one or more unavailable time slots are allocated with data words.

7. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, in, When packaging the one or more transport payloads into the transport frame, the one or more computing devices generate a plurality of data words, each of the plurality of data words including a corresponding one of the one or more transport payloads and a tag associating the corresponding one of the one or more transport payloads with the data file, and The data bus is configured to send the plurality of data words to the bus recorder, and the bus recorder is configured to receive the plurality of data words.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, in, The one or more computing devices are further configured to assign the tag to an additional selected time slot among the plurality of available time slots.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, in, One of the plurality of data words includes a counter payload indicating the number of transmitted payloads.

10. A remote station, characterized in that, include: One or more processors and one or more storage devices, wherein the one or more processors are configured to: Receive bus data, the bus data including transmission frames sent to a bus recorder via a data bus, the transmission frames being packaged with one or more transmission payloads, wherein the one or more computing devices of the vehicle package the one or more transmission payloads into the transmission frames through the following steps: Data files are generated by one or more computing devices; The data file is stored in a data storage device by the one or more computing devices; The available bandwidth of the transmission frame is determined by the one or more computing devices, the transmission frame including multiple available time slots for data to be transmitted by the data bus; Based at least in part on the available bandwidth of the transmission frame, the one or more computing devices retrieve a portion of a selected size of the data file from the data storage device; The one or more computing devices divide the selected size portion of the data file into the one or more transmission payloads; and The one or more computing devices allocate the one or more transmission payloads to selected time slots from the plurality of available time slots, and The data bus is configured to send the transmission frame, which is packaged with one or more transmission payloads allocated to a selected time slot among the plurality of available time slots, to the bus recorder, and the bus recorder is configured to receive the transmission frame. The one or more processors of the remote station are further configured to: Generating a reconstructed data file based at least in part on the one or more transport payloads, wherein allocating the one or more transport payloads to a selected time slot from the plurality of available time slots includes: A plurality of data words are generated by the one or more computing devices, wherein a corresponding one of the plurality of data words includes a corresponding one of the one or more transport payloads and a tag that associates the corresponding one of the one or more transport payloads with the data file, and The process of generating the reconstructed data file by the one or more processors of the remote station includes the one or more processors extracting the one or more transport payloads from a corresponding one of the plurality of data words and combining the transport payloads extracted from the corresponding one of the plurality of data words with each other.

11. The remote station according to claim 10, characterized in that, in, The remote station is a ground station.

12. The remote station according to claim 10, characterized in that, in, The remote station is located on the vehicle.

13. The remote station according to claim 10, characterized in that, in, The data bus is a serial data bus.

14. The remote station according to claim 10, characterized in that, in, The one or more processors of the remote station are further configured to: Decode the reconstructed data file to present a human-readable document.

15. The remote station according to claim 10, characterized in that, in, The transmission frame has one or more unavailable time slots, and the unavailable time slots are allocated data words.

16. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions, characterized in that, When executed by one or more processors at a remote station, the computer-executable instructions cause the one or more processors to: Receive bus data, the bus data including transmission frames sent to the bus recorder via the data bus, the transmission frames being packaged into one or more transmission payloads, wherein the one or more transmission payloads are packaged into the transmission frames through the following steps: Data files are generated by one or more computing devices; The data file is stored in a data storage device by the one or more computing devices; The available bandwidth of the transmission frame is determined by the one or more computing devices, the transmission frame including multiple available time slots for data to be transmitted by the data bus; Based at least in part on the available bandwidth of the transmission frame, the one or more computing devices retrieve a portion of a selected size of the data file from the data storage device; The one or more computing devices divide the selected size portion of the data file into the one or more transmission payloads; and The one or more computing devices allocate the one or more transmission payloads to selected time slots from the plurality of available time slots, and The data bus is configured to send the transmission frame, which is packaged with one or more transmission payloads allocated to a selected time slot among the plurality of available time slots, to the bus recorder, and the bus recorder is configured to receive the transmission frame. The one or more processors of the remote station are further configured to: Generating a reconstructed data file based at least in part on the one or more transport payloads, wherein allocating the one or more transport payloads to a selected time slot from the plurality of available time slots includes: A plurality of data words are generated by the one or more computing devices, wherein a corresponding one of the plurality of data words includes a corresponding one of the one or more transport payloads and a tag that associates the corresponding one of the one or more transport payloads with the data file, and The process of generating the reconstructed data file by the one or more processors of the remote station includes the one or more processors extracting the one or more transport payloads from a corresponding one of the plurality of data words and combining the transport payloads extracted from the corresponding one of the plurality of data words with each other.

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