Air-ground aviation data remote loading method

Abstract

The invention discloses an air-ground aviation data remote loading method, and the method comprises the steps: S1, ground end loading: carrying out the electronic distribution of an LSP (Label Switched Path) at a ground end to a ground server through software supply after the LSP is authenticated by a digital certificate authority; s2, loading to the airborne end by the ground end, and transmitting through a satellite communication link and / or an Ethernet link; and S3, airborne end loading: receiving the input data of the ground end by an airborne end receiver, transmitting the input data to an airborne service, and finally loading the input data to the LRU. The problems of low efficiency, single loading mode, high economic cost and the like of a software loading mode of a civil aircraft depending on a physical medium are solved, and the data interaction capability and the operation efficiency of the civil aircraft are remarkably improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application belongs to the technical field of data loading, and in particular, relates to a method for remotely loading air-to-ground aviation data. Background Art

[0002] The digital operation of civil aircraft can connect aircraft manufacturers, airlines, aircraft and software manufacturers in real time. With the upgrading and replacement of civil aviation industry technology, traditional software-loadable transmission media such as floppy disks and floppy drives can no longer meet the needs of digital loading.

[0003] At present, new passenger aircraft developed by mainstream manufacturers have realized the end-to-end electronic safe and reliable loading technology of airborne software from equipment supplier (OEM) - airline - aircraft. Replacing the traditional distribution method based on media, the airborne software is highly digitalized, integrated, networked and distributed electronically, thus connecting aircraft manufacturers, airlines and aircraft, realizing safe and efficient maintenance and management of loadable software, improving the operating efficiency of aircraft, reducing the maintenance cost of aircraft operation, and making flights safer. However, the traditional civil aircraft software loading method that relies on physical media is inefficient, single loading method, and high economic cost. Summary of the invention

[0004] The purpose of this application is to solve the problems of low efficiency, single loading method and high economic cost of software loading method relying on physical media in civil aircraft, and to disclose a method for remote loading of air-to-ground aviation data, which significantly improves the data interaction capability and operation efficiency of civil aircraft.

[0005] The purpose of this application is achieved through the following technical solutions:

[0006] A method for remotely loading air-ground aviation data, the method comprising:

[0007] S1: Ground-side loading, after the ground-side LSP is authenticated by a digital certificate authority, it is electronically distributed to the ground server through software provisioning;

[0008] S2: The ground terminal loads the data to the airborne terminal and transmits the data via a satellite communication link and / or an Ethernet link;

[0009] S3: Airborne loading: the airborne receiver receives the ground input data and transmits it to the airborne service, and finally loads it into the LRU.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment, step S1 also includes LSP configuration management to meet the software configuration requirements of the preset aircraft.

[0011] According to a preferred embodiment, the LSP configuration management process includes:

[0012] Receives the “certified” configuration from the airframe manufacturer and stores the data in the airline’s electronic data management system;

[0013] Receive SBs data from airframe manufacturers and suppliers and import the corresponding data into the airline's electronic data management system;

[0014] Data-driven LSP management process based on electronic data management system, including acquisition, receipt and release of LSP, as well as distribution and installation of LSP.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment, the process of obtaining and receiving the LSP includes the following steps:

[0016] After confirming that a new change is authorized in the electronic data management system, a check is performed to determine if the airline has the corresponding LSP, and if not, an LSP order is initiated and sent to the appropriate airframe manufacturer and supplier;

[0017] The order is completed from the authorized secure vault or repository and the respective LSP sends it to the airline after digital signature.

[0018] The airline will receive the LSP, inspect and release the LSP into its electronic LSP repository, and the digital signature will be stored with its associated LSP in the electronic LSP repository.

[0019] According to a preferred embodiment, the corresponding LSP can also be sent by being installed in a signed software electronic distribution CRATE, or copied to a physical medium and sent to the airline.

[0020] According to a preferred embodiment, the software release process includes:

[0021] Initiate distribution of LSP in response to approved changes;

[0022] The LSP is copied from the airline’s secure electronic LSP repository and the digital signature of the corresponding LSP is confirmed to be intact;

[0023] LSP is distributed to various software storage devices through wired or wireless technology.

[0024] According to a preferred embodiment, the software storage device includes: an onboard data storage device, a ground file server, a workshop loader, or a test device, a portable data loader, and a laptop computer maintenance device.

[0025] According to a preferred embodiment, in step S2, after the LSP is packaged according to the preset standard, the software is loaded onto the airborne device in the following manner, including:

[0026] Transmitted through the satellite communication system, LSP reaches the satellite ground station through the satellite communication data service provider, and is transmitted to the corresponding satellite communication receiving equipment on the airborne end in accordance with ARINC 741 / 761, and then transmitted to the airborne network server system;

[0027] Alternatively, the LSP is transmitted via Ethernet, and is transmitted to the corresponding wifi receiving device and cellular receiving device on the airborne side through the airport wireless LAN or cellular mobile network, and then transmitted to the airborne network server system.

[0028] According to a preferred embodiment, in step S3, the onboard loading process report:

[0029] Select the corresponding LSP for the expected LRU;

[0030] Load the selected LSP into the target LRU;

[0031] Verify whether the software on the LRU has been loaded successfully and error-free, and that the software functions normally, achieving the expected loading purpose.

[0032] The aforementioned main scheme of the present application and its further options can be freely combined to form multiple schemes, all of which are schemes that can be adopted and claimed for protection in the present application. After understanding the scheme of the present application, those skilled in the art can understand that there are multiple combinations based on the prior art and common knowledge, all of which are technical schemes to be protected by the present application, and they are not exhaustively listed here.

[0033] Beneficial effects of this application:

[0034] a) Good redundancy

[0035] The diversified loading methods and loading equipment in onboard and external loading improve the redundancy of the entire process.

[0036] b) Low economic cost

[0037] Electronic distribution and software preloading reduce the economic costs for airlines.

[0038] c) Safe and reliable

[0039] The encryption and authentication mechanisms based on digital signatures improve the security of software transmission. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] Figure 1 This is the overall architecture diagram of the loadable software loading of this application;

[0041] Figure 2 This application is the ground-side release and packaging process of the loadable software;

[0042] Figure 3 It is the process of transmitting loadable software from the ground end to the airborne end. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] The following describes the embodiments of the present application through specific examples, and those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of the present application from the contents disclosed in this specification. The present application can also be implemented or applied through other different specific embodiments, and the details in this specification can also be modified or changed in various ways based on different viewpoints and applications without departing from the spirit of the present application. It should be noted that the following embodiments and features in the embodiments can be combined with each other without conflict.

[0044] It should be noted that similar numbers and letters represent similar items in the following figures, so once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent figures. In the description of this application, it should also be noted that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "set", "install", "connect", and "connect" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection, or it can be indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it can be the internal connection of two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in this application can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0045] In addition, the present application would like to point out that, in the present application, unless the specific structure, connection relationship, positional relationship, power source relationship, etc. are specifically written out, the structure, connection relationship, positional relationship, power source relationship, etc. involved in the present application are all known by those skilled in the art on the basis of the prior art without creative work.

[0046] The digital loading of loadable software for civil aircraft replaces the traditional management method based on media, realizes digital, integrated and networked distribution and loading, and uses a variety of data communication methods to connect aircraft manufacturers, airlines and aircraft, realizing safe and efficient digital distribution, maintenance and management of loadable software, improving the service support quality of aircraft manufacturers and enhancing the market competitiveness of passenger aircraft.

[0047] In the early days, in the field of civil aviation, loadable software was loaded using floppy disks and portable disks. Currently, software is sent to airlines via the Internet. Airlines distribute it to the onboard terminal through satellite, wireless or cellular networks. Once the software is installed on the aircraft, it can be sent to the line replaceable unit LRU that needs to update the software, without too much manual operation, and aircraft manufacturers and airlines can work together to comprehensively reduce the maintenance cost and labor cost during the software loading process. In view of the current trend of digitalization, integration, networking and electronic distribution of loadable software, the present application discloses a digital loading architecture and its corresponding air-to-ground aviation data remote loading method.

[0048] Figure 1 This is the overall architecture diagram of the secure digital loading of loadable software, which is mainly divided into three parts: 1) the loading process on the ground side; 2) the loading process from the ground side to the airborne side; 3) the loading process on the airborne side. In view of the current trend of digitalization, integration, networking and electronic distribution of loadable software, based on Figure 1 In the digital loading architecture shown, after the ground-side LSP is authenticated by a digital certificate authority (CA), it is electronically distributed to the ground server through software provisioning, and then transmitted through a satellite communication link and a long-distance Ethernet link. It is received by an airborne receiver and transmitted to the airborne service, and finally loaded into the LRU.

[0049] Example 1

[0050] The invention discloses a method for remotely loading air-ground aviation data. The method comprises the following steps.

[0051] Step S1: Loading on the ground side. After the ground-side LSP is authenticated by a digital certificate authority, it is electronically distributed to the ground server through software provisioning.

[0052] like Figure 2 As shown, there are configuration management flows, software distribution and dissemination flows in the process of acquiring and distributing loadable software on the ground side. In order to realize the electronic loading of loadable software, loadable LSP configuration management is a prerequisite. The goal of aircraft software configuration management is to ensure that the aircraft is always in the correct software configuration. Therefore, the loadable software is first prepared to meet the software configuration requirements of a given aircraft. Usually these configuration files come from service bulletins (SBs) or other software original change (AOC) requirements. These configuration files and data are controlled and managed in the electronic data management system (EDMS).

[0053] The software part consists of electronic data, which should be organized in accordance with the ARINC 665 software part standard. The configuration management process includes at least the following steps:

[0054] 1) Receive the “certified” configuration from the airframe manufacturer and store the data in the airline’s EDMS;

[0055] 2) Receive SBs data from airframe manufacturers and suppliers and import this data into the airline’s EDMS;

[0056] 3) Use EDMS data to drive subsequent stages of the LSP management process, including LSP acquisition, receipt and release, LSP distribution and installation.

[0057] The signed LSP management process is then initiated and works in conjunction with the LSP configuration management process. This process includes the acquisition, receipt and distribution of LSPs, as well as the distribution, installation and loading of LSPs.

[0058] Currently, the web service-based electronic distribution method for aviation industry software defined in ARINC 666 is used. Loadable software can be transferred from ground equipment such as software suppliers to the airline's file server or aircraft maintenance equipment, and then transferred to the aircraft. ARINC 827 proposed electronic distribution CRATE in ARINC 666. CRATE is a software packaging structure. The extensible markup language (XML) digital signature is used to digitally sign the software package, and a private protocol between the sender and the receiver is established, thereby improving the security and transmission efficiency of electronic distribution based on ARINC 666. In order to ensure the security of the software loading process, for the software supplier and the ground server, certification from the CA is required to generate a digital signature.

[0059] The process of obtaining and receiving LSP includes the following steps:

[0060] 1) After determining that a new change is authorized in EDMS, a check is performed to determine if the airline has the LSP. If not, a new LSP order is initiated and sent to the appropriate airframe manufacturers and suppliers;

[0061] 2) The order is completed from the authorized secure vault (or repository), and the LSP digitally signs and sends it to the airline. In addition, the LSP can also be sent in a signed electronic distribution of software (EDS) CRATE, or copied to physical media and sent to the airline;

[0062] 3) The airline will receive the LSP, inspect and release the LSP into its secure electronic LSP repository. The digital signature shall be stored in the repository along with its associated LSP.

[0063] After the loadable software is transmitted to the airline, the airline will manage the loadable software in a unified manner. The airline is the implementer of software loading, and the loading process is completed by the airline's maintenance operators. The software release process includes the following steps:

[0064] 1) In response to approved changes, initiate the distribution of LSP.

[0065] 2) The software is copied from the airline’s secure electronic LSP repository and its digital signature is confirmed intact. Optionally, the LSP can be packaged in a digitally signed EDS CRATE.

[0066] 3) LSP can be distributed to various software storage devices through wired or wireless technology, including the following devices: airborne data storage device (MSD), ground file server, workshop loader (OALT), or test equipment, portable data loader (PDL), laptop maintenance equipment.

[0067] Step S2: The ground end loads to the airborne end and transmits via a satellite communication link and / or an Ethernet link.

[0068] Specifically, after the LSP is encapsulated according to the ARINC 665 standard, there are two main ways to load software onto the airborne system, different from the method of transmitting using physical media:

[0069] a) Transmitted through satellite communication system, using dedicated network and dedicated line to reach satellite ground station through satellite communication data service provider, and then transmitted to corresponding satellite communication receiving equipment (remote receiving equipment) on the airborne end according to ARINC 741 / 761, and further transmitted to airborne network server system defined by ARINC 763;

[0070] b) Transmitted via Ethernet, the loadable software can be transmitted to the corresponding wifi receiving device and cellular receiving device (remote receiving device) on the airborne side through the airport wireless LAN (Gatelink) or cellular mobile network (3G / 4G / 5G). It is further transmitted to the airborne network server system defined by ARINC 763.

[0071] Step S3: Loading on the airborne side, the airborne side receiver receives the ground side input data and transmits it to the airborne service, and finally loads it into the LRU.

[0072] Specifically, the airborne loading process in step S3 includes:

[0073] 1) Select the correct LSP for the expected LRU;

[0074] 2) Load the software into the target LRU;

[0075] 3) Verify whether the software on the LRU has been loaded and loaded without errors, and whether the software functions normally and achieves the expected loading effect.

[0076] The equipment integrated by the aircraft manufacturer is the target equipment for software loading. After the loadable software is loaded into the airborne equipment, it will eventually be loaded into the LRU. Currently, the most common way to load the loadable software into the LRU is through the airborne server. Use the functions of the airborne server defined by ARINC 763 to load the loadable software into the LRU. Using the Ethernet loading protocol of ARINC 615A can achieve faster loading. Using ARINC826 can achieve airborne software data loading of the CAN bus.

[0077] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present application and is not intended to limit the present application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present application should be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A method for remote loading of air-ground aviation data, characterized in that: The air-to-ground aviation data remote loading method comprises: S1: Ground-side loading, after the ground-side LSP is authenticated by a digital certificate authority, it is electronically distributed to the ground server through software provisioning; S2: The ground terminal loads the data to the airborne terminal and transmits the data via satellite communication link and / or Ethernet link; S3: Airborne loading: the airborne receiver receives the ground input data and transmits it to the airborne service, and finally loads it into the LRU.

2. The air-to-ground aerial data remote loading method according to claim 1, characterized in that: Step S1 also includes LSP configuration management to meet the software configuration requirements of the preset aircraft.

3. The air-to-ground aerial data remote loading method according to claim 2, characterized in that: The LSP configuration management process includes: Receives "certified" configurations from airframe manufacturers and stores the data in the airline's electronic data management system; Receive SBs data from airframe manufacturers and suppliers and import the corresponding data into the airline's electronic data management system; Data-driven LSP management process based on electronic data management system, including acquisition, receipt and release of LSP, as well as distribution and installation of LSP.

4. The air-to-ground aerial data remote loading method according to claim 3, characterized in that: The process of obtaining and receiving LSP includes the following steps: After confirming that a new change is authorized in the electronic data management system, a check is performed to determine if the airline has the corresponding LSP, and if not, an LSP order is initiated and sent to the appropriate airframe manufacturer and supplier; The order is completed from the authorized secure vault or repository and the respective LSP sends it to the airline after digital signature. The airline will receive the LSP, inspect and release the LSP into its electronic LSP repository, and the digital signature will be stored with its associated LSP in the electronic LSP repository.

5. The air-to-ground aerial data remote loading method according to claim 4, characterized in that: The corresponding LSP can also be sent to the airline by packaging it in a signed electronic software distribution CRATE, or copying it onto physical media.

6. The method for remotely loading air-ground aviation data according to claim 4, characterized in that: The software release process includes: Initiate distribution of LSP in response to approved changes; The LSP is copied from the airline’s secure electronic LSP repository and the digital signature of the corresponding LSP is confirmed to be intact; LSP is distributed to various software storage devices through wired or wireless technology.

7. The method for remotely loading air-ground aviation data according to claim 6, characterized in that: The software storage device includes: an onboard data storage device, a ground file server, a workshop loader, or a test device, a portable data loader, and a laptop computer maintenance device.

8. The air-to-ground aviation data remote loading method according to claim 1, characterized in that: In step S2, after the LSP is packaged according to the preset standard, the software is loaded onto the aircraft in the following manner, including: Transmitted through the satellite communication system, LSP reaches the satellite ground station through the satellite communication data service provider, and is transmitted to the corresponding satellite communication receiving equipment on the airborne end in accordance with ARINC 741 / 761, and then transmitted to the airborne network server system; Alternatively, the LSP is transmitted via Ethernet, and is transmitted to the corresponding wifi receiving device and cellular receiving device on the airborne side through the airport wireless LAN or cellular mobile network, and then transmitted to the airborne network server system.

9. The air-to-ground aerial data remote loading method according to claim 1, characterized in that: Step S3: Airborne end loading process report: Select the corresponding LSP for the expected LRU; Load the selected LSP into the target LRU; Verify whether the software on the LRU has been loaded successfully and error-free, and that the software functions normally, achieving the expected loading purpose.

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