Method for sharing data between an aircraft data transfer supervisor and a plurality of aircraft system test stations

Abstract

Method for sharing data between an aircraft data transfer supervisor and a plurality of aircraft system test stations. The method comprises: - when a simulation data transfer mode is activated, transmission, by the station (14A, 14B, 14C), to the supervisor (16), of a simulation data message on a transfer link, including a header having a message type indicator corresponding to a simulation data message, and a data field including simulation data generated by the station (14A, 14B, 14C);- when a data transfer mode for the state configuration of a piece of equipment is activated, the supervisor (16) sends a configuration data message to the station (14A, 14B, 14C) on the same transfer link, the configuration data message having a header with a message type indicator corresponding to a configuration data message, and a data field comprising the state configuration data of the equipment. Figure for the abbreviation: figure 6;

Description

Title of the invention: Method for sharing data between an aircraft data transfer supervisor and a plurality of aircraft system test stations

[0001] The present invention relates to a method of sharing data between a data transfer supervisor and a plurality of aircraft system test stations in an aircraft test bench, the data transfer supervisor and the plurality of aircraft system test stations being connected to each other by a data transfer link, the transfer link being suitable for circulating messages having a header comprising at least one message type indicator.

[0002] Such a method is intended, for example, to be implemented in an aircraft integration bench.

[0003] Modern aircraft are generally built using several aircraft systems produced by equipment manufacturers. The aircraft systems are then integrated by an aircraft manufacturer during the final assembly of the aircraft.

[0004] During final assembly, the aircraft manufacturer assembles all aircraft systems on a single platform, and performs multi-system tests in the presence of all aircraft systems to ensure the reliable operation of all systems.

[0005] It is often necessary to carry out tests involving a plurality of aircraft systems prior to the final assembly of the aircraft.

[0006] These tests include, for example, the validation of aircraft system interfaces, including digital buses and analog signals, and the nominal operational validation of the assembly.

[0007] These tests include in some cases degraded operating tests, training of flight test teams before the first flight, correction and non-regression tests, and validation of flight documentation.

[0008] To perform these tests, it is known to partially integrate the aircraft systems on an aircraft test bench before the final assembly of the aircraft. An aircraft test bench allows the aircraft systems to be operated jointly without being integrated into an assembled aircraft.

[0009] By definition, an aircraft test bench is not a complete aircraft. In particular, the test bench generally does not include a fuel system or movable control surfaces, which are nevertheless present on an assembled aircraft.

[0010] However, aircraft systems being tested on the test bench often require, in order to function, certain data produced by equipment that is not mounted or active on the test bench. Aircraft systems are then programmed to provide simulation data that replaces the real data generated when using a fully assembled aircraft.

[0011] One object of the invention is to provide a method and system which allows simple and realistic testing of the integration of aircraft systems with each other, in particular to validate their common operation, normal or degraded, without having to have a fully assembled aircraft.

[0012] To this end, the invention relates to a data sharing method of the aforementioned type, in which each station is capable of generating simulation data of parameters of at least one piece of equipment of an aircraft system and is capable of receiving state configuration data of at least one piece of equipment of the aircraft system, the method comprising the following steps:

[0013] - when a simulation data transfer mode is activated, emission, by the station, to the attention of the data transfer supervisor, of a simulation data message on the transfer link, including a header having a message type indicator corresponding to a simulation data message, and a data field including simulation data generated by the station;

[0014] - when a state configuration data transfer mode of at least one aircraft system equipment is activated, emitting by the data transfer supervisor, to the station, a configuration data message on the same transfer link, the configuration data message having a header with a message type indicator corresponding to a configuration data message, and a data field comprising configuration data of equipment states.

[0015] The method according to the invention may comprise one or more of the following features, taken individually or in any technically feasible combination:

[0016] - all messages circulating on the transfer link have the same header syntax including a message type indicator;

[0017] - the header syntax includes a message size indicator, an indicator of presence of the station on the transfer link, a counter and / or a current time indicator;

[0018] - each header includes a station operating mode indicator chosen between a standby mode, a simulation data transmission mode, a state configuration data transmission mode, and / or a joint simulation data and state configuration data transmission mode;

[0019] - the method includes a station activation step, the activation step comprising the issuance by the data transfer supervisor of an activation message containing an operating mode indicator corresponding to the simulation data transfer mode and the reception of the activation message by the station;

[0020] - the activation message is a test message, devoid of data in the field data, the activation step involving the sending, after receipt of the test message, of another test message by the station, the other test message including a header presenting an indicator of operating mode corresponding to a simulation data transfer mode;

[0021] - when the simulation data transfer mode is activated, each emission by the station on the transfer link of a simulation data message is triggered by the reception of a simulation data message issued by the data transfer supervisor, the message issued by the data transfer supervisor having a header having a message type indicator corresponding to a simulation data message, and a data field containing simulation data required by the station;

[0022] - the method includes an initialization step, in which the supervisor of data transfer emits a data definition table message exchanged having a header with a message type indicator corresponding to a data definition table message exchanged, and a data field comprising a data table listing the names of the required simulation data to be produced by the station;

[0023] - after receiving the exchanged data definition table message issued by the data transfer supervisor, the station issues another exchanged data definition table message having a header with a message type indicator corresponding to an exchanged data definition table message and a data field containing a data table listing the names of the required simulation data to be provided to the station by the data transfer supervisor;

[0024] - the data transfer link implements a peer-to-peer protocol, avanta using the IPv4 protocol, each station and the data transfer supervisor being identified by an address, specifically an IP address;

[0025] - the simulation data are simulation data of variables environmental, for example physical measurement sensor data, state configuration data being state data of aircraft system equipment, including degraded operating states or failure of aircraft system equipment;

[0026] - in the state configuration data transmission mode, the process Prior to the emission of state configuration data, it involves a definition, by a user on a human-machine interface, of at least one controlled state of an aircraft system component, the configuration data being generated from the definition of states on the human-machine interface.

[0027] The invention also relates to a data sharing system between a data transfer supervisor and a plurality of aircraft system test stations of an aircraft test bench, the data transfer supervisor and the plurality of aircraft system test stations being connected to each other by a data transfer link, the transfer link being suitable for circulating messages having a header comprising at least one message type indicator,

[0028] each station being suitable for generating simulation data of parameters of at least one piece of equipment of an aircraft system and being suitable for receiving configuration data of states of at least one piece of equipment of the aircraft system,

[0029] the station being suitable for transmitting, to the attention of the data transfer supervisor, when a simulation data transfer mode is activated, a simulation data message on the transfer link, comprising a header having a message type indicator corresponding to a simulation data message, and a data field comprising simulation data generated by the station;

[0030] - the data transfer supervisor being capable of issuing, for the attention of the station, when a state configuration data transfer mode of at least one aircraft system equipment is enabled, a configuration data message on the same transfer link, the configuration data message having a header having a message type indicator corresponding to a configuration data message, and a data field including state configuration data of the equipment.

[0031] The invention also relates to a test station for an aircraft system for an aircraft test bench, intended to be connected to a data transfer supervisor by a data transfer link, the transfer link being suitable for transmitting messages having a header having at least one message type indicator,

[0032] the station being suitable for generating simulation data for parameters of at least one piece of equipment of an aircraft system and being suitable for receiving state configuration data from at least one piece of equipment of the aircraft system,

[0033] the station being capable of transmitting, to the attention of the data transfer supervisor, when a simulation data transfer mode is activated, a simulation data message on the transfer link, comprising a header having a message type indicator corresponding to a simulation data message, and a data field comprising simulation data generated by the station;

[0034] the station being capable of receiving, when a state configuration data transfer mode of at least one aircraft system equipment is activated, a configuration data message from the data transfer supervisor on the same transfer link, the configuration data message having a header having a message type indicator corresponding to a configuration data message, and a data field including equipment state configuration data, the station being capable of controlling at least one equipment state using the equipment state configuration data.

[0035] The invention also relates to a data transfer supervisor intended to be connected to a plurality of aircraft system test stations in an aircraft test bench by a data transfer link, the transfer link being suitable for transmitting messages having a header comprising at least one message type indicator,

[0036] each station being capable of generating simulation data of parameters of at least one piece of equipment of an aircraft system and being capable of receiving state configuration data of at least one piece of equipment of the aircraft system, the data transfer supervisor being capable, when a simulation data transfer mode is activated, of receiving at least one simulation data message from at least one station on the transfer link, the simulation data message comprising a header having a message type indicator corresponding to a simulation data message, and a data field comprising simulation data generated by the station and being capable of using the simulation data, in particular to display it on a human-machine interface or to send it back to at least one station via a simulation data message on the transfer link;

[0037] - when a state configuration data transfer mode of at least one aircraft system equipment is activated, the data transfer supervisor being able to issue, to the attention of the station, a configuration data message on the same transfer link, the configuration data message having a header having a message type indicator corresponding to a configuration data message, and a data field including configuration data of equipment states.

[0038] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, given solely by way of example, and made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0039] - [Fig. 1] Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a data sharing system within an aircraft test bench, comprising a data transfer supervisor and a plurality of aircraft system test stations, for the implementation of a first data sharing method according to the invention;

[0040] - [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a schematic representation of the structure of a message intended to be sent via a data transfer link of the system of the [Fig.1];

[0041] - [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a view of the data field of a message table de- completion of exchanged data circulating on the data transfer link;

[0042] - [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a view of the data field of a data message. mulation;

[0043] - [Fig.5] The [Fig.5] is a schematic view of a data field of a message of configuration data;

[0044] - [Fig.6] Fig.6 is a schematic view of the implementation of the process according to the invention, during the initialization of the sharing system;

[0045] - [Fig.7] Fig.7 is a schematic view of the implementation of the process, in a simulation data transmission mode;

[0046] - [Fig.8] [Fig.8] is a view analogous to [Fig.6], in a joint mode of transmission of simulation data and state configuration.

[0047] Figures 2 to 5 include a syntax code corresponding to fields named in English, in accordance with standard practice in data transmission protocols. Where necessary, a French translation of these terms is provided in the description below.

[0048] A first data sharing method according to the invention is implemented in a data sharing system 10 within an aircraft test bench 12.

[0049] The sharing system 10 comprises a plurality of aircraft system test stations 14A, 14B, 14C and at least one data transfer supervisor 16, intended to functionally supervise the aircraft systems of stations 14A, 14B, 14C to perform multi-system tests.

[0050] The sharing system 10 further includes a data transfer link 17 (or data bus) between stations 14A, 14B, 14C and the data transfer supervisor 16.

[0051] The multi-system tests carried out on the test bench 12 using the sharing system 10 include, for example, validation of the interfaces of the aircraft systems present in the test stations 14A, 14B, 14C, nominal operational validation of all aircraft systems, operation in degraded conditions or in the presence of failures, training of flight test teams before a first flight of the aircraft, correction / non-regression tests, and / or validation of the flight documentation.

[0052] The number of stations 14A, 14B, 14C is for example greater than 2, in particular greater than 5, advantageously greater than 20.

[0053] Each station 14A, 14B, 14C comprises one or more pieces of equipment 18 of an aircraft system, and at least one computer 20 associated with the aircraft system.

[0054] Equipment 18 is for example an active piece of equipment of the aircraft, such as an actuator, a head-up display, a fan, or software equipment, such as an avionics computer, an engine computer, an air system computer.

[0055] The test bench 12 does not include all the aircraft systems and / or all the equipment 18 of the aircraft systems enabling the taxiing, takeoff, flight, and landing of an assembled aircraft. In particular, the test bench 12 is, for example, devoid of moving surfaces, such as control surfaces, or other equipment necessary for the taxiing, takeoff, flight, and landing of an aircraft.

[0056] The test bench 12 is specifically devoid of an active air system for pressurizing and air conditioning the cabin. It is also devoid of an active engine and associated fuel tank.

[0057] For example, the engine and the fuel tank are each associated with a computer 20 which requires external measurements for its operation. For example, the engine computer must have the quantity of fuel present in the tank and the quantity delivered to the engine. The computers associated with the engine and the tank must also have the external pressure simulated by other systems of the test bench 20, which decreases with altitude, because this affects the state of the fuel and therefore the flow rates supplied to the engine.

[0058] The computer 20 of each station 14A, 14B, 14C includes at least one processor 22 and at least one memory 24 comprising software modules suitable for execution by the processor 22.

[0059] Alternatively, the calculator 20 includes programmable logic components or dedicated integrated circuits, intended to perform the functions of the software modules which will be described below.

[0060] The software modules included in the memory 24 include a module 26 for managing and controlling the states of each piece of equipment 18, a module 28 for simulating environmental data of the equipment 18, and a module 30 for sending / receiving messages on the transfer link 17.

[0061] The management and control module 26 is specifically designed to collect physical data measured by each piece of equipment 18, in particular by sensors present on each piece of equipment 18. It is also specifically designed to apply state commands received from the data transfer supervisor 16 via the transfer link 17 to place the equipment 18 in the commanded state.

[0062] The simulation module 28 is designed to provide environmental simulation data for the equipment 18, which correspond to the real data that the equipment 18 would provide to the aircraft system or other aircraft systems, if the equipment were mounted on a real aircraft.

[0063] The equipment 18, when mounted on the test bench 20, does not produce the actual data.

[0064] The simulated data are obtained by modeling using an equipment operating model, from data received from the equipment 18, and even data currently being provided to stations 14A, 14B, 14C via transfer link 17.

[0065] The simulation module 28 is suitable, for example, for simulating the data that would be produced by a sensor of the equipment 18, in particular a pressure sensor, a flow sensor, and / or an electrical intensity sensor.

[0066] It is suitable for providing equipment 18 or another piece of equipment 18 of the same aircraft system or of another aircraft system, with simulated data that would be from these sensors, to allow the normal operation of the other piece of equipment 18, as if it were integrated within an assembled aircraft.

[0067] The transmit / receive module 30 is suitable for transmitting, on the transfer link 17, simulation data messages generated by the simulation module 28, and for receiving simulation data messages and status control data messages from the data transfer supervisor 16 via the transfer link 17, as will be described below.

[0068] With reference to [Fig.1], the data transfer supervisor 16 includes a computer 32, comprising at least one processor 34 and at least one memory 36 containing software modules suitable for execution by the processor 34. Alternatively, the computer 32 includes programmable logic components or dedicated integrated circuits, intended to perform the functions of the modules which will be described below.

[0069] The data transfer supervisor 16 further includes a human-machine interface 38.

[0070] The human-machine interface 38 in this example includes a display 40, and at least one control element 42 such as a keyboard, a mouse and / or a touch screen.

[0071] The software modules contained in the memory 36 include a data transmission / reception module 44, and a display management module 46 on the display 40.

[0072] The display management module 46 is designed to generate and display interface screens on the display 40, in particular, at least one supervisory screen for stations 14A, 14B, 14C connected on the transfer link 17, a monitoring screen for simulation data collected by the transmit / receive module 44, and at least one equipment state control screen 18 allowing a user to control the control states of the aircraft system equipment 18 present in stations 14A, 14B, 14C.

[0073] The transmit / receive module 44 is adapted to transmit data messages for the control states of equipment 18, advantageously based on the states selected by a user via the control screen, and to provide them to the transfer link 17. It is adapted to receive simulation data messages from the various stations 14A, 14B, 14C for redistribution to other stations 17A, 17B, ​​17C and / or to power the simulation data monitoring screen.

[0074] The data transmission link 17 between the data transfer supervisor 16, and each station 14A, 14B, 14C is suitable for circulating messages between the data transfer supervisor 16 and each aircraft system test station 14A, 14B, 14C following a transmission protocol using messages with a predefined syntax.

[0075] With reference to [Fig.1], the data transfer link 17 comprises a physical layer 50, a data transfer layer 52, a network layer 54, a transport layer 56, and an application layer 58.

[0076] It is designed to operate according to a peer-to-peer protocol in which messages are exchanged between the data transfer supervisor 16 and the stations 14A, 14B, 14C, each being identified by its own address, in particular by an IP address.

[0077] Physical layer 50 is for example an Ethernet layer, in particular a base 100 Ethernet layer.

[0078] Data transfer layer 52 is for example an Ethernet layer implemented according to the IEEE 802.3 CD standard.

[0079] Network layer 54 advantageously implements the IPv4 protocol.

[0080] Transport layer 56 advantageously implements the UDP protocol, the su data transfer center 16 and each station 14A, 14B, 14C being each equipped with an address, including an IP address and a transmission and reception port.

[0081] The application layer 58 is designed to allow the flow of messages within the link 17, between the data transfer supervisor 16 and each of the stations 14A, 14B, 14C.

[0082] The data transfer supervisor 16 is advantageously the master of the transmission speed (periodic or asynchronous).

[0083] The data transfer supervisor 16 is also the master of sending messages on the transfer link 17. Each station 14A, 14B, 14C is a slave, and does not spontaneously send messages on the transfer link 17, without having previously received a message from the data transfer supervisor 16.

[0084] With reference to figures 2 to 5, the messages 60 exchanged on the transfer link 17 all have the same syntax, which will be described below.

[0085] With reference to Figures 2 to 5, each message 60 consists of at least one packet of bits, possibly several packets of bits. Each message 60 includes a header 62 with a predetermined syntax, and a data field 64.

[0086] The header 62 includes a message type indicator 65, a presence indicator 66 on the transfer link 17, and an operating mode indicator 68.

[0087] The header 62 further advantageously includes a synchronization word 70, a message size indicator 72, one or more flags 74, a message counter 76, and a clock indicator 78.

[0088] As indicated above, the data transfer link 17 is suitable for transferring messages 60 intended for sharing simulation data between stations 14A, 14B, 14C and the data transfer supervisor 16 and, conversely, configuration data of the states of the equipment 18 of the aircraft systems from the supervisor 16 to each station 14A, 14B, 14C.

[0089] The message type indicator 65 is suitable for providing an identification of the message type chosen from among a test message, a data exchange definition table message, a simulation data message, and a configuration data message.

[0090] A test message is a message sent periodically, at a given frequency, for example 1 Hz, by the data transfer supervisor 16, to test the presence of each station 14A, 14B, 14C and its status on the transfer link 17.

[0091] Such a type of message is also generated by each station 14A, 14B, 14C in response to a test message received from the data transfer supervisor 16 to indicate the presence of station 14A, 14B, 14C on the transfer link 17 and its status.

[0092] A data exchange definition table message is a message issued once by the data transfer supervisor 16 in order to define for each station 14A, 14B, 14C, the list of simulation data that the data transfer supervisor 16 requires from station 14A, 14B, 14C for sharing through the transfer link 17.

[0093] Such a message is also emitted once by each station 14A, 14B, 14C to indicate a list of simulation data which the test station 14A, 14B, 14C needs to receive through the transfer link 17 to operate the equipment 18.

[0094] A simulation data message is a generally periodic message, issued by the data transfer supervisor 16 to a station 14A, 14B, 14C to transmit the simulation data values ​​required by the station 14A, 14B, 14C via the transfer link 17.

[0095] In response to such a message, another simulation data message is issued by station 14A, 14B, 14C to transmit the simulation data values ​​required by the data transfer supervisor 16 via the transfer link 17.

[0096] Simulation data messages are transmitted over the transfer link 17 when a simulation data transmission mode is active or when a joint simulation data and configuration data transmission mode is active.

[0097] A configuration data message is a generally non-periodic message sent by the data transfer supervisor 16 over the transfer link 17 to transmit to a station 14A, 14B, 14C, equipment state configuration data to be applied by a piece of equipment 18 of the station 14A, 14B, 14C.

[0098] In response to a configuration data message, another configuration data message is transmitted from a station 14A, 14B, 14C over the transfer link 17 to transmit to the data transfer supervisor 16 a list of effective states of the equipment 18 of the station 14A, 14B, 14C.

[0099] Configuration data messages are transmitted over the transfer link 17 when a configuration data transmission mode is active or when a joint simulation data and configuration data transmission mode is active.

[0100] Configuration data messages, simulation data messages, and definition table messages take precedence over test messages. Furthermore, simulation data messages take precedence over configuration data messages.

[0101] Generally, the message type is coded by a number corresponding to the message type as designated in a lookup table.

[0102] The presence indicator 66 on the transfer link 17 is a binary indicator that is initially zero. It is changed to a value equal to 1 when the initialization steps of the transfer system 10 have been carried out, and when a station 14A, 14B, 14C is in a simulation data transmission mode, in a configuration data transmission mode, or in a joint simulation and configuration data transmission mode.

[0103] The mode indicator 68 is specific to indicating the type of operating mode of a station 14A, 14B, 14C, commanded and / or effective.

[0104] When a message 60 is issued by the data transfer supervisor 16, the indication of a particular mode in the mode indicator 68, for example a simulation and / or configuration data transmission mode, results in a command to the test station 14A, 14B, 14C to adopt this mode of operation.

[0105] Conversely, when the message is sent by a station 14A, 14B, 14C, the indication of a particular mode in the mode indicator 68 confirms the operating mode of station 14A, 14B, 14C.

[0106] The possible operating modes are a standby mode, before the initialization of the transfer system 10, a simulation data transmission mode, in which the station 14A, 14B, 14C is activated to transmit and receive simulation data, and a configuration data transmission mode, in which Stations 14A, 14B, and 14C are designed to receive configuration data from the data transfer supervisor 16 and to send configuration status data back to the data transfer supervisor 16. Advantageously, a combined mode of transmitting simulation and configuration data is provided, in which both transmission options are enabled simultaneously.

[0107] Optionally, it is possible to prevent the transmission of configuration data from each station 14A, 14B, and 14C to the data transfer supervisor 16, even in configuration data transmission mode, by disabling a query field 69 in the header 62 of message 60.

[0108] Flag 74 is suitable for activation, for example, when message 60 is a response from a station 14A, 14B, 14C to a configuration message from the data transfer supervisor 16, requesting the values ​​of all the states of the equipment 18 of station 14A, 14B, 14C.

[0109] These state values ​​are then used by the data transfer supervisor 16 to update the interface screens displayed on the display 40 of the machine interface 38.

[0110] Counter 76 is incremented with each message transmitted, in order to test message refresh. For example, it is set to thirty-two bits.

[0111] The time indicator 78 encodes for example the current time in a time reference for example UTC, advantageously calculating it in milliseconds on thirty-two bits.

[0112] The data present in data field 64 of message 60 differs depending on the type of message.

[0113] For test messages, the data field is empty.

[0114] As illustrated by [Fig.3], the data in the data field 64 of a definition table message includes the list of names 84 of the simulation data that the sender of the message must receive, namely the names 84 of the simulation data required by the data transfer supervisor 16 when the data transfer supervisor 16 sends the message to station 14A, 14B, 14C, and the names 84 of the data required by station 14A, 14B, 14C, when station 14A, 14B, 14C sends the message to the data transfer supervisor 16.

[0115] The list of names of data 84 is for example transmitted in ASCII format and coded on thirty-two characters separated by punctuation.

[0116] In the case of a message transmitting simulation data, as illustrated by [Fig.4], the data field 64 is composed of one or more message packets, each packet including a data status value 90, and an effective data value 92.

[0117] The value 90 of data status indicates for example data validity, default supplied data state, static or dynamic data state and data refresh state.

[0118] The value 92 of the data is for example defined as double floating-point data, all floating-point data, integer values, or discrete raw words.

[0119] The order of presence of the data in the data field 64 is chosen as that of the definition table transmitted by the exchanged data definition table message.

[0120] With reference to [Fig.5], the data present in the data field 84 of a state configuration message comprises at least one data packet, each comprising a state configuration data identification field 94, a data status 96, and a state configuration data value 98.

[0121] The data status is chosen from a status in which the data value is not taken into account or a status in which the data value is taken into account, in particular by overwriting any previous data values.

[0122] A data sharing method according to the invention, implemented using the data sharing system 10 on the test bench 12, will now be described.

[0123] Initially, each station 14A, 14B, 14C is in a standby mode.

[0124] With reference to [Fig.6], to initialize the sharing system 10, the data transfer supervisor 16 sends a first test message 100 to the attention of the station 14A, 14B, 14C. The message 100 includes a message type indicator 65 corresponding to a test message, a presence indicator 66 corresponding to an absence on the transfer link 17, and a mode indicator 68 corresponding to a standby mode.

[0125] Upon receipt of this message, station 14A, 14B, 14C activates.

[0126] A second test message 102, identical to the first test message 100, is then sent by the data transfer supervisor 16 to the station 14A, 14B, 14C. The reception of this second message 102 results in a response from the station 14A, 14B, 14C, which in turn sends a test message 104 identical to message 102.

[0127] Upon receipt of this test message 104, the data transfer supervisor 16 sends a first message 106 of the exchanged data definition table.

[0128] The first message 106 has a message type indicator 65 corresponding to a message from the exchanged data definition table, a presence indicator 66 always corresponding to an absence on the transfer link 17, and a mode indicator 68 always corresponding to a wait mode.

[0129] The content of data field 64 of message 106 includes a list of simulation data names that station 14A, 14B, 14C will have to emit when the simulation mode is activated.

[0130] In response to message 106, station 14A, 14B, 14C sends a second message 108, a table definition of exchanged data. The data field of message 108 includes a list of simulation data that must be provided by the data transfer supervisor 16 to station 14A, 14B, 14C.

[0131] The exchange of messages 106, 108 corresponds to a so-called "handshake" phase which synchronizes the exchange of simulation data between the data transfer supervisor 16 and each test station 14A, 14B, 14C.

[0132] Once the exchange of messages 106, 108 has been completed, station 14A, 14B, 14C is active.

[0133] The data transfer supervisor 16 continues to periodically send test messages 102, in which the presence indicator 68 corresponds to a presence of station 14A, 14B, 14C on the transfer link 17. Station 14A, 14B, 14C responds to each test message 102 with a test message 104 in which the presence indicator 68 corresponds to a presence of station 14A, 14B, 14C on the transfer link 17.

[0134] With reference to [Fig.7], when the user wishes to start the supply of simulation data by each activated station 14A, 14B, 14C, he uses an interface screen of the human-machine interface 38 to switch the data sharing system 10 into a data supply mode.

[0135] The data transfer supervisor 16 sends at least one test message 110, in which the mode indicator 68 has been switched to simulation data transfer mode.

[0136] Upon receipt of message 110, station 14A, 14B, 14C interprets the message as a command for the simulation data supply mode and switches to that mode.

[0137] However, the switchover to this mode is not necessarily immediate, and several test messages 110 may be sent before the actual switchover occurs at time 112. As long as the switchover to the simulation data transfer mode is not effective at station 14A, 14B, 14C, the latter sends back, in response to each message 110, a test message 114 always presenting a mode indicator 68 corresponding to a wait mode.

[0138] As soon as the switchover is carried out at time 112, in response to each message 110, station 14A, 14B, 14C sends a test message 116, in which the presence indicator 66 indicates the presence of station 14A, 14B, 14C on the transfer link 17, and in which the mode indicator 68 corresponds to a simulation data transfer mode.

[0139] After receiving message 116, the data transfer supervisor 16 initiates the data exchange between the data transfer supervisor 16 and station 14A, 14B, 14C.

[0140] For this purpose, the data transfer supervisor 16 periodically sends simulation data messages 120 on the transfer link 17 to the attention of station 14A, 14B, 14C.

[0141] Each simulation data message 120 includes a message type indicator 65 corresponding to a simulation data message, a mode indicator 68 indicating a simulation data transfer mode and a presence indicator 66 indicating the presence of station 14A, 14B, 14C on the transfer link 17.

[0142] The data field 64 of each message 120 contains the simulation data expected by station 14A, 14B, 14C as defined in the exchanged data definition table message 108 issued by station 14A, 14B, 14C during the "handshake".

[0143] In response to each simulation data message 120 issued by the data transfer supervisor 16 to station 14A, 14B, 14C, station 14A, 14B, 14C also sends back a simulation data message 122.

[0144] Message 122 includes a message type indicator 65 corresponding to a simulation data message, a mode indicator 68 corresponding to a simulation data transfer mode, and a presence indicator 66 indicating the presence of station 14A, 14B, 14C on transfer link 17.

[0145] Message 122 further includes in the data field 64 the simulation data required by the data transfer supervisor 16, as defined in the definition table sent in the exchanged data definition table message 106 sent by the data transfer supervisor 16.

[0146] Optionally, between two exchanges of data messages 120, 122, an exchange of test messages 102, 104 may occur, as illustrated in [Fig.7].

[0147] With reference to [Fig.8], when the user wishes to send a command order to change the state of a piece of equipment 18 of a station 14A, 14B, 14C to deviate from the current mode, for example to trigger a degraded mode, or cause a failure, he uses the human-machine interface 38 to control at least one state of at least one piece of equipment 18 of the station 14A, 14B, 14C.

[0148] Initially, it activates the state configuration mode using a human-machine interface screen 38.

[0149] Activation of the configuration mode results in the sending, by the data transfer supervisor 16, on the transfer link 17, of a test message 130 containing a message type indicator 65 corresponding to a test message, a presence indicator 66 indicating the presence of station 14A, 14B, 14C on the transfer link 17, and a mode indicator 68 which, in this example, corresponds to a mode joint transmission of simulation data and configuration data.

[0150] Station 14A, 14B, 14C then switches to this mode, in which it is able to receive status command data from the data transfer supervisor 16, and to apply the received status command to each piece of equipment 18.

[0151] Station 14A, 14B, 14C sends back a test message 132 on the transfer link 17. Message 132 includes a message type indicator 65 corresponding to a test message, a presence indicator 66 indicating the presence of station 14A, 14B, 14C on the transfer link 17, and a mode indicator 68 corresponding to a joint mode of transferring simulation data and configuration data.

[0152] Upon receipt of this message 132, the human-machine interface 38 is updated and displays, on an interface screen, an indicator of switching to configuration mode.

[0153] The user can then select the states he wants to control on the equipment 18 of station 14A, 14B, 14C using the human-machine interface 38.

[0154] Commanding these states generates state configuration data. Following this command, at least one configuration data message 134 is generated by the data transfer supervisor 16.

[0155] Each configuration data message 134 includes a message type indicator 65 corresponding to a configuration data message, and a mode indicator 68 corresponding to a simultaneous mode of sending simulation data and configuration data.

[0156] Each configuration data message 134 further includes a presence indicator 66 indicating the presence of station 14A, 14B, 14C on the transfer link 17.

[0157] The messages issued by the data transfer supervisor 16 further include a disabled query field 69, which indicates that the supervisor does not wish to receive state configuration data from station 14A, 14B, 14C. The flag 74 indicating a response to such a request is also disabled.

[0158] The data field 64 contains a state configuration of the equipment 18 corresponding to the command defined using the human-machine interface 38.

[0159] Upon receiving the configuration data message 134, the station 14A, 14B, 14C drives the equipment 18 to adopt the configuration of states which are contained in the data field 64 of the messages 134.

[0160] The states defined in the state configuration data received by message 134 overwrite the states previously occupied by the equipment 18 of station 14A, 14B, 14C. This makes it possible, in particular, to obtain deviations from the nominal mode, to trigger degraded modes, or even to cause failures.

[0161] Possibly, when the mode of operation is a joint transmission mode simulation data and configuration data, simulation data messages 120, 122, and possibly test messages 130, 132, are transmitted as described previously.

[0162] When the human-machine interface computer 38 wants to refresh the state configuration data it has, it sends a configuration data message 140, in which the query field 69 is activated to request that station 14A, 14B, 14C send all the state configuration data of the equipment 18 of station 14A, 14B, 14C.

[0163] The configuration data message 140 includes, as before, a message type indicator 65 corresponding to a configuration data message, a presence indicator 66 indicating the presence of station 14A, 14B, 14C on the transfer link 17, and a mode indicator 68 corresponding to a simultaneous mode of sending simulation data and configuration data.

[0164] In response to message 140, station 14A, 14B, 14C sends back at least one configuration data message 142. Message 142 includes a message type indicator 65 corresponding to a configuration data message, a mode indicator 68 corresponding to a simultaneous mode of sending simulation data and configuration data, a presence indicator 66 indicating the presence of station 14A, 14B, 14C on the transfer link 17, a disabled query field 69, and an enabled flag 74 indicating a response to a query.

[0165] The data field or each data field 64 then contains state configuration data of the equipment 18 of station 14A, 14B, 14C which are received by the data transfer supervisor 16.

[0166] Upon receiving these states, the human-machine interface 38 updates the interface screens displayed to the user on the display 40.

[0167] The data sharing method just described, implemented in a sharing system 10 according to the invention, integrated within an aircraft test bench 20, allows several aircraft system test stations 14A, 14B, 14C to communicate with a data transfer supervisor 16, in order to perform tests that do not require a complete and assembled aircraft. The aircraft systems can thus come from various suppliers, the sharing system 10 allowing multi-system tests to be carried out with all the aircraft systems present on the test bench 12.

[0168] The sharing process allows in particular the recovery of all data which are not available because the test bench 12 is not a complete aircraft, in particular, data simulated by each aircraft system within a test station 14A, 14B, 14C.

[0169] The simulation data produced by each station 14A, 14B, 14C, are thus fa data are transferred back to the data transfer supervisor 16, in order to supply each station 14A, 14B, 14C with the simulation data it needs.

[0170] Similarly, the sharing process allows, from the data transfer supervisor 16, the configuration of equipment states 18 of aircraft systems, enabling the conduct of tests outside nominal conditions, in degraded mode or in the presence of failures.

[0171] The transfer method allows for very simple remote operation on each test station 14A, 14B, 14C, replacing manual operations that could be performed on the front panel of each test station 14A, 14B, 14C, by taking control of the human-machine interface specific to the test station 14A, 14B, 14C. This avoids a very tedious operation, particularly when the number of test stations 14A, 14B, 14C is high, for example, more than 20. If there are more than 20 test stations 14A, 14B, 14C, the transfer method avoids having to manipulate more than 20 human-machine interfaces, potentially with more than 20 different graphical layouts.

[0172] The transfer method also allows faults to be disseminated coherently to a set of test stations 14A, 14B, 14C. For example, if a pressure sensor fails, the information is disseminated coherently to the test stations 14A, 14B, 14C that need to know this information.

[0173] The test bench 12 is thus greatly simplified, while offering the possibility of carrying out realistic functional tests, thanks to efficient and reliable data transmission between systems, using a common protocol for simulation data and state configuration data.

[0174] In an alternative, not shown, the simulator is designed to be controlled via the HMI or via external commands to perform a replay of a previous test, by transmitting to stations 14A, 14B, 14C, state configuration messages which follow a predefined script file of time-dependent state commands, which may be a previous recording.

Claims

Demands

1. A method for sharing data between a data transfer supervisor (16) and a plurality of aircraft system test stations (14A, 14B, 14C) in an aircraft test stand (12), the data transfer supervisor (16) and the plurality of aircraft system test stations (14A, 14B, 14C) being connected to each other by a data transfer link (17), the transfer link (17) being adapted to transmit messages (60) having a header (62) comprising at least one message type indicator (65), each station (14A, 14B, 14C) being adapted to generate simulation data of parameters of at least one piece of equipment (18) of an aircraft system and being adapted to receive state configuration data of at least one piece of equipment (18) of the aircraft system, the method comprising the following steps: - when a transfer mode of Simulation data is activated, transmission, by station (14A, 14B, 14C),to the data transfer supervisor (16), a simulation data message on the transfer link (17), comprising a header (62) having a message type indicator (65) corresponding to a simulation data message, and a data field (64) comprising simulation data generated by the station (14A, 14B, 14C); - when a data transfer mode for the state configuration of at least one piece of aircraft system equipment (18) is activated, the data transfer supervisor (16) issues a configuration data message to the station (14A, 14B, 14C) on the same transfer link (17), the configuration data message having a header (62) having a message type indicator (65) corresponding to a configuration data message, and a data field comprising state configuration data of the equipment (18).

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein all messages circulating on the transfer link (17) have the same header syntax (62) including a message type indicator (65).

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the header syntax (62) includes a message size indicator (72), a station presence indicator (66) on the transfer link (17), a counter (76) and / or a current time indicator (78).

4. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each header (62) includes an indicator (68) of the operating mode of the station (14A, 14B, 14C) selected from a standby mode, a simulation data transmission mode, a state configuration data transmission mode, and / or a joint mode of transmitting simulation data and state configuration data.

5. Method according to claim 4, comprising a station activation step (14A, 14B, 14C), the activation step comprising the emission by the data transfer supervisor (16) of an activation message comprising an operating mode indicator (68) corresponding to the simulation data transfer mode and the reception of the activation message by the station (14A, 14B, 14C).

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein the activation message is a test message, devoid of data in the data field, the activation step comprising sending, after receipt of the test message, another test message by the station (14A, 14B, 14C), the other test message comprising a header (62) presenting an operating mode indicator (68) corresponding to a simulation data transfer mode.

7. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein when the simulation data transfer mode is activated, each transmission by the station (14A, 14B, 14C) on the transfer link (17) of a simulation data message is triggered by the reception of a simulation data message issued by the data transfer supervisor (16), the message issued by the data transfer supervisor (16) having a header (62) having a message type indicator (65) corresponding to a simulation data message, and a data field (64) containing simulation data required by the station (14A, 14B, 14C).

8. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an initialization step, wherein the data transfer supervisor (16) issues a data exchange definition table message having a header (62) having a message type indicator (65) corresponding to a data exchange definition table message, and a data field (64) comprising a data table listing the names of the required simulation data to be produced by the station (14A, 14B, 14C).

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein, after receiving the exchanged data definition table message issued by the data transfer supervisor (16), the station (14A, 14B, 14C) issues another exchanged data definition table message having a header (62) having a message type indicator corresponding to an exchanged data definition table message and a data field (64) comprising a data table listing the names of the required simulation data to be provided to the station (14A, 14B, 14C) by the data transfer supervisor (16).

10. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the data transfer link implements a peer-to-peer protocol, advantageously using the IPv4 protocol, each station (14A, 14B, 14C) and the data transfer supervisor (16) being identified by an address, in particular an IP address.

11. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the simulation data are simulation data of environmental variables, for example, data from physical measurement sensors, the state configuration data being state data of aircraft system equipment (18), including degraded operating or failure states of aircraft system equipment (18).

12. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, in the mode of transmitting state configuration data, the method includes, prior to the emission of the state configuration data, a definition, by a user on a human-machine interface (38), of at least one controlled state of an equipment (18) of the aircraft system, the configuration data being generated from the definition of the states on the human-machine interface (38).

13. A data sharing system between a data transfer supervisor (16) and a plurality of aircraft system test stations (14A, 14B, 14C) of an aircraft test bench (12), the data transfer supervisor (16) and the plurality of aircraft system test stations (14A, 14B, 14C) being connected to each other by a data transfer link (17), the transfer link (17) being suitable for transmitting messages (60) having a header (62) comprising at least one message type indicator (65), each station (14A, 14B, 14C) being suitable for generating simulation data of parameters of at least one piece of equipment (18) of a system of aircraft and being suitable for receiving state configuration data from at least one piece of equipment (18) of the aircraft system, the station (14A, 14B, 14C) being suitable for transmitting, to the attention of the data transfer supervisor (16), when a simulation data transfer mode is activated, a simulation data message on the transfer link (17), comprising a header (62) having a message type indicator (65) corresponding to a simulation data message, and a data field (64) comprising simulation data generated by the station (14A, 14B, 14C);- the data transfer supervisor (16) being capable of transmitting, to the attention of the station (14A, 14B, 14C), when a state configuration data transfer mode of at least one piece of aircraft system equipment (18) is activated, a configuration data message on the same transfer link (17), the configuration data message having a header (62) having a message type indicator (65) corresponding to a configuration data message, and a data field comprising state configuration data of the equipment (18).

14. Aircraft system test station (14A, 14B, 14C) for an aircraft test bench (12) intended to be connected to a data transfer supervisor (16) via a data transfer link (17), the transfer link (17) being suitable for transmitting messages (60) having a header (62) with at least one message type indicator (65), the station (14A, 14B, 14C) being suitable for generating simulation data of parameters of at least one piece of equipment (18) of an aircraft system and being suitable for receiving state configuration data of at least one piece of equipment (18) of the aircraft system, the station (14A, 14B, 14C) being suitable for transmitting, to the data transfer supervisor (16), when a simulation data transfer mode is activated, a simulation data message on the transfer link (17),comprising a header (62) having a message type indicator (65) corresponding to a simulation data message, and a data field (64) comprising simulation data generated by the station (14A, 14B, 14C); the station (14A, 14B, 14C) being capable of receiving, when a state configuration data transfer mode of at least one aircraft system device (18) is activated, a configuration data message from the data transfer supervisor (16) on the, same transfer link (17), the configuration data message having a header (62) having a message type indicator (65) corresponding to a configuration data message, and a data field comprising configuration data of equipment states (18), the station (14A, 14B, 14C) being capable of controlling at least one state of equipment (18) using the configuration data of equipment states (18).

15. A data transfer supervisor (16) intended to be connected to a plurality of aircraft system test stations (14A, 14B, 14C) in an aircraft test stand (12) by means of a data transfer link (17), the transfer link (17) being capable of transmitting messages (60) having a header (62) comprising at least one message type indicator (65), each station (14A, 14B, 14C) being capable of generating simulation data of parameters of at least one piece of equipment (18) of an aircraft system and being capable of receiving state configuration data of at least one piece of equipment (18) of the aircraft system, the data transfer supervisor (16) being capable, when a simulation data transfer mode is activated, of receiving at least one simulation data message from at least one station (14A, 14B, 14C) on the transfer link (17),the simulation data message comprising a header (62) having a message type indicator (65) corresponding to a simulation data message, and a data field (64) comprising simulation data generated by the station (14A, 14B, 14C) and being suitable for using the simulation data, in particular for displaying it on a human-machine interface (38) or for sending it back to at least one station (14A, 14B, 14C) via a simulation data message on the transfer link (17); - when a state configuration data transfer mode of at least one piece of aircraft system equipment (18) is activated, the data transfer supervisor (16) being capable of issuing, to the attention of the station (14A, 14B, 14C) a configuration data message on the same transfer link (17), the configuration data message having a header (62) having a message type indicator (65) corresponding to a configuration data message, and a data field including state configuration data of the equipment (18).

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