RECORDING AND INFORMATION COLLECTION IN AN AIRCRAFT

Abstract

The invention relates to an information recording system in an aircraft, comprising: - at least two static power switches (1081, 1082, 1083); - a central computer (112); a data bus (114) to which the central computer (112) and the switches (1081, 1082, 1083) are connected. Each switch (1081, 1082, 1083) is designed to: - detect an event (EV) and a state snapshot (INST) at the time of that event (EV); - generate an identifier (ID) of the event (EV); - record a local association grouping the identifier (ID), the event (EV), and the state snapshot (INST); and - transmit the event identifier (ID) (EV) and an identifier of this switch to the central computer (112) via the data bus (114).The central computer (112) is designed to: - receive the event identifier (ID) and the static power switch identifier (1081, 1082, 1083) from the data bus (114); - determine the time of receipt of the identifier (ID); and - record a central association combining the event identifier (ID), the switch identifier (1081, 1082, 1083), and the time of receipt, which is taken as the timestamp (H) of the event (EV). See Figure 6 for abbreviations.

Description

Title of the invention: RECORDING AND INFORMATION COLLECTION IN AN AIRCRAFT Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to an information recording system in an aircraft, an aircraft comprising such an information recording system, an information collection installation, an information recording method and an information collection method. Technological background

[0002] An aircraft typically includes an electrical distribution network interconnecting a power source with electrical loads (computers, technical equipment, or cabin equipment). The electrical distribution network includes, in particular, solid-state power controllers (SSPCs) designed to selectively connect and disconnect each electrical load to the power source. These solid-state power controllers are generally highly integrated and connected to a data bus. They incorporate, in particular, sensors and data processing and storage capabilities.Thus, each static power switch can be capable of performing self-tests (Built-In-Test, also known as BIT) and / or health and usage monitoring (Health and Usage Monitoring System, also known as HUMS). It is known that each power switch is designed to locally record a snapshot of the switch's state when the power switch detects a predefined event.

[0003] The usefulness of this locally recorded data is nevertheless limited, in particular because the static power switches used cannot time-stamp this data, especially because of their limited memory capacity and because it is not planned to transmit time-stamping information to them in order to save bandwidth on the communication bus.

[0004] Furthermore, the data bus does not generally have a very high throughput. In particular, if this data were transmitted via the data bus to a time-stamping system, data from several static power switches would have to be transmitted simultaneously, and would thus experience a significant delay preventing reliable time-stamping by the time-stamping system.

[0005] It may therefore be desirable to provide an information recording system which makes it possible to overcome at least some of the aforementioned problems and constraints. Summary of the invention

[0006] An information recording system for an aircraft is therefore proposed, comprising: - at least two static power switches, each comprising: • at least one switching semiconductor, • a local data processing unit, and • a local memory; - a central computer comprising a central data processing unit; - a data bus to which the central computer and static power switches are connected; characterized in that the local data processing unit of each static power switch is designed to: - detect an event related to the static power switch and a snapshot of the static power switch state at the time of that event; - generate an event identifier; - to store, in local memory, a local association grouping the identifier, the event, and the state snapshot; and - transmit the event identifier and an identifier of this switch to the central computer via the data bus, without the event and the state snapshot; and in that the central data processing unit of the central computer is designed for: - receive the event ID and the static power switch ID from the data bus; - determine a time to receive the identifier; and - to record, in the main memory, a central association grouping the event identifier, the static power switch identifier and the time of receipt taken as the event timestamp.

[0007] Thus, thanks to the invention, the data is recorded locally and the timestamping is carried out in the central computer, and the two can be consolidated later thanks to the identifier, in order to obtain time-stamped data.

[0008] The invention may further include one or more of the following optional features, according to any technically possible combination.

[0009] Preferably, the event identifier includes an incremented number, for example by one, for each new event detected.

[0010] Preferably also, each static power switch includes one or more sensors and the state snapshot includes measurements of the sensor(s) at the time of the detected event.

[0011] Preferably also, the state snapshot includes one or more commands in progress at the time of the detected event, previously received by the static power switch.

[0012] Preferably also, the information recording system includes at least eight static power switches.

[0013] An aircraft comprising an information recording system according to the invention is also proposed.

[0014] An aircraft data collection system is also proposed, comprising: - an information recording system according to the invention or an aircraft according to the invention; and - a consolidation mechanism designed to: • to recover, on the one hand, local associations from local memories and, on the other hand, central associations from central memory, and • consolidate, using event identifiers, the retrieved local and central associations, in order to associate each event, the identifier of the static power switch and the associated state snapshot, with the timestamp associated with the identifier of that event.

[0015] Preferably, the consolidation device is designed to be connected to the data bus to retrieve local and central associations or to be connected directly successively to each local memory.

[0016] A method for recording information in an aircraft is also proposed, comprising, on the one hand, for each of several static power switches: - a local data processing unit of the static power switch detects an event relating to this static power switch and a snapshot of the state of this static power switch at the time of this event; - the local data processing unit generates an event identifier; - the local data processing unit records, in a local memory of the static power switch, a local association grouping the identifier, the event, and the state snapshot; and - the local data processing unit transmits the identifier to a central computer via a data bus, without the event and the state snapshot, but with a static power switch identifier; and, on the other hand: - a central data processing unit of the central computer receives the event identifier from the data bus, along with the identifier of the static power switch; - the central data processing unit determines a time to receive the event identifier; and - the central data processing unit records, in a central memory of the central computer, a central association grouping the event identifier, the static power switch identifier and the time of reception taken as the timestamp of the event.

[0017] A method for collecting information from an aircraft is also proposed, comprising: - a method for recording information according to the invention; and - a consolidation process comprising: • a consolidation mechanism retrieves, on the one hand, local associations from local memories and, on the other hand, central associations from the central memory; and • The consolidation device consolidates, using event identifiers, the retrieved local and central associations, in order to associate each event, the identifier of the static power switch and the associated state snapshot, with the timestamp associated with the identifier of that event. Brief description of the figures

[0018] The invention will be better understood with the aid of the following description, given solely by way of example and made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: - [Fig. 1] is a functional diagram of an aircraft data collection system, - [Fig.2] is a block diagram of an information gathering process for a aircraft, - Figure 3 illustrates the installation of Figure 1 at a detection time event in a static power switch, - Figure 4 illustrates the installation of Figure 1 at a local recording point from a snapshot of the static power switch state, - Figure 5 illustrates the installation of Figure 1 at a moment of transmission of a identifier of the event detected at a central computer, - Figure 6 illustrates the installation of Figure 1 at a moment during the recording of a timestamping in the central computer, - Figure 7 illustrates the installation of Figure 1 at a time when recordings are being retrieved from the static power switches and the central computer. - [Fig.8] illustrates the installation of [Fig.1] at a moment of consolidation of the retrieved data. Detailed description of the invention

[0019] With reference to [Fig.1], an example of aircraft 100 in which the invention is implemented will now be described.

[0020] The aircraft 100 includes an electrical source 104 and electrical receivers 106i 3 including for example computers, technical equipment and / or cabin equipment.

[0021] The aircraft 100 further comprises an electrical distribution network 102 interconnecting the electrical source 104 with the electrical receivers 106i 3. The electrical distribution network 102 specifically comprises switches 108i 3 designed to selectively connect and disconnect each electrical receiver 106i 3 to the electrical source 104. In the illustrated example, three switches are shown. Generally, there are at least two, and in practice typically, more than eight, for example, from eight to twenty-four switches or even more. The switches 108[ 3 are solid-state power controllers (SSPCs), meaning that each comprises one or more switching semiconductors 110x 3 enabling connection / disconnection without moving mechanical parts.

[0022] The 1081 3 switches are further integrated, that is to say, they include data processing capabilities. More specifically, each 1081 3 switch includes one or more Cl-3 sensors, a so-called local data processing unit Ul-3 and a so-called local memory Ml-3, preferably non-volatile.

[0023] In particular, the local data processing unit Ul-3 is designed to receive open / close commands and to control the switching semiconductor(s) 110i 3. The local data processing unit Ul-3 is further designed to perform self-tests (BIT) and / or health and usage monitoring (HUMS) from measurements of the Cl-3 sensors and possibly from the commands received.

[0024] The aircraft 100 further comprises a central computer 112 equipped with a central data processing unit U and a central memory C, preferably non-volatile.

[0025] The switches 108[ 3 and the central computer 112 are preferably on a same electronic board. The number of switches 108 i 3 depends in particular on the size of the electronic board, the computing power of the central computer 112, and the temperature emitted by the switches 1081 3.

[0026] The aircraft 100 further includes a data bus 114 to which the central computer 112 and the switches 108i 3 are connected for exchanging data. The data bus 114 is, for example, an I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit) data bus. In particular, the central data processing unit U is designed to transmit the open and close commands to each switch 108i 3 via the data bus 114. The central data processing unit U is further designed to perform time stamping, for example by being synchronized to a remote clock (not shown) by another data bus 116, for example a CAN or AFDX data bus.

[0027] As illustrated in [Fig. 1], a consolidation device 702 is also provided. This consolidation device 702 is, for example, external to the aircraft and designed to be connected to the data bus 114 to retrieve data from the local memories Mi_3 and the main memory M.

[0028] With reference to [Fig.2], an example of a method 200 for collecting information according to the invention will now be described.

[0029] The information collection process 200 includes a recording process 200A and a consolidation process 200B.

[0030] The recording method 200A is, for example, implemented when the aircraft 100 is in flight. It could also be implemented on the ground. This recording method 200A first comprises the following steps 202 - 218, implemented at least once by each of the switches 108 [3]. Subsequently, these steps 202 - 218 are described in the case where they are implemented by switch 108i, but they would be identical for the other switches 1082, 1083.

[0031] During a step 202, the local data processing unit U1 receives measurements from the sensor(s) Cl and commands from the central computer 112.

[0032] During a step 204, the local data processing unit U1 analyzes the received measurements and / or commands to detect an EV event related to the static power switch 1081 ([Fig. 3]). An EV event can be detected from the measurements alone, or by comparing the measurements to the received commands. For example, in the latter case, the local data processing unit U1 can determine the open or closed state of the switch 1081 from measurements, for example, measurements of a current flowing through the switch 1081, and compare the determined state to the last received command. If the two do not coincide, an event (a malfunction in this example) is detected. There are many other possibilities for event detection.

[0033] During a step 206, the processing unit U1 performs a state snapshot INST of the switch 1081 at the time of the detected EV event. This state snapshot includes, among other things, the measurements from the sensors Cl (for example, the temperature of the switch 1080) and / or the command(s) in progress at the time of the EV event (for example, the values ​​of the inputs / outputs of the processing unit Ul) and / or all or part of the contents of the local memory Ml (for example, the results of the last self-test(s) (BIT)).

[0034] During a step 208, the processing unit Ul generates an EV event ID, identifying the EV event among all the events detected on this switch 1081 3. For example, the EV event ID has an incremented number, for example by one, with each new event detected.

[0035] During a step 210, the processing unit Ul stores in local memory Ml a so-called local association grouping the identifier ID, the event EV, and the state snapshot INST ([Fig. 4]). For example, the event EV is stored as a code for that event EV. Two events can thus have the same code because they correspond to the same type of event, but they will have different identifiers ID because they occur at different times and can therefore occur in different contexts, which the state snapshot INS represents.

[0036] During a step 212, the processing unit Ul transmits the ID identifier of the EV event to the central computer 112 via the data bus 114 ([Fig.5]), with an ID1 identifier of this switch 108b. For example, the ID1 identifier of switch 108i is transmitted as part of an exchange protocol established between switches 108i 3 and the central computer 112. On the other hand, neither the EV event nor the associated INST snapshot are transmitted.

[0037] During a step 214, the processing unit U receives the ID identifier of the EV event and the ID1 identifier of switch 1081, for example within the framework of the exchange protocol as explained previously.

[0038] During a step 216, the processing unit U determines a time at which the identifier ID was received.

[0039] During a step 218, the processing unit U timestamps the ID with the time of reception and stores the timestamped ID in memory M, preferably with the ID1 of switch 1081 where event EV occurred. In other words, the processing unit U stores in memory M a central association grouping the ID of event EV, the ID1 of switch 1081, and the determined time, which forms a timestamp H of event EV ([Fig. 6]). Indeed, since only the ID is transmitted, this transmission can occur very quickly even when several events occur at approximately the same time, for example, on several switches 1081, which results in the simultaneous transmission of several IDs. Thus, the time of receipt of the ID is close to the time of occurrence of the EV event, so that this time of reception can be considered as the time of occurrence of the EV event.

[0040] Thus, at the end of the recording process 200A, each local memory Ml-3 contains the EV events (and the associated INST state snapshots) that occurred in this switch 1081 3, respectively associated with their ID identifiers, while the central memory M contains the timestamps H of all EV events of all switches 1081 3, respectively associated with these same ID identifiers.

[0041] The consolidation process 200B is implemented after the recording process 200A, for example when the aircraft 100 is on the ground. This consolidation process 200B comprises the following steps 220, 222.

[0042] With reference to [Fig. 7], during a step 220, a consolidation device 702 retrieves, on the one hand, the local associations from the local memories M1-3 (with the ID1-3 identifier of the switches 1081 3) and, on the other hand, the central associations from the main memory M. For example, the consolidation device 702 is connected to the data bus 114 to retrieve these associations. Alternatively, the retrieval can be done by other means, for example by directly connecting the consolidation device 702 successively to the local memories M1-3.

[0043] With reference to [Fig.8], during a step 222, the consolidation device 702 consolidates, by means of ID identifiers, the retrieved local and central associations, in order to associate each EV event, the associated INST state snapshot and the ID1-3 identifier of switch 108, 3 where the EV event occurred, with the timestamp H associated with the ID identifier of that EV event.

[0044] This allows us to obtain, for each detected EV event, a consolidated association grouping the EV event, the INST state snapshot at the time of this EV event and the H timestamp of this EV event.

[0045] These consolidated associations can then be used to perform various tasks, such as troubleshooting (fault finding: thanks to the data recorded at the time of the event, the maintenance operator has more detailed information which can, for example, allow them to determine that an external failure is in fact the cause of the event), repair (for example, in the workshop for electronic boards: the recorded data can facilitate the analysis to determine which electronic block or component failed on the electronic board containing the switches and the central computer), and continuous improvement (lessons learned: the data associated with each event that is repeated on numerous systems and aircraft allows to determine if there are particular circumstances that favor the occurrence of the event, and modeling: with sufficient data, from several systems, in several aircraft, it is possible to create or validate behavioral models of the system).

[0046] In conclusion, it should also be noted that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. It will indeed be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the embodiments described above, in light of the information just disclosed to them.

[0047] In the detailed presentation of the invention given above, the terms used shall not be interpreted as limiting the invention to the embodiments set forth in this description, but shall be interpreted as including all equivalents which can be foreseen by a person skilled in the art by applying their general knowledge to the implementation of the teaching which has just been disclosed to them.

Claims

Claims

1. System for recording information in an aircraft (100), comprising: - at least two static power switches (108i, 1082, 1083), each comprising: • at least one switching semiconductor (110i, H02, 1103), • a local data processing unit (U1, U2, U3), and • a local memory (Ml, M2, M3); - a central computer (112) comprising a central data processing unit (U); - a data bus (114) to which the central computer (112) and the static power switches (108i, 1082, 1083) are connected; characterized in that the local data processing unit (U1, U2, U3) of each static power switch (1083, 1082, 1083) is designed to: - detecting an event (EV) relating to the static power switch (108i, 1082, 1083) and a state snapshot (INST) of the static power switch (1083, 1082, 1083) at the time of this event (EV); - generate an event identifier (EV); - record, in the local memory (M1, M2, M3), a local association grouping the identifier (ID), the event (EV) and the state snapshot (INST); and - transmitting the identifier (ID) of the event (EV) and an identifier of this switch to the central computer (112) via the data bus (114), without the event (EV) and the state snapshot (INST); and in that the central data processing unit (U) of the central computer (112) is designed to: - receive the event identifier (EV) and the static power switch identifier (1083, 1082, 1083) from the data bus (114); - determining a time of reception of the identifier (ID); and - recording, in the central memory (M), a central association grouping the identifier (ID) of the event (EV), the identifier of the static power switch (1081, 1082, 1083) and the time of reception taken as the timestamp (H) of the event (EV).

2. Information recording system according to claim 1, in which the identifier (ID) of the event (EV) comprises an incremented number, for example one, for each new event (EV) detected.

3. An information recording system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each static power switch (1081, 1082, 1083) comprises one or more sensors (Cl, C2, C3) and wherein the state snapshot (INST) comprises measurements of the sensor(s) (Cl, C2, C3) at the time of the detected event (EV).

4. Information recording system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the state snapshot (INST) comprises one or more commands in progress at the time of the detected event (EV), previously received by the static power switch (108^ 1082, 1083).

5. An information recording system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising at least eight static power switches.

6. An aircraft (100) comprising an information recording system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. Installation for collecting information from an aircraft (100), comprising: - an information recording system according to any one of claims 1 to 5 or an aircraft (100) according to claim 6; and - a consolidation device (702) designed to: • recover, on the one hand, the local associations from the local memories (M1, M2, M3) and, on the other hand, the central associations from the central memory (M), and • consolidate, by means of the identifiers (ID) of the events (EV), the local and central associations retrieved, in order to associate each event (EV), the identifier (ID1) of the static power switch (1081, 1082, 1083) and the associated state snapshot (INST), with the timestamp (H) associated with the identifier (ID) of this event (EV).

8. Information collection installation according to claim 7, in which the consolidation device (702) is adapted to be connected to the data bus (114) to recover the local and central associations or to be directly connected successively to each local memory (M1, M2, M3).

9. Method for recording information (200A) in an aircraft (100), comprising, on the one hand, for each of several static power switches (108i, 1082, 1083): - a local data processing unit (U1, U2, U3) of the static power switch (1083, 1082, 1083) detects an event (EV) relating to this static power switch (108i, 1082, 1083) and a state snapshot (INST) of this static power switch (1083, 1082, 1083) at the time of this event (EV); - the local data processing unit (U1, U2, U3) generates an identifier (ID) of the event (EV); - the local data processing unit (U 1, U2, U3) registers, in a local memory (M1, M2, M3) of the static power switch (1081, 1082, 1083), a local association grouping the identifier (ID), the event (EV) and the state snapshot (INST);and - the local data processing unit (U1, U2, U3) transmits the identifier (ID) to a central computer (112) via a data bus (114), without the event (EV) and the state snapshot (INST), but with an identifier (ID1) of the static power switch (108i, 1082, 1083); and, on the other hand: - a central data processing unit (U) of the central computer receives the identifier (ID) of the event (EV) from the; data bus (114), with the identifier (ID1) of the static power switch (108i, 1082, 1083); - the central data processing unit (U) determines a time of reception of the identifier (ID) of the event (EV); and - the central data processing unit (U) records, in a central memory (M) of the central computer (112), a central association grouping the identifier (ID) of the event (EV), the identifier (ID1) of the static power switch (1081, 1082, 1083) and the time of reception taken as the timestamp (H) of the event (EV).

10. Method for collecting information (200) from an aircraft (100), comprising: - an information recording method (200A) according to claim 9; and - a consolidation method (200B) comprising: • a consolidation device (702) recovers (220), on the one hand, the local associations from the local memories (M1, M2, M3) and, on the other hand, the central associations from the central memory (M); and • the consolidation device (702) consolidates, by means of the identifiers (ID) of the events (EV), the recovered local and central associations, in order to associate each event (EV), the identifier (ID1) of the static power switch (1081, 1082, 1083) and the associated state snapshot (INST), with the timestamp (H) associated with the identifier (ID) of this event (EV).

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