Recording and collecting information in an aircraft

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for recording information in an aircraft, the system 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 configured to: - detect an event (EV) and a state snapshot (INST) at the time of this event (EV); - generate an identifier (ID) of the event (EV); - record a local association that groups the identifier (ID), the event (EV) and the state snapshot (INST); and - transmit the identifier (ID) of the event (EV) and an identifier of this switch to the central computer (112) via the data bus (114). The central computer (112) is configured to: - receive the identifier (ID) of the event (EV) and the identifier of the static power switch (1081, 1082, 1083) from the data bus (114); - determine a reception time of the identifier (ID); and - record a central association that groups the identifier (ID) of the event (EV), the identifier of the switch (1081, 1082, 1083) and the reception time, which is used as a timestamp (H) for the event (EV).

Description

Description TITLE: RECORDING AND COLLECTION OF INFORMATION 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 facility, an information recording method and an information collection method. Technological background

[0002] An aircraft generally has an electrical distribution network interconnecting an electrical source with electrical receivers (computers, technical equipment or cabin equipment). The electrical distribution network includes in particular static power switches (from the English "Solid State Power Controller", also designated by the acronym SSPC) designed to selectively connect and disconnect each electrical receiver to the electrical source. These static power switches are generally highly integrated and connected to a data bus. They integrate in particular sensors and computing and data storage capabilities.Thus, each static power switch may be capable of performing self-tests (from the English "Built-In-Test", also designated by the acronym BIT) and / or of performing health and usage monitoring (from the English "Health and Usage Monitoring System", also designated by the acronym HUMS). Thus, it is known that each power switch is designed to locally record a snapshot of the state (from the English "snapshot") of the switch, 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, in particular because of their limited memory capacity and because there is no provision to transmit time-stamp information to them to save bandwidth on the communication bus.

[0004] Furthermore, the data bus does not usually have a very high throughput. In particular, if this data were transmitted over the data bus to a timestamping system, data from multiple static power switches would have to be transmitted at the same time, and would thus experience a significant delay that would not allow reliable timestamping by the timestamping system.

[0005] It may thus 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] There is therefore proposed a system for recording information in an aircraft, 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 the static power switches are connected; characterized in that the local data processing unit of each static power switch is designed to: - detect an event relating to the static power switch and a snapshot of the state of the static power switch at the time of this event; - generate an identifier of the event; - record, in the local memory, a local association grouping the identifier, the event and the snapshot of the state;and - transmitting 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 to: - receive the event identifier and the static power switch identifier from the data bus; - determine a time of reception of the identifier; and - record, in the central memory, a central association grouping the event identifier, the static power switch identifier and the time of reception taken as the timestamp of the event.

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

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

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

[0010] Also preferably, 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] Also preferably, 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] Also preferably, the information recording system comprises at least eight static power switches.

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

[0014] There is also provided an installation for collecting information from an aircraft, comprising: - an information recording system according to the invention or an aircraft according to the invention; and - a consolidation device designed to: • recovering, on the one hand, the local associations from the local memories and, on the other hand, the central associations from the central memory, and • consolidating, by means of the event identifiers, the recovered 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 this event.

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

[0016] There is also proposed a method for recording information in an aircraft, 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 identifier of the event; - 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 snapshot of the state; and - the local data processing unit transmits the identifier to a central computer via a data bus, without the event and the snapshot of the state, but with an identifier of the static power switch;and, on the other hand: - a central data processing unit of the central computer receives the event identifier from the data bus, with the identifier of the static power switch; - the central data processing unit determines a time of reception of 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 identifier of the static power switch and the time of reception taken as the timestamp of the event.

[0017] There is also proposed a method for collecting information from an aircraft, comprising: - a method for recording information according to the invention; and - a consolidation method comprising: • a consolidation device recovers, on the one hand, the local associations from the local memories and, on the other hand, the central associations from the central memory; and • the consolidation device consolidates, by means of the event identifiers, the recovered 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 this 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 with reference to the appended drawings in which: - Figure 1 is a functional diagram of an installation for collecting information from an aircraft, - Figure 2 is a block diagram of a method for collecting information from an aircraft, - Figure 3 illustrates the installation of Figure 1 at an instant of event detection in a static power switch, - Figure 4 illustrates the installation of Figure 1 at an instant of local recording of a snapshot of the state of the static power switch, - Figure 5 illustrates the installation of Figure 1 at a time of transmission of an identifier of the detected event to a central computer, - Figure 6 illustrates the installation of Figure 1 at a time of recording of a timestamp in the central computer, - Figure 7 illustrates the installation of Figure 1 at a time of recovery of the recordings from the static power switches and the central computer, - Figure 8 illustrates the installation of Figure 1 at a time of consolidation of the recovered data. Detailed description of the invention

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

[0020] The aircraft 100 comprises an electrical source 104 and electrical receivers 106 1-3 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 1061-3. The electrical distribution network 102 comprises in particular switches 1081-3 designed to selectively connect and disconnect each electrical receiver 1061-3 to the electrical source 104. In the illustrated example, three switches are shown. Generally, there are at least two, in practice typically, more than eight, for example from eight to twenty-four switches or even more. The switches 1081-3 are static power switches (from the English "Solid State Power Controller", also designated by the acronym SSPC), that is to say that they each comprise one or more switching semiconductors 1101-3 making it possible to establish the connection / disconnection without moving mechanical parts.

[0022] The switches 1081-3 are further integrated, i.e. they include data processing capabilities. More specifically, each switch 1081-3 includes one or more sensors C1-3, a so-called local data processing unit U1-3 and a so-called local memory M1-3, preferably non-volatile.

[0023] In particular, the local data processing unit U1-3 is designed to receive opening / closing commands and to control the switching semiconductor(s) 110 1-3 . The local data processing unit U1-3 is further designed to perform self-tests (BIT) and / or health and usage monitoring (HUMS) from measurements of sensors C1-3 and possibly received commands.

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

[0025] The 108 switches 1-3 and the central computer 112 are preferably on the same electronic card. The number of switches 108 1-3 depends in particular on the size of the electronic card, the computing power of the central computer 112, and the temperature released by the switches 1081-3.

[0026] The aircraft 100 further comprises a data bus 114 to which the central computer 112 and the switches 108 1-3are connected to exchange 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 opening and closing commands to each switch 1081-3 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 recover data from the local memories M1-3 and from the central 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 method 200 comprises a recording method 200A and a consolidation method 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 firstly comprises the following steps 202 – 218, implemented implemented at least once by each of the switches 108 1-3 . Subsequently, these steps 202 – 218 are described in the case where they are implemented by the switch 1081, 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) C1 and commands from the central computer 112.

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

[0033] During a step 206, the processing unit U1 takes a snapshot of the state INST of the switch 1081 at the time of the detected event EV. This snapshot of the state includes, among other things, the measurements of the sensors C1 (for example, the temperature of the switch 1081) and / or the command(s) in progress at the time of the event EV (for example, the values ​​of the inputs / outputs of the processing unit U1) and / or all or part of the content of the local memory M1 (for example, the results of the last self-test(s) (BIT)).

[0034] During a step 208, the processing unit U1 generates an identifier ID of the event EV, identifying the event EV among all the events detected on this switch 1081-3. For example, the identifier of the event EV comprises a number incremented, for example by one, with each new event detected.

[0035] During a step 210, the processing unit U1 records in the local memory M1 a so-called local association grouping the identifier ID, the event EV and the state snapshot INST (figure 4). For example, the event EV is recorded in the form of a code of this 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 U1 transmits the identifier ID of the event EV to the central computer 112 via the data bus 114 (figure 5), with an identifier ID1 of this switch 1081. For example, the identifier ID1 of the switch 1081 is transmitted as part of an exchange protocol established between the switches 108 1-3and 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 identifier ID of the event EV and the identifier ID1 of the 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 identifier ID with the time of reception and records the identifier ID thus timestamped in the memory M, preferably with the identifier ID1 of the switch 1081 where the event EV occurred. In other words, the processing unit U records in the memory M a central association grouping the identifier ID of the event EV, the identifier ID1 of the switch 1081 and the determined time which forms a timestamp H of the event EV (figure 6). Indeed, as only the identifier ID is transmitted, this transmission can be done very quickly even when several events occur substantially at the same time, for example on several switches 1081-3, which results in the simultaneous transmission of several identifiers ID.Thus, the time of receipt of the identifier ID is close to the time of occurrence of the event EV, so that this time of receipt can be considered as the time of occurrence of the event EV.

[0040] Thus, at the end of the recording method 200A, each local memory M1-3 contains the EV events (and the associated INST state snapshots) occurring in this switch 1081-3, respectively associated with their ID identifiers, while the central memory M contains the timestamps H of all the EV events of all the switches 1081-3, respectively associated with these same ID identifiers.

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

[0042] With reference to Figure 7, during a step 220, a consolidation device 702 recovers, on the one hand, the local associations from the local memories M1-3 (with the identifier ID1-3 of the switches 108 1-3 ) and, on the other hand, the central associations from the central memory M. For example, the consolidation device 702 is connected to the data bus 114 to retrieve these associations. Alternatively, the recovery can be done by other means, for example by directly connecting the consolidation device 702 successively to the local memories M 1-3 .

[0043] With reference to FIG. 8, during a step 222, the consolidation device 702 consolidates, by means of the ID identifiers, the recovered local and central associations, in order to associate each EV event, the associated INST state snapshot and the ID1-3 identifier of the switch 108 1-3where the EV event occurred, with the timestamp H associated with the ID of that EV event.

[0044] This makes it possible 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 carry out 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, enable him to determine that an external fault is in fact the cause of the event), repair (for example, in the workshop for electronic cards: the recorded data is likely to facilitate the analysis to determine which electronic block or component had a fault on the electronic card carrying the switches and the central computer) and continuous improvement (feedback: the data associated with each event which would be repeated on many systems and aircraft making it possible to determine whether there are particular circumstances which favor the occurrence of the event, and modeling: with sufficient data,coming from multiple systems, in multiple aircraft, it is possible to create or validate behavioral models of the system).

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

[0047] In the detailed presentation of the invention given above, the terms used should not be interpreted as limiting the invention to the embodiments set forth in this description, but should be interpreted to include all equivalents the prediction of which is within the reach of those skilled in the art by applying their general knowledge to the implementation of the teaching just disclosed to them.

Claims

Claims [1] System for recording information in an aircraft (100), comprising: - at least two static power switches (1081, 1082, 1083), each comprising: ^ at least one switching semiconductor (1101, 1102, 1103), ^ a local data processing unit (U1, U2, U3), and ^ a local memory (M1, 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 (1081, 1082, 1083) are connected; characterized in that the local data processing unit (U1, U2, U3) of each static power switch (1081, 1082, 1083) is designed to: - detect an event (EV) relating to the static power switch (1081, 1082, 1083) and a state snapshot (INST) of the static power switch (1081, 1082, 1083) at the time of this event (EV);- generating an identifier (ID) of the event (EV); - recording, 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 identifier (ID) of the event (EV) and the identifier of the static power switch (1081, 1082, 1083) from the data bus (114); - determining a time of reception of the identifier (ID); and - record, in the central memory (M), a central association; [2] Information recording system according to claim 1, wherein the identifier (ID) of the event (EV) comprises a number incremented, for example by one, for each new event (EV) detected. [3] Information recording system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each static power switch (1081, 1082, 1083) comprises one or more sensors (C1, C2, C3) and wherein the status snapshot (INST) comprises measurements of the sensor(s) (C1, 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 status snapshot (INST) comprises one or more commands in progress at the time of the detected event (EV), previously received by the static power switch (1081, 1082, 1083). [5] An information recording system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising at least eight static power switches.[6] Aircraft (100) comprising an information recording system according to any one of claims 1 to 5. [7] Information collection installation of 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 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).[8] An information collection installation according to claim 7, wherein the consolidation device (702) is adapted to be connected to the data bus. (114) to retrieve 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 (1081, 1082, 1083): - a local data processing unit (U1, U2, U3) of the static power switch (1081, 1082, 1083) detects an event (EV) relating to this static power switch (1081, 1082, 1083) and a state snapshot (INST) of this static power switch (1081, 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 (U1, U2, U3) records, 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 (1081, 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 (1081, 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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