AFDX Network Passive Optical Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
AFDX network switches and micro-switches are vulnerable to electrical failures and electromagnetic disturbances, consume power, and generate heat, making them unsuitable for installation in confined aircraft spaces without cooling systems, and existing solutions do not adequately address the need for robust, low-power frame switching in avionic telecommunications.
Innovation Solution
An AFDX frame switching network utilizing a passive optical network with an optical line terminal and optical network terminals, where frames are broadcasted over the downlink and multiplexed over the uplink using time interval or wavelength multiplexing, reducing the need for electrical switching and power consumption, and allowing for loop-back of virtual links at a low protocol level to avoid unnecessary frame transmission and latency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If AFDX network switches and micro-switches are used for frame switching, then frame transmission and switching functionality is achieved, but electrical failures and electromagnetic disturbances vulnerability increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical switching mechanisms with optical switching mechanisms. Optical components (optical switches, optical couplers, optical fibers) substitute traditional electrical switches and micro-switches, eliminating vulnerability to electrical failures and electromagnetic disturbances while maintaining frame transmission functionality through optical signal switching.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical components as intermediary elements between transmitting and receiving equipment. Optical couplers and optical switches act as mediators that transfer frame data using optical signals instead of electrical signals, providing isolation from electrical interference and improving reliability in electrically noisy environments.
2Reliability
If AFDX network switches and micro-switches are used for frame switching, then frame transmission functionality is achieved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces active electrical switching components with passive optical components. Optical couplers and optical switches do not require electrical power to operate, as they manipulate optical signals through physical principles (light coupling, reflection, refraction) rather than electrical actuation, thereby eliminating power consumption associated with traditional electrical switches.
3Reliability
If AFDX network switches and micro-switches are used for frame switching, then frame transmission functionality is achieved, but heat generation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes electrical switching devices with passive optical components that do not generate significant heat. Optical couplers and optical switches manipulate light signals without electrical resistance or active electronics, eliminating the primary heat generation source in traditional electrical switching systems.
4Adaptability or versatility
If remote equipments are connected to AFDX network switches, then network coverage is extended, but apparatus mass budget increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces heavy electrical switching infrastructure with lightweight optical components. Optical fibers, optical couplers, and optical switches have significantly lower mass compared to electrical switches and micro-switches, enabling network extension to remote equipment while minimizing impact on aircraft mass budget.
5Productivity
If frame switching is performed using electrical switches, then frame transmission is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electrical switching devices with simpler passive optical components. Optical couplers and optical switches have fewer moving parts, no electrical circuits, and rely on straightforward optical principles, reducing device complexity while maintaining frame transmission capability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a robust, low-power AFDX frame switching network with reduced failure risk and power consumption, enabling efficient extension of AFDX networks to remote equipment with minimal impact on aircraft mass budget and latency, while maintaining deterministic and redundant communication.
Implementation Method 1
the passive optical network broadcasting over the downlink every AFDX frame output by said frame switch to all said equipments
Implementation Method 2
multiplexing over the uplink the AFDX frames transmitted by said equipments
Implementation Method 3
multiplexing over the uplink the AFDX frames transmitted by said equipments
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention concerns an AFDX network which is extended by a passive optical network or PON. The AFDX network comprises an AFDX switch to which are connected a plurality of equipments. The AFDX switch constitutes the optical line termination and said equipments constitute the optical network terminations of the PON. The PON broadcasts over the downlink, to all said equipments, every AFDX frame output by said AFDX switch. It also multiplexes over the uplink the AFDX frames transmitted by the same equipments. The invention also concerns an μAFDX network using a PON.