Distributed Air Data Modules With Centralized Redundancy Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Smaller aircraft, including unmanned aerial vehicles, face constraints in cost, weight, and power budget, making traditional multiple redundant air data systems impractical due to their high hardware requirements.
Innovation Solution
A distributed electric air data module system that reduces hardware needs by using multiple air data systems connected via a data channel to a control module, with each system including sensors and ADCs, and transmitting signals through an aircraft data bus, allowing for centralized control and reduced redundancy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple redundant air data systems are installed aboard an aircraft, then reliability is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the air data system into multiple independent air data systems, each with its own sensor and ADC, connected through a shared data channel to the control module. This segmentation allows redundancy while reducing overall weight compared to traditional fully redundant systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The control module serves as a universal component that receives and processes data from multiple different air data systems through a common data channel. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate processing hardware in each system, thereby reducing weight.
2Reliability
If multiple redundant air data systems are installed aboard an aircraft, then reliability is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the data processing functionality into a single control module that handles inputs from multiple air data systems. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate processing hardware in each system, reducing overall cost while maintaining reliability through redundancy at the sensor level.
Solution Approach 2:
The control module is designed as a universal interface that can handle data from multiple air data systems through a common data channel, reducing the need for multiple specialized processing units and thereby reducing manufacturing cost.
3Reliability
If multiple redundant air data systems are installed aboard an aircraft, then reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the air data processing into distributed sensors and ADCs that communicate through a shared data channel, allowing multiple systems to operate with reduced power consumption compared to traditional centralized redundant systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The control module serves as a universal processing unit for multiple air data systems, consolidating power consumption into a single efficient processing unit rather than requiring separate processing hardware in each redundant system.
4Reliability
If multiple redundant air data systems are installed aboard an aircraft, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the air data system into modular components (sensors, ADCs, data channel, control module) that can be independently configured and maintained, reducing overall system complexity while preserving redundancy benefits.
Data Source
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AI summary
A distributed air data module system includes several air data systems (12) and a control module (50) communicatively connected to each air data system via a data channel. Each of the air data systems includes a sensor that is configured to sense an air data parameter and to provide a sensor output signal that is indicative of the sensed air data parameter, and a sensor analog-to-digital converter that produces a digital air data parameter signal that is representative of the sensor output signal. Each air data system has an associated air data system address code. The control module is configured to generate a selected air data system address code corresponding to a selected air data systems, receive the digital air data parameter signal associated with the selected air data system via the data channel, and transmit the digital air data parameter signal via an aircraft data bus.