Air/Ground Data Transport Using Size-Based Protocol Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing networking infrastructures for aircraft-ground communication face challenges such as packet loss, significant delay, restricted bandwidth, and network instability due to dynamic aircraft movement, leading to inefficient and slow data transfers.

Innovation Solution

An air/ground data transport (AGDT) system that dynamically selects protocols based on data size, using MQTT for small data and rsync/SSH for large data, combined with QUIC/TLS for encryption and UDP/IP for efficient data transmission and reception, optimizing communication through a layered approach.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If TCP/IP protocols are used for file transfers, then data transmission reliability is improved, but transfer speed deteriorates due to slow network switching and inefficient bandwidth usage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission reliabilityVSAvoidtransfer speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments data transmission into different protocols based on size: MQTT for small data packets and rsync/SSH for large data transfers. This segmentation allows each protocol to be optimized for its specific use case, improving overall transfer efficiency while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically selects transmission protocols based on data size characteristics. This dynamic adaptation enables the system to switch between MQTT (faster for small data) and rsync/SSH (more reliable for large data), resolving the contradiction between speed and reliability based on real-time conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If Wi-Fi, cellular, or satellite communication is used, then connectivity between aircraft and ground systems is established, but bandwidth is restricted leading to slow data transfer rates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnectivity capabilityVSAvoiddata transfer rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different protocol optimizations to different data sizes: MQTT with its lightweight design for small rapid messages, and rsync/SSH for larger transfers requiring more robust error handling. This local optimization of protocol selection improves overall data transfer rates within the constrained bandwidth environment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If traditional file transfer protocols are used, then comprehensive data transfer capability is achieved, but packet loss and network disruptions cause inefficient transfers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transfer capabilityVSAvoidpacket transfer reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes key protocol parameters based on data characteristics, using MQTT's publish-subscribe model with minimal handshaking for small data, and rsync's incremental synchronization with error checking for large data. This parameter adaptation improves packet transfer reliability across varying network conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4622227A1Method and system for air/ground data transport
Publication Date: 2025.09.24 THE BOEING CO
  • EP4622227A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4622227A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4622227A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

System and method for air/ground data transport (AGDT) is provided. The system includes an Application Layer, a Session/Transport Layer, a QUIC/TLS Layer, a User Datagram Protocol (UDP) Layer, an Internet Protocol (IP) Layer, and an Internet Protocol (IP) Layer. If the data is small, the Session/Transport Layer selects MQTT transport protocol for control plane communication. If the data is large, the Session/Transport Layer selects rsync /SSH protocol for data plane communication.