Airborne Communication Network Using Orthogonal Codes for Real-Time Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control systems in the aeronautical sector lack a reliable, low-latency wireless communication solution necessary for applications such as unmanned or manned-unmanned close formation and refuelling operations, which require hard real-time data transmission.
Innovation Solution
An airborne networked communication system utilizing Frequency Division Duplexing (FDD) and Time Division Duplexing (TDD) combined with Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) to establish dedicated channels and orthogonal code sequences for data transmission between multiple aircraft, enabling simultaneous and bi-directional communication with low latency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If wireless communication is used for airborne control systems, then system flexibility and scalability are improved, but communication reliability and latency performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The communication channel is segmented into multiple orthogonal frequency codes, allowing simultaneous transmission of multiple data streams with different priorities and functions. This segmentation enables reliable control communications while maintaining system flexibility for future expansions.
Solution Approach 2:
Orthogonal frequency codes act as intermediaries between the control system and the wireless medium, providing structured access to the shared channel. These codes mediate the transmission by separating control data from other communications, ensuring reliability while maintaining overall system flexibility.
2Device complexity
If traditional TDMA-only access method is used, then system complexity is reduced, but communication latency and real-time performance worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges TDMA time-division access with orthogonal frequency-code division, creating a hybrid access method. This combination maintains the simplicity of TDMA scheduling while adding frequency-code multiplexing to enable simultaneous transmissions, thereby reducing latency without significantly increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from single-dimensional time-division access to two-dimensional access by introducing orthogonal frequency codes as an additional dimension. This allows multiple devices to transmit simultaneously in both time and frequency-code domains, reducing latency while keeping the time-scheduling simplicity of TDMA.
3Productivity
If multiple aircraft communicate simultaneously on the same frequency, then spectral efficiency is improved, but signal interference and data distinguishability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
Each aircraft is assigned a unique orthogonal frequency code, creating local quality differentiation in the frequency domain. This allows simultaneous transmissions from multiple aircraft on the same frequency to be locally distinguished by their unique codes, preventing interference and maintaining data distinguishability while achieving spectral efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the frequency parameter by introducing orthogonal frequency codes, transforming a single-frequency channel into a multi-code frequency-division channel. This parameter change enables multiple simultaneous transmissions without interference, improving spectral efficiency while maintaining perfect data distinguishability through orthogonal code properties.
Data Source
AI summary
An airborne networked communication system and method for a remote control system includes a first aircraft including a controller and data transmission means for sending and receiving data from and to a plurality of second aircraft; the plurality of second aircraft includes data transmission means, a sensor, and an actuator controlled by the controller of the first aircraft. The data transmission means from the first aircraft to the plurality of second aircraft uses a first dedicated channel or frequency. The data transmission means from the plurality of second aircraft to the first aircraft uses a second dedicated channel or frequency and a different orthogonal code sequence for each second aircraft for the first aircraft to distinguish among the different second aircraft.