Aircraft API Data Routing via Transient Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft computing systems face challenges in data exchange due to the lack of common ground software interfaces, leading to unreliable air-to-ground communication and the need for multiple software communication interfaces for different aircraft types, which complicates data transmission and increases maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system of decoupled interfaces and cloud network resources to facilitate data exchanges between aircraft and ground computing devices, using aircraft APIs to select appropriate communication protocols and transient storage locations for efficient data routing, enabling a single interface for multiple aircraft types and improving network resource utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple software communication interfaces are used for different aircraft types, then compatibility with various aircraft computing devices is improved, but device complexity and maintenance burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ground client is designed with a universal interface that can communicate with multiple types of aircraft computing devices through a single communication path. The system uses a standardized data format and protocol that works across different aircraft types, eliminating the need for multiple specialized interfaces while maintaining broad compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediate communication layer is introduced between the ground client and aircraft computing devices. This intermediary translates between the universal ground interface and various aircraft-specific protocols, allowing the ground system to maintain a single simplified interface while still supporting multiple aircraft types through the mediating translation layer.
2Speed
If direct air-to-ground communication is used, then data transmission speed is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to varying availability across geographic regions
Solution Approach 1:
Data is prepared and staged for transmission in advance during periods when communication is available. The system buffers and pre-processes data packets, organizing them for optimal transmission during brief connectivity windows. This preliminary action ensures that when communication opportunities arise, data can be transmitted quickly and efficiently without delay.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous data processing and preparation operations even when direct communication is unavailable. By keeping the data pipeline continuously active and ready, the system ensures that transmission can resume immediately when connectivity is restored, maximizing the utilization of brief communication opportunities and maintaining operational continuity despite intermittent connectivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A computing method for transmitting data from a ground computing device to an aircraft computing device, comprises receiving, by an aircraft API executing on an aircraft interface computing device, an initial communication from an aircraft service executing on the aircraft computing device located onboard an aircraft; determining, by the aircraft API, that a data file is to be transmitted from the ground computing device to the aircraft computing device; transmitting, to the ground computing device, a data signal configured to cause the data file to be transmitted from the ground computing device to a transient storage location associated with the aircraft interface computing device; and causing the data file to be transmitted from the transient storage location to the aircraft computing device.