Aircraft Cabin Communication Device Antenna Radiation Confinement
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing communication devices on aircraft require multiple antennas positioned on the aircraft shell, leading to complex and costly re-certification processes, especially when numerous antennas are involved, due to safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
A compact communication device with a dual-band antenna assembly, modem, and localization data receiver, housed in a cylindrical structure with a radiation confinement system and attachment mechanism, allowing for orientation and secure attachment to aircraft surfaces, featuring a loss-of-contact detector to prevent interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple antennas are positioned on the aircraft shell, then communication and localization functions are achieved, but the device complexity and re-certification requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple antenna functions (communication antenna and localization antenna) into a single integrated device housing. The housing contains both antennas internally, eliminating the need for separate shell-mounted antennas and reducing the overall number of components that require certification.
Solution Approach 2:
The single housing structure serves multiple functions: it houses both communication and localization antennas, provides radiation confinement through its metallic structure, and acts as a unified mounting unit. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity compared to separate antenna installations.
2Reliability
If antennas are positioned on the aircraft shell, then communication coverage is improved, but the weight and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple antenna systems into a single integrated housing, the total weight is reduced compared to having separate shell-mounted antennas. The housing structure shares common materials and mounting hardware, eliminating redundant weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The antennas are nested within the housing structure, with the communication antenna and localization antenna contained inside the metallic housing. This nesting arrangement consolidates multiple components into a compact unit, reducing overall space and weight requirements.
3Reliability
If multiple antennas are installed, then communication and localization capabilities are enhanced, but the manufacturing cost and certification complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated housing design combines multiple antenna systems into a single manufacturable unit. This consolidation reduces the number of separate manufacturing processes and certification tests required, as the housing and antennas are treated as one assembly rather than multiple separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure is designed to universally accommodate both communication and localization antennas while providing radiation confinement for both. This universal design approach simplifies manufacturing by using common materials and structures for multiple functions, reducing overall production complexity and cost.
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 portable, miniaturized, and universally connectable communication system that reduces space and weight requirements, ensuring reliable communication and localization data transmission while maintaining safety by preventing radio-electric interference upon detachment.
Implementation Method 1
The radiation confinement system consists of a radio-frequency absorbing assembly positioned below the antenna and/or a metal cavity positioned around with the possibility of extending above the antenna and/or with at least one or more choke rings
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a communication device for arranging in an aircraft cabin, said device comprising: an antennae assembly designed so as to emit and receive communication data in a first frequency band of a communication network and to receive localization data in a second frequency band of a localization network, said antennae assembly comprising an antenna having a pattern of radiation revolving about a main axis, the radiation being at its maximum in the direction of said main axis, and a system for restraining the radiation, designed to limit the radiation outside said antenna axis; a modem connected to the antenna, designed so as to allow the emission and the reception of communication data via a communication network; and a localization data receiver.