Aircraft Controller Prognostics Core for Wireless LRU Data Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complex housing designs and mounting arrangements of Line Replaceable Units (LRUs) in aircraft make it difficult to retrieve recorded operating and fault data without exposing internal components to foreign object damage, requiring physical removal of the LRU for safe data access.
Innovation Solution
An aircraft controller with a multi-core processor, featuring a partitioned prognostics core that operates independently from the control core to process and transmit prognostic and diagnostic data wirelessly to a health monitoring system, allowing data collection during flight without interrupting control operations or exposing internal components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If LRU housing is designed with complex mounting arrangements for protection, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The LRU is segmented into two functional parts: a protected housing containing internal components and a separate data access interface. This allows the housing to maintain its complex protective mounting arrangement while the data interface provides easy access capability without exposing internal components.
Solution Approach 2:
A wireless communication interface acts as an intermediary between the protected internal components and the external diagnostic system. This intermediary enables data retrieval without physical access to internal components, resolving the contradiction between protection and accessibility.
2Ease of operation
If LRU is physically removed for data access, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical system of physically removing and handling LRUs is replaced with a wireless electronic communication system. Diagnostic data is transmitted wirelessly from the LRU to external systems, eliminating the need for physical removal and associated risks of component damage.
Solution Approach 2:
A wireless communication interface serves as an intermediary that enables data extraction without physical manipulation of the LRU. This intermediary layer allows complete data access while the LRU remains installed and protected.
3Reliability
If separate processors are used for control and prognostics, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control processor and prognostics processor are merged into a single integrated processor unit within the LRU. This integration maintains the independent operational capability of each function while reducing overall device complexity compared to completely separate processor systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The processor is designed with multi-functionality, capable of performing both control operations and prognostic analysis. This universal processor eliminates the need for dedicated separate processors while maintaining reliable independent operation of both functions through software or firmware partitioning.
Data Source
AI summary
An aircraft includes an electrical system and an electronic controller. The electronic controller includes a main processor and a multi-core processor. The multi-core processor includes a control core in signal communication with the electrical system, and one or more prognostics cores configured to process and analyze prognostics and diagnostics data of the electrical system independently from operation of the control core. A wireless device is in signal communication with one or more of the prognostics cores to receive the prognostics and diagnostics data therefrom. The aircraft further includes a prognostics and health monitoring (PHM) system located remotely from the electronic controller. The PHM system is configured to wirelessly receive the prognostics and diagnostics data from the wireless device.