Aircraft Data Exchange Buffering High-Frequency Signals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aircraft engine monitoring data collected at high native frequencies are not compatible with the lower frequency communication link between on-board devices, leading to inefficiencies in data transfer and processing, which can be costly and complex to resolve.

Innovation Solution

A system where a buffer memory acquires and stores measurement signals at native frequencies, then transmits frames at a predetermined lower link frequency, allowing for real-time data transfer and reconstruction of original signals without concatenation or demultiplexing, using Ethernet-type communication links to minimize resource usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If measurement signals are acquired at high native frequencies, then data quality and monitoring precision are improved, but compatibility with the communication link frequency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata qualityVSAvoidfrequency compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by acquiring and storing multiple measurements at high native frequencies in the buffer memory before transmission. This allows the high-quality data to be captured and held ready, then transmitted at the lower link frequency without losing the original measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates copies of measurement signals by storing them multiple times in the buffer memory at different times. These copies are then transmitted simultaneously at the link frequency, allowing the receiver to reconstruct the original high-frequency signal without actually transmitting at the high native frequency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Productivity

If data is transmitted at high frequencies, then real-time monitoring capability is improved, but communication link resource requirements worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereal-time monitoring capabilityVSAvoidcommunication resources
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses periodic action by transmitting data frames at the predetermined link frequency rather than continuously at the high native frequency. The buffer memory stores multiple measurements between transmission cycles, allowing real-time monitoring capability while reducing communication resource consumption to the link frequency rate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional multiplexing is used for data transmission, then frequency compatibility is improved, but device complexity worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency compatibilityVSAvoidsoftware and hardware resources
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts the frequency adaptation problem from the transmission process by using a buffer memory to decouple the high-frequency acquisition from the low-frequency transmission. This eliminates the need for complex multiplexing software and hardware, as the buffer naturally handles the frequency translation through its storage and retrieval mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3791366B1System for exchanging data in an aircraft
Publication Date: 2024.04.10 SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES SAS
  • EP3791366B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3791366B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3791366B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a system for exchanging data in an aircraft (9) between at least two on-board devices (3, 5) which are interconnected by a communication link (7) clocked at a predetermined link frequency, a first device (3) being configured so as to: acquire measuring signals at frequencies native to said measuring signals; create frames on the basis of said measuring signals according to said native frequencies; and transmit said frames at said predetermined link frequency to a second device (5) via said communication link (7) .