Aircraft Data Recording Device with Time-Based Indexing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing onboard control systems for aircraft face challenges in efficiently recording and accessing large amounts of data for maintenance and analysis purposes, requiring extensive processing time and necessitating installation of applications on avionics computers.
Innovation Solution
A data recording device connected to the avionics communication network that acquires and indexes data, allowing for quick retrieval by generating time-based indexes and storing correspondence information, enabling external access without removing the device from the aircraft and ensuring network security through encryption and self-configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If data is recorded on a removable medium in an avionics computer, then data can be retrieved for maintenance and analysis, but the processing time to retrieve desired data becomes very long due to large data volume
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data storage system into multiple storage units distributed across different avionics computers, each storing a portion of the total flight data. This segmentation allows parallel access to different data portions simultaneously, reducing the overall time required to retrieve specific desired data from what would otherwise require sequential searching through a single large data set
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary indexing system that creates a directory structure mapping data locations to specific flight parameters and time periods. This intermediary layer enables direct navigation to desired data without scanning through all recorded data, significantly reducing retrieval time by providing intelligent access paths through the distributed storage network
2Ease of operation
If an application is installed on an avionics computer to acquire and record data, then data can be captured and stored, but the system complexity increases due to application installation and configuration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service through automated data acquisition agents running on each avionics computer that automatically detect available data sources, format data according to standardized schemas, and transfer data to the distributed storage system without requiring manual application installation or configuration. The system self-configures by automatically discovering the avionics network topology and data interfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal data recording framework that can operate across multiple types of avionics computers and data sources through standardized interfaces and protocols. This multi-functional approach allows the same recording infrastructure to handle various data types (flight parameters, system status, maintenance data) from different avionics systems without requiring separate applications for each source
3Productivity
If a data recording device is connected to the avionics communication network, then data can be acquired and indexed for quick retrieval, but network security requirements must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces security intermediaries in the form of authenticated data acquisition agents and encrypted communication channels between the recording device and avionics computers. These intermediaries verify data authenticity, encrypt data transmissions, and control access permissions, enabling fast data retrieval through indexed access while maintaining network security through layered authentication and encryption protocols
Data Source
AI summary
A system, device and method for recording data in an aircraft including a memory and a network interface through which it is connected to the network. This device is configured for acquiring information from the avionics communication network, and information relative to characteristic events relative to operation of the aircraft, generating indexes corresponding to different times, recording, in a first part of the memory, indexed data corresponding to the information coming from avionics communication network, the indexed data including a set of recordings, each recording corresponding to the combination of information coming from the avionics communication network and an index corresponding to a time associated with that recording; and recording, in a second part of the memory, for several of the characteristic events, information of correspondence between the characteristic event in question and an index corresponding to a time associated with that characteristic event.