Aircraft Data Reporting Trigger Module
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile platforms like aircraft face challenges in efficiently recording and managing vast amounts of data due to limited on-board storage, leading to unwieldy database sizes or inadequate data capture, and existing solutions lack modular construction and reuse of triggers, as well as adequate certification minimization.
Innovation Solution
A data reporting system with a trigger module that processes platform-specific configuration files to generate customized data reports, allowing for selective data recording and transmission, and a ground station module that updates trigger logic and configuration files, enabling modular construction and reuse, while minimizing on-board software certification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If all data from multiple busses is recorded to ensure adequate data capture for studying aircraft operation, then data completeness is improved, but on-board storage space is quickly exhausted leading to unwieldy database sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the continuous data stream into discrete records triggered by specific events. Instead of recording all data continuously, the system divides data capture into discrete segments triggered by predefined conditions (triggers), recording only relevant data portions associated with each trigger event.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic data recording based on trigger events rather than continuous recording. Data is captured at periodic intervals defined by trigger occurrences, where each trigger initiates a recording cycle for a specified duration, creating a rhythm of data capture that balances completeness with storage constraints.
2Quantity of substance
If a preselected set of parameters is recorded to manage storage space, then storage efficiency is improved, but data adequacy deteriorates when unexpected issues arise requiring data not in the preselected set
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the data recording system dynamic by allowing the set of recorded parameters to change based on trigger events. When a trigger occurs, the system dynamically adjusts which parameters are recorded, expanding the data set temporarily to capture all relevant information associated with the trigger event, then returning to the reduced set afterward.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes recording parameters (which data to capture) based on trigger conditions. Different triggers can activate different parameter sets, allowing the recording configuration to adapt to the specific situation. This enables the system to capture comprehensive data when needed while maintaining storage efficiency during normal operation.
3Reliability
If trigger logic is hard-coded into on-board software to enable data recording control, then system reliability is improved, but certification requirements increase and software updates become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex trigger logic and configuration data from the certified on-board software and places it in separate, updateable configuration files or databases. This separation allows the core certified software to remain simple and stable while allowing flexible updates to trigger definitions and recording parameters without requiring recertification.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses configuration files that can be copied and updated independently of the certified software. These configuration files contain the trigger logic and parameter definitions, allowing them to be modified, tested, and deployed without affecting the certified software binary, thus avoiding certification requirements for each update.
4Measurement precision
If continuous monitoring of all data busses is implemented to detect triggers, then trigger detection accuracy is improved, but processing load and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial monitoring by continuously watching only for specific trigger conditions rather than analyzing all data parameters continuously. Full data recording is activated only when triggers occur, representing partial action that reduces overall processing load while maintaining accurate trigger detection through focused monitoring of key parameters.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for data recording for an aircraft are provided. The method includes a ground station (GS) module external to the aircraft, and a trigger module onboard the aircraft. The GS module performs: creating a trigger library comprising multiple trigger logic modules based on a first user input and aircraft specific parameters; generating an aircraft-specific configuration file (CF) based on a second user input and the trigger logic library; and transmitting the CF to the trigger module. The trigger module performs: receiving the CF; receiving and processing the CF with various aircraft signals during aircraft operation to monitor for triggers; and, responsive to determining that the trigger occurred, (i) recording data bus activity for a duration of time associated with the trigger identity, (ii) generating a customized data report (CDR) including the record of data bus activity, and (iii) transmitting the CDR to the GS module.