Dynamic Network Selection for Aircraft Message Transmission

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional aircraft message transmission systems rely on static network selection, failing to account for variable factors such as cost, security, and reliability, leading to suboptimal message routing and increased costs.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a dynamic network evaluation and selection system that evaluates messages based on network mapping, forecast data, and parameters to identify a preferred network for transmission, allowing for message bundling and delayed transmission to optimize cost and security.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If static network selection is used, then device complexity is reduced, but cost increases and reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork selection complexityVSAvoidmessage transmission reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic network selection that adapts to changing network conditions, message priorities, and cost parameters. The system continuously evaluates multiple networks and selects the optimal one based on real-time conditions, transforming the static selection process into a dynamic, adaptive mechanism that improves reliability without excessive complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where network performance data, message transmission outcomes, and cost information are continuously collected and used to refine network selection decisions. This feedback loop enables the system to learn from past transmissions and improve future selections, enhancing reliability through experience

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Loss of energy

If dynamic network evaluation is implemented, then cost decreases, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission costVSAvoidnetwork evaluation system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The network evaluation system is segmented into modular components: network parameter collectors, message characteristic analyzers, selection algorithms, and execution modules. This segmentation allows the complex evaluation process to be broken down into manageable, independent functions that can be developed, tested, and maintained separately, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining dynamic cost optimization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes parameters such as network selection criteria, message bundling thresholds, and transmission timing based on current conditions. By adjusting these parameters rather than redesigning the entire system, the patent achieves cost optimization through flexible parameter tuning rather than complex structural changes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If message bundling and delayed transmission are used, then productivity increases, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork utilization efficiencyVSAvoidmessage transmission delay
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The message bundling and transmission timing are dynamically adjusted based on message priority, network conditions, and bundling opportunities. High-priority messages are transmitted immediately while lower-priority messages are bundled and delayed, creating a dynamic transmission strategy that optimizes productivity without excessive time loss for critical communications

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Different quality of service is applied to different messages based on their priority and characteristics. Critical messages receive immediate transmission with minimal delay, while non-critical messages are bundled and transmitted later. This local quality differentiation allows the system to achieve high overall productivity while minimizing time loss for important communications

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3557781B1Methods and apparatus for dynamic network evaluation and network selection
Publication Date: 2021.12.22 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO
  • EP3557781B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3557781B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3557781B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed to evaluate and select networks for transmission of messages from aircraft. An example apparatus (106) includes a message analyzer (304) to determine, based on a message type, an allowable delay associated with a first message to be transmitted during a flight. The apparatus (106) includes a mapping data analyzer (312) to generate, based on network map data collected during a prior flight, a forecast of network availability associated with a transmission of the first message, and a target network determiner (314) to determine, based on the forecast of network availability, a target network for transmission of the first message, where the target network has a predicted availability at a time during the current flight within the allowable delay. The apparatus (106) includes a message outputter (322) to output, prior to the allowable delay, in response to the target network being available, the first message via the target network.