Aircraft Interface Device Domain Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft systems face challenges in providing secure and seamless connectivity for flight crew access to multiple data domains with varying levels of network security without compromising security requirements.
Innovation Solution
An aircraft interface device (AID) is deployed, comprising multiple data interface devices, an external data transceiver, a power module, and a domain switch, which allows selective power distribution and communication paths to avionics and non-avionics equipment, ensuring physical isolation and secure wireless connections using protocols like ARINC, Ethernet, and Wi-Fi, while maintaining high-security standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple data interface devices are used to access different data domains, then connectivity versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple data interface devices (avionics data interface and non-avionics data interface) into a single integrated aircraft interface device. This merging approach provides access to multiple data domains (avionics and non-avionics) through one unified device, reducing the number of separate units needed while maintaining connectivity versatility across different security domains.
Solution Approach 2:
The aircraft interface device is designed with multi-functionality to handle both avionics and non-avionics data domains through a single device. The interface device can selectively connect to different data domains based on operational requirements, providing universal access capabilities without requiring separate dedicated devices for each domain.
2Reliability
If physical isolation is maintained between avionics and non-avionics data domains, then security is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic switching capabilities that allow the interface device to selectively connect to avionics or non-avionics data domains based on operational requirements. The system can dynamically change its operational state to access different data domains while maintaining physical isolation, providing both security and operational flexibility through programmable control of the switching mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The aircraft interface device serves as an intermediary between flight crew devices and the separated avionics/non-avionics data domains. It provides a unified access point that maintains physical isolation between domains while simplifying user operations by handling domain selection and switching automatically, thus improving ease of operation without compromising security.
3Reliability
If selective power distribution is implemented to control data interface devices, then security is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple power control functions into a single power module that manages power distribution to both avionics and non-avionics data interfaces. This integrated power management approach provides selective power distribution capabilities while reducing the number of separate power control units needed, thus improving security without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An aircraft interface device comprising two or more data interface devices, an external data transceiver, a power module, a domain switch, and a controller is disclosed. The two or more data interface devices communicate data, the external data transceiver communicate to an external communication device, and the power module provides power to the two or more data interface devices and the external data transceiver. The two or more data interface devices comprise a first data interface device that communicates with avionics equipment when the first data interface device is powered and a second data interface device that communicates with non-avionics equipment when the second data interface device is powered. The domain switch selectively provides power from the power module to at least one of the two or more data interface devices. The controller provides a data communication path between the selectively powered data interface device and the external data transceiver for the external communication device.