Aircraft On-Ground Determination via Motion Controlled Datalink Gateway
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining when an aircraft is on the ground are not sufficiently intelligent, leading to inefficiencies in enabling or disabling ground-use only datalink radios, particularly with broadening regulatory circumstances and limited time for data exchange during aircraft turnaround.
Innovation Solution
An onboard motion-controlled wireless avionics datalink gateway that uses a wireless radio chipset module and aircraft motion sensors to determine the aircraft's velocity, enabling or disabling communication links based on predetermined speed thresholds, thereby accurately determining whether the aircraft is airborne or on the ground.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional methods (door sensors or weight sensors) are used to determine aircraft ground status, then the system is simple to implement, but the accuracy and timeliness of ground status determination is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical sensor systems (door sensors, weight sensors on landing gear) with an acoustic-based detection system. The acoustic sensor detects the aircraft's velocity through acoustic signals, and this velocity information is used to determine ground status. This substitution provides more accurate and timely detection while reducing mechanical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces velocity as an intermediary parameter to determine ground status. Instead of directly detecting ground status, the system first measures the aircraft's velocity using acoustic signals, then uses this velocity information to infer ground status. This intermediary approach provides more accurate and timely determination.
2Reliability
If datalink radios are enabled continuously, then data exchange capability is always available, but regulatory compliance is violated and energy is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of datalink radio operation based on real-time velocity detection. The system continuously monitors aircraft velocity through acoustic signals and dynamically adjusts radio operation - enabling during ground operations and disabling during flight. This dynamic approach ensures regulatory compliance while maximizing data exchange opportunities during ground time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from acoustic velocity detection to control datalink radio operation. The acoustic sensor provides continuous velocity information, which feeds back to the control logic that decides when to enable or disable the radios. This closed-loop feedback ensures compliance while optimizing data exchange.
3Productivity
If turnaround time is reduced for operational efficiency, then the time available for data exchange during ground operations decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables datalink radios as soon as the aircraft is detected to be on the ground through acoustic velocity detection, rather than waiting for a scheduled ground period. This preliminary activation maximizes the utilization of every moment of ground time for data exchange, effectively increasing the data exchange time window without extending turnaround time.
4Measurement precision
If acoustic sensors are used to detect aircraft velocity for ground status determination, then the accuracy and timeliness of determination is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical velocity measurement systems with acoustic sensor-based detection. Acoustic sensors naturally present in the aircraft environment are used to detect velocity through acoustic signal analysis, providing accurate measurements without requiring complex mechanical instrumentation.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for aircraft on-ground determination are provided. In one embodiment, an onboard motion controlled wireless avionics datalink gateway comprises: a wireless radio chipset module; and a velocity interlock coupled to an aircraft motion sensor and the wireless radio chipset module. The wireless radio chipset module is configured to establish one or more intra-aircraft radio communication links with one or more onboard avionics system, and wherein the wireless radio chipset module is configure to establish one or more external radio communication links with at least one ground-based wireless communication system. The aircraft motion sensor is configured to output to the velocity interlock an aircraft motion signal indicative of a velocity of an aircraft in which the gateway is installed. The velocity interlock enables and disables the one or more intra-aircraft radio communication links and the one or more external radio communication links based on the aircraft motion signal.