Aircraft Networked Environment for Remote Maintenance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current networking systems in aircraft environments are primarily point-to-point and application-specific, limiting their functionality and extensibility, and are not well-suited for dynamic reconfiguration or the collection and processing of large amounts of data across various devices and systems.
Innovation Solution
A networked environment is established within an aircraft that allows for remote maintenance by connecting a first network within the aircraft to a second network externally, enabling communication and data exchange with aircraft assets, using a framework that includes data domains such as flight control, avionics, maintenance, and passenger services, with built-in security features and COTS technology for connectivity and management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If point-to-point connections are used for limited connectivity purposes, then airworthiness and airplane safety are ensured, but functionality and extensibility are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal network infrastructure that supports multiple functions including maintenance data transmission, in-flight data transmission, manufacturing processes, and dynamic reconfiguration. The network bus can be dynamically allocated to different applications and devices, allowing a single infrastructure to serve diverse purposes while maintaining safety requirements through proper access control and protocol management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic reconfiguration capabilities where the network topology and device connections can change during operation. Devices can be dynamically added or removed from the network, and data transmission paths can be reconfigured in real-time based on operational requirements, enabling adaptability without compromising the underlying safety-critical architecture.
2Ease of manufacture
If application-specific busses are configured for single purposes, then specific maintenance or data transmission functions are achieved, but connectivity to a wide range of devices and dynamic reconfiguration are not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple application-specific functions into a single integrated network infrastructure. Instead of having separate busses for maintenance, in-flight data, and manufacturing, the system uses one universal bus that can handle all these functions through dynamic allocation and protocol management, reducing the overall number of components while maintaining all required capabilities.
3Ease of operation
If point-to-point connections are used for anticipated applications, then specific connectivity purposes are achieved, but collection and processing of ever-increasing amounts of data are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The universal network bus provides a scalable data transmission capacity that can handle increasing data volumes by dynamically allocating bandwidth to different applications. The system supports multiple devices and data streams simultaneously through proper protocol management and priority handling, enabling the collection and processing of large amounts of data from various sensors and systems.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Remotely performed maintenance of a transportation unit such as an aircraft is disclosed, wherein the maintenance is performed utilizing a networked environment. In one implementation, a first network, located within the mobile transportation unit, is accessed from a second network, located externally to the mobile transportation unit. Having remotely assessed the first network, communication with one or more assets of the mobile transportation unit, which are connected to the first network, is possible. Maintenance operations are then performed by exchanging data and commands with the assets of the mobile transportation unit.