Aircraft Remote Component Communication via Power Line Current Modulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for communicating with remote components in systems, such as aircraft, often require additional wires or communication buses, leading to issues with weight and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize existing controlled power input lines to communicate with remote components by monitoring current patterns from a constant voltage source, where the remote component controls its current demand to convey information, and a controller interprets these patterns to transmit messages via a communication bus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If additional discrete signal wires or communication buses are added to communicate with remote components, then communication capability is improved, but weight and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines communication function with existing power supply wires by modulating the current drawn from the power source. The remote component encodes information in its power consumption pattern, allowing the same wire that delivers power to also carry communication data back to the controller, thereby eliminating the need for separate communication wires
Solution Approach 2:
The power supply wire is made multi-functional by enabling it to serve both as a power delivery conduit and as a communication channel. The controller monitors current patterns in the power wire to receive information from remote components, thus making the existing infrastructure perform multiple functions without adding weight
2Loss of information
If additional discrete signal wires or communication buses are added to communicate with remote components, then communication capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges communication functionality into the existing power distribution infrastructure. By using current modulation on power wires, the system eliminates separate communication buses and reduces the overall system complexity while maintaining full communication capability with remote components
Solution Approach 2:
The remote component uses its own power consumption pattern to generate communication signals. By controlling its current draw in specific patterns (e.g., varying resistance values), the remote component self-generates communication signals without requiring additional communication hardware or complex wiring
3Weight of moving object
If current patterns are monitored to communicate with remote components, then weight is reduced, but measurement precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The communication system uses periodic current patterns with distinct temporal characteristics (different pulse widths, frequencies, or intervals) to encode information. This periodic modulation creates clearly distinguishable signal patterns that can be detected with standard measurement precision, converting information into time-domain variations rather than requiring high-precision simultaneous current measurement
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables reliable communication with remote components without the need for additional wires, reducing weight and complexity while facilitating the transmission of health, temperature, pressure, and flow information.
Implementation Method 1
monitoring a single phase alternating current or direct current input from a constant voltage power source to the remote component; identifying a current pattern in the current input
Data Source
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AI summary
A system, method, and computer readable medium directed to communication with a remote component 110 in an aircraft environment are described. The system includes the remote component in the aircraft environment to control a single phase alternating or direct current input drawn from a constant voltage power source, and a controller 130 in the aircraft environment configured to monitor the current input to the remote component and determine a message from the remote component based on a current pattern in the current input.