Aircraft Server Whitelist Validation for PED Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cellular mobile telecommunication systems are not readily extendable to non-terrestrial applications due to signal interference and lack of functionality for personal electronic devices (PEDs) on aircraft, limiting in-flight communication capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A communications system for aircraft that includes an aircraft server for validating ground server addresses and a transceiver for secure communication with ground servers, using algorithms for validation and whitelisting to enable PEDs to access email and web-based services while airborne.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If terrestrial cellular mobile telecommunication systems are used for in-flight communication, then ground-based communication coverage is provided, but signal interference occurs and functionality is limited for PEDs on aircraft
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary air-to-ground network layer between the PEDs on aircraft and the terrestrial cellular network. This intermediary system includes an on-board network that acts as a mediator to translate and route communications, allowing PEDs to access ground-based services without direct terrestrial signal interference. The intermediary enables functionality while filtering out harmful signal interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication system is segmented into distinct functional layers: a terrestrial cellular network layer, an air-to-ground network layer, and a PED access layer on the aircraft. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized independently - the terrestrial network provides broad coverage while the air-to-ground layer manages signal interference and provides PED-specific functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If air-to-ground network is implemented for PED communication, then in-flight connectivity is enabled, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air-to-ground network is designed with multi-functionality to reduce overall system complexity. The on-board network handles multiple functions including PED authentication, server address validation, traffic routing, and signal interference management. By consolidating these functions into a universal platform, the patent reduces the need for separate dedicated systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by validating server addresses and establishing communication protocols before actual data transmission occurs. The air server validates ground server addresses in advance, and the system pre-configures communication parameters, which simplifies the actual communication process and reduces real-time processing complexity.
3Reliability
If server address validation algorithms are implemented, then communication security is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
Server address validation is performed as a preliminary action before communication establishment. The air server validates ground server addresses in advance of actual data transmission, so that when communication occurs, the validation is already complete. This preliminary validation ensures security while minimizing impact on actual data transmission time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where validation results are immediately fed back to control communication establishment. If validation succeeds, communication is permitted; if it fails, access is denied immediately. This feedback loop ensures security while optimizing processing time by avoiding unnecessary validation attempts for obviously invalid addresses.
Data Source
AI summary
A communications system for an aircraft carrying at least one person having a personal electronic device (PED) includes an aircraft server in the aircraft for determining airborne validation of a ground server address entered via a corresponding PED, and a transceiver in the aircraft cooperating with the aircraft server for communicating using the airborne validated ground server address. A ground server on the ground is for determining ground validation of the airborne validated ground server address, and provides ground access for the corresponding PED for which the entered ground server address has both airborne and ground validation.