Aircraft Transceiver Beam Steering for High-Speed Optical Data Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for transferring large volumes of data between parked aircraft and ground vehicles are inefficient and limited by bandwidth asymmetry and line-of-sight constraints, particularly in high-traffic airport environments.
Innovation Solution
Implementing free-space-optical communication using infrared or ultra-violet light with steerable laser beams for data transfer between aircraft and ground vehicles, utilizing a vehicle transceiver with a transmitter, receiver, lens, and beam steering device to align and adjust beams for high-speed data exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If free-space-optical communication is implemented, then data transfer speed is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical/wired data transfer systems with free-space-optical communication using laser beams. This substitution enables high-speed wireless data transfer (up to 1 Tbps) between aircraft and ground vehicles without physical connections, resolving the contradiction by achieving high speed through optical rather than mechanical means.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes infrared light with wavelengths greater than 1000 nm, which can penetrate aircraft windows effectively. By changing the optical parameter (wavelength) to match the transmission medium characteristics, the system achieves high-speed communication through existing window structures without requiring complex modifications to the aircraft.
2Reliability
If line-of-sight constraints are imposed, then communication reliability is improved, but adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs beam steering devices that can dynamically adjust the direction of laser beams in real-time. This dynamic capability allows the system to maintain reliable line-of-sight communication while adapting to different aircraft positions, orientations, and environmental conditions, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The transceiver system is designed to work with multiple aircraft types and configurations by using universal infrared wavelengths that penetrate various window materials. The beam steering capability provides universal adaptability across different airport environments and aircraft positions while maintaining reliable communication.
3Productivity
If data accumulation at vehicle is implemented, then transfer efficiency is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous data accumulation at the ground vehicle while the aircraft is parked, utilizing the otherwise idle time period. The high-speed optical connection remains active throughout the parking duration, continuously transferring data without interruption. This converts wasted time into productive data transfer time, resolving the contradiction by making the accumulation period useful rather than idle.
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 high-speed data transfer rates of up to 1 Tbps with low divergence beams, allowing efficient accumulation and transfer of over 10 TB of data per aircraft in minutes, reducing turnaround time and operational complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a transmitter configured to generate outgoing light and transmit the outgoing light through the window, the outgoing light carrying aircraft-to-ground data
Implementation Method 2
a receiver configured to receive incoming light through the window and sense the incoming light, the incoming light carrying ground-to-aircraft data
Data Source
AI summary
An aircraft comprising an aircraft transceiver to transfer data to and from the aircraft by free-space-optical communication when parked. The aircraft transceiver comprises a transmitter to generate outgoing light carrying aircraft-to-ground data; a lens to collimate the outgoing light to generate a collimated beam; a beam steering device to transform the collimated beam to generate a steered beam; a control system to operate the beam steering device to adjust an angle of the steered beam; and a receiver to sense incoming light carrying ground-to-aircraft data. The receiver receives the incoming light via the beam steering device and the lens. Also a vehicle with a similar transceiver to transfer data to and from a parked aircraft by free-space-optical communication.