Aircraft Wingtip Visualization via Power Line Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pilots of large aircraft face difficulties in visualizing wingtips, especially in poor weather conditions, leading to potential collisions with other aircraft or objects during taxi, due to reduced visibility, which can result in costly inspections and repairs, and existing solutions like wired sensor systems add weight, complexity, and do not comply with FAA requirements.
Innovation Solution
An aircraft vicinity visualization system that transmits sensor data over the power bus and wirelessly re-transmits it to the cockpit, using a combination of power line and wireless communication modules to minimize weight and complexity, while complying with FAA regulations, allowing pilots to visualize the environment around the aircraft, including wingtips, through a human-perceivable interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wired sensor systems are installed to provide real-time environmental information to pilots, then safety and visibility are improved, but weight and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines sensor data transmission with the existing aircraft power bus infrastructure. Instead of installing separate dedicated communication wires, the system modulates sensor data onto power bus lines that already exist throughout the aircraft structure, thereby integrating the new safety system into existing infrastructure and avoiding additional wiring complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The power bus lines serve dual functions: their original purpose of distributing electrical power to aircraft systems, and a new function of transmitting sensor data for wingtip visualization. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate communication wiring while providing real-time environmental information to pilots
2Loss of information
If extensive wiring is added to transmit sensor data from wingtips to cockpit, then information transmission is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges data transmission functionality with existing power distribution wiring. By modulating sensor signals onto the power bus, the patent eliminates the need for separate heavy-duty data cables between wingtips and cockpit, transmitting information through infrastructure already present in the aircraft
Solution Approach 2:
The power bus acts as an intermediary medium that carries both power and modulated data signals. This intermediary approach allows sensor information to be transmitted throughout the aircraft structure using existing electrical infrastructure, avoiding direct point-to-point wiring between distant components
3Reliability
If traditional wired communication is used for sensor data, then data transmission reliability is improved, but installation complexity and retrofitting costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The power bus infrastructure serves multiple purposes simultaneously - power distribution and data transmission. This universality allows the system to be retrofitted into existing aircraft without modifying the fundamental electrical architecture, as the power bus is a standard component in all modern aircraft
Solution Approach 2:
The existing power bus infrastructure serves itself by also carrying data transmission functions. The system leverages the already-installed electrical wiring throughout the aircraft, turning existing infrastructure into a dual-purpose communication network without requiring separate dedicated data cables
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
This system provides pilots with real-time environmental information, enhancing safety by minimizing aircraft modifications, reducing retrofitting costs, and ensuring compliance with FAA power requirements, thus preventing collisions and reducing downtime for inspections.
Implementation Method 1
The first communication module is connected to the first power line and places a first power line data signal on the first power line by modulating a power line data carrier with the first sensor data
Implementation Method 2
The second communication module is connected to the second power line and receives the first power line data signal on the second power line, retrieves the first sensor data from the first power line data signal, and transmits a wireless data signal by modulating a wireless data carrier with the first sensor data retrieved from the first power line data signal
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
According to an embodiment, a method provides information regarding the vicinity of a vehicle. The method includes, in the vehicle, providing a sensor signal representative of an environmental condition in a vicinity of the vehicle, transmitting the sensor signal over a power line in the vehicle, receiving the sensor signal transmitted over the power line and transmitting a corresponding wireless sensor signal in the vehicle, receiving the wireless sensor signal and recovering the sensor signal, and presenting the recovered sensor signal in a human-perceivable form.