Radio Altimeter Tracking Filter for Wireless Avionics Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aircraft communication systems rely on complex and weight-increasing electrical wiring, which are unreliable and difficult to reconfigure, and face interference issues due to the shared spectrum with Radio Altimeter systems.
Innovation Solution
A radio altimeter tracking filter system that reconstructs the frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) signal to monitor and characterize the radio altimeter spectrum, allowing for the allocation of time slots and frequencies in the wireless avionics system to avoid interference with the Radio Altimeter signal, using a wireless radio interface, processor, and memory to process spectral chirps and determine characteristic parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional electrical wiring is used for aircraft communication systems, then system reliability can be maintained through redundancy, but aircraft weight increases and fuel costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional electrical wiring (mechanical system) with wireless communication systems for avionics devices. This substitution eliminates the need for physical wire harnesses, reducing aircraft weight while maintaining communication functionality. The wireless system uses radio frequency signals to transmit data between avionics components, engines, and flight control systems.
2Weight of moving object
If wireless connectivity is used to reduce wiring, then aircraft weight decreases, but spectrum interference from Radio Altimeter signals occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary monitoring and detection of Radio Altimeter signals before wireless communication occurs. By continuously tracking the FMCW altimeter spectrum and identifying its frequency sweep patterns in advance, the wireless system can predict when interference will occur and adjust its transmission timing accordingly, preventing harmful interference before it happens.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless communication system dynamically adjusts its operation based on real-time detection of Radio Altimeter signals. The system modifies transmission timing, frequency selection, or power levels in response to detected altimeter activity, creating a dynamic adaptation mechanism that resolves the static spectrum allocation conflict between wireless avionics and FMCW altimeters.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the wireless system operates in the same spectrum as the Radio Altimeter, then spectrum utilization is improved, but signal interference and communication reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous feedback monitoring of the radio frequency spectrum to detect Radio Altimeter FMCW signals. This feedback mechanism provides real-time information about altimeter signal presence, frequency sweep position, and signal strength, which is then used to adjust wireless transmission parameters dynamically, ensuring reliable communication while sharing the spectrum efficiently.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless communication system changes its operational parameters (frequency, timing, power) based on detected Radio Altimeter signal characteristics. By monitoring the FMCW sweep pattern and adjusting transmission parameters in response, the system optimizes spectrum utilization while maintaining communication reliability through parameter adaptation to avoid interference.
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 and efficient wireless connectivity in avionics systems by predicting the Radio Altimeter signal's frequency and allocating TDMA slots to prevent interference, thereby reducing the risk of cut or defective wiring and improving system reliability.
Implementation Method 1
the wireless radio interface is configured to wirelessly receive a radio altimeter signal and convert the radio altimeter signal to a baseband frequency signal
Implementation Method 2
the processor is configured to pass the baseband frequency signal through a filter executed by the processor, the filter comprising a passband having a first bandwidth, and wherein the filter outputs a plurality of spectral chirps
Implementation Method 3
a radio altimeter signal sweeps across a first frequency spectrum between a first frequency and a second frequency
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a radio altimeter tracking filter is provided. The filter comprises: a wireless radio interface; a processor coupled to the wireless radio interface; a memory coupled to the wireless radio interface; wherein the wireless radio interface is configured to wirelessly receive a radio altimeter signal and convert the radio altimeter signal to a baseband frequency signal, wherein the a radio altimeter signal sweeps across a first frequency spectrum between a first frequency and a second frequency; wherein the processor is configured to pass the baseband frequency signal through a filter executed by the processor, the filter comprising a passband having a first bandwidth, and wherein the filter outputs a plurality of spectral chirps in response to the baseband frequency signal passing through the first bandwidth; wherein the processor is configured to process the plurality of spectral chirps to output characteristic parameters that characterize the radio altimeter signal.