Avionic Communication Unit Format Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current avionics communication systems are inefficient and costly when trying to establish communication links between avionic devices using different communication formats, such as ARINC 429, as adding avionics-specific format links to off-the-shelf components is expensive and impractical.
Innovation Solution
A communication unit with multiple ports configured for different formats, such as ARINC 429 and Ethernet, that interfaces communications between avionic devices, allowing them to share information without requiring avionics-specific format links, using a communication management function that converts between formats.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If avionics-specific format links are added to off-the-shelf components to enable communication between devices using different communication formats, then communication compatibility is improved, but system cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a message router as an intermediary component that sits between devices using different communication formats (ARINC 429 and Ethernet). The message router receives messages from one format, converts them to the appropriate format, and routes them to the destination device. This mediator approach enables communication compatibility without requiring each off-the-shelf component to have multiple specialized links, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The message router is designed as a universal interface that can handle multiple communication formats (both ARINC 429 and Ethernet) through a single multi-functional device. Rather than requiring separate dedicated links for each format, the universal message router can adapt to different formats as needed, enabling off-the-shelf components to communicate effectively while maintaining low system complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple avionics-specific format links are implemented to support communication between devices using different formats, then communication versatility is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The message router serves as a cost-effective intermediary that handles format conversion centrally. Instead of equipping each device with multiple expensive avionics-specific links, the system uses a single message router to perform all format conversions between ARINC 429 and Ethernet. This approach maintains communication versatility while significantly reducing manufacturing costs by eliminating the need for multiple specialized physical links
Solution Approach 2:
The message router creates virtual copies of communication interfaces, allowing a single physical port to emulate multiple communication formats. Rather than manufacturing multiple physical links for each format, the system uses software-based format conversion in the message router to create virtual interface copies, thereby maintaining versatility while reducing manufacturing complexity and cost
3Ease of manufacture
If off-the-shelf components are used without avionics-specific format links to reduce cost and complexity, then ease of manufacture is improved, but communication capability between avionic devices is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The message router acts as a reliable intermediary that ensures communication capability is maintained between avionic devices even when off-the-shelf components without specialized links are used. The router reliably converts messages between ARINC 429 and Ethernet formats, ensuring that communication functionality is preserved while allowing the use of cost-effective off-the-shelf components
Solution Approach 2:
The message router provides self-service format conversion, automatically detecting the source and destination communication formats and performing the necessary conversion without external intervention. This self-service capability ensures that communication reliability is maintained while simplifying the overall system architecture and enabling the use of standard off-the-shelf components
Data Source
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AI summary
An avionic communication unit with interface capabilities is provided. The communication unit includes at least one first type port, at least one second type port and a communication function. The at least one first type port is configured to couple a communication link using a first communication format to the communication unit. The at least one second type port is configured to couple a communication link using a second communication format to the communication unit. The communication function is configured to provide communications to and from an aircraft. The communication function is further configured to interface communications between the at least one first type port and the at least one second type port wherein avionic devices located on the aircraft and using different communication formats coupled to the respective ports can communicate.