Avionic Test Device In-Flight Data Simulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The development and testing of avionic functions in aircraft are complex and require extensive flight databases and significant maturation time, as they typically necessitate ground validation before in-flight testing.

Innovation Solution

A test device embedded in the aircraft that acquires flight data from avionic equipment and computes simulated output data, allowing for in-flight development and testing of avionic functions without prior ground validation, thereby accelerating the maturation process and reducing the database requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If ground validation and extensive flight database are used for developing avionic functions, then reliability of the function is improved, but development time and device complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of avionic functionVSAvoiddevelopment time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing ground validation simulations before actual in-flight testing. The ground validation module pre-processes flight data and validates avionic functions using simulated environments, preparing test cases and expected outcomes in advance. This preliminary validation reduces the need for extensive in-flight testing while maintaining reliability, as the function is pre-certified before deployment to aircraft.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses copying by creating virtual copies of flight environments and avionic systems through simulation. The ground validation module replicates real flight conditions and system behaviors in a controlled ground-based environment, allowing comprehensive testing without requiring actual flight hours. This virtual copying enables thorough validation while significantly reducing development time and aircraft usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Measurement precision

If extensive flight database is collected for maturation of avionic function, then measurement precision is improved, but quantity of data and processing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecision of flight data analysisVSAvoidquantity of flight data
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies extraction by selectively extracting only the necessary flight data parameters required for validating specific avionic functions. Rather than collecting and processing entire flight databases, the system identifies and extracts relevant data elements (e.g., specific sensor readings, flight conditions) needed for the validation task. This targeted extraction maintains measurement precision while dramatically reducing data volume and processing requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by tailoring the data collection and processing approach to each specific validation requirement. Different avionic functions require different data subsets and analysis methods. The system adapts its data processing locally to match the specific validation needs, applying appropriate precision and depth only where necessary rather than uniformly across all data. This optimizes the balance between measurement precision and data processing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS11585842B2Avionic function test device, associated aircraft, method and computer program
Publication Date: 2023.02.21 THALES SA
  • US11585842B2 patent drawing
  • US11585842B2 patent drawing
  • US11585842B2 patent drawing

AI summary

The present invention relates to an electronic test device for at least one avionic function to be tested, intended to be embedded in an aircraft, the aircraft comprising at least one avionic equipment item,the test device being intended to be connected to the at least one avionic equipment item and comprising:an acquisition module, configured to acquire flight data from the at least one avionic equipment item, anda computing module, configured to compute simulated output data, from acquired flight data and via an implementation of the avionic function to be tested, the avionic function to be tested being able, from the flight data, to deliver the output data.