Avionics Communication Management for Seamless Air-to-Ground Connectivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing avionic communication management systems fail to effectively manage multiple connection types for air-to-ground and ground-to-air communications, leading to disruptions in internet TCP/IP traffic and passenger connectivity while aircraft move between networks.
Innovation Solution
The avionics communication management system actively monitors and switches traffic to the highest priority connection based on characteristics like cost, capacity, speed, and latency, using a mobile computer device that assigns a priority level and manages location information to maintain uninterrupted connectivity across different networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the system uses a single communication connection for air-to-ground communication, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of communication is worsened when the aircraft moves between networks
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments communication management into multiple independent connection paths (first connection type and second connection type), each capable of carrying traffic independently. This allows the system to maintain communication through alternative paths when one connection becomes unavailable during network transitions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes connection parameters by switching between different connection types based on aircraft location and network availability. The mobile computer management device monitors connection status and transitions traffic between connections, adapting to changing network conditions without requiring complete system reconfiguration.
2Reliability
If the system actively monitors and switches between multiple communication connections, then the reliability of communication is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile computer management device performs multiple functions: it acts as a router for passenger devices, manages avionic device connections, monitors connection status, and switches traffic between different connection types. This multi-functionality consolidates complexity into a single management entity rather than requiring separate systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile computer management device serves as an intermediary between the aircraft's communication systems and external networks. It abstracts the complexity of multiple connection types from passenger devices and avionic systems, providing a unified interface while managing the underlying connection switching transparently.
3Productivity
If the system switches traffic between different communication types dynamically, then the data throughput and performance are improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring connection status increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile computer management device implements continuous feedback monitoring of connection status, automatically detecting when a connection becomes unavailable or degraded. This feedback mechanism triggers automatic switching to alternative connections without requiring manual intervention or complex external monitoring systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing multiple connection types and maintaining them in a ready state. When network transitions are anticipated or detected, the switching mechanism is already prepared to redirect traffic quickly, reducing measurement and detection delays during actual connection changes.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems and devices for an avionics mobile computer device capable of carrying out communications while moving among a plurality of inter-connected networks, and a mobile computer management device for managing moving location information of the mobile computer and transferring packets destined to the avionics mobile computer to a current location of the avionics mobile computer, as well as a mobile computer management method and a communication control method suitable for these devices.