Real-Time Avionics Data Streaming for Ground-Based Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Avionics system failures during flights lead to increased workload for flight crews and potential misdiagnosis due to limitations in real-time voice communication between crews and ground-based maintenance personnel, causing inefficiencies and operational issues like aircraft on ground (AOG) situations.
Innovation Solution
A real-time data streaming and visualization system that allows ground-based maintenance personnel to visualize the flight deck avionics in real-time, enabling accurate diagnosis and resolution of equipment failures or maintenance issues by transmitting critical data from the aircraft to a ground-based system for immediate analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If flight crews communicate maintenance problems through real-time voice communication with ground-based maintenance personnel, then troubleshooting can be performed in-flight, but the accuracy of diagnostic information is reduced due to communication hindrances such as heavily accented speech, language barriers, and intermittent communications media
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a visual copy of the flight deck avionics system state by transmitting data from aircraft sensors and systems to a ground-based visualization system. This graphical representation accurately replicates the actual system state, allowing ground personnel to diagnose issues without relying on imperfect voice descriptions from the flight crew.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a data transmission and visualization system as an intermediary between the flight crew and ground-based maintenance personnel. Instead of direct voice communication, the system mediates by converting avionics data into visual representations that can be accurately interpreted by ground personnel, eliminating language barriers and communication hindrances.
2Ease of operation
If flight crews are required to describe maintenance problems and perform troubleshooting tasks while maintaining primary aviation functions, then in-flight diagnostics can be performed, but the flight crew's workload is substantially increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the avionics system to self-diagnose by automatically transmitting data to ground-based personnel who perform the troubleshooting analysis. The flight crew does not need to manually describe problems or perform complex diagnostic procedures, as the system handles data collection and transmission automatically, allowing ground experts to perform the actual troubleshooting remotely.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the complex troubleshooting and diagnostic functions from the flight crew and relocates them to ground-based maintenance personnel. By separating the data collection function (performed automatically on the aircraft) from the analysis function (performed by ground experts), the system eliminates the need for flight crews to perform complex diagnostic procedures while maintaining their primary aviation responsibilities.
3Measurement precision
If aircraft must land for ground-based maintenance personnel to access avionics data and diagnose problems, then accurate diagnosis can be performed, but significant operational costs and scheduling problems are incurred due to aircraft on ground situations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary diagnostic actions by continuously transmitting avionics data to ground-based personnel during flight. Ground maintenance personnel can begin analysis and diagnosis before the aircraft even lands, preparing troubleshooting procedures in advance. This preliminary action eliminates the need for immediate ground access and reduces aircraft ground time significantly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a data transmission system as an intermediary that bridges the gap between in-flight avionics data and ground-based diagnostic capabilities. This intermediary enables ground personnel to access and analyze avionics data remotely during flight, eliminating the traditional requirement for aircraft landing and ground access while maintaining diagnostic accuracy.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system, method and an avionics subsystem are disclosed. For example, the system includes a data transmitter configured to transmit flight data associated with an airborne vehicle in real-time, a flight deck associated with the airborne vehicle and configured to exhibit a response to the flight data, and a transceiver coupled to the data transmitter and configured to receive and re-transmit the flight data in real-time. The system further includes a processing system coupled to the transceiver and configured to receive and re-transmit the flight data in real-time, and a flight simulator coupled to the processing system and configured, in response to the flight data, to replicate the exhibited response of the flight deck in real-time.