Avionics End System Unifying ARINC 664 P7 and IEEE 802 Protocols

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current avionics communication systems require separate physical components for ARINC 664 P7 and IEEE 802 networks, leading to space, power, and weight inefficiencies due to segregation, which is not optimally addressed in existing mixed network systems.

Innovation Solution

An end system for avionics communication that uses a configuration table to determine processing protocols for frames independently of their type, allowing the same physical components to handle both ARINC 664 P7 and IEEE 802 frames, with prioritization and timing management to optimize bandwidth usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate physical components are used for ARINC 664 P7 and IEEE 802 networks, then network reliability and protocol segregation are improved, but device complexity, space, weight, and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The end system is designed to handle both ARINC 664 P7 and IEEE 802 protocols through a single unified architecture. The system uses a configuration table that can be programmed with protocol-specific parameters to accommodate different frame types, allowing the same physical hardware to perform multiple protocol handling functions without requiring separate dedicated components for each protocol family.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention utilizes configurable parameters in a lookup table to adapt the end system's behavior based on frame type. By changing parameters such as timing intervals, bandwidth allocation, and processing priorities in the configuration table, the system can optimize its operation for different protocols (ARINC 664 P7 vs IEEE 802) without hardware changes, thus maintaining reliability while reducing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate physical components are used for ARINC 664 P7 and IEEE 802 networks, then protocol segregation is improved, but space and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotocol segregationVSAvoidweight

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The end system implements a universal processing architecture that can handle both ARINC 664 P7 and IEEE 802 protocols through software configuration rather than physical segregation. The configuration table stores protocol-specific parameters that enable the same hardware to adapt to different protocol requirements, eliminating the need for duplicate physical components and thereby reducing weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If separate physical components are used for ARINC 664 P7 and IEEE 802 networks, then network segregation is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork segregationVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By implementing a single end system that can be configured to handle multiple protocols through parameter changes in a lookup table, the invention eliminates the need for multiple parallel processing paths. This unified approach reduces the overall power consumption compared to maintaining separate dedicated hardware systems for each protocol, while still providing the necessary network segregation through software-based protocol identification and parameter selection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Productivity

If end systems are optimized for specific protocols, then processing efficiency is improved, but adaptability to mixed protocols deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing efficiencyVSAvoidprotocol handling capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention pre-loads protocol-specific processing parameters, timing intervals, and bandwidth allocation settings into a configuration table before runtime. When a frame arrives, the end system quickly looks up the appropriate parameters based on frame type identification, enabling efficient protocol-specific processing without requiring complex real-time decision logic. This preliminary preparation maintains high processing efficiency while enabling broad protocol adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The end system achieves both efficiency and adaptability by dynamically selecting from pre-configured parameter sets in the lookup table based on the incoming frame's protocol type. This parameter switching mechanism allows the system to optimize its processing behavior for each protocol (maintaining efficiency) while simultaneously supporting multiple protocols through the same hardware (maintaining versatility).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12177122B2End system for an avionics communication system and associated avionics communication system

Publication Date: 2024.12.24 THALES SA

AI summary

The present invention relates to an end system comprising at least one input port adapted to receive frames, and a configuration table comprising, for each identification value, a received frame of parameters for processing that frame.The end system is adapted to determine a processing protocol between an ARINC 664 P7 type protocol and an IEEE 802 type protocol of each frame received via the input port exclusively from the processing parameters corresponding to the identification value of that frame in the configuration table, independently of the type of this frame.