Avionics Input Simulation via Time-Synchronized Data Playback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Reproducing the operations of avionics systems in non-aircraft settings, such as development or testing labs, is challenging due to the lack of exposure to aircraft-like environments, making it difficult to access and simulate aircraft-like data generating inputs.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the retrieval of previously recorded real-time data streams, time-synchronization, and provision of these streams as inputs to avionics components, using a playback device connected to a memory storage device and user interface, to simulate realistic real-time aircraft system inputs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If previously recorded data streams are retrieved and time-synchronized for simulation, then testing and development can be performed in non-aircraft settings, but the complexity of data retrieval and synchronization increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-recording data streams from multiple aircraft systems and storing them with temporal metadata before simulation is needed. This allows the simulation system to simply retrieve and synchronize pre-prepared data rather than generating it in real-time, resolving the contradiction between simulation capability and system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary simulation system that sits between the stored recorded data and the avionics component under test. This intermediary handles the complex task of retrieving multiple data streams, synchronizing them temporally, and presenting them as coherent simulated aircraft system inputs, thereby isolating the complexity from both the data source and the test subject.
2Reliability
If multiple data streams are retrieved and time-synchronized, then realistic aircraft system input simulation is achieved, but the time required for processing and synchronizing data increases
Solution Approach 1:
Data streams are pre-recorded with temporal metadata during actual aircraft operations, so the time-consuming capture and timestamping occurs beforehand. During simulation, the system only needs to retrieve and synchronize based on pre-established temporal relationships, dramatically reducing processing time while maintaining realism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces real-time mechanical data capture from aircraft sensors with digital retrieval of pre-recorded data streams. This substitution allows complex multi-stream synchronization to be performed computationally using stored temporal metadata rather than through real-time coordination of multiple physical data sources.
3Ease of manufacture
If recorded data streams are used for simulation, then expensive qualified hardware is eliminated, but the ability to simulate real-time aircraft environment is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates accurate digital copies of actual aircraft system data streams through recording during real aircraft operations. These copied data streams capture the authentic electrical and data characteristics of the aircraft environment, allowing inexpensive simulation systems to reproduce realistic inputs without requiring expensive qualified hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The authenticity is preserved through preliminary recording of actual aircraft system data during real operations. This pre-capture of genuine aircraft environment data allows the simulation to maintain high fidelity to real aircraft behavior while using inexpensive playback and synchronization hardware instead of expensive qualified simulation equipment.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of simulating a real-time aircraft system input to an avionics component for an aircraft includes receiving the simulation input and providing the simulated input to the avionics component.