Avionics Optical Code Data Transfer via Flight Deck Controller
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current avionics systems face challenges in secure and on-demand data transfer between onboard and offboard systems due to regulatory and cyber concerns, as well as the need for configurable data transfers to accommodate changing avionics data requirements during a mission.
Innovation Solution
A flight deck system configured to provide flight information to a mobile device using an optical code, which includes a controller with a core functions partition and a configurable output partition. This system populates a data model with flight data, receives configuration information to identify specific flight data items, extracts and encodes these data items into an optical code, and displays the optical code on an aircraft display for decoding by a mobile device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If electronic means of connectivity (Ethernet, Wi-Fi) are used for data transfer between avionics and offboard devices, then data bandwidth and connectivity are improved, but regulatory compliance and cyber security risks worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an optical code as an intermediary medium for data transfer. Instead of direct electronic connectivity between avionics systems and offboard devices, the system encodes flight data into optical codes (barcodes/QR codes) that are captured by mobile devices. This intermediary optical representation eliminates direct electronic connections, thereby addressing cyber security concerns while still enabling data transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces electronic communication systems (Ethernet, Wi-Fi) with an optical-based data transfer mechanism. By substituting electromagnetic wireless/e wired communication with optical code generation and capture, the system achieves data transfer without the security vulnerabilities associated with electronic connectivity, while maintaining data accessibility.
2Productivity
If electronic connectivity infrastructure is developed for avionics data transfer, then data transfer capability is improved, but infrastructure development costs worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables mobile devices to directly capture optical codes displayed on aircraft displays using their built-in cameras and decoding capabilities. This self-service approach eliminates the need for specialized infrastructure such as dedicated data terminals, wireless access points, or complex communication hardware, thereby significantly reducing infrastructure development costs while maintaining data transfer capability.
3Measurement precision
If avionics data transfer system is designed for specific data items, then data specificity is improved, but system adaptability to changing data requirements worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic configuration system where the controller can be programmed to generate optical codes containing different flight data items based on changing requirements. The system allows configuration of which specific flight parameters are encoded in the optical code, enabling adaptation to different mission phases (e.g., takeoff, landing, cruise) and data needs without hardware changes, thus achieving both specificity and versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
A flight deck system is configured to: receive a data model populated with flight data obtained while performing a core avionics function; receive configuration information from an external source that identifies a specific plurality of flight data items to extract from the data model; extract from the data model data values for the specific plurality of flight data items identified in the configuration information; generate an optical code that encodes the extracted data values; generate an HMI display that provides a selectable link for causing the optical code to be displayed in the aircraft; cause the HMI display to be display on an aircraft display; and cause the optical code to be displayed on an aircraft display responsive to selection of the selectable link; wherein the optical code provides encoded data values corresponding to the specific plurality of flight data items for decoding and display by a mobile device.