Avionics Radio System for Secure Personal Device Connectivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft pilots face challenges in securely connecting portable computing systems with aircraft systems due to the lack of facilitation for connection between personal computing devices and aircraft communication systems, necessitating a cost-effective and secure solution for data exchange.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an AeroMACS radio system with a short-range communications system, security system, and router, which authenticates personal computing systems and restricts data routing to ensure secure communication between personal computing systems and aircraft systems, allowing data exchange while preventing unauthorized access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a connection system is added to facilitate data exchange between personal computing systems and aircraft systems, then connectivity and data exchange capability are improved, but system complexity and security risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a communications management system (CMS) as an intermediary component that mediates all data exchanges between personal computing systems and aircraft systems. The CMS authenticates personal devices, manages communication links, and filters data traffic, enabling connectivity without requiring direct integration between personal devices and aircraft systems. This intermediary approach resolves the technical contradiction by providing adaptability through standardized interfaces while containing system complexity within the CMS module.
2Reliability
If authentication and data restriction mechanisms are implemented, then security is improved, but processing time and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary authentication where personal computing systems are authenticated and authorized before any data exchange occurs. The CMS establishes security credentials, defines permitted data types, and creates communication links in advance. This preliminary action resolves the technical contradiction by ensuring security through pre-verification while reducing processing time during actual data exchange, as the authentication overhead is performed once before operational use.
3Ease of operation
If direct connection between personal computing systems and aircraft systems is allowed, then ease of operation is improved, but security risk and unauthorized access potential increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs the communications management system as a security intermediary that sits between personal computing systems and aircraft systems. The CMS handles authentication, link management, and data filtering, allowing pilots to easily connect personal devices while the CMS independently manages security risks. This resolves the technical contradiction by providing ease of operation through simplified user interfaces while maintaining security through automated intermediary controls.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service authentication where personal computing systems present their own credentials and the CMS automatically verifies them against predefined security policies. The system autonomously manages link creation, data type validation, and communication routing without requiring manual security interventions. This self-service approach resolves the technical contradiction by enabling easy connection for users while automating security management to prevent unauthorized access.
Data Source
AI summary
A method comprises: determining if a personal computing system in a vehicle is authentic using a radio system in the vehicle, where the radio system is configured (a) to communicate with at least one ground system and (b) to be coupled to a vehicle system; if the personal computing system is authenticated, creating a link between the personal computing system and the radio system; and at least one of: restricting data routing to and from at least one of: (a) vehicle system type(s), and (b) application program(s) of at least one of the vehicle system and the personal computing system; restricting data type(s) transmitted between the personal computing system and the vehicle system; and routing data between the personal computing system, and at least one of (a) at least one ground system not through a communications management system and (b) the vehicle system.