Avionics Unit With Tunable Wavelength Filter

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Solution Overview

Problem

In avionics networks, the need for rigorous testing of various node types increases costs and complexity, as each type must be individually validated for use in critical applications like aircraft systems, where reducing the number of node types is desirable to minimize testing costs and streamline maintenance.

Innovation Solution

The use of a generic avionics unit with a broadband light emitter and a removable wavelength selective filter allows for tunable narrowband optical signals, enabling identical units to be used with different wavelength filters, thus reducing the number of unit types that need testing and stocking, and facilitating easier network maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple types of avionics nodes are used in the network, then the network can support different wavelength division multiplexing configurations, but the testing costs and complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewavelength division multiplexing capabilityVSAvoidnumber of node types requiring testing

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal avionics unit design where a single node type can function at multiple wavelengths by incorporating a tunable wavelength selective filter. This filter can be configured to pass different wavelengths (e.g., 1310nm, 1550nm) allowing the same physical unit to serve multiple roles in the network, thereby reducing the number of distinct node types that need to be tested and validated for critical aviation applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs a dynamically tunable wavelength selective filter that can change its operating wavelength based on network requirements. This dynamic capability allows the avionics unit to adapt to different wavelength division multiplexing configurations without requiring physical reconfiguration or replacement, thus maintaining versatility while simplifying the node architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple types of avionics nodes are maintained for different network configurations, then network adaptability is improved, but stocking and maintenance complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork configuration flexibilityVSAvoidmaintenance and stocking complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

By designing a universal avionics unit with an integrated tunable wavelength selective filter, the system eliminates the need to maintain separate inventories of different node types. Technicians can stock and deploy a single standardized unit that can be configured for any required wavelength, significantly simplifying maintenance procedures and reducing stocking complexity while preserving full network configuration flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If rigorous testing is performed on each node type, then reliability in critical applications is ensured, but testing costs and time requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveavionics network reliabilityVSAvoidtesting time and cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The universal design reduces the total number of node types that require rigorous testing from multiple variants to a single standardized unit. By testing the universal avionics unit with its tunable filter across different wavelengths, the system ensures reliability for all network configurations without duplicating testing efforts, thereby reducing both testing time and cost while maintaining high reliability standards for critical aviation applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach reduces the cost and complexity of testing and stocking, allows for efficient use of generic avionics units in wavelength division multiplexing networks, and enables rapid restoration of avionics networks with reduced cooling, temperature regulation, and power consumption requirements.

Implementation Method 1

a first optical interface optically connected to the light emitter, the first optical interface being to receive a removable wavelength selective filter to extract a modulated narrowband optical signal from the modulated broadband optical signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWavelength selective filtering: Filter (optical)

Data Source

PatentUS10382846B2Avionics unit

Publication Date: 2019.08.13 AIRBUS OPERATIONS LTD

AI summary

An avionics unit for an avionics network is disclosed having a light emitter to provide a modulated broadband optical signal. The avionics unit also includes a first optical interface and a second optical interface. The first optical interface is optically connected to the light emitter and is to receive a removable wavelength selective filter to extract a modulated narrowband optical signal from the modulated broadband optical signal. The second optical interface is optically connected to the first optical interface and is to output the modulated narrowband optical signal.