Broadband Over Power Line Interface for Aircraft Data Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems between aircraft and ground systems at airports suffer from limited bandwidth, high interference, and high costs due to shared frequency spectra and the need for extensive infrastructure installation, which hampers efficient high-speed data transfer.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a power and digital communication transmission system using a broadband over power line interface that couples to a power conductor and network access point, enabling high-speed data transmission through an electrical aircraft umbilical while supplying power, utilizing technologies like Broadband over Power Line (BPL) or X10, which minimizes interference and infrastructure requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If wireless communication systems are used for data transfer between aircraft and ground systems, then communication flexibility is improved, but bandwidth is limited and interference is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses power conductors as an intermediary medium for data transmission. Instead of using wireless radio frequency signals that suffer from interference and bandwidth limitations, the system modulates data signals onto the electrical power conductors that already connect the aircraft to ground power systems, enabling high-speed data transfer through an existing physical infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electromagnetic wireless communication system with an electrical signal transmission system through power conductors. By substituting radio frequency electromagnetic waves with electrical signals carried through wired power connections, the system achieves higher bandwidth and eliminates wireless interference problems
2Productivity
If wireless communication infrastructure is installed to increase bandwidth, then data transfer capability is improved, but cost and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing power conductor infrastructure serve dual functions: delivering electrical power to the aircraft and simultaneously transmitting high-speed data signals. This eliminates the need for separate dedicated communication infrastructure, reducing both installation cost and operational complexity while maintaining high data transfer capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the existing power connection infrastructure that is already in place for aircraft ground operations. By enabling data transmission through this existing infrastructure without requiring additional specialized equipment or installation, the system achieves cost-effective high-speed communication
3Adaptability or versatility
If shared frequency spectrum is used for wireless communication, then spectrum availability is improved, but communication reliability deteriorates due to interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces power conductors as an intermediary transmission medium that is not subject to radio frequency interference. By transferring data signals from wireless air to wired electrical conductors, the system eliminates the harmful effect of shared spectrum interference while maintaining communication reliability
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 solution provides stable and reliable high-speed data transfer with throughput up to 200Mps, significantly exceeding current wireless capabilities, and reduces costs by leveraging existing aircraft and airport infrastructure, ensuring efficient and cost-effective communication.
Implementation Method 1
a first interface device electrically coupled to the supply end and a network access point. The interface device is configured to transmit and receive data carrier signals though the electrical conductor while power is supplied to the aircraft through the electrical conductor
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A method of transmitting power and providing digital communications for a vehicle and a power and digital communication transmission system is provided. The method comprises the steps of: communicatively coupling a broadband over power line, BPL, interface unit to a power conductor of a power cable; communicatively coupling the BPL interface unit to a network access point; electrically coupling the power conductor to a vehicle power receptacle associated with a vehicle; detecting a BPL communication link through the power conductor; switching an in-progress communication occurring between a ground system and the vehicle from an established wireless connection between the ground system and the vehicle to the BPL communication link; and transmitting network data between a network through the network access point and the vehicle through the power conductor via the BPL communication link while simultaneously providing power to the vehicle through the power conductor.