Communication Manager for Concurrent Data Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aircraft communication systems typically use a single communication link for data transfer, which is inefficient in utilizing available bandwidth and does not adapt to real-time conditions such as jitter and latency, especially when multiple communication links are available.

Innovation Solution

A system that includes a communication manager to store data objects with priority and acceptable communication links, which retrieves communication link status to generate sub-data objects and transmit them concurrently via multiple available links, adapting to available bandwidth and changing application priorities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a single communication link is used for data transfer, then the system complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but the data transfer capacity and bandwidth utilization are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transfer capacityVSAvoidcommunication link management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments data objects into multiple sub-data objects and distributes them across multiple communication links for concurrent transmission. This allows the system to utilize multiple links simultaneously, increasing overall data transfer capacity while maintaining manageable complexity through automated segmentation and distribution logic

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple communication links into a unified communication system that operates as a single logical entity. The communication manager coordinates multiple links together, merging their capabilities to achieve higher throughput while presenting a simplified interface to applications

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a single communication link is used, then the system is simpler to operate, but the adaptability to real-time conditions such as jitter and latency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to real-time conditionsVSAvoidcommunication management ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic communication link selection and data object assignment based on real-time link status. The system continuously monitors bandwidth availability, jitter, and latency of multiple communication links, dynamically adjusting which sub-data objects are transmitted over which links to optimize performance under varying conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs feedback mechanisms by continuously retrieving communication link status and using this information to make real-time decisions about data object transmission. The communication manager receives feedback about link performance and adjusts its transmission strategy accordingly, improving adaptability while automating the process to maintain ease of operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If multiple communication links are used for concurrent transmission, then data transfer efficiency and security are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transfer securityVSAvoidcommunication link coordination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting data objects into sub-data objects and distributing them across multiple communication links, the system achieves security through diversity - an attacker would need to compromise multiple independent links to intercept all data. The segmentation also enables concurrent transmission, improving reliability while the automated management keeps complexity manageable

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The communication manager acts as an intermediary that coordinates multiple communication links and data objects. It handles the complexity of link selection, data object segmentation, and transmission coordination, shielding applications from the underlying complexity while enabling secure and efficient multi-link operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3790256B1Data communication via communication links
Publication Date: 2023.05.10 THE BOEING CO
  • EP3790256B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3790256B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3790256B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system for off-board communication includes data storage configured to store one or more data objects. A data object includes data of an application. The data object indicates a data object priority and one or more acceptable communication links associated with the application. The system also includes one or more processors configured to retrieve communication link status from a memory. The communication link status indicates available communication links with available bandwidth. The processors are also configured to retrieve the data object from the data storage based on the data object priority and acceptable communication links of the data object including the available communication links. The processors are further configured to generate, based on the available bandwidth of the available communication links, sub-data objects of the data object. The processors are also configured to initiate concurrent transmission of the sub-data objects via the available communication links.