Removable Communication Cartridge for Obsolescence Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication modules integrated into on-board equipment are prone to obsolescence due to proprietary specifications and interfaces, requiring new certification and qualification with technology changes, and are limited in scalability and compatibility with standard modules, especially in aircraft systems.

Innovation Solution

A detachable communication cartridge with adjustable ports and connectors allows integration of standard wireless communication modules, enabling technological evolution and flexibility without impacting host equipment, using a rear connector and flexible cable for module positioning and ensuring safety through cryptographic signatures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If proprietary communication modules are specifically manufactured by OEMs and integrated into on-board equipment, then the equipment can be certified and qualified for those specific modules, but the assembly becomes subject to repeated obsolescence when technology changes and requires new certification and qualification

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecertification and qualificationVSAvoidtechnological evolution

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into a fixed host equipment and a replaceable communication cartridge. The cartridge contains the wireless communication module that can be easily replaced without affecting the host equipment. This segmentation allows the host equipment to remain certified while the cartridge can be updated with new technology modules.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The communication cartridge acts as an intermediary between the certified host equipment and the wireless communication module. It provides a standardized interface and mechanical footprint that decouples the host equipment from proprietary module specifications, enabling technology changes without recertification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the maximum number of modules for each piece of on-board equipment is fixed, then the equipment structure is simplified, but it becomes impossible to add a module if the maximum number has already been reached

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveequipment structureVSAvoidmodule scalability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The communication cartridge provides a universal platform that can accommodate different wireless communication modules through standardized interfaces. The adjustable front port position and flexible cable connection allow the same cartridge structure to support multiple module types and configurations, enabling scalability without increasing host equipment complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If standard and commercially available wireless communication modules are used, then cost and availability are improved, but problems of mechanical integration, computer security management, environmental qualification, and safety become too constraining

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemodule availabilityVSAvoidintegration constraints

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The communication module is extracted from the host equipment and placed in a separate, self-contained cartridge. This extraction allows standard commercial modules to be used while the cartridge handles the complexity of mechanical integration, security management, and environmental qualification. The host equipment only needs to interface with the standardized cartridge.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Device complexity

If the front port is fixed in position within the cartridge, then the structure is simplified, but the wireless communication module cannot be optimally positioned in the front outer portion for radiation and connectivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecartridge structureVSAvoidcommunication performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The front port is made adjustable in position within the cartridge rather than being fixed. This dynamic positioning capability allows the port to be optimally positioned for different module configurations and radiation requirements. The flexible cable connection enables the port to move while maintaining electrical connectivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9326410B2Removable communication cartridge that can be detached from an equipment, equipment, assembly and system corresponding thereto

Publication Date: 2016.04.26 SAFRAN ELECTRONICS & DEFENSE (FR)

AI summary

The invention relates to a communication cartridge (1) characterized in that—it is adapted to be integrated in a removable manner into a recess (25) of a host equipment (2), during normal operation, an external front part (13) of the cartridge being intended to be external to the recess (25) of the host equipment (2), and in that—it comprises at least one front port, placed in an internal space of the cartridge (1) and intended to cooperate with a wireless communication module also placed in the internal space of the cartridge (1), during normal operation, the front port being moreover adapted to have an adjustable position in the internal space, so that the module is at least partially positioned in the external front part (13) of the cartridge (1), during normal operation. The invention also relates to an equipment, an assembly and a system corresponding thereto.