Cross-Domain Memory Access Using Bus Adapters and Expanders

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions for managing data transfers between domains with varying security classifications are inefficient and prone to electrostatic discharge (ESD), limiting data flow and requiring manual intervention.

Innovation Solution

A hardware configuration that maintains electrical connections between unclassified and classified domains using bus adapters and expanders, preventing unauthorized data transfer while allowing unclassified data access, and employing transmission manager circuitry to monitor and manage data changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual plugging and unplugging of USB write blocker devices is used to facilitate connections between domains and memory, then data transfer between domains can be controlled, but electrostatic discharge (ESD) occurs and manual labor is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transfer controlVSAvoidelectrostatic discharge

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-establishes conductive connections between domains and memory through bus adapters and expanders before data transfer operations begin. This eliminates the need for repeated plugging and unplugging of USB write blocker devices, thereby preventing electrostatic discharge while maintaining data transfer control through software-based mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces bus adapters and expanders as intermediary components between domains and memory. These intermediaries provide stable conductive connections that eliminate the harmful ESD effects of manual USB connector operations, while transmission manager circuitry acts as a mediator to control data transfer operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If USB write blocker devices are used to limit computing devices to read-only access, then classified data protection is achieved, but data flow efficiency is limited and manual intervention is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclassified data protectionVSAvoiddata flow efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from static read-only USB write blocker access to dynamic data transfer control. The transmission manager circuitry and software can dynamically adjust data transfer permissions, enabling efficient data flow for unclassified data while maintaining protection for classified data through programmable control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical USB write blocker system with an electronic bus adapter and expander system. This substitution eliminates the need for physical plugging and unplugging operations, enabling continuous data flow operations while maintaining security control through electronic and software-based mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If external disk copying is used to transfer unclassified data between domains, then data transfer can be achieved, but the process is time consuming and data access is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transfer capabilityVSAvoiddata transfer time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent establishes continuous conductive connections between domains and memory through bus adapters and expanders, eliminating the intermittent copy-paste process of external disk operations. Multiple computing devices can simultaneously access and transfer data continuously without the time-consuming steps of physical media insertion, copying, and removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS12524354B2Methods and apparatus to manage transmissions between domains and memory

Publication Date: 2026.01.13 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

Methods and apparatus to manage transmissions between domains and memory are disclosed. An example apparatus comprises memory, a first domain having a first classification, the first domain conductively coupled to the memory, the first domain including a first bus adapter enabling transmission of first data to the memory, the first data associated with the first domain, and a first expander to facilitate the transmission of the first data to the memory, the memory to store the first data, and a second domain conductively coupled to the memory, the second domain having a second classification, the second domain including a second bus adapter enabling access of the first data from the memory, the second bus adapter preventing second data from exiting the second domain, the second data associated with the second domain, and a second expander to facilitate the access of the first data from the memory.