Serial Databus Payload Packing for Continuous Engine Data Logging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft electronic engine controllers face challenges in storing and transmitting large amounts of continuous engine operating data due to limited memory requirements and difficulty in accessing data from serial databuses, which are typically used for transmitting only limited engine parameters.
Innovation Solution
A system that utilizes the spare bandwidth of serial databuses by dividing large data files into selectively-sized portions, allocating them into available slots of transmission frames, and transmitting these over the databus to a bus recorder, which can then reconstitute the data for easier access and transmission to a remote station.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If data is stored on EECs, then data availability is maintained, but memory requirements increase substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts large data files from EEC memory storage and relocates them to a separate bus recorder for storage. The EECs generate and transmit data files over the serial databus to the bus recorder, which stores the data in accessible memory. This extraction resolves the contradiction by maintaining data availability through external storage while eliminating the need for substantial memory devices on the EECs themselves.
2Productivity
If Ethernet-based databus is used, then large data files can be transmitted, but serial databus bandwidth capacity is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments large data files into smaller transmission frames that can be accommodated within the bandwidth limitations of serial databus. The bus recorder receives and stores these segmented transmissions, reconstructing the complete data files. This segmentation enables efficient use of the limited serial databus bandwidth while still achieving productive transmission of large data volumes over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the bus recorder continuously monitor and capture transmission frames as they are transmitted over the serial databus, rather than waiting for complete data files to be ready. This continuous capture approach maximizes the utilization of available bandwidth while building up complete data files progressively.
3Ease of operation
If EECs are accessed directly, then data can be obtained, but access time increases and requires mobile terminal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a bus recorder as an intermediary device between the serial databus and the data access point. The bus recorder captures and stores data transmissions in a centrally accessible location within the vehicle, eliminating the need to physically access EECs mounted under engine cowls. This intermediary enables rapid data retrieval through standard vehicle interfaces without requiring mobile terminals or prolonged access time.
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods for data (510) acquisition utilizing spare or unused databus (124) capacity are provided. In one example aspect, the system (100) includes a vehicle (110) that includes an engine (114) and a controller. The controller generates a data file (170) indicative of Continuous engine (114) Operation data (510) (CEOD). The data file (170) is transmitted over a serial databus (124) to a bus recorder (126). Particularly, the data file (170) is continuously generated by the controller and stored in a buffer (134). The available bandwidth of a transmission frame (182) for the serial databus (124) is determined. A portion of the data file (170) is retrieved from the buffer (134) based at least in part on the determined bandwidth. The portion of the data file (170) is divided into relatively small transmission payloads (174) and packed into the available bandwidth of the transmission frame (182). This process is repeated on a continuous basis and the bus recorder (126) records the data (510). The data file (170) is then reconstituted and decoded.