Air-to-Ground Datalink Cost Containment via Dynamic Sub-Network Routing

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Solution Overview

Problem

The recurring cost of aircraft air to ground datalink messages is significant due to varying messaging rates based on service providers, location, and air to ground datalink sub-networks, necessitating effective cost containment strategies.

Innovation Solution

A communications management unit (CMU) with a cost containment module that assigns variable cost index values to messages and air to ground sub-networks based on payment criteria, allowing airlines to prioritize message delivery and select the most cost-effective transmission paths, using a programming interface to configure and manage these settings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If airlines monitor and enforce which datalink sub-networks messages are allowed to transmit on, then communication costs are contained, but message delivery time may be delayed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication costVSAvoidmessage delivery time
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically selects datalink sub-networks based on real-time cost criteria and message priority attributes. The cost containment module continuously monitors available sub-networks and adjusts message routing decisions dynamically, allowing the system to adapt to changing cost conditions while maintaining timely delivery for high-priority messages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of message transmission by assigning different cost index values to messages based on their priority attributes. This parameter change enables the cost containment module to select appropriate sub-networks that match both the cost criteria and the urgency of message delivery, resolving the contradiction between cost containment and timely delivery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of energy

If variable cost index values are assigned to messages based on payment criteria, then cost-effective transmission is achieved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication costVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cost containment module serves multiple functions: it assigns cost index values to messages, evaluates available sub-networks against cost criteria, selects appropriate transmission paths, and manages message queuing. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems for each task, containing overall system complexity while achieving cost-effective transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically assigns cost index values to messages based on their attributes and autonomously selects transmission sub-networks without requiring manual intervention. This self-service capability reduces operational complexity while maintaining cost containment effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP1965513B1Cost containment of communications on datalinks for mobile users.
Publication Date: 2013.08.07 HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC
  • EP1965513B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1965513B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP1965513B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

A method for transmitting messages over a datalink communication system is disclosed. The method comprises assigning each message a cost index value based on prescribed factors for at least one message transmission attribute of the message and transmitting each message that satisfies a select transmission attribute over at least one mobile communications sub-network associated with a datalink communication system.