Dynamically Reconfigurable Electrical Interface for Avionics
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity and cost associated with maintaining and upgrading avionics systems in aircraft are increased due to the need for multiple interface-specific chips and components, which are limited to specific electrical interfaces, making it difficult to accommodate various communication protocols and interfaces.
Innovation Solution
A dynamically reconfigurable electrical interface (DREI) system that includes switches, signal conditioning units, amplifiers, analog-to-digital converters, and processors to process and adapt signals across different communication protocols, allowing a single component to interface with multiple protocols and reduce the need for interface-specific hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple interface-specific chips are used to support various communication protocols, then the system can accommodate different electrical interfaces, but the device complexity and maintenance difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal interface controller that can handle multiple communication protocols (ARINC 429, MIL-STD 1553B, EIA-232, EIA-422, EIA-485, USB) through a single integrated component. The controller includes a processor, memory storing protocol-specific instruction sets, and signal conditioning circuitry that can adapt to different interface requirements, eliminating the need for separate dedicated chips for each protocol.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface controller dynamically reconfigures its operation by loading different instruction sets from memory based on the detected communication protocol. The processor can switch between protocol-specific routines stored in memory, allowing the same hardware to adapt its behavior dynamically rather than requiring static dedicated circuits for each protocol.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple interface-specific chips are used to support various communication protocols, then the system can accommodate different electrical interfaces, but the manufacturing and testing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal interface controller that can handle multiple communication protocols (ARINC 429, MIL-STD 1553B, EIA-232, EIA-422, EIA-485, USB) through a single integrated component. The controller includes a processor, memory storing protocol-specific instruction sets, and signal conditioning circuitry that can adapt to different interface requirements, eliminating the need for separate dedicated chips for each protocol.
3Reliability
If interface-specific chips are used, then each interface can be optimized for its specific protocol, but the cost of maintaining and upgrading the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal interface controller that can handle multiple communication protocols (ARINC 429, MIL-STD 1553B, EIA-232, EIA-422, EIA-485, USB) through a single integrated component. The controller includes a processor, memory storing protocol-specific instruction sets, and signal conditioning circuitry that can adapt to different interface requirements, eliminating the need for separate dedicated chips for each protocol.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains reliable protocol-specific performance by loading different instruction sets into the processor's memory, changing the operational parameters through software configuration rather than hardware replacement. This allows the same physical hardware to maintain optimized performance for each protocol through parameter changes in the instruction sets.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The DREI system simplifies the design, manufacturing, and maintenance of avionics components by enabling them to adapt to various communication interfaces, reducing costs and complexity, and allowing for flexible communication across different protocols.
Implementation Method 1
a signal conditioning path unit that is adapted to alter the electrical characteristics of the input signal to produce a first modified input signal
Implementation Method 2
an amplifier configured to receive the first modified input signal from the output port of the second switch and to adjust a voltage level of the first modified input signal to produce a second modified input signal
Implementation Method 3
An analog to digital converter ('ADC') receives the second modified input signal and provides the processor with a corresponding numerical value based on the second modified input signal
Data Source
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AI summary
A dynamically reconfigurable electrical interface is disclosed that can be used in various applications, including avionics communications. In one embodiment, a first switch receives an input signal and routes it to the applicable signal conditioning path unit that conditions the input signal, after which a second switch routes it to an amplifier. The amplifier provides an amplified signal to an analog-to-digital converter that generates a corresponding numerical value based on the voltage of the amplified signal that is analyzed by a processor to determine information conveyed by the input signal based on a particular electrical interface. Multiple distinct interfaces can be accommodated by on one more processors accessing instructions sets for processing information corresponding to a particular electrical interface. In another embodiment, the processor provides numerical values to a digital-to-analog converter producing an analog signal that is amplified, routed, and conditioned to convey information using a particular electrical interface.