Integrated Avionics System Consolidating TAWS and TCAS Functions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern aircraft avionics systems consume significant space and weight, requiring multiple Line Replaceable Units (LRUs) that reduce efficiency and performance, and there is a need for a more compact and cost-effective solution to integrate essential functions like TAWS, TCAS, and ADS-B.
Innovation Solution
A reprogrammable integrated avionics system with a common processor assembly and software-configurable RF functions, allowing multiple avionics functions to be combined into a single LRU, reducing the number of LRUs and hardware components, and utilizing multipurpose antennas to eliminate the need for separate directional and omnidirectional antennas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate LRUs are used to provide TAWS, TCAS, and ADS-B functions, then system reliability and functional independence are improved, but aircraft weight and space consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate avionics functions (TAWS, TCAS, ADS-B) into a single integrated LRU. The processor assembly executes multiple avionics software applications simultaneously, consolidating what previously required separate hardware units. This merging reduces the number of LRUs from multiple separate units to one integrated unit, directly reducing aircraft weight while maintaining all required functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated LRU is designed with universal functionality to perform multiple avionics tasks. The processor assembly can load and execute different software applications (e.g., TAWS application, TCAS application, ADS-B application) to provide diverse surveillance and warning functions. This multi-functionality allows a single LRU to replace multiple specialized units, reducing weight while preserving system reliability through software-based functional separation.
2Reliability
If multiple separate LRUs are installed to provide complete avionics functionality, then functional independence and system safety are improved, but the number of antennas and hardware components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple avionics functions into a single LRU with a unified processor assembly that executes multiple software applications. This consolidation reduces the number of separate hardware components, including reducing antenna requirements from six separate antennas to fewer multipurpose antennas, while maintaining functional independence through software-based separation of TAWS, TCAS, and ADS-B operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated LRU employs universal processor and RF assemblies that can serve multiple functions. The processor assembly executes different avionics software to provide TAWS, TCAS, and ADS-B functions, while the RF assembly handles multiple communication protocols. This universality reduces device complexity by eliminating redundant components while preserving system safety through software-defined functional boundaries.
3Ease of repair
If traditional federated avionics systems are used with individual LRUs for each function, then ease of maintenance and repair are improved, but space consumption and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple avionics functions into a single LRU, reducing the total volume occupied by avionics equipment from 16 MCU to a smaller integrated unit. The integrated design maintains maintainability through modular software architecture, where individual avionics applications (TAWS, TCAS, ADS-B) can be independently updated or repaired without affecting the entire system, thus reducing space while preserving ease of repair.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated LRU employs software segmentation to maintain functional independence. Each avionics function runs as a separate software application on the unified processor, allowing individual maintenance and updating of specific functions without replacing the entire LRU. This software-based segmentation preserves ease of repair while achieving hardware consolidation and space reduction.
4Reliability
If separate directional and omnidirectional antennas are used for TCAS and transponder functions, then antenna performance for specific functions is improved, but the number of antennas and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs multipurpose antennas that can perform both directional and omnidirectional functions. The integrated LRU configures these universal antennas to provide TCAS surveillance, transponder communication, and ADS-B functions as needed. This eliminates the requirement for separate directional and omnidirectional antennas, reducing the antenna quantity from six to fewer units while maintaining the performance required for each specific function through software-controlled antenna configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an avionics system that provides several avionics functions within a single LRU. In one embodiment, the system comprises a software-configurable RF assembly, one or more processor assemblies that are configured to provide multiple TAWS/TCAS/Mode S/ADS-B/ATC functions, interfaces to allow connections to aircraft electronics and data loaders, and multipurpose antennas. In one embodiment, a common processor architecture allows generic avionics processors to be configured to operate a number of TAWS/TCAS/Mode S/ADS-B/ATC functions without the need for multiple LRUs, and software-defined RF functions allow RF circuitry that interfaces to the processors to handle current and future communication needs.