Centralized LED Array with Plastic Optical Fiber for Aircraft Cabin Lighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional LED lighting systems for aircraft passenger cabins are costly to install and maintain due to the need for hundreds of individual modules with separate power and control wiring, and they are not capable of supporting visible light communication (VLC) due to limited modulation frequency.
Innovation Solution
An integrated lighting system using a centralized multi-core plastic optical fiber (POF) cable to transmit visible light and wireless data, eliminating the need for multiple LED modules and incorporating modulation, power, and heat sinking into a single location, with LED arrays capable of modulating at frequencies suitable for VLC.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If traditional LED lighting modules are used throughout the aircraft cabin, then illumination coverage is achieved, but installation cost and wiring complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the lighting function by separating the light source (LED array in one location) from the illumination points (multiple POF endpoints throughout the cabin). This allows a single centralized light source to serve multiple remote locations, reducing the number of active LED modules needed while maintaining comprehensive cabin illumination coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
Plastic optical fiber cables act as intermediaries to transmit light from the centralized LED array to multiple remote locations throughout the aircraft cabin. This intermediary medium enables light distribution without requiring direct electrical connections or active electronic components at each illumination point, thereby reducing wiring complexity and device count.
2Illumination intensity
If traditional LED lighting modules are used, then illumination is provided, but heat dissipation requirements increase due to multiple modules
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple illumination functions into a single centralized LED array location. By consolidating all LED light sources in one place rather than distributing them throughout the cabin, the heat dissipation requirements are concentrated in a single location where they can be managed more effectively, rather than requiring heat management at hundreds of individual module locations.
3Illumination intensity
If traditional LEDs are used for lighting, then illumination is achieved, but visible light communication capability is lost due to limited modulation frequency
Solution Approach 1:
The centralized LED array is designed to serve dual functions: providing illumination for the aircraft cabin and enabling visible light communication through high-frequency modulation. This multi-functional design allows the same light source to simultaneously fulfill lighting requirements and support data transmission, eliminating the need for separate communication hardware while adding versatility to the lighting system.
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
This solution reduces installation and maintenance costs, supports VLC, and provides efficient illumination and data communication, while minimizing RF exposure and electromagnetic interference.
Implementation Method 1
a multi-core plastic optical fiber (POF) cable to transmit visible light and wireless data to a plurality of remote locations within a passenger cabin of the aircraft
Implementation Method 2
LED arrays capable of modulating at frequencies suitable for VLC
Implementation Method 3
By applying VLC, electronic devices may wirelessly communicate with one another. Due to these characteristics, it may be especially advantageous to use VLC as a wireless communications medium in an aircraft, where the use of (RF) based devices are restricted, and LED lighting is already present.
Data Source
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AI summary
A lighting system for transmitting light to a plurality of specific locations is disclosed. The lighting system includes at least one source lighting array and a plastic optical fiber (POF). The source lighting array comprises a plurality of lighting elements. The plurality of lighting elements are each configured to generate visible light. The POF cable has an end in communication with the source lighting array. The POF cable transmits visible light generated by the source lighting array to the plurality of specific locations.