Programmable Digital Matrix Switch for Signal Routing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing signal acquisition and generation systems in the aeronautical field are costly, bulky, and complex due to the need for dedicated electronic circuit cards for each type of signal, making them inflexible and difficult to reuse across different aircraft with varying signal segregation constraints.

Innovation Solution

An electronic circuit card with programmable digital matrix switches for input and output signals, allowing for flexible routing and processing of multiple signal types, including digital, discrete, and analog signals, using programmable logic circuits like FPGAs and delta-sigma modulators, along with signal conditioning and amplification means.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If dedicated electronic circuits are used for each type of input/output signal, then signal processing reliability is improved, but system cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal processing reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal electronic circuit card that can process multiple types of signals (discrete, analog, digital) through a single multi-functional design. The card includes signal conditioning means and processing resources that can handle different signal types, eliminating the need for separate dedicated cards for each signal type while maintaining processing reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple signal processing functions into a single integrated circuit card. The card merges signal conditioning means, processing resources, and routing capabilities into one unified device that can simultaneously or alternatively process discrete signals, analog signals, and digital signals, thereby reducing the total number of components and system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If dedicated electronic circuits are used for each type of signal, then signal processing reliability is improved, but system cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal processing reliabilityVSAvoidsystem cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The universal circuit card design allows a single card type to be manufactured and deployed for multiple signal types, achieving economies of scale in production. By making the card multi-functional rather than dedicated to one signal type, the system reduces component variety and manufacturing costs while maintaining reliable signal processing through proper segmentation and conditioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If dedicated electronic circuits are used for each type of signal, then signal processing capability is improved, but system adaptability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem adaptabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic reconfigurability in the circuit card through a routing means that can be programmed or configured to adapt the signal processing path according to the specific aircraft application. This allows the same hardware card to be adapted to different signal segregation constraints and configurations without physical redesign, achieving high adaptability while managing complexity through software or configuration control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If circuit cards are designed for specific aircraft configurations, then signal segregation constraints are met, but system reusability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal segregation complianceVSAvoidsystem reusability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by separating signal conditioning functions from routing functions in a modular architecture. The signal conditioning means processes signals according to their type (discrete, analog, digital) to ensure proper segregation and prevent faults, while the routing means can be independently configured for different aircraft applications. This modular segmentation allows the same card design to be reused across different aircraft while maintaining signal segregation constraints through proper configuration of the routing portion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS10122554B2Electronic circuit card and corresponding signal acquisition and generation system, including one or more programmable digital matrix switches

Publication Date: 2018.11.06 AIRBUS OPERATIONS (SAS)

AI summary

An electronic circuit card and a corresponding data acquisition and generation system, including a conditioning circuit for conditioning input signals of at least two types chosen from the following types: digital, discrete, analog. A binary modulator and resources for processing the different types of input signals are provided. A programmable digital matrix switch for input signals is used to route the input signals to the resources corresponding to the types of the signals. Alternatively, or additionally, the card includes an output signal modulator and an output signal programmable digital matrix switch used to route the modulated output signals to an amplifier as a function of their type. The programmable digital matrix switches make it possible to address constraints regarding the segregation of varying numbers of input/output signals of different types.