MODMAN SD Card Interface for Aircraft Personality Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing broadband satellite terminals face complex and error-prone replacement processes when the MODMAN needs replacement, requiring physical or virtual disconnection and reconnection of the APM unit, involving extra hardware and complex software algorithms.
Innovation Solution
Integrate a dedicated media interface slot, such as an SD card slot, into the MODMAN to facilitate the transfer and storage of APM-specific data, allowing easy connection and disconnection of an external storage device that acts as the APM, ensuring compliance with ARINC 791/792 standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dedicated APM hardware unit is used, then data retention and system configuration are improved, but device complexity and replacement difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the APM functionality from a dedicated hardware unit and relocates it to a removable storage medium (SD card). This separation allows the storage medium to be independently replaced without replacing the entire MODMAN unit, thereby maintaining data retention while reducing hardware complexity and replacement difficulty.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a removable storage medium (SD card) that can be copied or cloned to transfer APM data between different MODMAN units. This copying mechanism enables simple replacement procedures where the storage medium containing APM data can be removed from a faulty MODMAN and inserted into a replacement unit, avoiding complex software algorithms and disconnection procedures.
2Reliability
If extra hardware and complex software algorithms are used for APM disconnection/reconnection, then data integrity is maintained, but ease of operation and repairability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical and software-based disconnection/reconnection mechanisms with a simple removable storage medium interface. The SD card slot provides a straightforward physical interface that requires no complex software algorithms, special disconnection procedures, or delicate connector handling, thereby dramatically improving ease of operation and repairability while maintaining data integrity through the persistent storage capability of the SD card.
3Reliability
If APM is physically disconnected and reconnected, then compatibility with new MODMAN is ensured, but loss of time and productivity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-storing APM data on a removable SD card that remains inserted in the MODMAN during normal operation. When replacement is needed, the SD card is already in place with all necessary configuration data, eliminating the need for time-consuming data transfer or reconfiguration procedures. The technician simply removes the faulty MODMAN and inserts the replacement unit, which automatically detects and uses the existing SD card, thereby minimizing replacement time while ensuring compatibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A MODMAN modem manager unit in an aviation broadband satellite terminal has a media interface slot integrated into the MODMAN. The media interface slot is exclusively dedicated to interface an external storage device. The external storage device is configured to be attached to or removed from the dedicated media interface slot, and the dedicated media interface slot is configured to allow transfer and storage of instructions and data specific for an APM Aircraft Personality Module via said dedicated media interface slot onto an attached external storage device. When interacting with the MODMAN via the dedicated media interface slot, the attached external storage device is configurable to act as dedicated APM in said aviation broadband satellite terminal.