Modular Avionics Network Architecture for Wiring Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The management of heterogeneous on-board communication networks in avionic systems is challenging due to complex and bulky wiring from direct connections between sensors/actuators and computers, and the inefficient use of microprocessors for data conversion and routing tasks.
Innovation Solution
A modular and configurable communication network architecture that includes data concentrators and gateways, positioned close to sensors/actuators, using digital bus links and wireless connections, to optimize data transmission and processing, with a database initialized by XML-like configuration files for autonomous operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sensors or actuators are directly connected to computers, then data transmission is achieved, but wiring becomes very complex and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces intermediate devices (data concentrators and gateways) between sensors/actuators and computers. These intermediaries aggregate data from multiple sensors and perform protocol conversions, eliminating the need for direct point-to-point wiring between each sensor and computer, thus reducing wiring complexity while maintaining reliable data transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into distinct functional modules: data concentrators for aggregation, gateways for protocol conversion, and computers for processing. This segmentation allows each component to have a specialized function and reduces the overall system complexity by distributing functions across multiple simpler components rather than requiring complex direct connections.
2Reliability
If microprocessor computers are used for data conversion and routing tasks, then data processing is achieved, but computing power is not optimized
Solution Approach 1:
Processing tasks are segmented and distributed across different components: data concentrators handle aggregation and preliminary processing, gateways handle protocol conversions and routing decisions, and computers handle high-level application processing. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, improving overall computing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Gateways serve as intermediary devices that handle protocol conversions and routing tasks, freeing computers from these lower-level operations. This allows computers to focus their computing power on higher-level application software while gateways handle the intermediate processing and conversion tasks.
3Weight of moving object
If data concentrators are positioned close to sensors and actuators, then wiring mass is reduced, but system architecture becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into distributed data concentrators positioned near sensor groups, intermediate gateways, and central computers. This segmentation allows cabling to be localized to small groups of sensors rather than running long cables from every sensor to the computer, significantly reducing total cabling mass while the modular architecture manages the complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a centralized star topology to a hierarchical multi-level architecture. Data concentrators create local aggregation points, gateways provide intermediate routing layers, and computers provide central coordination. This multi-dimensional hierarchical structure reduces cable lengths by organizing sensors into local groups while managing architectural complexity through standardized interfaces at each level.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The network has a modular and configurable data concentrator (4) digitizing data from sensors (2) or performing digital-to-analog conversion of data concerning functional members e.g. actuators (3). A distribution gateway (5) in a communication interface between an analog link (6) and one of the members includes functions of receiving, acquiring, changing digital format, and switching information. A digital link in the interface forms a digital bus (8) between the concentrator and the gateway. Another analog link (7) via the bus is provided between the gateway and an on-board computer (1).