Onboard Communication Device Wireless Networking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing onboard communication systems for vehicle cabins require complex and heavy cabling, making installation and maintenance cumbersome, especially in aircraft, and necessitate a large number of spare parts due to distributed components.

Innovation Solution

An onboard communication device with a media server and radio data access point utilizing a radio module for wireless communication between devices, eliminating the need for cabling and allowing independent operation of the radio module and unit, enabling wireless networking and data exchange between onboard communication devices without affecting passenger device connections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If wired network cabling is used to connect media server and radio data access points distributed throughout the vehicle cabin, then reliable data transmission is achieved, but installation complexity and weight increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical wired connection system with a wireless communication system. Radio data access points communicate with the media server via wireless radio links instead of physical cables, eliminating the need for complex cabling infrastructure while maintaining data transmission functionality. This substitution directly addresses the contradiction by removing the mechanical constraint (cables) that caused installation complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and removes the cabling infrastructure from the system. By eliminating the physical connection requirement, the system no longer needs complex wiring networks throughout the vehicle cabin. The radio frequency communication channel replaces the extracted cable medium, simplifying installation while preserving communication reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If wired network cabling is used to connect distributed components throughout the vehicle cabin, then adequate coverage is achieved, but weight increases due to extensive cabling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradio coverageVSAvoidsystem weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes heavy mechanical cable infrastructure with lightweight wireless radio frequency transmission. The radio waves propagate through the vehicle cabin air without requiring physical media, dramatically reducing system weight while maintaining adequate coverage area through proper antenna placement and radio frequency propagation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of repair

If multiple distributed components are installed throughout the vehicle cabin, then adequate coverage and serviceability are improved, but spare parts inventory and maintenance complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent serviceabilityVSAvoidspare parts quantity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functionality of media server and radio data access point into a single integrated onboard communication device. This consolidation reduces the number of discrete components from multiple distributed units to fewer integrated units, thereby reducing spare parts inventory requirements while maintaining serviceability through modular design and standardized interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2803147B1On-board communication apparatuses for a cabin of a vehicle each with a media server and a radio module which wirelessly link them together.
Publication Date: 2016.07.27 LUFTHANSA TECHNIK AG
  • EP2803147B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2803147B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

On-board communication device (10) and on-board communication system (30) for a cab of a vehicle (13), wherein the on-board communication device (10) comprises at least one media server (1) and at least one radio data access point with a radio unit (12) for wireless transmission of media data from the media server (1) of the on-board communication device (10) to at least one passenger device (20) in the cab, wherein the on-board communication device (10) has at least one radio module (14) for wireless communication of the on-board communication device (10) with a further on-board communication device (10).