Optical Fiber Grating Memory for Aircraft LRU Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Avionics systems face challenges in storing static data due to the weight and size constraints of Hardware Pin Programming (HPP), which increases with the amount of data, making it inefficient for aircraft applications where space and weight minimization are critical.
Innovation Solution
The use of optical fibre gratings to store static information, allowing for compact, reliable, and electromagnetic interference-resistant data storage, with a light-based interrogation system to retrieve and analyze the data, enabling efficient selection of software configurations for Line Replaceable Units (LRUs).
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If Hardware Pin Programming is used to store static data, then data can be stored to indicate LRU location and function, but the number of pins and associated hardware increases with the amount of data, increasing weight and size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical pin-based HPP system with an optical fiber grating system. Instead of using physical pins connected to voltage sources and ADCs, the invention uses optical fiber gratings that store data as reflective spectral patterns, which are read by an optical interrogator. This substitution eliminates the need for multiple physical pins and associated electrical hardware, directly reducing system weight while maintaining data storage reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the fundamental parameter used for data storage from electrical voltage levels (binary 0/1 via grounded or voltage-connected pins) to optical reflection wavelengths. Each optical fiber grating reflects specific wavelengths of light corresponding to stored data bits, allowing the same data storage function to be achieved with a completely different physical parameter, thereby eliminating the weight penalty of extensive pin arrays.
2Loss of information
If the number of pins is increased to store larger amounts of static data, then more data can be stored, but the size of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical pin array with compact optical fiber gratings. A single optical fiber grating can store multiple bits of data through its reflective spectral characteristics, eliminating the need for multiple physical pins. This substitution dramatically reduces the space required for data storage while increasing the data storage capacity, as optical fiber gratings can be made extremely compact compared to pin arrays.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a one-dimensional pin array (where data capacity is limited by the number of pins in a linear arrangement) to a spectral dimension using optical wavelengths. By encoding data in the wavelength domain rather than the spatial pin domain, the system achieves much higher data storage capacity in a smaller physical footprint, effectively adding a new dimension for data encoding.
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 provides a lightweight, compact, and reliable method for storing and retrieving static data, reducing the need for physical pins and associated hardware, thereby minimizing weight and size while ensuring accurate software configuration selection for LRUs, enhancing fuel efficiency and maintenance efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a memory storing static information in one or more optical fibre gratings; a light source configured to transmit interrogation light to the memory; a receiver configured to receive light from the memory
Implementation Method 2
a receiver configured to receive light from the memory... The receiver receives the light from the memory, and typically outputs an electrical signal containing the static information. The receiver may be a photodetector, for example.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3B
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
A system installed on an aircraft. The system includes a memory storing static information in one or more optical fibre gratings; and an interrogator. The interrogator includes a light source configured to transmit interrogation light to the memory, a receiver configured to receive return light from the memory, and an analyser configured to analyse the return light to obtain the static information. The light source, the receiver and the analyser are part of an interrogator, and the interrogator is part of a replaceable unit which can be removed from the system by breaking one or more optical connections between the memory and the interrogator. The replaceable unit comprises a processor capable of executing multiple software configurations, the software configuration which is executed by the processor is determined by the static information obtained from the memory, the analyser is configured to transmit the static information to the processor, and the processor is configured to select the appropriate software configuration accordingly.