Optical Fiber RF Transport Infrastructure for Aircraft
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft communication networks are complex and costly due to the use of radiating coaxial cables for radio-frequency data transmission, which are heavy, bulky, and require significant installation time, affecting weight balance and accessibility.
Innovation Solution
A radio-frequency data transport infrastructure using a concentration and configuration box with frequency filtering and conversion modules, coupled with optical fibers and interface boxes, to transmit data bidirectionally, eliminating the need for radiating coaxial cables.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If radiating coaxial cables are used for radio-frequency data transmission, then reliable data transmission is achieved, but weight increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical radiating coaxial cable system with an optical fiber-based system. The radiating coaxial cable that transmits radio-frequency signals electrically is substituted by optical fibers that transmit light signals, fundamentally changing the physical medium from electrical to optical domain. This substitution dramatically reduces weight while maintaining transmission reliability through optical signal propagation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of signal transmission from electrical radio-frequency signals in coaxial cables to optical signals in fiber optics. By changing the signal carrier from electrical to optical domain and the transmission medium from metal conductors to dielectric fibers, the system achieves weight reduction while preserving data transmission functionality through wavelength division multiplexing and optical-electrical conversion at interface boxes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If radiating coaxial cables are installed throughout the cabin, then radio-frequency data can be transmitted to equipment, but installation time and constraints increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the monolithic radiating coaxial cable system into distributed optical fiber networks with multiple interface boxes positioned throughout the cabin. Each interface box serves a specific zone, allowing independent installation and configuration. This segmentation enables parallel installation processes and reduces the minimum radius of curvature constraint to 15 mm, significantly improving installation flexibility and reducing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces interface boxes as intermediary devices between the optical fiber network and radio-frequency equipment. These interface boxes perform optical-to-electrical conversion and signal distribution, enabling standard optical fiber installation practices while maintaining compatibility with existing radio-frequency equipment. This intermediary approach simplifies installation by decoupling the optical infrastructure from the radio-frequency device connections.
3Adaptability or versatility
If radiating coaxial cables are used, then radio-frequency signals can be transmitted, but the diameter and bulk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the bulky radiating coaxial cable structure with thin optical fibers. The replacement of the large-diameter coaxial cable (approximately 8 mm) with much thinner optical fibers (typically 0.25-0.5 mm) dramatically reduces volume and bulk while maintaining signal transmission capability through optical domain propagation. This substitution allows for more compact routing and reduced spatial requirements in the cabin infrastructure.
4Adaptability or versatility
If radiating coaxial cables are installed, then radio-frequency data transmission is enabled, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive radiating coaxial cables with more cost-effective optical fiber infrastructure. Optical fibers have lower material costs, reduced installation requirements, and lower maintenance expenses compared to radiating coaxial cables. The interface boxes provide cost-effective optical-to-electrical conversion, enabling standard optical fiber pricing models while maintaining radio-frequency transmission functionality. This substitution reduces overall system cost while preserving data transmission capability.
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 enables efficient, cost-effective, and weight-reduced radio-frequency data transport in aircraft, improving network complexity and accessibility while maintaining reliable data transmission.
Implementation Method 1
a first filtering device, configured to, in the direction of the downstream flow, decompose a first signal, called entering signal, into N sub-signals, called entering sub-signals, in N distinct sub-bands of frequencies
Implementation Method 2
N modules for converting electric/optical signals, each conversion module being configured, in the direction of the downstream flow, to respectively convert an entering sub-signal into an optical signal, called entering optical signal, having a given wavelength
Implementation Method 3
N 1×2 optical couplers, each optical coupler being configured, in the direction of the downstream flow, to respectively transmit a part of an entering optical signal to a unit for converting electric/optical signals
Implementation Method 4
N units for converting electric/optical signals, each unit for converting electric/optical signals being configured, in the direction of the downstream flow, to respectively reconvert an entering optical signal into an entering sub-signal
Data Source
AI summary
A radio-frequency data transport infrastructure for transmitting radio-frequency data to and from equipment via optical fibers. Such data transport infrastructure being particularly suitable for equipping an aircraft.