Optical Wireless Link for Vehicle Data Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Establishing a secure, high-speed communication link between a vehicle operator's personal computing device and the on-board system that is not interfered with by other electronics and maintains mobility, as existing wireless radio communication methods are insecure and can cause safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an optical wireless communication system using an optical communication transceiver with an emitter and sensor, coupled to a bus I/O processor that converts protocols to establish a bidirectional optical wireless link within the vehicle's control compartment, allowing secure and interference-resistant data exchange between the personal computing device and on-board data processing devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wireless radio communication is used to provide mobility for personal computing devices, then ease of operation is improved, but security and interference resistance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces radio frequency electromagnetic waves with visible light waves for wireless communication. This substitution of the physical medium (from RF to optical spectrum) enables the system to achieve both mobility and security, as light can be contained within vehicle compartments and is inherently more secure from interception
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the frequency parameter of the electromagnetic wave from radio frequency to visible light range. This parameter change fundamentally alters the communication characteristics, providing higher bandwidth, better security through directional transmission, and immunity to RF interference while maintaining wireless mobility
2Reliability
If physical cable connection is used to ensure secure communication, then security and interference resistance are improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to loss of mobility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical cable connections with optical wireless communication using visible light waves. This eliminates the need for mechanical connectors while achieving equivalent or superior security and interference resistance, thereby maintaining device mobility
3Ease of operation
If wireless radio communication is used to enable data exchange, then ease of operation is improved, but harmful interference to on-board electronics increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes radio frequency electromagnetic waves with visible light waves for wireless communication. This eliminates RF interference with avionics and other sensitive electronics while maintaining wireless communication capability, as optical signals do not interfere with electronic systems in the same manner as RF signals
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
The optical wireless communication system provides secure, high-speed connectivity within the vehicle control compartment, preventing signal interception and interference with other electronics, ensuring safe and reliable data exchange for vehicle operations.
Implementation Method 1
an optical unit positioned within a vehicle operator control compartment of the vehicle comprising an optical emitter and an optical sensor
Data Source
AI summary
Optical wireless communications for vehicle operator personal computing devices is provided. In one embodiment, a system comprises: a bus I/O processor coupled to a vehicle data bus, the I/O processor executing a protocol converter; an optical communication transceiver coupled to the I/O processor, the transceiver in communication with an optical unit comprising an optical emitter and sensor, the optical unit within a control compartment of the vehicle; the bus I/O processor exchanges vehicle operational data with on-board data processing devices over the vehicle data bus using a vehicle data bus protocol; the transceiver controls the optical unit to establish a bidirectional optical wireless communications (OWC) link with a personal computing device in the control compartment using an OWC protocol; the I/O processor communicates information relevant to the operation of the vehicle between an on-board data processing device and an application executing on the personal computing device over the OWC link.