PCMCIA Card Wireless Flight Data Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current aircraft condition monitoring systems (ACMS) require manual intervention for data retrieval and transmission, which is inefficient and prone to human error, especially for remote analysis and maintenance purposes.

Innovation Solution

A PCMCIA card equipped with a communication unit, storage unit, and processor that automatically transfers flight data via a wireless network to a ground station after predefined conditions are met, using configuration data to determine the transfer parameters and ensuring secure, remote data retrieval without additional antennas or facilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual intervention is used for data retrieval and transmission, then system complexity is reduced, but productivity and efficiency deteriorate due to frequent human intervention

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata retrieval efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The PCMCIA card is equipped with an autonomous processor that automatically compares ACMS reports against configuration data, triggers transfers without human intervention, and manages communication protocols independently, enabling the system to service itself

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Configuration data including transfer parameters, thresholds, and ground station information are pre-loaded into the PCMCIA card's storage unit before flight operations, allowing the system to execute predetermined automatic transfer protocols without requiring real-time human configuration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If automatic transfer protocols are implemented, then productivity improves through reduced human intervention, but device complexity increases due to additional processing requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transfer automationVSAvoidprocessing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The PCMCIA card integrates multiple functions including data storage, report generation, automatic comparison logic, communication protocol handling, and ground station management within a single device, eliminating the need for separate systems for each function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If remote automatic transmission is implemented, then ease of operation improves by eliminating manual card exchange, but device complexity increases due to communication unit requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata retrieval convenienceVSAvoidcommunication unit complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The communication unit is integrated directly into the PCMCIA card structure, merging transmission capabilities with the existing storage and processing functions, rather than requiring separate external communication equipment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS9767623B2PCMCIA card for transferring flight data

Publication Date: 2017.09.19 SAFRAN ELECTRONICS & DEFENSE (FR)

AI summary

The invention concerns a PCMCIA card for downloading flight data remotely via a wireless network to a ground station, the PCMCIA card being designed to be connected to an ACMS system of an aircraft, the ACMS system being designed to generate an ACMS report after at least one predefined condition has been satisfied, and to record flight data.