Plastic Optical Fiber Serial Interface Module for Aircraft Data Buses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical fiber data bus systems using glass optical fibers are fragile, expensive, and prone to alignment issues, making them unsuitable for robust aircraft applications, while current electrical ARINC 629 data buses are bulky and costly.
Innovation Solution
A plastic optical fiber serial interface module (POFSIM) that directly interfaces between a terminal controller and a data bus, transmitting electrical signals to optical signals and vice versa, using a terminal controller interface electronic circuit, optical sources, and detectors to facilitate communication without additional processing devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If glass optical fibers are used for data bus, then weight is reduced compared to electrical bus, but the system becomes fragile and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the optical fiber from glass to plastic (PMMA), fundamentally altering the physical properties. This substitution maintains the optical transmission function while dramatically improving mechanical robustness, eliminating fragility during installation and operation, and reducing cost without sacrificing the weight advantage
2Weight of moving object
If glass optical fibers with small diameter are used, then weight is reduced, but optical alignment becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the core diameter parameter from typical glass fiber dimensions (small) to larger plastic optical fiber dimensions. This parameter change provides a larger optical coupling area, making alignment significantly easier during installation while maintaining the lightweight benefit of optical fiber technology
3Reliability
If glass optical fiber components are used, then optical communication is achieved, but component cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material composition parameter from glass to plastic (PMMA), which fundamentally alters the manufacturing cost structure. Plastic optical fiber components are inherently less expensive to manufacture than glass components, eliminating the cost penalty while preserving optical communication functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adopts plastic optical fiber which is inherently cheaper than glass fiber, accepting that while plastic has different lifecycle characteristics, the immediate manufacturing and installation cost savings are substantial, making the system economically viable for aircraft applications
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 POFSIM provides a robust, lightweight, and cost-effective data communication solution with a higher power budget and longer useful length, offering a reliable direct interface between the terminal controller and data bus, addressing the fragility and expense issues of glass fiber systems and the bulkiness of electrical data buses.
Implementation Method 1
an optical source coupled to the TCIEC and configured to transmit digital optical signals to a data bus based on the received electrical signals
Implementation Method 2
a detector coupled to the TCIEC and configured to receive digital optical signals from the data bus
Data Source
AI summary
A line replacement unit includes a terminal controller, and a plastic optical fiber serial interface module (POFSIM) coupled between the terminal controller and the data bus. The POFSIM is configured to transmit digital optical signals to the data bus based on electrical signals received from the terminal controller, and transmit electrical signals to the terminal controller based on digital optical signals received from the data bus.