Redundant CCDL Flight Control Architecture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flight control systems for small aircraft, such as helicopters, face challenges in minimizing wiring while maintaining fail-safe operations and resistance to external aggressions and data link failures, which complicates the development of compact systems.
Innovation Solution
A flight control system with a two-way architecture utilizing two processing units connected by redundant bidirectional digital links, including CCDL links, and backup communication means like an on-board secure network for avionics, which ensures data integrity and consistency, reducing the likelihood of system failure and bulkiness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple discrete analog links are used to connect processing units, then resistance to data link failure is improved, but wiring volume increases and system compactness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple communication functions into a single bidirectional digital link, merging the roles of multiple discrete analog links into one integrated digital connection that maintains reliability while reducing wiring volume
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces physical analog links with a digital communication system that uses bidirectional data exchange, substituting mechanical/electrical analog connections with digital signal processing that achieves the same reliability goal with reduced wiring
2Reliability
If processing units are geographically separated into remote casings, then resistance to external aggressions is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the flight control system into separate processing units housed in geographically distributed casings, segmenting the system to reduce vulnerability to external aggressions while maintaining functional integration through digital communication
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a bidirectional digital link as an intermediary communication channel between geographically separated processing units, enabling coordinated operation without requiring complex direct connections or intermediate hardware
3Reliability
If redundant communication links are implemented, then fail-safe operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic redundancy where the bidirectional digital link can adaptively switch communication directions and activate backup protocols only when needed, maintaining fail-safe operation while avoiding the static complexity of permanently duplicated communication paths
Data Source
AI summary
A flight control system of an aircraft including a first processing unit, a second processing unit, communication means configured to establish a first two-way digital link and as second two-way digital link between the first processing unit and the second processing unit. The second link is redundant with the first link, and the first link and second link are likely to be active concomitantly. The system further includes backup communication means enabling data exchanges between the first processing unit and the second processing unit in the case of a failure in the first link and second link. The backup communication means includes an array of sensors or actuators and/or a secure onboard network for the avionics.