Selectively Powered Data Interface for Aircraft Connectivity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft systems face challenges in providing secure and efficient access to multiple data domains within the flight deck, requiring complex multiunit systems to manage varying levels of network security, which complicates flight crew communication.
Innovation Solution
A flight crew connectivity system that selectively powers data interface devices to isolate and communicate with specific data domains, using a dedicated data communication path and a controller to ensure secure communication between flight crew devices and avionics or non-avionics equipment, while maintaining physical isolation between different data domains.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex multiunit systems are used to provide secure network access to multiple data domains, then network security is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple data interface devices into a single selectively powerable unit that can interface with multiple data domains (avionics and non-avionics equipment). This single device replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate interface units, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining the ability to securely access different network domains through selective power control and physical isolation mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If multiple data interface devices are continuously powered to provide access to different data domains, then ease of operation is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements selective power control where data interface devices are powered on only when needed to communicate with specific data domains. The system can switch between powering the first data interface device (for avionics equipment) and the second data interface device (for non-avionics equipment) based on communication requirements, rather than keeping all devices continuously powered. This periodic activation reduces energy consumption while maintaining operational readiness when needed.
3Reliability
If physical isolation is implemented between different data domains, then network security is improved, but ease of operation worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a selectively powerable data interface device as an intermediary between flight crew communication devices and different data domains (avionics and non-avionics equipment). This intermediary device provides physical isolation through selective power control, ensuring that only the currently powered interface can communicate, while simplifying operation by presenting a unified interface to flight crew members who don't need to understand the underlying isolation mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods according to one or more embodiments are provided for an aircraft flight crew secure communication path to multiple aircraft data domains. In one example, a system includes one or more data interface devices configured to communicate data. A power module is configured to provide power to the one or more data interface devices, and a switch coupled between the power module and each of the one or more data interface devices is configured to selectively provide power from the power module to at least one of the one or more data interface devices. A data transceiver is configured to couple to an external communication device, and a controller coupled between the one or more data interface devices and the data transceiver is configured to provide a data communication path between the selectively powered data interface device and the data transceiver for the external communication device.