Serial Databus Frame Packing for Continuous Engine Data Offloading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft electronic engine controllers face challenges in storing and transmitting large amounts of continuous engine operating data due to limited memory requirements and difficulty in accessing data from serial databus systems, which are typically used for transmitting only limited engine parameters.
Innovation Solution
A system that utilizes spare bandwidth on serial databuses by dividing large data files into selectively-sized transmission payloads, allocating them into available slots within transmission frames, and transmitting these over the databus to a bus recorder, which can then reconstitute the data for easier access and transmission to a remote station.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If data is stored on EECs, then data availability is maintained, but memory requirements and access difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts data from the EEC memory storage location and transfers it to a bus recorder via the serial databus. The EEC generates data files and transmits them through the existing serial databus infrastructure to a bus recorder that is more accessible for ground operations, thereby reducing the memory burden on the EEC while maintaining data availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a bus recorder as an intermediary component between the EEC and ground operations. The bus recorder receives data files from the EEC via the serial databus and provides a more accessible interface for ground personnel to download data, eliminating the need for direct EEC access while preserving data availability.
2Ease of operation
If data is transmitted over serial databus, then data access is improved, but bandwidth limitations restrict large file transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments large data files into smaller transmission frames that fit within the bandwidth constraints of the serial databus. The EEC divides the data file into multiple frames, each containing a portion of the total data, and transmits them sequentially over the serial databus to the bus recorder, thereby enabling large file transmission despite bandwidth limitations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic transmission of data frames over the serial databus. The EEC transmits data in periodic frames at a rate that matches the databus bandwidth capacity, allowing continuous data transfer without overwhelming the serial databus infrastructure while maintaining ease of access through the bus recorder.
3Quantity of substance
If Ethernet-based databus is used, then large data transmission is enabled, but system compatibility with serial databus is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the serial databus multi-functional by enabling it to transmit large data files in addition to its traditional function of transmitting engine parameters. Through data frame segmentation and periodic transmission, the serial databus achieves large data transmission capability while maintaining compatibility with existing serial databus infrastructure and protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for data acquisition utilizing spare or unused databus capacity are provided. In one example aspect, the system includes a vehicle that includes an engine and a controller. The controller generates a data file indicative of Continuous Engine Operation Data (CEOD). The data file is transmitted over a serial databus to a bus recorder. Particularly, the data file is continuously generated by the controller and stored in a buffer. The available bandwidth of a transmission frame for the serial databus is determined. A portion of the data file is retrieved from the buffer based at least in part on the determined bandwidth. The portion of the data file is divided into relatively small transmission payloads and packed into the available bandwidth of the transmission frame. This process is repeated on a continuous basis and the bus recorder records the data. The data file is then reconstituted and decoded.