Subscriber Device Optical Shutter for Aircraft Communication Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
In modern aircraft control systems, the presence of a communications network switch can lead to communication disruptions if it fails, and integrating more Line Replacement Modules (LRMs) into electronics enclosures is hindered by the space and weight requirements of these switches.
Innovation Solution
A device subscriber to the communications network that uses optical signals and an optical shutter controlled by a circuit to allow or block signal transmission, ensuring communication continuity even if the device fails, eliminating the need for a network switch and reducing space and weight requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a network switch is integrated into the electronics enclosure to enable communication between devices, then communication functionality is improved, but the switch occupies space in the rack that could be used for additional LRMs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the network switch functionality from the electronics enclosure by implementing a peer-to-peer optical communication system between LRMs. Each LRM has direct optical emitters and receivers that communicate without requiring a centralized switch, thereby removing the space-consuming switch component while maintaining communication capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electrical switching system with an optical communication system. Instead of using electrical signals routed through a switch, the system uses optical emitters and receivers to transmit data directly between LRMs, eliminating the need for a physical network switch in the enclosure.
2Reliability
If a network switch is provided for communication between devices, then communication capability is improved, but the weight of the enclosure increases due to the switch
Solution Approach 1:
The network switch is extracted from the enclosure entirely. The communication functionality is distributed across the LRMs themselves, which now contain integrated optical communication capabilities. This eliminates the weight of the switch while preserving communication capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having a single switch that all devices communicate through, each LRM copies the communication functionality by having its own optical emitters and receivers. This distributed approach eliminates the need for a centralized switch and its associated weight.
3Reliability
If redundant switches are provided to prevent communication disruption, then communication reliability is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication system into independent point-to-point optical links between LRMs. Instead of a centralized switch that requires redundancy, each LRM has its own optical communication path, creating a distributed system where a single point of failure does not disrupt overall communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical shutter mechanism provides automatic failover capability. If an LRM fails, its optical shutter closes to prevent signal interference, automatically protecting the communication integrity of the remaining LRMs without requiring manual intervention or complex redundant switching logic.
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
Enables uninterrupted communication between neighboring devices in case of a subscriber device failure, reduces the need for redundant switches, and optimizes space and weight by allowing more LRMs in the enclosure.
Implementation Method 1
an optical shutter controllable between, on the one hand, an at least partially transparent state allowing the transmission of optical signals between devices subscribers to the communications network and, on the other hand, an opaque state prohibiting the transmission of said optical signals
Data Source
AI summary
A control system includes a plurality of subscriber devices of a communications network, these subscriber devices communicating with one another by optical signals. A subscriber device includes two opposing faces, an optical shutter controllable between an at least partially transparent state and an opaque state, the optical shutter traversing a part of the subscriber device between the two opposing faces; a control circuit configured for controlling the controllable optical shutter; an optical signal emitter on a first of the two opposing faces, disposed in such a manner as to allow the emission of optical signals toward a first neighboring subscriber device; and an optical signal receiver on a second of the two opposing faces, disposed in such a manner as to allow optical signals to be received that originate from a second neighboring subscriber device.