Ultrasonic Phased Array Flight Deck Audio
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional headsets used by aircraft pilots are uncomfortable for long periods and can disturb passengers due to their noise isolation design, which also allows cockpit sounds to propagate into the cabin, making it difficult to maintain a quiet environment in business aircraft.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasonic phased array speaker system that directs audio signals as a narrow ultrasonic beam to the pilot's ears, using an ultrasonic carrier wave inaudible to humans, which becomes demodulated and audible upon interaction with air molecules, reducing noise interference and minimizing sound propagation to the passenger cabin.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional headsets with noise isolating design are used, then communication clarity between pilots and ATC is improved, but passenger comfort deteriorates due to noise disturbance in the cabin
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by directing ultrasonic acoustic energy specifically to the pilot's ears through a focused beam, rather than distributing sound throughout the cockpit. This localized delivery achieves clear communication for the pilot while preventing noise propagation to the passenger cabin, thus resolving the contradiction between communication clarity and passenger comfort
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces ultrasonic acoustic energy as an intermediary carrier. The modulator circuit modulates audio signals onto ultrasonic carrier waves, which are then transmitted through the air to the pilot's ears. This intermediary approach allows clear communication delivery while the inaudible nature of ultrasonic waves prevents disturbance to passengers
2Reliability
If conventional headsets are worn for long periods, then communication function is maintained, but pilot comfort deteriorates due to pressure and heat
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the communication function from the headset device itself and delivers it through airborne ultrasonic acoustic energy directly to the pilot's ears. This eliminates the need for physical headsets, removing the source of discomfort (pressure on ears and heat buildup) while maintaining reliable communication functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical headset system with an acoustic field-based communication system. Instead of using physical contact between the headset and the pilot's ears, the system uses ultrasonic acoustic waves to deliver communication signals, thereby eliminating mechanical discomfort while preserving communication reliability
3Reliability
If alert signals are broadcast through flight deck speaker system, then pilot awareness is improved, but passenger comfort deteriorates due to sound propagation into the cabin
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by directing alert signal acoustic energy specifically toward the pilot's position using a focused ultrasonic beam. This localized delivery ensures the pilot receives clear alert signals for maintain situational awareness, while the directed nature of the beam prevents sound energy from propagating into the passenger cabin, thus resolving the contradiction between pilot awareness and passenger comfort
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
This solution allows for clear and accurate communication between pilots and air traffic control without headsets, enhancing signal-to-noise ratio for pilots while keeping the cabin quiet, reducing discomfort and noise disturbance for passengers.
Implementation Method 1
The system uses an ultrasonic transducer array that directs the system audio in a narrow ultrasonic beam to the pilot's ears
Implementation Method 2
The ultrasonic beam employs an ultrasonic carrier wave at a frequency that is inaudible to the human ear
Implementation Method 3
As the beam passes through air molecules in route to the pilot's ears, the modulated wave becomes naturally demodulated through interaction with the air molecules
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The pilot communication system employs an acoustic transducer (14) disposed on the flight deck (10) and positioned to emit sound waves in the direction of the at least one pilot seating location (20). A modulator circuit is coupled to receive an audio signal from the avionics communication system (16) and is also coupled to drive the acoustic transducer (14). The modulator circuit supplies to the acoustic transducer (14) an electrical signal having an ultrasonic carrier frequency modulated by the audio signal, thereby causing the acoustic transducer to deliver a beam (22) of ultrasonic acoustic energy, through the acoustic space, in the direction of the at least one pilot seating location (20), which beam (22) of ultrasonic acoustic energy is demodulated naturally by traversal through air molecules between the transducer (14) and the pilot seating location (22), thus rendering the audio signal audible by human hearing at the at least one pilot seating location (22).