Vehicle Control Channel via Power Line Communication
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control systems for aerospace vehicles face challenges in providing secure and reliable communication channels without adding weight or complexity, as separate wired connections are cumbersome and wireless solutions are prone to spectrum and security risks.
Innovation Solution
A control channel system that converts control signals into formats suitable for transmission over the aerospace vehicle's electrical power distribution system, using interfaces to embed secure communications within the power lines, thereby eliminating the need for additional wiring and ensuring secure, reliable data transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate wired control connections are used, then reliability and security of control signals are improved, but weight and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines control signal transmission and power delivery into a single electrical cable system. The power lines that already exist for supplying electrical power to vehicle systems are merged with control signal transmission, eliminating the need for separate control wiring. This reduces device complexity and weight while maintaining reliable control channels through the integrated power-line communication interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical power distribution system is given multiple functions: it simultaneously provides power delivery and control signal transmission. The power lines serve dual purposes as both energy carriers and communication channels, reducing the overall system complexity by eliminating dedicated control wiring while maintaining reliable control capabilities.
2Device complexity
If wireless control solutions are used, then weight and wiring complexity are reduced, but security risks and spectrum constraints increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the existing electrical power distribution system as an intermediary medium for control signal transmission. Instead of using wireless signals that are vulnerable to interception, the control signals are transmitted through the wired power infrastructure, which provides inherent security while still reducing wiring complexity compared to traditional separate control cables.
3Reliability
If additional control wiring is installed, then control signal transmission is ensured, but manufacturing and installation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The existing electrical power distribution infrastructure serves dual purposes by also carrying control signals. The power system essentially 'services' itself by providing both power delivery and control communication capabilities, eliminating the need for additional control wiring and reducing manufacturing and installation costs.
4Reliability
If additional control wiring is installed, then control signal transmission is ensured, but maintenance costs and reliability risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging control signal transmission with the existing power distribution system, the patent reduces the total amount of wiring that requires maintenance. The control signals travel over the same infrastructure already in place for power delivery, eliminating separate control cables that would require additional maintenance and posing potential reliability risks from extra connection points.
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 provides a lightweight, secure, and reliable control channel for aerospace vehicles by utilizing the existing electrical power distribution system for data transmission, reducing manufacturing and maintenance costs while minimizing the risk of unauthorized access.
Implementation Method 1
a first interface to convert a signal for controlling or communicating with a selected vehicle system into a format for insertion and transmission over a power line that also supplies electrical power to the selected vehicle system
Implementation Method 2
an electrical power distribution system for supplying electrical power to a plurality of different systems onboard the vehicle
Implementation Method 3
a second interface to convert a signal received over the power line into a format for use by the selected vehicle system
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A control channel for controlling a system of a vehicle may include an electrical power distribution system for supplying electrical power to a plurality of different systems onboard the vehicle. The control channel may also include a first interface (108) to convert a signal for controlling or communicating with a selected vehicle system of the plurality of different systems on board the vehicle into a format for insertion and transmission over a power line (102) that also supplies electrical power to the selected vehicle system, wherein the power line forms a part of the electrical power distribution system of the vehicle. The control channel may also include a second interface (114) to convert a signal received over the power line into a format for use by the selected vehicle system (106).