Virtual Aircraft Network Simulation for Component Characteristic Modification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Simulating aircraft networks is complex due to variations in components across different aircraft and entities, making it time-consuming and inefficient, and modifying components can introduce threats that are difficult to test effectively.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that identify characteristics of aircraft network components, generate virtual implementations, and simulate network processing virtual flight test data, comparing it to actual data to modify characteristics and manage threats in real-time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If virtual implementations are generated and simulations are performed to test aircraft network components, then testing efficiency and threat management capability are improved, but system complexity and computational resources required increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual implementations (copies) of aircraft network components that replicate the behavior and characteristics of physical components. These virtual copies include virtual sensors, actuators, and processing units that mirror their physical counterparts, enabling comprehensive testing without requiring actual aircraft hardware. This copying approach allows parallel testing of multiple scenarios simultaneously, dramatically improving testing efficiency while the virtual nature of the copies keeps resource requirements manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The simulation system is divided into discrete virtual components that correspond to individual aircraft network elements. Each virtual sensor, actuator, and processing unit can be independently configured, tested, and modified. This segmentation allows the complex simulation system to be built and managed as modular units, reducing overall system complexity while enabling comprehensive testing coverage through composition of individual virtual components.
2Reliability
If characteristics of components are modified to address performance issues or threats, then system reliability and security are improved, but the risk of introducing new threats or errors increases
Solution Approach 1:
The simulation environment enables preliminary anti-action by allowing modifications to component characteristics to be tested virtually before being applied to actual aircraft systems. Threat scenarios, performance optimizations, and configuration changes can be evaluated in the virtual implementation first, identifying potential new threats or errors before they reach physical systems. This pre-testing approach prevents harmful modifications from being deployed to operational aircraft networks.
Solution Approach 2:
The simulation system provides comprehensive feedback on modifications to component characteristics by comparing simulated performance against expected behavior and security requirements. When characteristics are modified, the system automatically evaluates the impact on system reliability and security, flagging potential new threats or errors. This feedback mechanism guides iterative refinement of component characteristics, ensuring modifications improve reliability without introducing harmful factors.
3Reliability
If comprehensive testing of aircraft network components is performed to ensure security and performance, then system security and reliability are improved, but time consumption and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual implementations are prepared and configured in advance, with component characteristics and network topologies established before actual testing begins. Test scenarios, including threat scenarios and performance benchmarks, are pre-defined in the simulation environment. This preliminary action allows comprehensive security and performance testing to be conducted systematically without time-consuming setup during actual testing phases, reducing overall testing time while maintaining thoroughness.
Solution Approach 2:
By using virtual copies of aircraft network components, the system enables comprehensive testing to be performed in parallel across multiple virtual instances simultaneously. Unlike physical component testing which must be sequential, virtual implementations can be duplicated and tested concurrently, dramatically reducing the time required for comprehensive security and performance evaluation while maintaining thorough testing coverage.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for performing a simulation of aircraft networks. Characteristics of components of the aircraft networks are identified. The aircraft networks include a first set of networks within a plurality of aircraft and a second set of networks configured for communication between the plurality of aircraft. Virtual implementations of the components are generated based on the characteristics of the components. A simulation of the aircraft networks is performed that includes the virtual implementations of the components processing virtual flight test data generated by the virtual implementations of the components. The virtual flight test data for the components in the aircraft networks is compared to actual flight test data from the components in the aircraft networks to form a comparison. The characteristics of the components are then modified based on the comparison.