Portable Wireless Adapter WAIC Frequency Location Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems in aircraft lack secure and efficient methods for data transmission between portable electronic devices and aircraft systems, particularly in adhering to the Wireless Avionics Intra-Communications (WAIC) standard, which limits communications to specific frequency ranges and requires secure authentication to prevent unauthorized access.
Innovation Solution
A portable wireless communications adapter equipped with a wireless antenna, access point electronics, a wireless receiver, and a location sensing module that communicates over the WAIC frequency range (4.2 GHz to 4.4 GHz) and selectively enables or disables data transmission based on the adapter's location within the aircraft, using authentication to ensure secure communication with authorized devices and systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wireless communication over standard frequency bands (900 MHz, 2.4 GHz, 3.6 GHz, 5 GHz, 60 GHz) is used for data transmission between portable devices and aircraft systems, then communication accessibility and ease of operation are improved, but security and compliance with aviation standards deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the frequency parameter from standard wireless bands to the specific WAIC frequency range of 4.2-4.4 GHz, which is allocated for avionics communications. This parameter change ensures compliance with aviation standards while maintaining wireless communication functionality, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and security.
2Ease of operation
If wireless communication is enabled outside the aircraft to provide broader connectivity, then ease of operation is improved, but security and prevention of unauthorized access deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary location verification using GPS coordinates before enabling wireless communication. The system pre-establishes geographic boundaries (aircraft interior coordinates) and checks the device location against these boundaries before allowing data transmission. This preliminary action prevents unauthorized access by ensuring communications only occur within the aircraft, while still providing connectivity when properly located.
3Reliability
If location verification and authentication protocols are implemented to ensure secure communication, then security is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary authentication module that acts as a mediator between the wireless communication function and the location verification system. This module consolidates the authentication logic, GPS coordinate checking, and communication control in a single component, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining security protocols.
4Productivity
If wireless transmission is continuously enabled to maintain communication availability, then productivity is improved, but security and energy consumption deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of the wireless transmitter based on real-time location verification. The system continuously monitors GPS coordinates and dynamically adjusts the transmission state - enabling when inside aircraft boundaries and disabling when outside. This dynamic approach maintains communication availability when needed while preventing unauthorized access and reducing energy consumption when the device is outside the aircraft.
Data Source
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AI summary
A portable wireless communications adapter (12) includes a wireless antenna (27) and wireless access point electronics (26) configured to communicated wirelessly with a portable electronic device (14). The portable wireless communications adapter (12) further includes a wireless receiver (41), a wireless transmitter (39), and a location sensing module (40). The wireless receiver is configured to receive Wireless Avionics Intra-Communication (WAIC) communications over a WAIC frequency range between 4.2 gigahertz (GHz) and 4.4 GHz. The wireless transmitter (39) is configured to send WAIC communications over the WAIC frequency range. The location sensing module (40) is configured to determine a location of the portable wireless communications adapter (12) relative to an interior of an aircraft based on WAIC communications received at the wireless receiver, and selectively enable and disable the wireless transmitter based on the determined location.