Wireless Aircraft Sensor Network Reducing Wiring Complexity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aircraft systems face inefficiencies due to direct sensor connections to line replaceable units, leading to increased wiring complexity, weight, and difficulties in reconfiguring sensors when aircraft configurations change, requiring costly rerouting of wires.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a wireless sensor network with sensors attached to various locations, wireless routers to receive and relay data, and gateways connected to an aircraft data processing system, allowing for wireless data transmission and reducing the need for physical wiring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If sensors are directly connected to line replaceable units, then data transmission is reliable, but wiring complexity and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission reliabilityVSAvoidwiring complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces wireless routers as intermediary devices between sensors and line replaceable units. These routers receive data from sensors via wireless transmission and forward it to the destination, eliminating the need for direct physical wiring while maintaining data transmission reliability through multiple relay points in the network.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical wiring system with a wireless communication system. Sensors transmit data wirelessly to routers, which then relay the information to line replaceable units, substituting physical cable connections with electromagnetic signal transmission to reduce wiring complexity and weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If sensors are directly connected to line replaceable units, then data transmission is stable, but weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission stabilityVSAvoidsystem weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Wireless routers serve as mediator devices that receive and forward sensor data without requiring heavy physical cable infrastructure. This intermediary approach maintains stable data transmission through reliable wireless protocols while significantly reducing the overall system weight by eliminating extensive wiring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical wiring system is replaced with wireless communication infrastructure, substituting heavy cables and connection hardware with lightweight wireless transmitters and receivers, thereby maintaining transmission stability while reducing system weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of manufacture

If sensors are directly connected, then installation is straightforward, but reconfiguration requires costly rerouting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation easeVSAvoidreconfiguration flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic wireless network where sensor connections are not fixed but can be reconfigured through software and network routing. This allows the system to adapt to changing aircraft configurations without physical rewiring, as wireless connections can be dynamically established and modified through the router network.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Wireless routers serve multiple functions including data reception, routing, and transmission, allowing the same infrastructure to support various sensor configurations and aircraft layouts. This universal platform enables easy reconfiguration for different operational requirements without requiring dedicated wiring for each configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If extensive wiring is used for sensor connections, then data transmission is reliable, but system adaptability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission reliabilityVSAvoidsensor reconfiguration capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Wireless routers act as flexible intermediaries that can dynamically route data between sensors and line replaceable units without fixed physical connections. This mediator approach maintains reliable data transmission through multiple possible communication paths while enabling easy sensor reconfiguration by simply changing network routing parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8344912B2Wireless aircraft sensor network

Publication Date: 2013.01.01 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

A method and apparatus in a sensor network in an aircraft for collecting data about the aircraft. The sensor network in the aircraft collects the data about the aircraft. The sensor network comprises a set of wireless sensors attached to a first set of locations for the aircraft, a set of wireless routers attached to a second set of locations for the aircraft, and a set of gateways connected to an aircraft data processing system. The set of wireless routers is capable of receiving the data in wireless signals transmitted by the set of wireless sensors. The set of gateways is capable of receiving data in the wireless signals from the set of wireless routers to form received data and is capable of transmitting the received data into the aircraft data processing system.