Wireless SIM and eSIM Profile Installation for Aircraft Gateways

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for changing cellular service profiles in aircraft interface devices require physical access and replacement of SIM cards, which is time-consuming and difficult due to the inaccessibility of these devices from the cabin or cockpit.

Innovation Solution

A configuration system using a computer system and configuration manager to identify and create user modifiable software parts for communications gateways, allowing wireless configuration and reconfiguration without physical access, using a USB or wireless connection to update the aircraft network.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If physical SIM card replacement is used to change cellular service profiles, then service profile changes can be made, but the process becomes time-consuming and difficult due to inaccessibility of the device from cabin or cockpit

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecellular service profile change capabilityVSAvoidphysical access requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a user modifiable software part that copies the essential functionality of a physical SIM card profile into software form. This software part can be wirelessly transferred and installed on the aircraft interface device, eliminating the need for physical SIM card replacement while maintaining the ability to change cellular service profiles. The software part contains the same subscriber identity and service authorization information as a traditional SIM card but can be updated remotely through wireless connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of physical SIM card insertion and removal with an electronic/software-based system. Instead of physically accessing the SIM card tray and swapping cards, the system uses wireless data transmission to transfer profile information to the device's memory or storage, where it is then installed as a software part. This substitution eliminates the mechanical access requirement while achieving the same functional outcome of profile changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If physical access to aircraft interface device is required for SIM card replacement, then profile changes can be made, but the time and effort required increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprofile reconfiguration capabilityVSAvoidconfiguration time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables preliminary configuration of service profiles on ground-based systems or portable devices before aircraft operation. The user modifiable software part can be prepared in advance, containing pre-configured cellular service profile information. This software part is then wirelessly transferred to the aircraft interface device, allowing rapid deployment of new profiles without requiring time-consuming physical access during flight operations or maintenance periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Productivity

If wireless configuration method is used, then configuration time is reduced and remote access is enabled, but new software part creation and transfer infrastructure is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration speedVSAvoidsoftware part creation system

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the user modifiable software part with universal compatibility across different aircraft interface devices and cellular network configurations. The software part structure is standardized to work with various profile formats and network types, allowing the same creation and transfer infrastructure to serve multiple aircraft and carriers. This universality reduces the overall system complexity by avoiding the need for device-specific or carrier-specific customization tools.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a configuration manager as an intermediary component that handles the complex tasks of software part creation, validation, and transfer. This intermediary layer abstracts the complexity from the end users and provides a standardized interface for profile management. The configuration manager can be implemented as ground-based software that generates the user modifiable software part and facilitates its wireless transfer to the aircraft interface device, thereby managing the infrastructure complexity in a centralized manner.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20250317194A1Wireless Installation of Physical SIM and eSIM Profiles on Airplane Systems

Publication Date: 2025.10.09 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

A cellular communication configuration system comprising a computer system and a configuration manager in the computer system. The configuration manager is configured to identify a profile for a mobile network that provides a cellular service. The configuration manager is configured to create a user modifiable software part for the mobile network using the profile, wherein the user modifiable software part is for a communications gateway in an aircraft that manages cellular communications. The configuration manager is configured to send the user modifiable software part to an aircraft network in the aircraft. The user modifiable software part is used to configure the communications gateway.