Wireless Avionics Temporal Reference Distribution via Master Clock Broadcast
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing avionics system for distributing a temporal reference on an aircraft is complex, leading to significant latency and limited precision due to asynchronous devices and multiple clock sources, which complicates initialization and can result in temporary loss of the reference during faults or partial platform failures.
Innovation Solution
A wireless communication system using a master clock to broadcast a temporal reference over a Wireless Avionics Intra-Communication (WAIC) network, reducing latency and ensuring quasi-simultaneous reception across devices, with redundancy pathways for continuous availability and simplified implementation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a wired Ethernet network with multiple gateways is used for temporal reference distribution, then the architecture provides structured communication paths, but the transport latency increases significantly (up to one second or double in case of LRU-Clock failure)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the wired Ethernet physical infrastructure with a wireless communication system. The master clock broadcasts temporal reference signals wirelessly to all avionics devices, eliminating the need for physical cable connections and gateway routing. This substitution reduces transport latency from up to one second to near-real-time transmission, while maintaining reliability through direct wireless signal propagation to all receivers simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the intermediate gateway components (SCI gateways, LRU-Clock) from the temporal reference distribution path. By having the master clock broadcast directly to all devices without intermediate gateways, the system eliminates the latency introduced by multiple routing hops and gateway processing, achieving direct one-to-many communication.
2Reliability
If multiple clock sources and gateways are used for temporal reference distribution, then the system maintains redundancy and availability, but the architecture complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the temporal reference distribution function directly into the wireless communication broadcast mechanism. Instead of having separate wired Ethernet paths and gateway components, the master clock integrates the reference signal generation and wireless broadcasting functions, simplifying the overall architecture while maintaining the ability to serve multiple devices simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless communication system serves multiple functions: it provides temporal reference distribution to all avionics devices, enables direct master-clock-to-device communication, and maintains system redundancy through the broadcast nature of wireless signals. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated wired infrastructure and intermediate gateways.
3Adaptability or versatility
If asynchronous devices with multiple gateways are used, then the system accommodates various device positions and communication paths, but the precision of temporal reference distribution is limited due to latency variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates an equipotential communication environment where all avionics devices receive the temporal reference signal simultaneously through wireless broadcast. By eliminating the varying path lengths and gateway delays of wired Ethernet, the system ensures that all devices, regardless of their physical positions in the aircraft, receive the reference signal with equivalent precision and minimal latency variation.
4Reliability
If a complex wired architecture with multiple sources is used, then the system provides multiple distribution paths, but the initialization time for temporal reference distribution increases
Solution Approach 1:
The master clock begins broadcasting temporal reference signals immediately upon system initialization, without waiting for complex wired network setup or gateway configuration. The wireless broadcast mechanism allows all devices to acquire the temporal reference simultaneously from the start, significantly reducing initialization time compared to sequential wired network propagation.
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 approach minimizes transport latency, increases precision, and ensures reliable and continuous availability of the temporal reference, simplifying initialization and reducing dispersion among devices.
Implementation Method 1
the master clock is configured to emit the temporal reference by radio wave (amplitude- or frequency-modulated) of which the frequency of the carrier wave lies in a bandwidth of the wireless avionics intra-communication frequencies
Data Source
AI summary
A system for broadcasting an avionics temporal reference over a set of devices (7) of an aircraft, the system includes a master clock (5) configured to broadcast the avionics temporal reference via a wireless communication network (3) according to at least one predetermined frequency belonging to a wireless avionics intra-communication frequency band.