Mechanically isolated wireless communications system and method

• US 20060234787A1
• Filed: 04/18/2005
• Published: 10/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Mitchell, Bradley J., Lee, Donald B., Schultz, Larry R.
• Granted Patent: US 8,526,881 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/575.700
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1412 hold down mechanisms, e.g. avionic racks

Abstract

A system and method for transmitting wireless energy between two or more components housed within a faraday-like cage structure. In one preferred form a cooling plenum of an equipment rack supporting a plurality of independent components is used for transmitting wireless signals between the components. In another form a wireless backplane is formed in an equipment rack that houses a plurality of LRUs. In another example a card file housing a plurality of components forms a faraday-like cage for enabling transmission of wireless signals, either electromagnetic wave or optical signals, between various circuit boards held within the card file. The various preferred embodiments eliminate the need for expensive, bulky and heavy electrical or optical cabling to be used to intercouple the components supported within the support structure for communication.

Claims

1. A method for wirelessly communicating signals between at least a pair of independent components, comprising:

providing a supporting structure for receiving and supporting said pair of independent components; and

forming a channel in said structure that is isolated from wireless energy from an ambient environment in which said supporting structure is located, and for retaining wireless energy flowing inside said channel within said channel;

disposing each of said independent components so that at least a portion thereof is located adjacent and in communication with said channel;

substantially sealing an area of interface of each of said components with said channel to insure that wireless energy is only transmitted between said channel and each of said independent components; and

using said channel to conduct wireless energy through said channel between said independent components.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein using said channel to conduct wireless energy comprises using said channel to conduct electromagnetic wave energy.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said channel to conduct wireless energy comprises using said channel to conduct optical energy.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein substantially sealing said area of interface comprises using a gasket between each of said components and said channel.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising using an independent tray to support each of said independent components adjacent said channel, and forming an opening in a portion of said tray for enabling said wireless energy to be communicated between said components and said channel.

7. The method of claim 5, further comprising integrating a wireless energy concentrator into said channel for communicating said wireless energy between a device located outside of said channel and said area within said channel.

4. The method of 1, wherein forming said channel comprises forming an elongated, rectangular channel that functions as a wireless energy backplane for said independent components.

8. An apparatus for conducting wireless energy between a plurality of independent components housed within said apparatus, said apparatus comprising:

an enclosure for preventing the ingress and egress of wireless energy to and from said enclosure;

said enclosure receiving and supporting therewithin a plurality of said independent components, wherein each of said independent components includes a wireless energy communication subsystem; and

a cover for enclosing said independent components within said enclosure and preventing the ingress and egress of wireless signals into and out of an interior area formed by said enclosure and said cover; and

wherein said independent components communicate wirelessly within said enclosure.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said enclosure comprises a metallic structure.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said enclosure comprises an interior wall portion having a plurality of slots for receiving said independent components and holding said independent components adjacent one another.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said independent components comprises electronic circuit board assemblies.

12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said independent components each include at least one of:

an electromagnetic wave antenna; and

an optical coupling component.

13. An equipment bay apparatus for enabling wireless signals to be transmitted between independent components being supported by said equipment bay, said apparatus comprising:

a housing for receiving and supporting at least a pair of independent components; and

said housing including a backplane area for enabling wireless energy to propagate therein, and a component supporting area adjacent said backplane area;

said housing further operating to isolate said backplane area from wireless energy propagating outside of said backplane area, and for retaining wireless energy propagating within said backplane area inside said backplane area;

disposing each of said independent components so that at least a portion thereof is located within said component supporting area and adjacent, and in communication with, said backplane area;

substantially sealing an area of interface of each of said components with said backplane area to insure that wireless energy is only transmitted between said backplane area and each of said independent components; and

using said backplane area to conduct wireless energy between said independent components.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a shelf for supporting said independent components adjacent one another within said component supporting area, said shelf including a plurality of openings for enabling wireless energy to be communicated between said backplane area and each of said independent components.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said shelf comprises a plurality of openings for enabling physical coupling between a connector on each of said independent components and a power connector associated with said housing.

16. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a gasket for sealing an area of interface between said backplane area and said component supporting area.

17. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said independent components comprise electronic line replaceable units.

18. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a wireless data concentrator disposed within said backplane area for enabling wireless communication between said independent components and a device located remotely from said apparatus.

19. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said housing comprises an aluminum housing.

20. A method for conducting wireless signals to control an electronic device disposed within a fluid carrying conduit, the method comprising:

using an electromagnetic wave energy transmitter interfaced to a fluid carrying conduit to radiate electromagnetic wave energy signals within an interior area of said fluid carrying conduit;

using an electronically actuated component to control a fluid flow within said conduit; and

using said electromagnetic wave energy transmitter to radiate electromagnetic wave energy signals to said electronically actuated component to thus control said electronically actuated component.