RECONFIGURABLE SATCOM AVIONICS RADIO
First Claim
1. A main radio unit for an avionic communication system, the main radio unit comprising:
- a software defined radio (SDR) configured to simultaneously provide at least one safety certified channel for a cockpit of an aircraft and at least one other channel for cabin services of the aircraft, wherein the SDR is configurable such that the SDR can generate signals corresponding to different communication protocols;
an interface for the at least one safety certified channel, wherein the interface is configured to convert signals between a protocol for hardware in the cockpit and a satellite communication protocol used by the SDR for the at least one safety certified channel; and
wherein the SDR is configured to communicate with an RF unit for transmission and reception of signals over an antenna.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In one embodiment, a main radio unit for an avionic communication system is provided. The main radio unit includes a software defined radio (SDR) configured to simultaneously provide at least one safety certified channel for a cockpit of an aircraft and at least one other channel for cabin services of the aircraft, wherein the SDR is configurable such that the SDR can generate signals corresponding to different communication protocols. The main radio unit also includes an interface for the at least one safety certified channel, wherein the interface is configured to convert signals between a protocol for hardware in the cockpit and a satellite communication protocol used by the SDR for the at least one safety certified channel; and wherein the SDR is configured to communicate with an RF unit for transmission and reception of signals over an antenna.
24 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A main radio unit for an avionic communication system, the main radio unit comprising:
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a software defined radio (SDR) configured to simultaneously provide at least one safety certified channel for a cockpit of an aircraft and at least one other channel for cabin services of the aircraft, wherein the SDR is configurable such that the SDR can generate signals corresponding to different communication protocols; an interface for the at least one safety certified channel, wherein the interface is configured to convert signals between a protocol for hardware in the cockpit and a satellite communication protocol used by the SDR for the at least one safety certified channel; and wherein the SDR is configured to communicate with an RF unit for transmission and reception of signals over an antenna. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. The main radio unit of claim 5, wherein the different communication protocols include protocols conforming to any of the following systems:
- Inmarsat, Iridium, Thuraya, MTSAT, as well as future Satcom systems such as Iris and Iridium NEXT.
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6. An avionics system comprising:
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a first main radio unit (MRU) configured to simultaneously provide at least one safety certified channel for a cockpit of an aircraft and at least one other channel for cabin services of the aircraft with a software defined radio (SDR); a second main radio unit (MRU) configured to simultaneously provide at least one safety certified channel for a cockpit of an aircraft and at least one other channel for cabin services of the aircraft with a software defined radio (SDR); a first RF unit configured to selectively communicate with one of the first MRU and the second MRU and send and receive signals from a first antenna; and a second RF unit configured to selectively communicate with one of the first MRU and the second MRU and send and receive signals from a second antenna. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20)
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18. An avionics system comprising:
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a first reconfigurable radio unit configured to simultaneously provide at least one safety certified channel for a cockpit of an aircraft and at least one other channel for cabin services of the aircraft; a second reconfigurable radio unit configured to simultaneously provide at least one safety certified channel for a cockpit of an aircraft and at least one other channel for cabin services of the aircraft; a first RF unit configured to selectively communicate with one of the first reconfigurable radio unit and the second reconfigurable radio unit and send and receive signals from a first antenna; and a second RF unit configured to selectively communicate with one of the first reconfigurable radio unit and the second reconfigurable radio unit and send and receive signals from a second antenna.
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Specification