Aircraft data communication system and method

• US 6,816,728 B2
• Filed: 04/24/2002
• Issued: 11/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Teledyne Controls, LLC (Teledyne Technologies Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Teledyne Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Igloi, Tamas M., Karimi, Ghobad
• Primary Examiner(s): TRAN, CONGVAN
• Application Number:
  US10/128,873
• Publication Number:
  US 20030203734A1
• Time in Patent Office: 930 Days
• Field of Search: 455/431, 455/11.1, 455/403, 455/404.2, 455/412.1, 455/412.2, 455/414.1, 455/414.2, 455/418, 455/419, 455/420, 455/424, 455/456.1
• US Class Current: 455/431
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/60 Software deployment
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18506 Communications with or from aircraft, i.e. aeronautical mobile service
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/34 involving the movement of software or configuration parameters network booting or remote initial program loading [RIPL] G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/005 Moving wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/042 Public Land Mobile systems, e.g. cellular systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/06 Airborne or Satellite Networks space-based or airborne stations H04B7/185

Abstract

An aircraft avionics software and database upload transmission/reception system using a cellular data transmission/reception system. An aircraft data communications system and method including a communications device located in an aircraft; an avionics information storage device located in the aircraft in communication with the communications device; a cellular infrastructure in communication with the communications device; and a computer remotely located from the aircraft in communication with the cellular infrastructure. The communications device and the computer establish a bi-directional communications channel via the cellular infrastructure between the communications device and the computer and initiate a data exchange therebetween.

Claims

1. An aircraft data communications system, comprising:

a communications device located in an aircraft;

an avionics information storage device located in the aircraft and in communication with the communications device and a cellular infrastructure, wherein the storage device contains data associated with the aircraft stored therein; and

a computer remotely located from the aircraft and in communication with the cellular infrastructure;

wherein, at least one of the communications device and the computer is used for establishing a bi-directional communications channel via the cellular infrastructure between the communications device and the computer and initiating a data exchange therebetween.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the communications device comprises a processor for processing information associated with the aircraft to be communicated to and from the cellular infrastructure.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the processor is in communication with a cellular radio channel.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the processor is in communication with a plurality of cellular radio channels.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein the processor is communications with a first storage device.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the communications device automatically establishes the bi-directional communications channel upon receiving an event signal.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the event signal is any one, or combination of a weight-on-wheels signal, a weight-off-wheels signal, hydraulic system signal, a brake system signal, a door open signal, a door closed signal, an aircraft ground speed signal, an aircraft air speed signal, a flight information signal, an aircraft heading signal, a time, and an external signal received over the cellular infrastructure.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the external signal is a Short Message Service (SMS) signal.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a cockpit display device in communication with the communications device.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the bi-directional communications channel is established via the cockpit device.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the avionics information storage device comprises a line replaceable unit.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the line replaceable unit comprises a storage medium.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the storage medium comprises avionics unit software.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the storage medium comprises an avionics navigation database.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the computer further comprises a second storage device in communication therewith.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the computer is in communications with a router.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the computer is in communication with the cellular infrastructure via a network.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the network is the Internet.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein the computer is in communication with a modem.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the computer is in communication with the cellular infrastructure via the public switched telephone network.

21. The system of claim 1, wherein the cellular infrastructure comprises:

an antenna;

a base station transceiver in communication with the antenna; and

a base station controller in communication with the transceiver.

22. An aircraft data management system, comprising:

a communications device located in an aircraft and in communication with a cellular infrastructure for establishing a bi-directional communications channel via the cellular infrastructure between the communications device and a remotely located computer; and

an avionics information storage device located in the aircraft and in communication with the communications device, the avionics information storage device including a line replaceable unit, wherein the storage device contains data associated with the aircraft stored therein;

wherein the communications device is used for receiving avionics information from the remotely located computer and transmitting data associated with the aircraft to the remotely located computer.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the line replaceable unit comprises a storage medium for storing avionics information received from the remotely located computer.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the avionics information comprises avionics unit software that is received by the communications device from the remotely located computer and is stored in the storage medium.

25. The system of claim 23, wherein the avionics information comprises an avionics navigation database that is received by the communications device from the remotely located computer and is stored in the storage media.

26. The system of claim 22, wherein the communications device comprises a processor for processing information associated with the aircraft to be communicated to and from the cellular infrastructure.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein the processor is in communication with a cellular radio channel.

28. The system of claim 26, wherein the processor is in communication with a plurality of cellular channels.

29. The system of claim 26, wherein the processor is in communication with a storage device.

30. The system of claim 22, wherein the communications device automatically establishes the bi-directional communications channel upon receiving an event signal.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein the event signal is any one, or combination of a weight-on-wheels signal, a weight-off-wheels signal, hydraulic system signal, a brake system signal, a door open signal, a door closed signal, an aircraft ground speed signal, an aircraft air speed signal, a flight information signal, an aircraft heading signal, a time, and an external signal received over the cellular infrastructure.

32. The system of claim 31, wherein the external signal is a Short Message Service (SMS) signal.

33. The system of claim 22, further comprising a cockpit display device in communication with the communications device.

34. The system of claim 33, wherein the bi-directional communications channel is established via the cockpit device.

35. The system of claim 22, wherein the cellular infrastructure comprises:

an antenna;

a base station transceiver in communication with the antenna; and

a base station controller in communication with the transceiver.

36. An aircraft data management system, comprising:

a communications device located remotely from an aircraft and in communication with a cellular infrastructure for establishing a bi-directional communications channel via the cellular infrastructure between the communications device and the remote aircraft; and

a computer in communication with the communications device;

wherein the communications device is used for transmitting avionics information from the computer to the remote aircraft and receiving data associated with the aircraft from the remote aircraft;

wherein the avionics information is stored in an avionics information storage device located on the aircraft; and

wherein the storage device contains data associated with the aircraft stored therein.

37. The system of claim 36, wherein the computer further comprises a second storage device in communication therewith, the storage device containing avionics information associated with the aircraft.

38. The system of claim 36, wherein the communications device is a router.

39. The system of claim 38, wherein the computer is in communication with the cellular infrastructure via a network.

40. The system of claim 39, wherein the network is the Internet.

41. The system of claim 36, wherein the communications device is a modem.

42. The system of claim 41, wherein the computer is in communication with the cellular infrastructure via the public switched telephone network.

43. The system of claim 36, wherein the cellular infrastructure comprises:

an antenna;

a base station transceiver in communication with the antenna; and

a base station controller in communication with the transceiver.

44. An aircraft, comprising:

a communications device; and

an avionics information storage device in communication with the communications device, wherein the storage device contains data associated with the aircraft stored therein;

wherein, the communications device is used for establishing a bi-directional communications channel via a cellular infrastructure between the communications device and a computer remotely located from the aircraft and initiating a data exchange therebetween; and

wherein the communications device is used for receiving avionics information from the remotely located computer and transmitting data associated with the aircraft to the remotely located computer.

45. The aircraft of claim 44, further comprising an avionics information storage device in communication with the communications device, the avionics information storage device including a line replaceable unit for storing the avionics information received from the remotely located computer.

46. The aircraft of claim 45, wherein the line replaceable unit comprises a storage medium for storing the avionics information received from the remotely located computer.

47. The aircraft of claim 46, wherein the avionics information comprises avionics unit software.

48. The aircraft of claim 46, wherein the avionics information comprises an avionics navigation database.

49. The aircraft of claim 45, wherein the communications device comprises a processor for processing information associated with the aircraft to be communicated to and from the cellular infrastructure.

50. The aircraft of claim 49, wherein the processor is in communication with a cellular radio channel.

51. The aircraft of claim 49, wherein the processor is in communication with a plurality of cellular channels.

52. The aircraft of claim 44, wherein the communications device automatically establishes the bi-directional communications channel upon receiving an event signal.

53. The aircraft of claim 52, wherein the event signal is any one, or combination of a weight-on-wheels signal, a weight-off-wheels signal, hydraulic system signal, a brake system signal, a door open signal, a door closed signal, an aircraft ground speed signal, an aircraft air speed signal, a flight information signal, an aircraft heading signal, a time, and an external signal received over the cellular infrastructure.

54. The aircraft of claim 53, wherein the external signal is a Short Message Service (SMS) signal.

55. The aircraft of claim 44, further comprising a cockpit display device in communication with the communications device.

56. The aircraft of claim 55, wherein the bi-directional communications channel is established via the cockpit device.

57. The system of claim 44, wherein the cellular infrastructure comprises:

an antenna;

a base station transceiver in communication with the antenna; and

a base station controller in communication with the transceiver.

58. A network, comprising:

a cellular infrastructure for bi-directionally communicating information associated with an aircraft between a communications device located on the aircraft and a computer located remotely from the aircraft;

wherein the information associated with the aircraft is stored in an avionics information storage device located in the aircraft; and

wherein the communications device and the computer are configured for communicating via the cellular infrastructure.

59. The network of claim 58, wherein the cellular infrastructure communicates with the communications device via a plurality of cellular channels.

60. The network of claim 58, wherein the cellular infrastructure communicates with the computer via a public network.

61. The network of claim 60, wherein the public network is the Internet.

62. The network of claim 60, wherein the public network is the public switched telephone network.

63. The network of claim 58, wherein the cellular infrastructure comprises:

an antenna;

a base station transceiver in communication with the antenna; and

a base station controller in communication with the transceiver.

64. An aircraft data communications system, comprising:

means for communicating information located in an aircraft;

means for storing avionics information associated with the aircraft in communication with the means for communicating and in communication with a cellular infrastructure, wherein the means for storing contains data associated with the aircraft stored therein; and

means for processing remotely located from the aircraft in communication with the cellular infrastructure;

wherein, at least one of the means for communicating and the means for processing is used for establishing a bi-directional communications channel via the cellular infrastructure between the means for communicating and the means for processing and is used for initiating a data exchange therebetween.

65. An aircraft data management system, comprising:

means for communicating located in an aircraft for establishing a bi-directional communications channel via a cellular infrastructure between the means for communicating and a remotely located means for processing, wherein the cellular infrastructure is in communication with the means for communicating; and

means for storing avionics information associated with the aircraft in communication with the means for communicating, the means for storing including a line replaceable device;

wherein the means for storing avionics information contains data associated with the aircraft stored therein.

66. An aircraft data management system, comprising:

means for communications located remotely from an aircraft in communication with a cellular infrastructure for establishing a bi-directional communications channel via the cellular infrastructure between the communications device and the remote aircraft; and

means for processing avionics information associated with an aircraft in communication with the communications device;

wherein the means for communicating transmits avionics information from the means for processing to the remote aircraft and receives data associated with the aircraft from the remote aircraft;

wherein the avionics information is stored in an avionics information storage device located on the aircraft; and

wherein the storage device contains data associated with the aircraft stored therein.

67. An aircraft, comprising:

means for communicating;

means for storing avionics information associated with the aircraft in communication with the means for communicating and in communication with a cellular infrastructure, wherein the means for storing contains data associated with the aircraft stored therein; and

wherein, the means for communicating is used for establishing a bi-directional communications channel via the cellular infrastructure between the means for communicating and a means for processing remotely located from the aircraft and is used for initiating a data exchange therebetween.

68. A method of updating digital files in an aircraft, comprising:

transmitting a request for a file from an aircraft to a remotely located computer via a cellular infrastructure;

receiving the file transmitted by the remotely located computer via the cellular infrastructure in the form of a plurality of packets;

storing the file in an avionics information storage device located in the aircraft, wherein the storage device contains data associated with the aircraft stored therein; and

processing the plurality of packets to restore the file transmitted by the remotely located computer.

69. The method of claim 68, further comprising storing the requested file in an avionics information storage device located in the aircraft.

70. The method of claim 68, wherein transmitting a request for a file comprises transmitting a request for an avionics unit software upload.

71. The method of claim 68, wherein transmitting a request for a file comprises transmitting a request for an avionics navigation database upload.

72. The method of claim 68, further comprising receiving an event signal by the aircraft prior to transmitting a request for a file.

73. The method of claim 72, wherein receiving an event signal comprises receiving an event signal from a group consisting of a combination of one or more of a weight-on-wheels signal, a weight-off-wheels signal, a hydraulic system signal, a brake system signal, an aircraft ground speed signal, an aircraft air speed signal, a flight information signal, an aircraft heading signal, a time signal, a door open signal, a door closed signal, a cockpit display signal, and an external signal received over the cellular infrastructure.

74. The method of claim 73, wherein the external signal is a Short Message Service (SMS) signal.

75. The method of claim 68, wherein receiving the file from the remotely located computer via the cellular infrastructure comprises receiving the plurality of packets over a plurality of cellular radio channels on the aircraft.

76. The method of claim 68, wherein receiving the plurality of packets comprises receiving the plurality of packets at a multi port serial interface.

77. The method of claim 68, wherein receiving the plurality of packets comprises routing the plurality of packets to a processor.

78. The method of claim 68, wherein processing the plurality of packets further comprises reassembling the packets.

79. The method of claim 68, wherein processing the plurality of packets comprises decompressing the received packets.

80. The method of claim 68, wherein processing the plurality of packets comprises decrypting the received packets.

81. The method of claim 68, further comprising loading the received file in a storage device.

82. The method of claim 81, wherein loading the received file comprises loading the received file in an avionics information storage device.

83. A method of updating digital files in an aircraft, comprising:

receiving a request for a file from an aircraft at a remotely located computer via a cellular infrastructure;

processing the requested file into a plurality of packets;

transmitting the plurality of packets by the remotely located computer to the requesting aircraft via the cellular infrastructure; and

storing the plurality of packets in an avionics information storage device located in the aircraft, wherein the storage device contains data associated with the aircraft stored therein.

84. The method of claim 83, wherein processing the file comprises uploading the file from a storage device.

85. The method of claim 83, wherein processing the file comprises compressing the file.

86. The method of claim 83, wherein processing the file comprises encrypting the file.

87. The method of claim 83, wherein processing the file comprises segmenting the file into a plurality of datagrams.

88. The method of claim 87, further comprising constructing UDP/IP packets from the datagrams.

89. The method of claim 88, further comprising routing the packets to a PPP thread.

90. The method of claim 89, further comprising conveying the packets via the PPP thread from a local network interface to a local router.

91. The method of claim 90, further comprising transmitting the packets from the local router to the Internet.

92. The method of claim 83, further comprising receiving acknowledgements of received packets from the aircraft.

93. The method of claim 83, further comprising:

re-queuing dropped packets that are not received by the aircraft; and

re-transmitting the re-queued packets to the aircraft.

94. A method of receiving a file in an aircraft, comprising:

receiving an event signal by an aircraft;

initiating a connection request with a computer remotely located from the aircraft for uploading a file;

starting an initial primary data thread for making an initial call for a connection request to the remotely located computer;

initiating a PPP connection for the primary data thread via at least one of a plurality of cellular channels;

determining if a cellular channel was successfully opened;

if a cellular channel was successfully opened;

sending a connection request packet to the remotely located computer;

determining whether the remotely located computer contains the requested file;

if the remotely located computer contains the requested file;

opening secondary data threads;

receiving the file from the remotely located computer in the form of packets;

determining whether any packets have not been received;

loading the file to an avionics information storage device; and

if the cellular channel was not successfully opened;

initiating a PPP connection for a subsequent data thread.

95. The method of claim 94, wherein opening the secondary data threads further comprises:

initializing a process session;

activating the secondary threads to open available cellular communications channels to the remotely located computer;

initiating PPP connections for the secondary data threads;

determining whether there remain additional packets to be received;

if there are additional packets to be received;

receiving the additional data packets;

determining whether a received packet is a data packet;

if the received packet is a data packet;

processing the data packet;

receiving additional packets;

if there are no additional packets to be received;

determining whether the packet is an end of session message;

if the packet is an end of session message;

processing the end of session message;

determining if any remaining data threads are active;

if there are active data threads remaining;

receiving additional packets;

if there are no active data threads remaining;

ending the process session; and

closing the PPP connections for the remaining threads.

96. The method of claim 95, wherein processing the data packet comprises:

copying the received data packet to a buffer; and

sending an acknowledgement that the data packet has been received.

97. The method of claim 95, wherein processing the end of session message comprises:

computing a check sum of the received data packets;

if the checksum is valid;

saving a buffer containing the received packets to a temporary file;

decrypting the temporary file;

decompressing the temporary file;

saving the file to a storage device; and

sending an acknowledgment to the remotely located computer.

98. The method of claim 97, wherein if the checksum is not valid:

sending a negative acknowledgment to the remotely located computer.

99. A method of transmitting a file to an aircraft, comprising:

creating a socket upon receiving a request for a file;

receiving a connection message from a network;

determining whether there is a file available for uploading to an aircraft based on the request;

if a file is available for uploading;

sending an upload request message to the aircraft;

sending an acknowledgement for the request to the aircraft;

retrieving the file to be uploaded to the aircraft from a storage device;

processing the file;

transmitting the packets via the cellular infrastructure over the network to the aircraft; and

storing the packets in an avionics information storage device locate din the aircraft, wherein the storage device contains data associated with the aircraft stored therein;

when no packets remain to be sent, receiving an acknowledgement message from the aircraft; and

closing the socket.

100. The method of claim 99, wherein processing the file comprises:

compressing the file;

encrypting the file; and

segmenting the file into datagrams and UDP/IP packets and placing the packets in a packet queue.

101. The method of claim 99, wherein receiving a connection message from a network comprises receiving a connection message from the Internet.

102. The method of claim 99, wherein transmitting the packets via the cellular infrastructure over the network to the aircraft comprises transmitting the packets via the cellular infrastructure over the Internet to the aircraft.

103. The method of claim 99, wherein receiving a connection message from a network comprises receiving a connection message from the PSTN.

104. The method of claim 99, wherein transmitting the packets via the cellular infrastructure over the network to the aircraft comprises transmitting the packets via the cellular infrastructure over the PSTN to the aircraft.