System and method of transmitting data from an aircraft
First Claim
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1. A method of transmitting aircraft data comprising:
- acquiring data within a memory of a PC card comprising a PC card body having a PCMCIA form factor and that is interfaced with an aircraft component;
retrieving the aircraft data from the memory based on commands received from a processor contained within the PC card; and
transmitting the retrieved aircraft data from a transmitter contained within the PC card along a radio frequency signal and passively coupling RF energy into the skin of the aircraft, which is operative as a passive radiator to re-radiate the radio frequency communications signal to a location remote from the aircraft such that the RF communications signal is transmitted without use of a separate antenna mounted on the aircraft.
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Abstract
A system and method of transmitting data from an aircraft includes a PC card that acquires aircraft data and transmits the aircraft data over a radio frequency communications signal into the skin of the aircraft, which radiates the radio frequency communications signal to a location remote from the aircraft.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method of transmitting aircraft data comprising:
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acquiring data within a memory of a PC card comprising a PC card body having a PCMCIA form factor and that is interfaced with an aircraft component; retrieving the aircraft data from the memory based on commands received from a processor contained within the PC card; and transmitting the retrieved aircraft data from a transmitter contained within the PC card along a radio frequency signal and passively coupling RF energy into the skin of the aircraft, which is operative as a passive radiator to re-radiate the radio frequency communications signal to a location remote from the aircraft such that the RF communications signal is transmitted without use of a separate antenna mounted on the aircraft. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A PC card that interfaces with an aircraft component for transmitting aircraft data received from the aircraft component comprising:
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a PC card body having a PCMCIA form factor; a PC card interface adapted for connecting to an aircraft component; a memory for storing aircraft data received from the aircraft component; a radio transmitter for receiving aircraft data from the memory and transmitting the aircraft data over a radio frequency signal and passively coupling RF energy into the skin of the aircraft, which is operative as a passive radiator to re-radiate the radio frequency communications signal to a location remote from the aircraft such that the RF communications signal is transmitted without use of a separate antenna mounted on the aircraft; a processor operatively connected to the PC card interface, memory and radio transmitter for reading and forwarding data from memory to the radio transmitter; and a logic circuit operative with the memory, processor and PC card interface for controlling the downloading of data from the aircraft component to the memory and the reading and forwarding of data from the memory to the radio transmitter without conflict between the processor and aircraft component. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A PC card that interfaces with an aircraft component for transmitting aircraft data received from the aircraft component comprising:
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a PC card body having a PCMCIA form factor; a PC card interface adapted for connecting to the aircraft component; a memory for storing aircraft data received from the aircraft component; a radio transceiver for receiving aircraft data from the memory and transmitting the aircraft data over a radio frequency communications signal and passively coupling RF energy into the skin of the aircraft, which is operative as a passive radiator and to re-radiate the radio frequency communications signal to a location remote from the aircraft such that the RF communications signal is transmitted without use of a separate antenna mounted on the aircraft, and receiving data over a radio frequency communications signal for onboard processing; a processor operatively connected to the PC card interface, memory and radio transmitter for reading and forwarding data from memory to the radio transmitter and controlling receipt of data for onboard processing; and a logic circuit operative with the memory, processor and PC card interface to aid in controlling the downloading of data from the aircraft component to the memory, and the reading and forwarding of data from the memory to the radio transmitter without conflict between the processor and aircraft component. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification