Methods and systems for high speed data communication

• US 7,893,557 B2
• Filed: 02/08/2007
• Issued: 02/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Pelton, Scott L., Davis, Terry L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fleming; Fritz M
• Application Number:
  US11/672,603
• Publication Number:
  US 20080195259A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,475 Days
• Field of Search: 307 1- 3, 307/9.1, 307/10.1, 340/310.18
• US Class Current: 307/9.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5441 Wireless systems or telephone
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5458 Monitor sensor; Alarm systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/547 via DC power distribution
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/548 the power on the line being DC arrangements for feeding power H04L12/10; extracting feeding power from signals H04L25/02

Abstract

Methods and systems for transmitting power and digital communication are provided. The method includes communicatively coupling a broadband over power line interface unit to a power conductor of a temporary power cable, communicatively coupling the broadband over power line interface unit to a network access point, electrically coupling the power conductor to a vehicle power receptacle, and transmitting network data between the network and the vehicle, and powering the vehicle simultaneously through the power conductor.

Claims

1. A method for transmitting power and digital communication between a vehicle and a ground system having an established wireless communications link therebetween, said method comprising:

communicatively coupling a broadband over a power line (BPL) interface unit to a power conductor of a power cable;

communicatively coupling the BPL interface unit to a network via a network access point;

electrically coupling the power conductor to a vehicle power receptacle associated with a vehicle;

causing the vehicle to switch from power generated by the vehicle to power supplied via the vehicle power receptacle;

establishing a BPL communication link between the vehicle and a ground system;

switching an in-progress communication occurring between the ground system and the vehicle from the established wireless connection between the ground system and the vehicle to the BPL communication link; and

transmitting network data between the network and the vehicle via the BPL communication link, and powering the vehicle simultaneously through the power conductor.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein transmitting network data between the network and the vehicle comprises transmitting network data between the network and the vehicle while the vehicle is stationary.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein communicatively coupling the broadband over power line interface unit to a network access point comprises communicatively coupling the broadband over power line interface unit to an Internet access point.

4. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the vehicle includes a plurality of onboard clients, said method further comprising communicating from at least one of the plurality of clients to the network through the power conductor and through a wireless connection to the network.

5. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the vehicle includes a plurality of onboard clients, said method further comprising transmitting data collected by a vehicle engine monitor client to the network through the power conductor.

6. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the vehicle includes a plurality of onboard clients, said method further comprising transmitting entertainment system content from an entertainment system client to the network through the power conductor.

7. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the vehicle includes a plurality of onboard clients, said method further comprising transmitting vehicle health data from a vehicle health management system client to the network through the power conductor.

8. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the vehicle includes a plurality of onboard clients, said method further comprising permitting at least one vehicle occupant to receive commercial Internet services, including email, web access, data transmission, Voice-over-IP, and other services normally associated with the Internet.

9. A power and digital communication transmission system comprising:

a vehicle electrical umbilical comprising a supply end, a plug end and a electrical conductor extending therebetween, said plug end configured to mate with a vehicle such that power is supplied to the vehicle through the electrical conductor from the supply end;

a first interface device electrically coupled to the supply end and a network access point, said first interface device configured to;

transmit and receive data carrier signals though the electrical conductor while power is supplied to the vehicle through the electrical conductor; and

convert the data carrier signals from and to a predetermined data format on the network; and

a second interface device electrically coupled to the plug end when the vehicle electrical umbilical is coupled to the vehicle, at least one of said first interface device and said second interface device configured to detect a communication link established through the electrical conductor between the vehicle and the network access point and report the communication link to the system, said second interface device configured to transmit and receive the data carrier signals with said first interface device while power is supplied to the vehicle through the electrical conductor,

whereupon detection of the communication link and reporting of the link to the system, the system routes a portion of communications with a ground system from an established wireless connection between the ground system and the vehicle to the communication link through the electrical conductor.

10. A system in accordance with claim 9 wherein the predetermined data format is compatible with at least one of an Internet network protocol, a gatelink network protocol, an ATN protocol, and an ACARS network protocol.

11. A system in accordance with claim 9 wherein said second interface device is positioned onboard the vehicle.

12. A system in accordance with claim 9 wherein when the system routes a portion of communications with the ground system from an established wireless connection between the ground system and the vehicle to the communication link, communications between the ground system and vehicle over the established wireless connection are maintained.

13. A method for communication between a service entity and a vehicle capable of generating power, said method comprising:

coupling a temporary service umbilical between the service entity and the vehicle;

switching the supply of electrical power to the vehicle to that supplied through the temporary service umbilical;

switching in-progress communications from an established wireless connection between the service entity and the vehicle, the wireless connection established when the vehicle was generating power, to a communication link between the service entity and the vehicle provided by the temporary service umbilical; and

transmitting high speed digital data between the service entity and the vehicle through the temporary service umbilical while supplying electrical power through the temporary service umbilical.

14. A method in accordance with claim 13 wherein coupling a temporary service umbilical comprises coupling an electrical power conductor between the service entity and the vehicle.

15. A method in accordance with claim 14 wherein the temporary service umbilical includes an electrical power conductor and wherein transmitting high speed digital data comprises transmitting high speed digital data and electrical power through the electrical power conductor simultaneously.

16. A method in accordance with claim 14 further comprising:

modulating radio frequency signals with digital signals from the network;

injecting the radio frequency signals into the electrical power conductor using a broadband over power line interface unit coupled to the electrical power conductor.

17. A method in accordance with claim 13 further comprising coupling a broadband over power line interface unit to a network access point.

18. A method in accordance with claim 13 wherein transmitting high speed digital data between the service entity and the vehicle comprises transmitting high speed digital data between the service entity and the vehicle while the vehicle is stationary.

19. A method in accordance with claim 13 wherein transmitting high speed digital data between the service entity and the vehicle comprises transmitting at least one of electronic digital controller monitor (EDCM) data, fuel related data, maintenance data, Airplane Health Monitoring (AHM) data, operational information, catering data, In-flight Entertainment Equipment (IFE) updates, and passenger data.