Methods and systems for vehicle broadband connection to a data network

• US 8,929,465 B2
• Filed: 04/19/2013
• Issued: 01/06/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Lee, Donald B., Mitchell, Timothy M., Ward, Brian E.
• Primary Examiner(s): FILE, ERIN M
• Application Number:
  US13/866,397
• Publication Number:
  US 20140314160A1
• Time in Patent Office: 627 Days
• Field of Search: 375/257
• US Class Current: 375/257
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5408 using protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5445 Local network
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/547 via DC power distribution
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5483 using coupling circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/544 Setting up communications; Call and signalling arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18506 Communications with or from aircraft, i.e. aeronautical mobile service

Abstract

Methods and systems for communicating data between an aircraft and a ground-based unit are provided. The method includes integrating a Broadband over Power Line (BPL) module and inductive coupler into the ground-based unit, communicatively coupling the aircraft to the ground-based unit, initiating a Broadband over Power Line (BPL) link between the aircraft and the ground-based unit when power is supplied to the aircraft, and updating data stored in the aircraft with data received from the ground-based unit.

Claims

1. A method for communicating data between an aircraft and a ground-based unit, said method comprising:

integrating a Broadband over Power Line (BPL) module with an inductive coupler into a single device by coupling the BPL module directly to the inductive coupler;

coupling the integrated BPL module and inductive coupler to a power line of the ground-based unit;

communicatively coupling the aircraft to the ground-based unit;

initiating a Broadband over Power Line (BPL) link between the aircraft and the ground-based unit when power is supplied to the aircraft; and

updating data stored in the aircraft with data received from the ground-based unit.

2. The method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising configuring the integrated BPL module and inductive coupler to provide data to the aircraft via a power line.

3. The method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising powering the integrated BPL module and inductive coupler using a power supply.

4. The method in accordance with claim 3, wherein powering the integrated BPL module and inductive coupler comprises powering the integrated BPL module and inductive coupler using a remote power supply.

5. The method in accordance with claim 3, wherein powering the integrated BPL module and inductive coupler comprises powering the integrated BPL module and inductive coupler using a direct current (DC) bus of the aircraft.

6. The method in accordance with claim 3, wherein powering the integrated BPL module and inductive coupler comprises powering the integrated BPL module and inductive coupler using an Ethernet interface of the aircraft utilizing power over Ethernet.

7. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein communicatively coupling the aircraft to the ground-based unit further comprises wirelessly coupling the aircraft to the ground-based unit.

8. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein updating data further comprises updating data using cached web content that may be later accessed.

9. The method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising communicatively coupling the ground-based unit to a ground-based network.

10. A ground-based power cart configured to transmit data to an aircraft, said power cart comprising:

a Broadband over Power Line (BPL) module coupled directly to an inductive coupler to form an integrated BPL module and inductive coupler device, said integrated BPL module and inductive coupler device coupled to a power line and configured to provide data to the aircraft via the power line; and

a communications device coupled to said integrated BPL module and inductive coupler, said communications device configured to communicate between said power cart and a ground-based network.

11. A ground-based power cart in accordance with claim 10, wherein said integrated BPL module and inductive coupler is coupled to a power supply.

12. A ground-based power cart in accordance with claim 11, wherein said power supply comprises a remote power supply.

13. A ground-based power cart in accordance with claim 11, wherein said power supply comprises a direct current (DC) bus of the aircraft.

14. A ground-based power cart in accordance with claim 11, wherein said power supply comprises an Ethernet interface of the aircraft utilizing power over Ethernet.

15. A ground-based power cart in accordance with claim 10, wherein said power cart is configured to provide 400 Hz power to the aircraft via the power line.

16. A system for communicating between an aircraft and a ground-based network, said system comprising:

an aircraft; and

a ground-based power cart communicatively coupled to said aircraft, said ground-based power cart comprising;

a Broadband over Power Line (BPL) module coupled directly to an inductive coupler to form an integrated BPL module and inductive coupler device, said integrated BPL module and inductive coupler device coupled to a power line and configured to provide data to said aircraft via the power line; and

a communications device coupled to said integrated BPL module and inductive coupler, said communications device configured to communicate between said power cart and a ground-based network.

17. The system in accordance with claim 16, wherein said integrated BPL module and inductive coupler is coupled to a power supply.

18. The system in accordance with claim 17, wherein said power supply comprises a remote power supply.

19. The system in accordance with claim 17, wherein said power supply comprises a direct current (DC) bus of said aircraft.

20. The system in accordance with claim 17, wherein said power supply comprises an Ethernet interface of said aircraft utilizing power over Ethernet.