Sensor and sensor network for an aircraft

• US 8,982,784 B2
• Filed: 02/12/2010
• Issued: 03/17/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH (Airbus SE)
• Original Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH (Airbus SE)
• Inventors: Mller, Jan, Glaser, Daniel, Schwark, Uwe
• Primary Examiner(s): PARK, JUNG H
• Application Number:
  US13/201,477
• Publication Number:
  US 20110299470A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,859 Days
• US Class Current: 370/328
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/10 using a centralized architecture
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/40 using a wireless architecture
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/823 where the data is sent when the measured values exceed a threshold, e.g. sending an alarm
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/886 using energy harvesting, e.g. solar, wind or mechanical
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom

Abstract

The invention relates to a sensor network in an aircraft, which comprises several sensor nodes that communicate with a central data collection and evaluation unit via a radio transmission path. Data transmission can take place in various ways. For example, different frequency ranges are provided, from which the respective frequency range enabling the best data transmission quality is selected.

Claims

1. A sensor node for a wireless sensor network for acquiring measured values in an aircraft, wherein the sensor node comprises:

a sensor unit for acquiring the measured values;

a power supply unit for supplying the sensor node with electrical energy; and

a transmitting and receiving unit for wirelessly transmitting the acquired measured values to a central data collection and evaluation unit;

wherein the transmitting and receiving unit is configured to transmit the acquired measured values in two or more separate frequency ranges and to automatically change the frequency range for transmission when a flight status of the aircraft changes, and

wherein the sensor node is configured to perform an active route determination to build a new communication path via adjacent sensor nodes that are within signal range should a communication link between the sensor node and the central data collection and evaluation unit fail.

2. The sensor node of claim 1, wherein the power supply unit is configured to autonomously supply power to the sensor node through energy conversion.

3. The sensor node of claim 2, wherein the power supply unit comprises a vibration generator for providing the sensor node with a decentralized power supply.

4. The sensor node of claim 2, wherein the power supply unit comprises a thermoelectric transducer for providing the sensor node with a decentralized power supply.

5. The sensor node of claim 2, wherein the power supply unit comprises an antenna to receive electromagnetic energy for providing the sensor node with a decentralized power supply.

6. The sensor node of claim 2, wherein the power supply unit comprises a photovoltaic unit to convert light into electrical energy for providing the sensor node with a decentralized power supply.

7. The sensor node of claim 1, wherein the transmitting and receiving unit is designed in such a way as to automatically change the frequency range for transmission when an event arises.

8. The sensor node of claim 1, wherein the transmitting and receiving unit is configured to change the transmission frequency based on a prescribed sequence.

9. The sensor node of claim 1, wherein the sensor unit is configured to ascertain the identity of connected sensors and relay this information to the processor unit.

10. The sensor node of claim 1, wherein the sensor unit, the power supply unit and the transmitting and receiving unit are configured in a modular manner.

11. A sensor network for an aircraft, wherein the sensor network comprises:

a plurality of sensor nodes and a central data collection and evaluation unit for collecting and evaluating the transmitted measured data, wherein the sensor nodes comprise;

a sensor unit for acquiring the measured values;

a power supply unit for supplying the sensor node with electrical energy;

a transmitting and receiving unit for wirelessly transmitting the acquired measured values to a central data collection and evaluation unit;

wherein transmitting and receiving unit is configured to transmit the acquired measured values in two or more separate frequency ranges and to automatically change the frequency range for transmission when a flight status of the aircraft changes, and

wherein each sensor node is configured to perform an active route determination to build a new communication path via adjacent sensor nodes that are within signal range should a communication link between the sensor node and the central data collection and evaluation unit fail.

12. The sensor network of claim 11, wherein the network is configured for monitoring an allocation of a frequency range provided for transmission purposes at both the installation site for the sensor node and at the transmitting and receiving station of the sensor network.

13. The sensor network of claim 11, wherein the network is configured for adaptive route determination in order to identify a new communication path if the transmission signal quality drops below a prescribed level.

14. A method for ascertaining a state of a system component in an aircraft, wherein the method involves the following steps:

supplying a sensor node with electrical energy by way of a power supply unit in the sensor node;

acquiring measured values in the area of the system component via the sensor node;

wirelessly transmitting the acquired measured values to a central data collection and evaluation unit;

automatically changing a frequency range for transmitting the acquired measured values when a flight status of the aircraft changes; and

performing, at the sensor node, an active route determination to build a new communication path via adjacent sensor nodes that are within signal range should a communication link between the sensor node and the central data collection and evaluation unit fail.