Methods and systems for communicatively coupling vehicles and ground systems

• US 9,436,569 B2
• Filed: 08/16/2013
• Issued: 09/06/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/16/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Lee, Donald B., Ward, Brian Edward, Mitchell, Timothy M.
• Primary Examiner(s): FREJD, RUSSELL WARREN
• Application Number:
  US13/968,761
• Publication Number:
  US 20150051788A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,117 Days
• Field of Search: 701/31.5, 385/55, 385/89, 385/101
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 5/60 Testing or inspecting aircraft components or systems
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3817 containing optical and electrical conductors cables including electrical and optical conductors H01B11/22; G02B6/3816 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/32 Means for saving power
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/30 Monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3013 where the computing system is an embedded system, i.e. a combination of hardware and software dedicated to perform a certain function in mobile devices, printers, automotive or aircraft systems testing or monitoring of control systems or parts thereof G05B23/02
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 27/02 for simultaneous co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts

Abstract

Methods and systems for communicating data between a vehicle and a ground system are described. The system includes an integrated power and communications connector that couples to the vehicle so that power is supplied to at least selected systems on-board the vehicle. In addition, data is communicated between the vehicle on-board systems and the ground system via the integrated connector.

Claims

1. A method of communicating data between a vehicle and a ground system, said method comprising:

coupling an on-board pin having a power portion and an optical fiber communication portion to a ground system socket having a power portion and an optical fiber communication portion;

providing power to an on-board system via the power portions of the pin and socket; and

communicating data between the on-board system and the ground system via the optical fiber communication portions of the pin and socket.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein coupling the on-board pin and the ground system socket comprises manually connecting a first connector including the socket to a second connector including the pin.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the on-board system collects data from a plurality of monitors onboard the vehicle.

4. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the data communicated between the on-board system and the ground system comprises at least one of advanced avionics data, in-flight entertainment system data, catering system data, passenger system data, and engine monitoring data.

5. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein at least one of wireless communication and power line communication occur while communicating data via the optical fiber communication portions of the on-board pin and the ground system socket.

6. A method in accordance with claim 5 wherein at least one of wireless communication and power line communication are used as a fail-over mode in the event the optical fiber communication fails.

7. A system for communicating with a vehicle on-board system of a vehicle, said system comprising:

a ground sub-system for providing power to and communicating with the vehicle on-board system, said ground sub-system comprising an integrated power and communications connector couplable to an on-board connector coupled to the vehicle, said integrated power and communications connector comprising;

a socket configured to engage a pin having an outer conductive portion coupled to electrical conductors and an inner communications portion comprising an optical fiber coextensive with an end of the outer conductive portion;

wherein, when said integrated power and communications connector and the on-board connector are coupled together, power is supplied via the outer conductive portion to the vehicle on-board system, and data is communicated between the vehicle on-board system and said ground sub-system via the optical fiber.

8. A system in accordance with claim 7 wherein the pin and said are coupled together by pushing said socket over said pin.

9. A system in accordance with claim 7 wherein the on-board system collects data from a plurality of monitors on-board the vehicle.

10. A system in accordance with claim 7 wherein the data communicated between the vehicle on-board system and the ground sub-system comprises at least one of advanced avionics data, in-flight entertainment system data, catering system data, passenger system data, and engine monitoring data.

11. A system in accordance with claim 7 wherein at least one of wireless communication and power line communication occur while communicating data via the optical fiber communication portions of said pin and said socket.

12. A system in accordance with claim 11 wherein at least one of wireless communication and power line communication are used as a fail-over mode in the event the optical fiber communication fails.

13. A connector pin comprising:

an outer conductive portion having an end configured to engage a socket, said outer conductive portion configured to conduct electric power; and

an inner communications portion, said inner communications portion comprising an optical fiber coextensive with said end of said outer conductive portion.

14. A connector pin in accordance with claim 13 wherein said outer conductive portion is hollow and said optical fiber is positioned within said outer conductive portion.

15. A connector pin in accordance with claim 13 further comprising threads for threadedly engaging said pin to a connector housing.