Aircraft fiber optic data distribution system

• US 5,222,166 A
• Filed: 05/19/1992
• Issued: 06/22/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
• Original Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
• Inventors: Weltha, M. Duane
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, John D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PALMER, PHAN T H
• Application Number:
  US07/885,599
• Time in Patent Office: 399 Days
• Field of Search: 359/117, 385/24, 385/16, 385/17, 385/20, 385/21, 385/22, 385/23, 385/24
• US Class Current: 385/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 11/0062 Network aspects

Abstract

An improved aircraft fiber optic data distribution system which includes an LRM coupled by a blind mateable electric pin connector in an avionics cabinet, to an optical data link which converts the electrical signals into optical signals which is then provided through a switch system to a distant display device which is coupled to second optical data link by a blind mateable electrical pin connector which provides for the ability of an LRM to communicate with a display device over a fiber optic system without the need for blind mateable optical connectors.

Claims

1. An improved aircraft data distribution system, of the type interconnecting several line replaceable module LRM'"'"'s and display devices on board an aircraft, the system comprising:

an avionics cabinet, for attachment to the aircraft;

an LRM for generating LRM electrical signals, disposed in said cabinet;

an LRM blind mateable electrical pin connector coupled with said LRM and said cabinet;

a first optical data link coupled with said LRM blind mateable electrical pin connector for converting said LRM electrical signals into optical signals;

a first optical fiber coupled with said first optical data link, for providing transmission medium for the optical signals;

a first hand mateable optical connector coupled with said first optical fiber;

an optical switch coupled to first hand mateable optical connector, for selectively permitting transmission of the optical signals;

a second hand mateable optical connector coupled with said optical switch;

a second optical fiber for providing transmission of said optical signals coupled with said second hand mateable optical connectors;

a second optical data link for converting said optical signals into display electrical signals, said optical data link coupled with said second optical fiber;

a second blind mateable electric pin connector, coupled with said second optical data link; and

,

a display device for receiving said display electrical signals, which is coupled to said second blind mateable electric pin connector;

whereby, LRM electrical signals are coupled through a blind mateable electrical pin connector and are converted to optical signals and are selectively provided to a second optical data link which converts the optical signals into display electrical signals which are provided to a display device through a blind mateable electrical pin connector.

2. An aircraft data distribution system comprising:

an avionics cabinet having a plurality of slots therein for receiving a plurality of avionics line replaceable module LRM'"'"'s, each of set slots in set plurality of slots having a front opening and a back plain therein;

a plurality of avionics LRM'"'"'s, for generating and receiving electrical signals, wherein in each of set pluralities of LRM'"'"'s is disposed in a single slot of said plurality of slots;

a plurality of electric pin connectors, each of said plurality having a first part and a second part wherein said first part is coupled with said back plain and said second part is coupled said avionics LRM, said first part and second part being in electrical contact when said avionics LRM is disposed in said slot;

a plurality of optical data links, each of said plurality of optical data links coupled with one of said first parts of said electrical pin connectors, for converting said electrical signals into optical signals;

a plurality of optical fibers coupled with said pluralities of optical data links; and

,

an optical switch coupled with said plurality of optical fibers for selectively providing optical signals among said plurality of avionics line replaceable modules.

3. An improved avionics data distribution system comprising:

an avionics cabinet disposed on an aircraf;

a first line replaceable module LRM disposed in said avionics cabinet;

a second LRM disposed in said avionics cabinet;

a third LRM disposed in said avionics cabinet and a first optical data link, a second optical data link, and a third optical data link electrically coupled with said first LRM, said second LRM and said third LRM, respectively, by a first blind mateable electrical pin connector, a second blind mateable electrical pin connector and a third blind mateable electric pin connector, respectively,

a first optical fiber, a second optical fiber and a third optical fiber optically coupled said first optical data link, said second optical data link and said third optical data link, respectively;

an optical switch network for selectively switching optical signals input therein, said optical switch network coupled with said first optical fiber, said second optical fiber and said third optical fiber through first optical LRM hand mateable connector, second LRM optical hand mateable connector, and a third LRM optical hand mateable connector;

said optical switch network being optically coupled to a first display optical data link, a second display optical data link and a third optical data link through first display optical coupler, second display optical coupler, and third display optical coupler, respectively; and

,

a first display device, a second display device and a third display device being electrically connected with said first display optical data link, said second display optical data link and said third display optical data link, by a first display blind mateable electric pin connector, a second display blind mateable electric pin connector and a third display blind mateable electric pin connector, respectively;

wherein electrical signals can be provided selectively from said first LRM, said second LRM and said third LRM, to said first display, said second display and said third display.