Switch usage for routing ethernet-based aircraft data buses in avionics systems

• US 8,837,462 B2
• Filed: 12/15/2008
• Issued: 09/16/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Embraer S.A.
• Original Assignee: Embraer S.A.
• Inventors: Armanini, Paulo Roberto Jr., Andrade, Jose Augusto Reis, Monteiro, Alexandre
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Jay P
• Application Number:
  US12/334,772
• Publication Number:
  US 20100150151A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,101 Days
• Field of Search: 370/351, 370/352
• US Class Current: 370/352
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/40169 Flexible bus arrangements arrangements for maintenance or administration involving management of faults; events, alarms H04L41/06; automatic restoration of network faults H04L41/0654
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/4028 the transportation system being an aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0811 by checking connectivity
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 49/351 for local area network [LAN], e.g. Ethernet switches

Abstract

Switches for Ethernet-based aircraft data buses in avionics systems provide manual means (through human interaction) to route the information transmitted on avionics system high speed data buses. For instance, the information path can be selected according to crew or maintenance people intentions. Considering a point-to-point databus connection between two pieces of equipment, adding an appropriate switch in the connection between those two pieces of equipment can allow one or more pieces of equipment to be connected to the other terminals of the switch. Therefore, depending on switch position, it is possible to establish a connection between those two or more selected pieces of equipment, where other equipment connected to open terminals may remain without access to the data bus.

Claims

1. System for point-to-point manual routing of data between avionics equipment comprising:

first structure for point-to-point routing high speed data from first avionics equipment on board an aircraft to second avionics equipment on board said aircraft through a manually-operable electromechanical switch having at least first and second manually-settable positions and associated electrical contacts; and

second structure coupled to the first structure for manually changing position of the electromechanical switch to instead point-to-point route said high speed data from the first avionics equipment to third avionics equipment on board said aircraft and different from said second avionics equipment,

wherein the electromechanical switch connects said high speed data point-to-point from said first equipment to said second or third equipment through said manually-settable electromechanical switch electrical contacts at a flow rate in excess of 1 mbits/second.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said switch electrical contacts comprise wiper contacts.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said switch has first, second and third multipole manually settable positions.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said switch in a first position point-to-point cross-connects said first and second equipment and also point-to-point cross-connects said third equipment with fourth avionics equipment, and in a second position different from said first position point-to-point cross-connects said first and third equipment and point-to-point cross-connects said second and fourth equipment.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said avionics equipment includes at least one high speed data port in communication with said switch via Ethernet connections.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the routing avoids routing data through any hub.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the manually-operable electromechanical switch is unpowered and configured so that manually-applied force moves the electrical contacts to cause the electrical contacts to switch.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the manually-operable electromechanical switch is passive.

9. A system for point-to-point routing data between avionics equipment comprising:

at least one manually-operable electromechanical switch having at least first and second positions, said switch point-to-point routing high speed data from first avionics equipment on board an aircraft to second avionics equipment on board said aircraft, said switch having an actuator that manually changes the position of the electromechanical switch to change the point-to-point routing of said high speed data from the first avionics equipment to third avionics equipment on board said aircraft and different from said second avionics equipment, and

high speed data lines coupled to said switch, said high speed data lines supporting point-to-point flow of high speed digital data through said switch from the first equipment to the second or third equipment at a rate in excess of 1 mbit/second.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein said switch comprises multiple poles.

11. The system of claim 9 wherein said switch includes a lever lock.

12. The system of claim 9 wherein said switch comprises at least one electrically-actuated device.

13. The system of claim 9 further including a switch actuator installed in a panel on board an aircraft.

14. The system of claim 9 wherein said switch couples first and second avionics equipment via said high speed data.

15. The system of claim 9 wherein said switch includes electrical contacts movable by manually-applied force to switch at least two poles of a high speed data bus.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein said high speed data bus comprises an Ethernet based data bus.

17. The system of claim 9 wherein said switch is selected to reduce susceptibility of electromagnetic interference.

18. The system of claim 9 wherein said switch comprises wiper action contacts.

19. The system of claim 9 wherein said switch comprises at least first and second positions.

20. The system of claim 9 wherein the system does not include any hub for routing the high speed data from the first equipment.

21. The system of claim 9 wherein the manually-operable electromechanical switch is passive.