MODULAR RADIO FREQUENCY (RF) ANTENNA ASSEMBLIES

Modular RF assemblies are described for radio networks. The modular RF assemblies include a number of replaceable elements for simplified maintenance and upgradability. In particular, the modular RF assemblies include a control assembly which includes electronics, an RF antenna assembly that includes one or more RF antennas, and a mounting plate. The RF antenna assembly is removably mounted to the control assembly, and the control assembly is removably mounted to the mounting plate. During a maintenance operation and/or an upgrade operation, the control assembly and/or the RF antenna assembly may be replaced to resolve a defective component, to modify the orientation or type of the one or more RF antennas, to change the type of wireless spectrum used for the radio network, etc.

FIELD

This disclosure relates to the field of wireless networks and, in particular, to implementing radio networks onboard vehicles, such as aircraft.

BACKGROUND

The implementation of radio networks onboard aircraft has enabled new services such as enabling the aircraft crew and/or passengers to access the Internet on their Portable Electronic Devices (PEDS) while onboard, and/or utilizing their PEDS to access In-Flight Entertainment (IFE) options while onboard.

PEDs interface with the data network of the aircraft using a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN). One example of a WLAN includes Wi-Fi, which commonly utilizes channels in the 2.4 GigaHertz (GHz) frequency band and/or in the 5 GHz frequency band. 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi provides a 20 MegaHertz (MHz) bandwidth per channel, with eleven total channels available worldwide due to per-country limitations. 5 GHz Wi-Fi provides a 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, or 160 MHz bandwidth per channel, with eighteen total channels available (mostly) worldwide due to per-country limitations.

WLANs on aircraft are typically implemented using standalone Line-Replaceable Units (LRUs) that are mounted in close proximity to their passive RF antennas with a length of coaxial cable between the LRUs and the RF antennas. Multiple LRUs may be installed in order to provide adequate wireless coverage across an aircraft, each requiring power and data connections. Further, the locations of the LRUs may not be optimal for wireless coverage but rather, be dictated by the accessibility to the aircraft data and power networks. In addition, the location and/or placement of the LRUs may prevent efficient maintenance and/or the installation of a new combination of LRUs and their associated RF antenna to support the normal evolution radio networks onboard aircraft. For example, to support new wireless frequencies and protocols, which are constantly evolving due to technological advancements.

It is therefore evident that the implementation of wireless networks onboard aircraft may be improved in order to reduce the effort associated with upgrading, repairing, and/or modifying WLAN installations onboard aircraft.

SUMMARY

Modular RF assemblies are described for radio networks. The modular RF assemblies include a number of replaceable components for simplified maintenance and upgradability. In particular, the modular RF assemblies include a control assembly which includes electronics, an RF antenna assembly that includes one or more RF antennas, and a mounting plate. The RF antenna assembly is removably mounted to the control assembly, and the control assembly is removably mounted to the mounting plate. During a maintenance operation and/or an upgrade operation, the control assembly and/or the RF antenna assembly may be replaced to resolve a defective component, to modify the orientation or type of the one or more RF antennas, to change the type of wireless spectrum used for the radio network, etc.

One embodiment comprises a modular RF assembly that includes mounting plate, a control assembly removably mounted to the mounting plate, and an RF antenna assembly removably mounted to the control assembly. The control assembly includes a first RF connector, an RF transceiver electrically coupled to the first RF connector, a processor communicatively coupled to the RF transceiver that directs the operation of the RF transceiver, and an interface. The interface communicatively couples the processor with a data network, and electrically couples the control assembly with a power system. The RF antenna assembly includes a second RF connector removably coupled to the first RF connector. The RF antenna assembly further includes at least one RF antenna electrically coupled to the second RF connector.

Another embodiment comprises a system that includes a modular RF assembly and a server. The modular RF assembly includes a mounting plate, a control assembly removably mounted to the mounting plate, and an RF antenna assembly removably mounted to the control assembly. The control assembly includes a first RF interface, an RF transceiver electrically coupled to the first RF interface, a processor, and a Power Over Ethernet (POE) interface. The processor is communicatively coupled to the RF receiver and directs operation of the RF receiver. The POE interface communicatively couples the processor with a POE data network, and electrically powers the control assembly. The RF antenna assembly includes a second RF interface and at least one RF antenna. The second RF interface is removably coupled to the first RF interface, and the at least one RF antenna is electrically coupled to the second RF interface. The server manages operation of at least one of the processor and the RF transceiver utilizing the POE data network.

Another embodiment comprises a system that implements a radio network. The system includes a POE data network, and a server that is communicatively coupled to the POE data network. The system further includes a modular RF assembly that includes a mounting plate, a control assembly removably mounted to the mounting plate, and an RF antenna assembly removably mounted to the control assembly. The control assembly includes a first RF interface, an RF transceiver electrically coupled to the first RF interface, and a processor communicatively coupled to the RF transceiver. The processor directs operation of the RF transceiver to implement the radio network based on communications form the server over the POE data network. The control assembly further includes a POE interface coupled to the POE data network the communicatively couples the processor with the server and electrically powers the RF transceiver. The RF antenna assembly includes a second RF interface removably coupled to the first RF interface. The RF antenna assembly further includes at least one RF antenna electrically coupled to the second RF interface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1is a view of an aircraft100that implements one or more WLANs utilizing one or more modular RF assemblies (not shown in this view) for aircraft100in an illustrative embodiment. Aircraft100in this embodiment communicates with one or more satellite(s)102to provide communication capabilities to aircraft100and a remote data network. For example, an external antenna on aircraft100(not shown) may communicate with satellite(s)102to provide high speed bi-directional data services to aircraft100over the Ka-band, which covers frequencies from 26.5 GHz to 40 GHz. One example of a Ka-band data service that may be provided by satellite(s)102includes the Inmarsat Global Xpress (GX) program.

During flight, a WLAN onboard aircraft100may allow various aircraft systems onboard aircraft100(e.g., wireless sensors, not shown inFIG. 1) and aircraft crew and/or passengers access to a data network of aircraft100(not shown inFIG. 1). For example, wireless sensors onboard aircraft100may communicate with the data network of aircraft100over the WLAN to provide sensor data regarding the operation of aircraft100. In another example, aircraft crew and/or passengers onboard aircraft100may utilize their PEDs to access the WLAN and connect to the Internet and/or receive IFE content from a media server (not shown inFIG. 1) onboard aircraft100. A WLAN onboard aircraft100may be implemented with one or more RF antenna assemblies (not shown inFIG. 1) that are distributed within a cabin or cargo hold of aircraft100.

FIG. 2is a block diagram of a content distribution and access system200in an illustrative embodiment. In this embodiment, system200includes a server202, which may provide IFE content and/or access to the Internet to PEDs216-218utilizing one or more modular RF assemblies212-215that are communicatively coupled to server202via data network210. Server202may also be used in some embodiments to modify the wireless capabilities and/or wireless settings of modular RF assemblies212-215and/or control modular RF assemblies212-215. For instance, server202may control and/or vary an RF channel in use by one or more modular RF assemblies212-215, may control and/or vary access point settings in use by one or more modular RF assemblies212-215, may control or vary RF power levels in use by one or more modular RF assemblies212-215, etc.

In the embodiments described herein, modular RF assemblies212-215comprise RF radio(s), control electronics, antenna(s), and mounting hardware in a modular format. The use of a modular format allows for simplified installation, upgrade, and maintenance of modular RF assemblies212-215.

If server202is configured to distribute IFE content to PEDs216-218, server202may distribute live content and/or pre-recorded content as desired. For example, to provide live content, server202may receive live content from satellite(s)102, which allows server202to re-transmit the content (e.g., movies, television shows, advertisements, etc.) in real-time or near real-time to aircraft crew and/or passengers onboard aircraft100. To provide pre-recorded content to aircraft crew and/or passengers onboard aircraft100, server202may retrieve pre-recorded content (e.g., movies, television shows, advertisements, etc.) from a memory206of server202. Server202may also provide access to the Internet to aircraft crew and/or passengers onboard aircraft100utilizing a bi-directional communication link to satellite(s)102.

In some embodiments, one or more wireless sensors220-221may communicate with server202via modular RF assemblies212-215and data network210to provide sensor data regarding aircraft100. For example, wireless sensors220-221may provide temperature information, vibration information, pressure information, etc. to server regarding aircraft100. This information may be used to modify the operation of aircraft100and/or may be logged by server202for subsequent analysis. Server202may also forward the sensor data from wireless sensors220-221to a monitoring facility via satellite(s)102.

While the specific hardware implementation of server202is subject to design choices, one particular embodiment may include one or more processors204coupled with memory206. Processor204includes any hardware device that is able to perform functions. For example, processor204may provide IFE content streams to PEDs216-218, may receive sensor data from wireless sensors220-221, and/or may provide management functions for modular RF assemblies212-215. Processor204may include one or more Central Processing Units (CPU), microprocessors, Digital Signal Processors (DSPs), Application-specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), etc. Some examples of processors include Intel® Core™ processors, Advanced Reduced Instruction Set Computing (RISC) Machines (ARM®) processors, etc.

Memory206includes any hardware device that is able to store data. For instance, memory206may store IFE content and/or sensor data from wireless sensors220-221. Memory206may include one or more volatile or non-volatile Dynamic Random-Access Memory (DRAM) devices, FLASH devices, volatile or non-volatile Static RAM devices, hard drives, Solid State Disks (SSDs), etc. Some examples of non-volatile DRAM and SRAM include battery-backed DRAM and battery-backed SRAM.

In this embodiment, server202also includes an interface (I/F)208which electrically couples server202to data network210. I/F208includes any component, system, or device that is able to provide network signaling and network frame processing capabilities to server202.

Data network210may include one or more switches, not shown, which route network frames between network enabled devices (e.g., modular RF assemblies212-215and server202). For instance, if modular RF assemblies212-215are distributed across different sections of aircraft100, then data network210may be implemented with one or more switches that distribute data network210to different portions of aircraft100. Additional switches may provide additional bandwidth capability to a particular modular RF assembly212-215and/or may be wired to provide redundancy to a particular modular RF assembly212-215. Although only one signaling path is illustrated between data network210and each of modular RF assemblies212-215, a plurality of signaling paths may be provided to improve the data rate capabilities between server202and modular RF assemblies212-215and/or to provide redundancy in cases where a possible failure in a switch utilized to implement data network210fails.

Although the particular implementation of data network210is subject to design choices, one particular embodiment may implement data network210as an Ethernet network or as a Power Over Ethernet (POE) network. A POE network provides both power and data signaling over Ethernet cabling. POE may be useful when implementing system200, as it allows modular RF assemblies212-215to both communicate with data network210and be electrically powered using the same Ethernet cable. The use of a common cable for both data and power provides more flexibility as to where modular RF assemblies212-215may be located within aircraft100. For instance, POE cabling may be routed to locations within aircraft100that do not have access to an aircraft power system (not shown). Also, POE cabling may be routed to locations within aircraft100that are more ideal for implementing WLANs onboard aircraft100.

FIG. 3is a block diagram of modular RF assembly212in an illustrative embodiment. In this embodiment, modular RF assembly212includes separate components. One component of modular RF assembly212comprises a mounting plate302having a surface304that mounts to aircraft100. Another component of modular RF assembly212comprises a control assembly308having a surface310that mounts to a surface306of mounting plate302. Surface310may be referred to as a first surface in some embodiments. Another component of modular RF assembly212comprises an RF antenna assembly326having a surface325that mounts to a surface332of control assembly308. In some embodiments, surface325may be referred to as a third surface.

Mounting plate302provides a common mounting interface to control assembly308, thereby allowing control assembly308to be removably mounted to aircraft100. Various mounting methods are supported to ensure that mounting plate302may be positioned and mounted within aircraft100as desired. For instance, surface310and/or surface306may include interlocking features (not shown) which allows control assembly308to be removably mounted to mounting plate302. Such features may include snaps, clasps, bands, removable screws, etc.

Control assembly308includes electronics and one or more radios for implementing a WLAN onboard aircraft100, while RF antenna assembly326includes one or more passive antennas that broadcast the signals generated by control assembly308.

In this embodiment, control assembly308includes an interface (I/F)312, which communicatively couples a processor318of control assembly308with data network210. I/F312also electrically couples control assembly308with power system301of aircraft100.

I/F312includes any component, system, or device that is able to provide data communications314and electrical power316to control assembly308. In some embodiments, I/F312may include separate electrical connections to provide data communications314and electrical power316to control assembly308. For example, I/F312may comprise a network connector coupled to data network210, and a separate electrical connector coupled to a power system301of aircraft100. However, in some embodiments I/F312includes an Ethernet connection that provides both data communications314and electrical power316over the same Ethernet cable (e.g., POE). This simplifies the data and power distribution complexity for installing modular RF assembly212onto aircraft100.

In this embodiment, processor318is communicatively coupled to an RF transceiver320and is configured to direct operation of RF transceiver320. For instance, processor318may provide commands to RF transceiver320to manage an RF channel in use by RF transceiver320, an access point setting for RF transceiver320, and/or an RF power level of RF transceiver320. Processor318may perform this operation based on communications received from server202over data network210. Processor318may include one or more Central Processing Units (CPU), microprocessors, Digital Signal Processors (DSPs), Application-specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), etc. Some examples of processors include Intel® Core™ processors, Advanced Reduced Instruction Set Computing (RISC) Machines (ARM®) processors, etc.

Control assembly308in this embodiment further includes an RF connector324, which is communicatively coupled to RF transceiver320. RF connector324may be referred to as a first RF connector or a first RF interface in some embodiments. RF connector324comprises any component or device that is capable of transmitting high bandwidth electrical signals (e.g., 1-100 GHz).

In this embodiment, RF antenna assembly326of modular RF assembly212is configured to removably mount to control assembly308. In particular, when RF antenna assembly326is mounted to control assembly308, RF connector324of control assembly308mates with and is electrically coupled to an RF connector328of RF antenna assembly326. RF connector328may be referred to as a second RF connector or a second RF interface in some embodiments. RF connector328comprises any component or device that is capable of transmitting high bandwidth electrical signals (e.g., 1-100 GHz).

RF antenna assembly326further includes at least one RF antenna330, which is electrically coupled to RF connector328. RF antenna330is configured to convert electrical signals generated by RF transceiver320into RF signals. RF antenna330is further configured to convert RF signals received from PEDs216-218and/or wireless sensors220-221into electrical signals that are provided to RF transceiver320.

When control assembly308and RF antenna assembly326are mounted together, electrical signals generated by RF transceiver320are electrically coupled to RF antenna330via RF connector324and RF connector328. In particular, a surface322of control assembly308may be configured to removably mount to surface325of RF antenna assembly326. In some embodiments, surface332may be referred to as a second surface.

In some embodiments, RF connector324is proximate to surface332and aligned with RF connector328when RF antenna assembly326is mounted to control assembly308. Surface332and/or surface325may include interlocking features (not shown) which allows RF antenna assembly326to be removably mounted to control assembly308. Such features may include snaps, clasps, bands, removable screws, etc.

As discussed previously, mounting plate302, control assembly308, and RF antenna assembly326are separate components that can be removably mounted together. In this regard, control assembly308includes an enclosure336, which houses RF connector324, RF transceiver320, processor318, and I/F312. RF antenna assembly326includes an enclosure338, which houses RF antenna330and RF connector328. In some embodiments, enclosure336may be referred to as a first enclosure, while enclosure338may be referred to a second enclosure.

The modular nature of modular RF assembly212allows for more efficient maintenance and upgrades for aircraft100. For example, RF antenna assembly326may be removed from control assembly308and replaced with a different unit having a different RF antenna configuration. This may be desirable to change the RF performance of modular RF assembly212. In another example, control assembly308may be removed from mounting plate302and RF antenna assembly326and replaced with a different unit having an upgraded RF transceiver. Replacing RF transceiver320may be used to allow modular RF assembly212to operate at a different RF frequency and/or to support a different wireless standard.

From a maintenance perspective, RF antenna assembly326may be removed from control assembly308and replaced with a different unit if RF antenna assembly326is damaged. If control assembly308becomes defective in some way, control assembly308may be removed from mounting plate302and RF antenna assembly326and replaced with a working control assembly. The replicable aspect of the components of modular RF assembly212therefore improve the efficiency of repair operations and provide a simplified way to upgrade the wireless network capabilities provided to aircraft crew and/or passengers onboard aircraft100.

FIG. 4is a flow chart of a method400of installing a modular RF assembly in an illustrative embodiment. Method400will be discussed with respect to modular RF assembly212ofFIG. 3, although method400and other methods described herein may apply to other modular RF assemblies not shown. The steps of method400and other methods described herein may be performed in an alternate order, and/or may include other steps that are not explicitly shown.

Step402of method400comprises installing mounting plate302to an interior portion of aircraft100. For instance, during a retrofit operation for aircraft100, interior locations within aircraft100may be identified for installing modular RF assembly212based on a desired wireless coverage area at the locations. After ensuring or providing access at the locations for data and power connections, an installer secures mounting plate302to one of the locations.FIG. 5illustrates mounting plate302attached to an interior portion502of aircraft100in an illustrative embodiment. For instance, interior portion502may comprise a portion of an interior passageway of aircraft100, a crown location of an interior doorway, etc. InFIG. 5, surface306of mounting plate302is disposed away from an exterior surface504of interior portion502of aircraft, and surface304of mounting plate302is disposed toward exterior surface504.

Step408of method400comprises connecting control assembly308to a data network and a power network. For instance, I/F312may be connected to data network210and power system301(seeFIGS. 2-3). If I/F312utilizes POE, then connecting data network210and power system301to control assembly308may be performed by connecting I/F312to an Ethernet cable that carries both data and electrical power.

In some cases, a component of modular RF assembly may be replaced. For instance, RF antenna assembly326may be replaced to change the type and/or number of passive antennas in modular RF assembly212.FIG. 8is a flow chart of a method800of replacing a component of modular RF assembly212in an illustrative embodiment.

Consider that modular RF assembly212is installed in aircraft100, as illustrated inFIG. 7. A maintenance worker locates modular RF assembly212and disconnects the control assembly308from data network210and power system301(see step802). The maintenance work removes the previously installed RF antenna assembly326from control assembly308(seeFIG. 6and step804ofFIG. 8). The maintenance worker installs a new RF antenna assembly to the control assembly308(see step806).

FIG. 9illustrates the result of installing a new RF antenna assembly902to control assembly308in an illustrative embodiment. After installation of new RF antenna assembly902, the maintenance worker connects control assembly308to data network210and power system301using I/F/312(see step808).

In some cases, it may be desirable to replace control assembly308after installation of modular RF assembly212. For instance, to upgrade RF transceiver320in order to support different RF frequencies, RF power levels, protocols, etc.

FIG. 10is a flow chart of another method1000of replacing a component of modular RF assembly212in an illustrative embodiment. Consider that modular RF assembly212is installed in aircraft100, as illustrated inFIG. 7. A maintenance worker locates modular RF assembly212and disconnects the control assembly308from data network210and power system301(see step1002). The maintenance work removes the previously installed RF antenna assembly326from control assembly308(seeFIG. 6and step1004ofFIG. 10). The maintenance worker then removes the control assembly308from mounting plate302(seeFIG. 5and step1006ofFIG. 10). The maintenance worker installs a new control assembly to mounting plate302(see step1008ofFIG. 10).

FIG. 11illustrates the result of mounting a new control assembly1102to mounting plate302in an illustrative embodiment. New control assembly1102includes an I/F1106, which may be similar in function to I/F312previously described, and a surface1104that mounts to RF antenna assembly326.

In step1010, the maintenance worker installs an RF antenna assembly. In some embodiments, RF antenna assembly326(seeFIG. 7) may be reused. However, if the RF characteristics of new control assembly1102are different from control assembly308, then a different RF antenna assembly may be installed that has different passive RF antennas as compared to RF antenna assembly326. Assume for this example that RF antenna assembly326will be reused.FIG. 12illustrates the result of re-installing RF antenna assembly326onto new control assembly1102in an illustrative embodiment. After installation of RF antenna assembly326, the maintenance worker connects new control assembly1102to data network210and power system301utilizing I/F1106(see step1012).

Although specific embodiments were described herein, the scope is not limited to those specific embodiments. Rather, the scope is defined by the following claims and any equivalents thereof.