Method for managing data in a transportation cabin and standardised implementation architecture

A data management structure (1a) on board a transportation device, incorporating a cabin (100) provided with seats (110), includes a data resource block (210) incorporating audiovisual transmission system units (211 to 213), outward communication systems (100) and/or cabin systems, a standardised data distribution architecture (10a), and devices (E1 to E4) for operating said systems. In the structure (1a), the standardised architecture (10a) includes a concentration box (11) for the bidirectional transfer, on the one hand, of base signals with the resource block (210) and, on the other hand, optical signals with the devices (E1 to E4) of the cabin (100) on at least one optical fibre (2, 3; 2a, 2′a; 2b). This concentration box (11) houses units for processing (211 to 213) by signal switching, bidirectional conversion into optical signals, and optical signal management by wavelength allocation and distribution of downstream (F1) and upstream (F2) optical flows. This concentration box (11) is connected to the devices (E1 to E4) of said systems via intermediate boxes (30, 40) also housing processing units (111 to 113) according to the devices (E1 to E4) to which they are connected.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a national stage entry of PCT/EP2018/074637 filed Sep. 12, 2018, under the International Convention claiming priority over French Patent Application No. FR1758477 filed Sep. 13, 2017.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention pertains to a method for managing data in a passenger transport cabin, in particular in a passenger cabin of an aircraft, as well as to a data management structure incorporating a standardized optical-network architecture able to implement this method.

The architecture is termed “standardized” since it makes it possible to increase the modularity of the cabin, or of other transport structures, thereby facilitating its reconfiguration in successive cabin refits, while preserving this architecture which then remains a standard for the transmission of data. The invention applies in particular to the cabins of commercial passenger transport airplanes for civil aeronautics and to aircraft equipped with such an architecture for implementing this method.

The field of the invention pertains to the management of the transmission of data by a network to devices of a passenger cabin, whether technical devices for control and/or command of transport-critical cabin systems (pumps of an aircraft's air pressurization system, compressors of air conditioning systems, common lighting, detectors, actuators, etc.) or technical devices of non-critical cabin systems, in particular for flight in the case of an aerial transport (kitchens or “galleys” in the conventional terminology, ventilation, individual lighting, etc.), or else systems for outward communication (Internet, WIFI, LIFI, etc.) for personal electronic devices or PEDs, audiovisual systems (systems for transmitting pictures and/or sounds for the passengers, originating for example from the outside environment from cameras or from recordings, in particular the IFE entertainment system for aircraft, the acronym standing for “In Flight Entertainment” in the conventional terminology, etc.), or technical devices of the cabin.

The invention applies in particular to the passenger cabins of aircraft but also to the data networks embedded on board any type of transport vehicle, whether automotive vehicles, maritime transport, railroad transport or the like.

PRIOR ART

The current trend in transport is evolving toward embedding a growing number of electronic systems for managing data dedicated as much to the technical devices of the transport as to the personal devices of the passengers. In particular in aerial transport, the need of the passengers to remain connected (Internet, Video on Demand, telephone contact, etc.) is ever more pressing. Moreover, the isolation of the passengers in space contributes to increasing this need.

This data management is today ensured case-by-case through the proliferation of local direct links between the devices supplying data and the systems for utilizing these data. However, the proliferation of the links limits the quantity of personal electronic devices that can be used continuously by passengers whilst the number and diversification of PEDs (smartphones, tablets, cameras, laptop computers, virtual reality headsets, etc.) are increasing considerably.

Another consequence of the proliferation of these links is the appreciable increase in the weight and complexity of the onboard wiring. This consequence is aggravated by the fact that, since aircraft are using more and more base structures (fuselage, etc.) made of composite materials, heavy metallic devices are necessary in order to neutralize the effects related to lightning and to so-called EMI electromagnetic interference.

Thus, the massive use of wiring and the growing needs in terms of onboard bitrate, in particular for aircraft passenger cabins, require the setting up of lightweight, high-performance communication technologies that are insensitive to interference of EMI type.

Prior art documents report the use of optical fibers in an airplane cabin in order to transmit data. It is for example possible to cite the patent documents US 20100139948, US 2005247820, US 2005258676 and US 2012141066. However, the solutions developed in these documents describe optimized means dedicated to the installation of electrical cables or, likewise, of optical fibers in the passenger cabin of an aircraft. No overall architecture for managing and distributing data by optical pathway is described in these documents.

Moreover, the prior art solutions do not provide for a standardized architecture, capable of accommodating passenger cabin refits, in particular a standardized architecture compatible with ever more complex security norms, thereby giving rise in general to the design and realization of novel architectures at each cabin reconfiguration with significant maintenance times and immobilization cycles.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The invention is aimed, on the contrary, at allowing lightweight, high-performance communication of data which is insensitive to interference of EMI type and is able to accommodate cabin refits. Accordingly, the invention provides for bidirectional distribution of data that is built around transmission between data suppliers and devices utilizing and/or supplying data, via optical distribution of the data which is relayed to these devices as a function of parameterizable priorities.

More precisely, the subject of the present invention is a method for managing data in a passenger cabin equipped with a standardized architecture for distributing data streams between data resources of a “systems” part comprising an audiovisual transmission system, systems for outward communication from the cabin and/or cabin systems, and a part for “utilization” of these data consisting of recipient cabin devices via a conversion of data into optical signals. This management method consists in transmitting, in a so-called downgoing direction, the data supplied by at least one system of the systems part to a single concentration and configuration interface which steers the data of the resources according to the recipient device, converts the non-optical data into optical signals, and then allocates wavelengths to the optical signals and distributes them by multiplexing and parametrization of priorities as a function of the recipient devices and/or resources as a function of the resource and of the devices for a given resource, so as to transmit these multiplexed streams of optical signals on a pathway of at least one optical distribution network to the recipient devices of the utilization part via an intermediate interface which manages the wavelengths of the optical signals and reconverts them into signals suited to the devices if relevant. The transmission of data is also undertaken in the reverse so-called upgoing direction according to a processing reversed at each interface from devices of the cabin to the resources concerned via the intermediate interface as a function of the resource concerned, the optical distribution network and then the concentration and configuration interface which transmits them to the resource concerned.

Under these conditions, the use of an optical distribution network makes it possible to build a lightweight, simplified, durable and standardized high-performance architecture which is independent of the functions and protocols between the system part and the utilization part. It furthermore makes it possible to circumvent the large amount of interconnection wiring installed along the whole cabin, and therefore to achieve a significant time saving during refits, and to improve security (computer security of the exchanges of data on fiber, insensitivity to interference of EMI type, etc.).

Moreover, this method uses a number of optical networks that is suited to the implementation conditions (physical constraints, functional requirements, performance and bitrates envisaged, choices of cabin design, etc.) by applying a number of optical networks which is optimized for a given number of categories of system from among audiovisual systems, communication systems and cabin systems: one network for one category of systems, one or two networks for two categories, and one, two or three networks for three categories of systems.

The allocation of wavelengths and the distribution of the optical signals can also be undertaken as a function of the class level, premium or standard (that is to say according to the level of service, of device and of provision), of the optical streams for the resources and devices for audiovisual transmission of IFE type, and for communication (PED, etc.), as well as by discrimination between the critical or non-critical streams of the resources and technical devices of the cabin systems.

According to particular modes, the method can provide that:the intermediate interface is connected to the devices of the cabin systems and/or to the devices of the communication systems;the intermediate interface comprises at least one disconnection interface coupled to linking interfaces for linking to the devices of the audiovisual system and to the devices of the systems for outward communication situated in proximity to the devices of the audiovisual system, the linking interfaces ensuring, in both directions, optical/electrical conversion as well as management by allocation of wavelengths and distribution of data;the allocation of the wavelengths is performed as a function of the positioning of the devices in the cabin, of the physical constraints of the cabin and of the functional service characteristics related to a type of optical stream pertaining to a level of class and/or of security, for example the premium or standard level of the optical streams or the discrimination between the critical or non-critical streams of the resources and technical devices of the cabin systems;the architecture is reconfigured by a digital processing applied to the concentration and configuration interface during installation and/or removal of the audiovisual devices, communication devices, and/or devices for technical command/control of the cabin;a redundancy architecture incorporating at least the concentration and configuration interface is deployed according to a configuration identical to the concentration and configuration interface of the standardized architecture, so as to circumvent the physical deterioration constraints and to forewarn of possible faults within the optical distribution network; as an option, the redundancy architecture also incorporates an intermediate interface for connection to the devices;the optical distribution network can add and/or separate optical streams by multiplexing and/or demultiplexing of wavelengths within this network;the transmission of data is performed in the downgoing and upgoing directions either on the same optical pathway or on two distinct optical pathways.

The invention also pertains to a data management structure embedded on board a transport means incorporating a cabin equipped with passenger seats, said structure comprising a data resources block incorporating central units of systems comprising an audiovisual transmission system, systems for outward communication from the cabin and/or cabin systems, a standardized architecture for distributing data streams in the cabin, and cabin devices for utilization of said systems. In this structure, the standardized architecture comprises a concentration and configuration box for bidirectional transfer, on the one hand, of base signals with the data resources block and, on the other hand, of optical signals with the devices of the cabin on at least one optical network fiber. This concentration and configuration box incorporates units for processing by switching of the base signals, bidirectional conversion of the base signals into optical signals for transfer to the devices, and management of these optical signals by allocation of wavelengths and distribution of downgoing and upgoing optical streams. This concentration and configuration box is linked to the devices of said systems via intermediate boxes also incorporating at least some of the processing units as a function of the devices to which they are linked.

According to preferred embodiments:the base signals between the concentration and configuration box and the data resources block are chosen from between electrical, RF and optical signals;the intermediate boxes consist of at least one disconnection box incorporating units for converting optical/electrical signals, and/or for switching and/or for management by allocation of wavelengths as a function of the devices of communication systems and/or cabin systems in conjunction;each disconnection box is linked to the devices of the audiovisual transmission systems and to devices of the communication systems in proximity to the passenger seats via interface boxes furnished with units for optical/electrical conversion and for management of allocation of wavelengths;the base signals being electrical signals, the intermediate boxes consist of interface boxes incorporating units for electrical/optical conversion and for management by allocation of wavelengths, each interface box being linked to devices of the audiovisual transmission systems and communication systems in proximity to the passenger seats;the seats are hooked up to the corresponding interface box by signals emitters/receivers;the interface boxes are linked to one another and to a disconnection box according to a configuration chosen from between a chain configuration, bus configuration, ring configuration and star configuration, as a function of the physical constraints, of the functional requirements and of the design choices;the distributing of the signals by the disconnection box to the interface boxes is carried out by a technique chosen from between copyovers by successive transfer in the case of a chain configuration and selective transmissions by optical separators in the case of a star configuration;each interface box transmits electrical signals to several passenger seats and comprises a unit for converting the downgoing signals to the devices into electrical signals and the upgoing signals from the devices into optical signals, and a unit for management by allocation of wavelengths incorporating an OADM multiplexer for injecting and recovering optical signals respectively into and from at least one optical fiber;the unit for management by allocation of wavelengths of each interface box incorporates a so-called ROADM reconfigurable OADM multiplexer for injecting and extracting optical signals;the wavelength allocations can be parametrized according to a distribution that can be chosen by type of system, by association with each disconnection box, by association with the interface boxes linked to one and the same disconnection box, by location of the devices as a function of their class, and/or by type of downgoing and upgoing stream between the interface boxes and the concentration and configuration box;the allotting of the wavelength allocations is identical in the upgoing and downgoing directions of the data streams between the interface boxes and the concentration and configuration box;the intermediate boxes consist of at least one disconnection box incorporating units for switching and for managing allocation of the wavelengths as a function of the devices of the audiovisual systems, communication systems and/or cabin systems in conjunction, each disconnection box being coupled directly to the devices of cabin systems and to devices of communication systems situated in the cabin, and coupled to the devices of the audiovisual transmission systems and to devices of the communication systems in proximity to the passenger seats via interface boxes furnished with units for optical/electrical conversion and for management by allocation of wavelengths;in the case where the allocation of the wavelengths is independent of the interface boxes, means for controlling access to these boxes are provided and chosen from among time division multiplexing or TDM, token passing and synchronous sampling of polling type, so as to avoid the risks of interference;each switching unit comprises resources data steering contactors (“switches” in the conventional terminology) activated by the concentration and configuration box as a function of the recipient devices;each switching unit incorporates means for managing priorities;each electrical/optical conversion unit incorporates electro-optical emitters-receivers (“transceivers” in the conventional terminology), these transceivers being able to be coupled to specific adaptors of data as a function of the resources;each unit for management by allocation of wavelengths and distribution of the downgoing and upgoing optical streams comprises a network for allotting by multiplexing chosen from between a wavelength division multiplexer (or WDM), a dense division multiplexer (or DWDM, the acronym standing for “dense wavelength division multiplexer”), a coarse division multiplexer (or CWDM, the acronym standing for “coarse wavelength division multiplexer”) and an ultra-dense division multiplexer (or UDWDM, the acronym standing for “ultra-dense wavelength division multiplexer”);each unit for management by allocation of wavelengths and distribution of the upgoing and downgoing optical streams also incorporates means for specific management of the optical signals coupled to the wavelength division multiplexer and chosen from among a terminal multiplexer of wavelengths of the optical signals or OTM, an optical wavelength demultiplexer of the signals arising from the optical network or OWD, a multiplexer for injecting optical signals at a wavelength and for extracting optical signals on corresponding-device reception wavelengths or OADM, and/or an optical connector of wavelengths to specific ports or OXC (OTM, OWD, OADM and OXC being respectively acronyms standing for “optical terminal multiplexer”, “optical wavelength demultiplexer”, “optical add and drop multiplexer” and “optical cross connect” in the conventional terminology);the downgoing and upgoing optical streams are either carried jointly on at least one optical fiber or separated on at least two optical fibers, for reasons of redundancy, of further deployment, of bitrate or of performance, the optical fibers being able to be single-mode and/or multimode;the transport structure is an aircraft and the data resources are situated in the aircraft in proximity to the passenger cabin, in particular in an avionics bay.

In the description hereinbelow, identical reference signs pertain to one and the same element or a similar element having the same function and refer to the passage(s) of the text which describes(describe) it(them).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The block diagram ofFIG. 1illustrates an exemplary data management structure1aembedded in an aircraft incorporating a passenger cabin100, equipped with seats110in the passenger area120, and an avionics bay200. The structure1acomprises a data resources block210in the avionics bay200incorporating three central units211to213: a central unit211of an IFE transmission system, a central unit212of systems for communication (Internet and WIFI in the example) between the cabin100and outside of the cabin, and a central unit213of the cabin systems in conjunction with the flight-critical or non-flight-critical technical devices.

The structure1aalso comprises a standardized architecture10afor distributing downgoing streams F1and upgoing streams of data in and from the devices of the cabin100. The downgoing streams F1make it possible to utilize the data originating from said central units211to213and the upgoing streams F2to transfer data to said central units211to213from the devices. These devices are dispersed in the cabin100: the terminals E1of the IFE system which are incorporated with the seats110of the passenger area120, the PED devices E2of the passengers positioned in proximity to these seats110the communications of the terminals E1and of the PED E2being managed respectively by the central units211and212; and, outside of the passenger area120, in the locations130in this exemplary embodiment, the critical and non-critical technical devices E3(actuators of pumps, temperature or pressure detectors, decoding/encoding units, cooking appliances for the galleys, etc.) of the cabin systems managed by the central unit213, as well as devices E4of communication systems situated in the cabin100and managed by the central unit of the communication systems212.

The distribution of downgoing data streams F1is generated by a concentration and configuration box11of the standardized architecture10a. According to bidirectional transfers, said box11communicates, on the one hand, electrical signals with the central units211to213of the resources block210(double arrows F10) and, on the other hand, optical signals with the devices of the cabin100via an optical fiber2forming a primary loop B1of an optical network20on the concentration and configuration box11. The optical network20is incorporated, according to various embodiments, in the ceiling and/or in the floor of the cabin100.

Such a concentration and configuration box11incorporates processing units for the signals111to113: a switching unit111for steering the electrical signals generated by the resources block210as a function of the devices E1to E4, a unit for bidirectional conversion112of the switched electrical signals210into optical signals, and a management unit113for managing the optical signals through parameters for allocation into wavelengths and distribution into downgoing F1and upgoing F2optical streams in the network20.

The switching is advantageously adjusted by switches (not represented) activated by the concentration and configuration box11which also manages the switches of all the switching units111described hereinafter. These switches allow optimal steering of the signals by multiplexing networks (as specified hereinafter) as a function of their destination characterized by a physical address or, in variants, by a logical address or a port number.

The concentration and configuration box11is linked to the devices E1to E4of the IFE systems, of the communication systems and of the cabin systems via intermediate boxes mounted in series, the disconnection boxes30of the optical network20in the example illustrated. The optical network20comprises secondary chain loops B2with single optical fiber3which are coupled to the primary loop20through the disconnection boxes30. In these secondary loops B2, the connection interface boxes40are coupled (double arrows F20) to the devices E1and E2of the cabin area120.

The disconnection boxes30are thus coupled electrically to the devices E3, E4of the cabin locations130via electrical wiring (double arrows F40), and to the devices E1, E2of the passenger area120via the interface boxes40.

Each disconnection box30is then linked to several three in the example interface boxes40mounted in series loop-wise (“daisy chain” in the conventional terminology) on the disconnection box30, and each interface box40is coupled electrically to a row of seats12or, as a variant embodiment, to several rows. Alternatively, as a function of the bulkiness constraints, of the functional requirements or of design choices, the interface boxes40can be connected as a bus, ring or star. The distributing of the signals by the disconnection box30to the interface boxes40is carried out by copyovers by successive transfer in the case of a chain configuration or selective transmissions by optical separators in the case of a star configuration.

Each of these disconnection boxes30incorporates a unit111for switching the electrical signals generated by the devices E3and E4, a unit112for bidirectional conversion of the switched electrical signals into optical signals and a unit113for management of the optical signals by allocation into wavelengths and distribution into optical streams in the network20.

Moreover, in this exemplary embodiment, each interface box40also incorporates a unit112for bidirectional conversion of the electrical signals into optical signals, and a unit113for management of the optical signals by allocation of wavelengths and distribution of optical streams in the network20. In the case where the allocation of the wavelengths is allotted independently of the interface boxes40, several interface boxes40can emit or receive signals on one and the same wavelength. To avoid such risks of interference, means for controlling access to these interfaces40are advantageously deployed. Such access control means are chosen from among time division multiplexing or TDM, token passing and synchronous sampling of polling type.

Advantageously, each switching unit111incorporates a protocol for managing priorities as a function of the various devices E1to E4, for example by prioritizing the signals to be transmitted to the technical devices E3, and then to the devices of the communication systems E4and E2, and finally to the devices E1of the IFE system. Moreover, each electrical/optical bidirectional conversion unit112advantageously incorporates electro-optical emitters-receivers (“transceivers” in the conventional terminology) coupled to specific adaptors of data as a function of the type of data system of the resources block210, namely in the present example the IFE system, the communication systems and the cabin systems.

Concerning the wavelength allocations, each unit113for management by allocation of wavelengths and distribution of downgoing optical streams F1in the “concentration and configuration box11toward the devices E1to E4” direction and upgoing optical streams F2, in the reverse direction, comprises a wavelength division multiplexer termed WDM. Alternatively, as a function of the performance, bitrate and addressing requirements and of physical constraints, a dense division multiplexer termed DWDM, a coarse division multiplexer termed CWDM or an ultra-dense division multiplexer termed UDWDM can advantageously be used.

Advantageously, each management unit113also incorporates a specific management multiplexer of the optical signals which is coupled to the wavelength division multiplexer, a terminal multiplexer of wavelengths of the optical signals termed OTM in the exemplary embodiment. Alternatively or in combination, an optical wavelength demultiplexer of the signals arising from the optical network20, termed OWD, a multiplexer for injecting optical signals at a particular wavelength and for extracting optical signals on corresponding-device reception wavelengths, termed OADM, and/or an optical connector of wavelengths to specific ports, termed OXC, can be incorporated.

The distribution of the wavelengths is advantageously parametrized by type of service provided according to the systems (IFE system, communication systems and cabin systems). For the sake of simplification, the allotting of the wavelengths is identical in this example, in the upgoing F1and downgoing F2directions of the communication streams between the interface boxes40and the conversion and configuration box11but, to properly differentiate the upgoing and downgoing directions, the strategy of allocations may be different in these two_directions according to variant embodiments. In the example, wavelengths in the band 1270-1370 nm are allocated every 20 nm.

Alternatively, the allocation parameters can be chosen as a function of the disconnection boxes30, of the interface boxes40linked to one and the same disconnection box30, by location of the devices E1to E4as a function of their premium or standard class, and/or by type of downgoing F1and upgoing F2stream between the interface boxes40linked to one and the same disconnection box30and the conversion and configuration box11.

The architecture10aadvantageously takes into account the critical or non-critical nature of the data transported on the optical network20between the concentration and configuration box11and the technical devices E3. Accordingly, the critical signals, intended for the technical devices E3that are critical for the flight conditions, are carried by the avionics full duplex protocol termed AFDX, whilst the non-critical data intended for the non-critical technical devices E3are processed by the Ethernet protocol.

The block diagram ofFIG. 2illustrates a simplified data management structure1bwhich reuses the previous structure1awithout the devices E3of the cabin systems which are managed by another distribution network, for example by the ceiling (cf.FIG. 6). The structure1bthen manages the devices E1of the IFE system and the PED devices E2of the passenger area120, as well as the devices E4of the communication systems in the cabin locations130. In this case, the data arising from the two central units211and212of the resources block210, respectively of the IFE system and of the communication systems, use only one and the same distribution network20, through the floor of the cabin100in the exemplary embodiment.

This simplified management structure1bincorporates an architecture10bwhich reuses the standardized architecture10ain which the disconnection boxes30are devoid of signals conversion unit since all the conversions are performed by the interface boxes40in this example. Alternatively, if the disconnection boxes30are equipped with conversion units112, as in the management structure1a(cf.FIG. 1), these conversion units are not incorporated or are rendered inactive. Each disconnection box30incorporates a management unit113equipped with an OADM, or ROADM multiplexer to increase the adaptability of the communication systems to the cabin refits.

The interface boxes40reuse the same configuration: an optical/electrical bidirectional conversion unit112and a management unit113equipped with an OADM multiplexer. As a variant, in the case where each interface box40operates on its own wavelength, the data strictly addressed to its seats are recovered by a ROADM multiplexer with injection or DROP and addition or ADD functions: it can recover the data which are strictly addressed to its seats by effecting a DROP of the signal associated with its reception wavelength. It can also transmit the signals dispatched by its seats in the fiber by performing the ADD function of the signal associated with its emission wavelength. Depending on the design choices, the emission and reception wavelengths may be different.

Moreover, in the standardized architecture10a, each fiber2or3of the optical network20carries the whole set of downgoing F1and upgoing F2data streams.

In the architecture10cof the block diagram ofFIG. 3, which illustrates a variant embodiment1cof the simplified data management structure1b, the downgoing F1and upgoing F2data streams are separated. In this architecture10c, a downgoing streams fiber2a, dedicated to the transport of the downgoing data streams F1, links the concentration and configuration box11to the disconnection boxes30and to the interface boxes40, via bypass fiber prolongations2′a, and an upgoing streams fiber2b, dedicated to the transport of the upgoing data streams F2, links the interface boxes40to the concentration and configuration box11.

In variants, several downgoing streams fibers and/or several upgoing streams fibers can be used as a function of the requirements of performance, of addressing or of physical constraints.

In the architecture10dof the management structure1dof the block diagram ofFIG. 4, which reuses the simplified data management structure1bofFIG. 2, the disconnection boxes30are removed so as to directly accommodate the needs of each seat110in terms of bitrate and bandwidth. In this architecture10d, the interface boxes40are connected directly to the concentration and configuration box11via the optical fiber2forming the network loop B1. The communication devices E4are then coupled by wiring to the interface boxes40.

As illustrated by the architecture10eof the management structure1eofFIG. 5, it is also possible to separate the downgoing F1and upgoing F2data streams on the basis of the architecture10d. In this architecture10e, a downgoing streams fiber2a, dedicated to the transport of the downgoing data streams F1, links the concentration and configuration box11in series to the successive interface boxes40, and an upgoing streams fiber2b, dedicated to the transport of the upgoing data streams F2, links the interface boxes40in series and successively to the concentration and configuration box11. The fibers2aand2bform an optical network21with separated downgoing F1and upgoing F2streams.

An architecture10fdedicated to the technical devices E3of the cabin systems (locations130) is illustrated by the block diagram of the management structure1fofFIG. 6, in conjunction (double arrows F40) with the concentration and configuration box11of the management structure1a(cf.FIG. 1). In this architecture10f, the distributing of the data arising from the central unit of the cabin systems213takes place via a fiber4forming a looped optical network22through the ceiling of the cabin. The fiber4links the disconnection boxes30mounted in series and the devices E3are coupled to these boxes30by emitter/receiver means. The two main families of data processed are the critical data and the non-critical data of the technical devices E3, respectively critical (actuators, detectors, decoding/encoding units, light units, display, announcements, etc.) and non-critical (galleys, lights, ventilation, etc.).

As a variant, it is possible to deploy several fibers4in parallel and the total number of fibers depends mainly on the addressing capacity—for example according to a wavelength division multiplexing or WDM of the concentration and configuration box11—and on the proposed maximum bitrate. The critical data are for example supported by the AFDX protocol and the non-critical data by Ethernet, steered by AFDX and Ethernet contactors of said box11. The CAN bus protocol is also used, for example for the detectors, by the box11at the level of the optical/electrical conversion unit112(cf.FIG. 1).

The management of the wavelengths and distribution of the streams is processed just as within the framework of the architecture10a, for example by combination of the OTM, OWD, OADM and/or ROADM multiplexers.

With the management of critical data, a redundant distribution architecture having several fibers4is deployed so as to ensure the transfer of information in case of network fault.

The invention is not limited to the examples described and represented. The architectures are reconfigurable by a digital update applied to the concentration and configuration box and to the disconnection boxes.

Redundant architectures can be deployed according to a configuration identical to the initial distribution architecture, so as to circumvent the physical deterioration constraints and to forewarn of possible faults within the optical distribution network. In particular, in the case where critical devices of the cabin systems are utilized by these architectures, a redundant architecture is set up by twinning the optical networks.

The invention can use a variable number of optical networks which is suited to the conditions of implementation (physical constraints, functional requirements, performance and bitrates envisaged, choices of cabin design, etc.). Thus an optimized number of optical networks, without counting the redundant networks, can be applied for a given number of categories of systems, for example for the three categories described hereinabove (audiovisual systems, communication systems and cabin systems): one network for one category of systems; a common network or a network per category of systems for two given categories of systems, and a common network, two networks (a common network and a dedicated network) or three dedicated networks for three given categories of systems. But the invention can apply to a systems part consisting of more than three categories.

Moreover, the downgoing and upgoing optical streams are either carried jointly on at least one optical fiber or separated and conveyed on at least two optical fibers (for reasons of redundancy, of further deployment, of bitrate or of performance, etc.). Moreover, the optical fibers can be single-mode and/or multimode, depending on the desired performance.

Furthermore, the central units of the IFE, of the communication systems and of the cabin systems are connected to one and the same optical distribution network as is illustrated by the architecture10aofFIG. 1, or are connected to various optical networks, as is illustrated for example by the architectures10cto10fillustrated respectively inFIGS. 3 to 6.

Moreover, the base signals between the concentration and configuration box and the data resources block can be non-electrical signals, for example directly optical signals, thereby making it possible to circumvent the electrical/optical converters, signals transmitted by RF pathway between ad hoc emitters and receivers, or any type of signal convertible into an analog signal.

Moreover, in case a fiber is cut, it is possible to operate the system in a partial manner by feeding via the uncut circuit, either in the upgoing direction or in the downgoing direction.