Patent Description:
Exemplary embodiments pertain to the art of aircraft communication systems, and more particularly, to Wireless Avionics Intra-Communication communication systems that employ portable wireless avionic devices.

Replacing aircraft wired communication systems with wireless communication has gained wide-spread attention in aircraft designs due to its improvement on fuel efficiency of the aircraft and its load carrying capacity. A current aircraft wireless communication system referred to as "Wireless Avionics Intra-Communication" (WAIC) allows for reliable short-range radio communication links between two or more aircraft systems, sub-systems and/or wireless devices located on-board the same aircraft. WAIC operates according to the Radio Altimeter (RA) spectrum, which ranges from <NUM> gigahertz (GHz) to <NUM>. The wireless devices typically utilized on board aircrafts such as off-the-shelf portable electronic devices (PEDs, for example, operate according to a different spectrum (e.g., about <NUM>). Therefore, a WAIC adapter is utilized to allow these wireless devices to operate in the WAIC system. WAIC systems are disclosed in <CIT>, <CIT> and <NPL>.

A Wireless Avionics Intra-Communication (WAIC) system is provided as defined by claim <NUM>.

Also provided is a method of identifying a Wireless Avionics Intra-Communication (WAIC) adapter as defined by claim <NUM>.

As described above, a WAIC adapter allows off-the-shelf PEDs (e.g., computer tablets) to function in a WAIC system. These WAIC adapters are typically portable and can be connected and disconnected to a PED operated by authorized aircraft personnel (e.g., the flight crew). Once connected to the PED, the WAIC adapter allows the PED to exchange data with various systems of the aircraft. To ensure that the data exchange is authorized, it is important to determine the location of the WAIC adapter and allow the WAIC adapter to operate only while located within the cabin of the aircraft.

Various non-limiting embodiments described herein provides a portable WAIC adapter location system capable of determining a location of a WAIC adapter and controlling the operation of the WAIC adapter based on the determined location. In one or more embodiments, the WAIC adapter location system utilizes the cabin lighting system to output a modulated binary code that confirms whether the WAIC adapter is located in an authorized aircraft cabin. When authenticated, the WAIC adapter is activated to allow the PED to communicate with the WAIC. Otherwise, the WAIC adapter is deactivated, thereby preventing unauthorized communication with the WAIC.

With reference now to <FIG>, a WAIC system <NUM> is illustrated according to a non-limiting embodiment. The WAIC system <NUM> includes a portable WAIC adapter location system <NUM> configured to control a WAIC adapter <NUM> installed on a PED <NUM>. As described herein, the WAIC adapter location system <NUM> determines whether the WAIC adapter <NUM> is located at an authorized location (e.g., within the cabin of a given aircraft). When the WAIC adapter location system <NUM> determines that the WAIC adapter <NUM> is located in an authorized area (e.g., within the cabin of an authorized aircraft), the adapter <NUM> is activated and allows the PED <NUM> to communicate with the aircraft's communication network <NUM>. Otherwise, the WAIC adapter <NUM> is deactivated, thereby preventing data exchange between the PED <NUM> and the communication network <NUM>.

The WAIC adapter location system <NUM> includes a light controller <NUM> in signal communication with one or more light emitting devices 112a, 112b, 112n. The light controller <NUM> is configured to generate an identification (ID) pattern <NUM> and to output a light driver signal that drives the light emitting devices 112a, 112b, 112n to emit light <NUM> according to the ID pattern <NUM>.

The light emitting devices 112a, 112b, 112n can include various types of devices capable of emitting light including, but not limited to, a lamp, at least one light emitting diode, a liquid crystal display screen, etc. The light emitting devices 112a, 112b, 112n are configured to emit the light <NUM> in a manner that serves as an ID signal indicative of the ID pattern <NUM>. The emitted ID signal includes a modulated pattern <NUM> of light pulses matching the ID pattern <NUM> that indicates an area at which the WAIC adapter <NUM> is authorized to operate.

Referring to <FIG>, for example, an aircraft cabin <NUM> is illustrated according to a non-limiting embodiment. The aircraft cabin <NUM> includes a plurality of light emitting devices 112a-112n that output an ID signal <NUM> generated by modulating the emitted light at a predetermined frequency. For example, the light can be pulsated at a frequency that ensures a stroboscopic effect (e.g., direct or indirect flicker) is not realized by the humans.

Flight crew operators <NUM> are authorized to possess various wireless devices <NUM> (e.g., computer tablets, laptops, etc.) that are configured to receive a WAIC adapter <NUM>. The WAIC adapter <NUM> and/or the wireless device <NUM> can detect the ID signal <NUM> output from the light emitting devices 112a-112n, and determine whether it is operating in an authorized area, i.e., within the aircraft cabin <NUM>. For example, the WAIC adapter <NUM> can detect the ID signal <NUM> when it is located within the cabin, but is unable to detect the ID signal <NUM> (i.e., the light emitted by the light emitting devices 112a-112n) when it is removed from a given area of the cabin <NUM> or from the aircraft completely. Accordingly, when the ID signal <NUM> is detected and authenticated, the WAIC adapter <NUM> can be activated and the wireless device <NUM> is capable of communicating with the communication network at the specified bandwidth frequency (e.g., <NUM> to <NUM>). Otherwise, the WAIC adapter <NUM> is deactivated thereby preventing the wireless device <NUM> from operating at the frequency (e.g., <NUM> to <NUM>) necessary to exchange data with the aircraft's communication network.

Turning to <FIG>, the light controller <NUM> is illustrated in greater detail. The light controller <NUM> includes a memory unit <NUM>, an encoding unit <NUM>, a packet construction unit <NUM>, a modulation unit <NUM>, and a light signal driver <NUM>. Any one of the encoding unit <NUM>, packet construction unit <NUM>, modulation unit <NUM>, and light signal driver <NUM> can be constructed as an electronic hardware controller that includes memory and a processor configured to execute algorithms and computer-readable program instructions stored in the memory. The memory unit <NUM>, encoding unit <NUM>, packet construction unit <NUM>, modulation unit <NUM>, and light signal driver <NUM> can also be integrated together in a single hardware controller.

The memory unit <NUM> is configured to store the ID pattern <NUM>. The ID pattern can be represented as a sequence of binary values (e.g., <NUM>'s and <NUM>'s), or an ASCII representation, which can later be converted into its corresponding binary values. In at least one embodiment, the ID pattern can correspond to the entire internal area (e.g., cockpit, passenger cabin, etc.). In other embodiments, individual ID patterns can be stored in the memory unit <NUM>, where each ID pattern corresponds to a particular area of the cabin. For instance, a first ID pattern may correspond to the cockpit, a second ID pattern may correspond to the first-class cabin area, a third ID pattern may correspond to the economy cabin area, etc..

The encoding unit <NUM> is configured to encode the binary values into symbol sequences. In at least one embodiment, the encoding unit converts the ASCII representation of the ID pattern into its corresponding binary values, and then converts the binary values into a sequence of encoded symbols. The packet construction unit <NUM> can then frame the encoded symbols into data packets based on a channel/line capacity.

The modulation unit <NUM> is configured to modulate the data packets using various digital modulation techniques. The digital modulation techniques include, but are not limited to, On-Off Keying (OOK), OOK with Manchester encoding, Pulse Width Modulation (PWM), and OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing).

The light signal driver <NUM> receives the modulated packets and generates a light driver signal <NUM> according to a set frequency. In at least one embodiment, the light driver signal drives the light emitting devices 112a, 112b, 112n to generate a modulated pattern <NUM> of light pulses that the ID pattern <NUM> stored in the memory unit <NUM>.

The light emitting devices 112a, 112b, 112n are configured to emit light <NUM> that defines a modulated signal <NUM> indicative of the ID pattern <NUM> (i.e., stored in the memory unit <NUM>) in response to the light driver signal <NUM>. In at least one embodiment, the light driver signal <NUM> causes the light emitting devices 112a, 112b, 112n to pulsate the light <NUM> at a frequency at which humans do not realize a stroboscopic effect (i.e., direct or indirect light flicker).

Turning now to <FIG>, the WAIC adapter <NUM> and the wireless device <NUM> (e.g. PED) are illustrated in greater detail. The WAIC adapter <NUM> and/or the wireless device <NUM> includes an ID signal decoder system configured to convert the emitted light pulses <NUM> into a decoded binary pattern <NUM>. In the example, illustrated in <FIG>, the wireless device <NUM> (e.g., PED) is implemented with the ID signal decoder system. It should be appreciated, however, that the ID signal decoder system can be implemented in the WAIC adapter <NUM>. In other embodiments, one or more components of the ID signal decoder system can be implemented in the wireless device <NUM> while other components of the ID signal decoder can be implemented in the WAIC adapter <NUM>.

The ID signal decoder system includes a light detector device <NUM>, a frame controller <NUM>, an image processor <NUM>, and a binary decoder circuit <NUM>. The ID signal decoder system can operate according to a rolling shutter capturing technique to capture the frame/image of the pulsed light <NUM> in a row sequential manner as described in greater detail below.

The light detector device <NUM> includes an electrical circuit configured to detect the light pulses <NUM> emitted from the at least one light emitting device 112a, 112b, 112n. The light detector device <NUM> can include, for example, an image sensor or camera.

The frame controller <NUM> is in signal communication with the light detector device <NUM> and is configured to determine a data frame based on the light pulses <NUM>. The data frame can include, for example, an amount of the light pulses <NUM> captured over a predetermined time period (e.g., <NUM> seconds).

The image processor <NUM> is in signal communication with the frame controller <NUM>. Accordingly, the image processor <NUM> processes one or more frames output from the frame controller <NUM>, and determines a series of light and dark pulses corresponding to the emitted light pulses <NUM>.

The binary decoder circuit <NUM> is in signal communication with the image processor <NUM>. The binary decoder circuit <NUM> is configured to determine the decoded binary pattern <NUM> based on the series of light and dark pulses included in the data frame, and generates a decoded binary signal <NUM> indicative of the decoded binary pattern <NUM>. The decoded binary pattern <NUM> matches the modulated signal <NUM>, which in turn matches the ID pattern <NUM> stored in the memory unit <NUM> of the light controller <NUM>.

The WAIC adapter <NUM> includes a location controller <NUM> and a WAIC circuit <NUM>. The location controller <NUM> is configured to receive the decoded binary signal <NUM>, and generates a control signal <NUM> based on the decoded binary pattern <NUM>. The control signal <NUM> selectively activates or deactivates the WAIC circuit <NUM>. When activated, the WAIC circuit <NUM> establishes communication with the communication network via an antenna <NUM>.

In at least one embodiment, the location controller <NUM> includes memory that stores a secondary ID pattern intended to match the ID pattern <NUM> stored in the memory unit <NUM> of the light controller <NUM>. Accordingly, the location controller <NUM> generates the control signal <NUM> to activate the WAIC circuit <NUM> in response to detecting a match between the decoded ID pattern <NUM> (obtained from the modulated ID pattern <NUM>) and the stored secondary ID pattern. Therefore, the WAIC adapter <NUM> is not activated when the modulated ID pattern <NUM> indicated by the pulsed light <NUM> is not detected and/or when the modulated ID pattern <NUM> does not match the secondary ID pattern stored in the location controller <NUM>. When, however, the modulated ID pattern <NUM> does not match the secondary ID pattern stored in the location controller <NUM>, the control signal <NUM> deactivates the WAIC circuit <NUM>, which allows the wireless device <NUM> to operate at the frequency band (e.g. the RA spectrum) specified by the communication network. In this manner, the wireless device <NUM> is determined to be operating in an authorized location, and is allowed to exchange data with the communication network.

Referring now to <FIG> and <FIG> a method of detecting and controlling a WAIC adapter is illustrated according to a non-limiting embodiment. The method begins at operation <NUM>, and at operation <NUM> an ID pattern is obtained. The ID pattern can be stored in a memory unit and can be unique to an individual aircraft or can be unique to a particular area internal to the aircraft. At operation <NUM>, the ID pattern is encoded, and at operation <NUM> the encoded symbols are framed into data packets based on a channel/line capacity. At operation <NUM>, the data packets are modulated using various digital modulation techniques. At operation <NUM>, a light driver signal is generated that drives the light emitting devices to generate a modulated pattern <NUM> of light pulses <NUM>. In one or more embodiments, the light driver signal drives the light emitting devices at a frequency at which a stroboscopic effect (e.g., direct or indirect flicker) is not realized by the humans.

Turning to operation <NUM> (see <FIG>), a determination is made as to whether a light detection interruption event has occurred. The light detection interruption event can occur, for example, when emitted light from a portable WAIC adapter location system is not detected or is poorly detected by a wireless device and/or a WAIC adapter connected to the wireless device. When a light detection interruption event has occurred, the method determines whether the light detection interruption event exceeds a threshold time limit at operation <NUM>. When the light detection interruption event does not exceed the threshold time limit, the method returns to operation <NUM> and continues monitoring for a light detection interruption event. When, however, the light detection interruption event exceeds a threshold time limit, wireless communication between the wireless device and the aircraft communication network is blocked at operation <NUM>. In at least one embodiment, the wireless communication can be prevented by deactivating the WAIC adapter connected to the wireless device. At operation <NUM>, the WAIC system (e.g., a controller operating the WAIC system) can assign the functionality originally assigned to the disconnected wireless device to a different or other available wireless device, and the operations described above can be applied to the other available wireless device.

Referring back to operation <NUM> and a light detection interruption event has not occurred, the method proceeds to operation <NUM> and detects the light emitted by the light emitting device interfaced with the WAIC adapter location system. In at least one non-limiting embodiment, the emitted light is captured as an image frame using an image sensor installed on the wireless device and/or the WAIC adapter. At operation <NUM> the captured image is processed to generate digital data, and the data is decoded at operation <NUM> to determine the ID pattern indicated by the emitted light. At operation <NUM>, the decoded ID pattern is used to determine the location of the WAIC adapter and wireless device. When the decoded ID pattern indicates that the WAIC adapter and wireless device are located at an authorized communication area (e.g., inside the aircraft) at operation <NUM>, wireless communication between the wireless device and the aircraft communication network is established at operation <NUM>. In at least one embodiment, the wireless communication can be established by activating the WAIC adapter connected to the wireless device. Accordingly, data generated by the wireless device is output at frequency bandwidth set by the communication network (e.g., the RA spectrum) such that the wireless device can exchange data with other systems, components, etc. connected to the communication network at operation <NUM>.

When, however, the decoded ID pattern indicates that the WAIC adapter and wireless device are outside of an authorized communication area (e.g., outside the aircraft), wireless communication between the wireless device and the communication network is blocked at operation <NUM>. In at least one embodiment, the wireless communication can be prevented by deactivating the WAIC adapter connected to the wireless device. At operation <NUM>, the WAIC system (e.g., a controller operating the WAIC system) can assign the functionality originally assigned to the disconnected wireless device to a different or other available wireless device, and the operations described above can be applied to the other available wireless device.

Claim 1:
A Wireless Avionics Intra-Communication, WAIC, system comprising:
a communication network configured to exchange data with a portable wireless device;
a WAIC adapter location system comprising a light controller (<NUM>) configured to generate an identification, ID, pattern and to drive at least one light emitting device to emit light pulses according to the ID pattern; and
a portable WAIC adapter (<NUM>) configured to physically connected or disconnect to and from a portable electronic device, the portable WAIC configured to selectively establish signal connection with a communication network when the WAIC adapter is at location that receives the light pulses;
wherein the WAIC adapter location system is configured to determine a location of the WAIC adapter based at least in part on the ID pattern; and
wherein the WAIC adapter (<NUM>) comprises:
a location controller (<NUM>) including a memory configured to store a secondary ID pattern and the location controller is configured to determine the ID pattern indicated by the light pulses of the emitted light; and
a WAIC circuit (<NUM>) configured to selectively establish signal communication with the communication network based on the ID pattern;
wherein the location controller (<NUM>) activates the WAIC circuit (<NUM>) in response to detecting a match between the determined ID pattern and the secondary ID pattern, and
wherein the light controller generates a plurality of individual ID patterns that are stored in the memory unit of the light controller, each individual ID pattern corresponding to a different area of an aircraft cabin supported by the communication network.