Patent Application
20140074321
This invention relates generally to vehicle communication, and more particularly to vehicle broadband communication with a data network.
As technology has increased, an amount of software and data needed on-board vehicles has increased as well. This increased need is particularly evident in aircraft information systems. Generally, aircrafts receive off-board data used during flight through a variety of methods. For example, cellular and/or satellite networks enable an aircraft to communicate to proprietary networks via the internet while the aircraft is in flight. However, such networks are limited by cellular or satellite connectivity.
In at least some known commercial airports, a GateLink™ network exists that enables aircraft to communicate wirelessly with the GateLink™ network, which in turn, wirelessly connects to an airport data network. However, some commercial aircraft data cannot be sent via wireless networks due to regulations governing aircraft communications. While such options may be available at some large commercial airports, because of cost limitations, technology limitations, and other factors, many regional airports and/or military air fields do not have GateLink™ capabilities.
Accordingly, there is a need for methods and systems that enable broadband over power line (BPL) communications when conventional data exchange services are not available.
In one aspect, a method for communicating data between a vehicle and a ground-based unit is provided. The method includes communicatively coupling the vehicle to the ground-based unit, initiating a Broadband over Power Line (BPL) link between the vehicle and the ground-based unit when power is supplied to the vehicle, and updating data stored in the vehicle with data received from the ground-based unit.
In another aspect, a ground-based power cart configured to transmit data to a vehicle is provided. The power cart includes a Broadband over Power Line (BPL) module configured to provide data to a vehicle via a power line and a communications device configured to communicate between the power cart and a ground-based network.
In yet another aspect, a system for communicating between a vehicle and a ground-based unit is provided. The system includes a vehicle and a ground-based power cart communicatively coupled to the vehicle. The ground-based power cart includes a Broadband over Power Line (BPL) module configured to provide data to a vehicle via a power line and a communications device configured to communicate between the power cart and a ground-based network.
The features, functions, and advantages that have been discussed can be achieved independently in various embodiments or may be combined in yet other embodiments further details of which can be seen with reference to the following description and drawings.
Embodiments described herein enable vehicle broadband communication with a data network. More particularly, the present invention is directed to using broadband over power line (BPL) communications using a power cart to enable aircraft information exchange to occur where conventional data exchange services are not available.
In the exemplary embodiment, aircraft 102 includes an on-board BPL module 110 that enables communication via electrical cable 106. More particularly, in the exemplary embodiment, on-board BPL module 110 is capable of communicating with an off-board BPL module 112. In the exemplary embodiment, BPL module 110 is communicatively coupled to on-board networks 116. On-board networks 116, such as, but not limited to, in-flight entertainment systems, avionics systems, flight control systems, flight bag(s), and/or cabin systems.
In the exemplary embodiment, power system 104 is integrated with off-board BPL module 112 and coupled to a computing device 120 that can communicate directly with aircraft 102 to transfer data to networks 116. In the exemplary embodiment, module 112 is also coupled to a transceiver 118 that is communicatively coupled to a ground-based network 114. For example, in one embodiment, transceiver 118 is a wireless transceiver that transmits data to/from network 114. Transceiver 118 may be wirelessly coupled to network 114 or physically coupled to network 114 through a wired connection. It should be noted that transceiver 118 may communicate with network 114 using any protocol that enables broadband communication as described herein.
In the exemplary embodiment, aircraft 102 can receive electrical power from power system 104 via electrical cable 106 and may send/receive data communications to/from ground-based network 114 via cable 106. Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, aircraft 102 communicates via on-board BPL module 110 using TCP/IP, however any other suitable protocol can be used. In one embodiment, encryption is employed to further secure communications between aircraft 102 and ground-based network 114 and/or computing device 120.
Ground-based network 114 may be communicatively coupled to a server 122 that may be operated by the airline or entity that operates aircraft 102. Alternatively, server 122 may be operated by a third-party, such as the airport, an aircraft manufacturer, and/or an aircraft service provider. For example, server 122 may be coupled to ground-based network 114 via a LAN, a WAN, and/or the Internet. Server 122 may transmit data to and from aircraft 102. For example, server 122 may provide software and/or firmware updates to components of aircraft 102, such as cabin systems software, flight bag, and avionics software. Server 122 may also provide content, such as music, movies, and/or internet data such as cached web content for in-flight entertainment systems on aircraft 102.
Although
Processor unit 204 executes instructions for software that may be loaded into memory 206. Processor unit 204 may be a set of one or more processors or may include multiple processor cores, depending on the particular implementation. Further, processor unit 204 may be implemented using one or more heterogeneous processor systems in which a main processor is present with secondary processors on a single chip. In another embodiment, processor unit 204 may be a homogeneous processor system containing multiple processors of the same type.
Memory 206 and persistent storage 208 are examples of storage devices. As used herein, a storage device is any piece of hardware that is capable of storing information either on a temporary basis and/or a permanent basis. A storage device, such as memory 206 and/or persistent storage 208, may be configured to store data for use with the processes described herein. For example, a storage device may store data needed by networks 116 during flight.
Communications unit 210, in the exemplary embodiment, enables communications with other computing devices, systems, and/or networks. In the exemplary embodiment, communications unit 210 is a BPL module such as module 100 and module 112. In one embodiment, communications unit 210 also includes network interface card. Communications unit 210 may provide communications through the use of physical and/or wireless communication links, such as transceiver 118.
Input/output unit 212 enables input and output of data with other devices that may be connected to computing device 200. For example, without limitation, input/output unit 212 may provide a connection for user input through a user input device, such as a keyboard and/or a mouse. Further, input/output unit 212 may transmit output to a printer. Display 214 provides a mechanism to display information to a user. For example, a presentation interface such as display 214 may display a graphical user interface, such as those described herein.
The different components illustrated herein for computing device 200 are not architectural limitations to the manner in which different embodiments may be implemented. Rather, the different illustrative embodiments may be implemented in a computer system including components in addition to or in place of those illustrated for computing device 200. For example, other components shown in
During operation, and referring to
In one embodiment, during flight, demand of web content is monitored 308 by aircraft 102. In such an embodiment, web content with the highest demand is selected 310 to be cached. The selected 310 web content is cached and updated 306 when aircraft 102 is on the ground and connected to power unit 104 such that the selected 310 content may be available for subsequent travel.
Accordingly, in the exemplary embodiment, a system enables vehicle broadband communication with a data network. As compared to known communication methods and systems used for airport-based aircraft communications, the above-described communication systems and methods enable an aircraft to achieve BPL communications where conventional data exchange services are not available. Although aircraft have been used as an example throughout, it is contemplated that other vehicles, such as electric and/or maritime vehicles, may be used with the methods and systems described herein.
It will be understood by those of skill in the art that information and signals may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques (e.g., data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chirps may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof). Likewise, the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or combinations of both, depending on the application and functionality. Moreover, the various logical blocks, modules, and circuits described herein may be implemented or performed with a general purpose processor (e.g., microprocessor, conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, state machine or combination of computing devices), a digital signal processor (“DSP”), an application specific integrated circuit (“ASIC”), a field programmable gate array (“FPGA”) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. Similarly, steps of a method or process described herein may be embodied directly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two. A software module may reside in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. Although preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims.
A controller, computing device, or computer, such as described herein, including the on and off-board BPL modules, may include at least one or more processors or processing units and a system memory. The controller typically also includes at least some form of computer readable media. By way of example and not limitation, computer readable media may include computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media may include volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology that enables storage of information, such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. Communication media typically embody computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and include any information delivery media. Those skilled in the art should be familiar with the modulated data signal, which has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. Combinations of any of the above are also included within the scope of computer readable media.
This written description uses examples to disclose various embodiments, which include the best mode, to enable any person skilled in the art to practice those embodiments, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.
