EP2732681A1

EP2732681A1 - Removable communication cartridge that can be detached from an equipment, equipment, assembly and system corresponding thereto

Info

Publication number: EP2732681A1
Application number: EP12733750.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jean-Marie Courteille; Pierre GUIVARCH; François Guillot; Bruno LAROIS
Original assignee: Sagem Defense Securite SA
Current assignee: Safran Electronics and Defense SAS
Priority date: 2011-07-15
Filing date: 2012-07-12
Publication date: 2014-05-21
Also published as: WO2013010899A1; CN103733744B; FR2977970A1; CN103733744A; US9326410B2; FR2977970B1; US20140292074A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a communication cartridge (1) characterized in that - it is adapted to be integrated in a removable manner into a recess (25) of a host equipment (2), during normal operation, an external front part (13) of the cartridge being intended to be external to the recess (25) of the host equipment (2), and in that - it comprises at least one front port, placed in an internal space of the cartridge (1) and intended to cooperate with a wireless communication module also placed in the internal space of the cartridge (1), during normal operation, the front port being moreover adapted to have an adjustable position in the internal space, so that the module is at least partially positioned in the external front part (13) of the cartridge (1), during normal operation. The invention also relates to an equipment, an assembly and a system corresponding thereto.

Description

Removable communication cartridge of corresponding equipment, equipment, assembly and system

GENERAL TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a removable communication cartridge of an equipment, a device, a set and a corresponding system.

STATE OF THE ART

There are known wireless communication modules ("wireless" in English, for example according to the 3G standard) specifically manufactured by Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in English to be integrated in a specific onboard host equipment, such as for example a unit for acquiring, processing and communicating avionic data of an aircraft.

The assemblies formed by at least one module and a device mentioned above, however, have drawbacks.

The specific host equipment is qualified and qualified for the specific integrated modules, and these can not evolve along with the technology. The whole is therefore subject to repeated obsolescence.

In the event of a change in the technology of the modules, the equipment must be re-approved and qualified, since the specifications, interfaces and mechanical characteristics of the modules are proprietary (the communication modules are indeed specifically manufactured by OEMs and are therefore not standardized).

In addition, the maximum number of modules for each on-board equipment is fixed, and it is therefore not possible to add a module on a device if the maximum number of modules integrated in the equipment is already reached.

However, it is not possible to use standard and commercially available standard wireless communication modules, especially in the case of aircraft equipment, because the problems - mechanical integration,

- computer security management, such as the installation of pilot software or the security of communications,

- environmental qualification,

- safety, for example to avoid electromagnetic radiation in flight, or

- obsolescence management

are too restrictive.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

The invention proposes to overcome at least one of these disadvantages.

For this purpose, there is provided according to the invention a communication cartridge, characterized in that it is adapted to be removably integrated in a recess of a host equipment, in normal operation, an external front portion of the cartridge being intended to be external to the recess of the host equipment, and in that it comprises at least one front port, placed in an internal space of the cartridge and intended to cooperate with a wireless communication module also placed in the internal space of the cartridge, in normal operation, the front port being further adapted to have an adjustable position in the internal space, so that the module is at least partially positioned in the outer front portion of the cartridge, in operation normal.

The invention is advantageously completed by the following features, taken alone or in any of their technically possible combination:

- The base comupter and a cove rrant mechanically cooperating with the base to open and / or close the cartridge;

- It has a rear connector placed in the internal space and adapted through the cartridge to cooperate with a connector of the recess, and the front port comprises a connector mounted in translation in the internal space and connected to the rear connector via a flexible cable;

it comprises a module blocker in the longitudinal alignment of the front port; it includes a display on the outer front part;

- the front port is a USB port or a PCIe port;

the cartridge comprises a logic for identifying the cartridge;

the external front portion comprises a housing external to the cartridge, for insertion of an external antenna to a module, and / or a connector for an external antenna.

The invention also relates to a cartridge host equipment, an assembly comprising an equipment and a cartridge, and a system comprising a cartridge and a wireless communication module.

The invention has many advantages.

It allows a user to have a set of wireless communication, in particular embedded on an aircraft (for example of the airplane or helicopter type) for an exchange of data, in particular avionics, edge-ground (between the aircraft and a center located on the ground, for example after a landing) and / or edge-edge (within the same aircraft).

This communication can be machine-to-machine oriented (without human intervention) or user machine (for example via the use of a human interface tool (portable terminal maintenance type).

(PMAT, Tablet, PDA, etc.).

E l the perm and techno logical changes of the communication m od ues of the set (especially with regard to the associated wireless communication protocols, such as WIFI, Telecom 3 / 4G, ZigBee ...), and the whole is therefore robust to obsolescence. The technology of the modules can therefore be changed, without impact on the host equipment of the assembly.

In particular, it is possible to use standard and commercially available wireless communication devices.

However, only the designer of the homologous host equipment and qualifies the standard known modules that can be integrated in the equipment according to the invention, especially during a functional and environmental validation phase. Only the designer of the host equipment designs or adapts the driver software ("drivers" in English) modules that can be integrated into the equipment. The integration of previously unqualified and qualified modules is thus prohibited, thanks to a cryptographic signature, which ensures the security of the whole.

A given module type can be integrated into several different types of cartridges, each of the cartridges being specific to a mission profile to be accomplished.

The equipment therefore makes it possible to optimize roaming (roaming) and communication costs according to the countries crossed during the mission and according to the operators of the telecommunication networks.

In addition, a wide variety of different cartridges can be embarked on the aircraft.

Each cartridge of the invention is easy and flexible to use. It is easily exchanged at the aircraft by an inexperienced user.

In addition, each cartridge is scalable and easily reconfigurable or modifiable by the inexperienced user, depending on the integrated modules.

PRESENTATION OF FIGURES

Other features, objects and advantages of the invention will emerge from the description which follows, which is purely illustrative and nonlimiting, and which should be read with reference to the appended drawings in which:

FIG. 1 schematically represents a front and perspective view of an assembly according to the invention,

FIG. 2 schematically represents a rear and perspective view of an assembly according to the invention,

FIG. 3 schematically represents a view in longitudinal section of an assembly according to the invention,

FIG. 4 schematically represents components of an assembly according to the invention,

FIG. 5 schematically represents an interior space of a cartridge according to the invention, and - Figure 6 schematically shows a front view and in perspective of a variant of an assembly according to the invention.

In the set of figures, the simi lar elements bear identical reference numerals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figures 1, 2 and 3 schematically represent a set comprising

on the one hand, a possible embodiment of a communication cartridge 1, and

on the other hand, a possible embodiment of a host equipment.

The equipment 2 comprises a housing including a front face and a rear face.

Preferably, but not limited to, the equipment 2 forms a unit for acquiring, processing and communicating avionic data of an aircraft, for making such communications, for edge / ground communication, and so on.

In the case of a unit for acquiring, processing and communicating avionic data of an aircraft, and as shown in FIG. 4, the equipment 2 comprises a processor 27 and a mass memory 28. connected to the processor 27, known in themselves by the skilled person for the acquisition, processing and communication of avionics data, such as:

- operating manuals A / C ("A / C exploitation manuals");

- the repository of data loading files repository;

- virtual QAR / DAR recorders ("virtual Quick Access Recorder QAR / DAR");

- A / C flight reports;

- maintenance data ("maintenance data") ...

The rear face of the equipment 2 advantageously comprises rear connectors 24 connected to the processor 27, in particular for a power supply of the equipment and an exchange for example with a other equipment of the aircraft. For this purpose, the connectors 24 advantageously comprise

Ethernet links, for example of the Quadrax type,

discrete electrical signal conductors 265, the discrete electrical signals 265 indicating for example the landing of the aircraft by means of a signal 265 corresponding to

the landing (Air / Ground signal ("Air / Gnd (Ground)") or

a weight on the wheels ("weight-on-wheel" in English) or - the opening of the door ("Door Open" in English), and

- a power supply, for example 28V DC. Likewise, the front face of the equipment 2 advantageously comprises at least one front connector 21 connected to the processor 27, for example of the known type USB (for example 2.0) and / or Ethernet (for example RJ45). It may further comprise a removable memory 23 and / or operating lights 22 (for example light-emitting diodes).

The equipment comprises, preferentially on its front face a recess 25.

The recess 25 is adapted for, in normal operation, removably integrate the cartridge 1 communication.

Of course, conversely, the cartridge 1 is adapted to be removably integrated into the recess 25 of the host equipment 2, in normal operation.

The cartridge 1 also has an internal space defined between the walls of the cartridge 1.

It further comprises at least one port 17 before, placed in the internal space 15 of the cartridge 1.

The port 17 is intended to cooperate with at least one wireless communication module 151, also placed in the internal space 15 of the cartridge 1, in normal operation.

In the remainder of the present description, a system comprises on the one hand the cartridge 1, and on the other hand at least one module 151. Compound 1 51 typically includes memory for storing data, and standard methods of data processing.

The module 151 comprises an antenna 151 1 for the wireless transmission of the data stored on the memory of the module 151.

The module 151 is advantageously but not limited to the USB key type, namely a removable medium of the port 17, containing a flash memory and for storing data. In this case, of course, the port 17 is of the USB type as well.

Advantageously, the cartridge 1 comprises at least one USB port 17, but each of the ports 17 may be in accordance with a technology different from the USB technology. Cartridge 1 can thus comprise at least one port 17 according to the known PCI Express (PCIe), RS-232, I ² C (Inter-Integrated Circuit), SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) technologies ...

The cartridge 1 has an outer front portion 13 intended to be external to the recess 25, in normal operation, that is to say when the cartridge 1 is integrated into the recess.

The cartridge 1 can thus be inserted about 2/3 into the recess 25, and the part 13 can represent 1/3 of the cartridge.

It should be understood that in order to enable the wireless transmission of data, the antenna 1 51 1 must be positioned in the external front portion 13 of the cartridge 1 during normal operation. The cartridge 1 thus allows the electromagnetic radiation of the antennas 1 51 1 of the modules 151.

Each of the modules 151 comprising an antenna 51 1 may be non-restrictively compliant with a WIFI technology, 3G or 4G cellular telecom, or ZigBee for example.

The front port 17 is adapted to have an adjustable position in the internal space, so that any module is at least partially positioned in the external front portion 13 of the cartridge 1, in normal operation, in particular an antenna 151 a communication module 151. The adjustable position of each of the ports 17 thus allows the internal space 15 to accommodate several module formats, while allowing the electromagnetic radiation of the antennas 1 51 1 of the communication modules 151.

For this purpose, the front port 17 advantageously comprises a connector

1 74 (for example USB type) mounted in translation in the internal space, and connected to the rear connector 14 via a flexible cable 172.

The connector 174 is for example mounted in translation on rails

175 located on either side of the connector 174.

Screws 1741 located on the connector 174 make it possible to immobilize the connector 174 on the rails 175.

The cable 172 is for example of the accordion cable type, and is located between two links, namely a link 1 73 to the connector 174 and a link 171 to the connector 14.

Advantageously, the cartridge 1 comprises a blocker January 31 module in the longitudinal alignment of the port 17 before, in particular to avoid vibration of a module during a flight of the aircraft for example. The blocker 131 may be of elastomeric material, and shaped at the end of a module.

According to a possible variant not shown in the figures, the portion 13 includes a housing external to the cartridge 1, for insertion of an antenna external to the module and / or a connector for an external antenna.

Advantageously, the cartridge 1 comprises a plurality of ports 17.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the cartridge 1 comprises, preferably but not exclusively, four ports 17 adapted to

a first module 151 of a first format, namely only a few millimeters in length, and comprising an antenna

151 1 of communication,

a second module 1 51 of a second format, for example 65 mm in length, and comprising a communication antenna 151 1,

a third module 152 of a third format, of the order of 40 mm in length for example, and comprising only a data storage memory, without antenna, and a fourth module 1 51 of a fourth format, of the order of 50 mm in length for example, and comprising a communication antenna 151 1.

The configuration of Figure 5 can correspond to a given mission profile to accomplish. The set therefore allows roaming optimization and communication costs depending on the countries crossed during the mission and according to telecommunication network operators, because it allows to go from one to the next. operator to another, or from one communication technology to another.

A user of the invention can easily modify the configuration of FIG. 5 by replacing the modules in the cartridge 1. Each cartridge is scalable and easily reconfigurable or modifiable by an inexperienced user, depending on the integrated modules.

For this purpose, the cartridge 1 mainly comprises a base 1 1 and a cover 12 cooperating mechanically with the base 1 1 to form the walls of the cartridge 1, and to open and / or close the cartridge 1, and thus allow access easy to interior space 15.

A user of the invention can also provide a kit comprising a plurality of different systems (for example a system with four modules, a system with five modules, and a system with three modules), to be able to correspond to a plurality of profiles. of mission. Each cartridge 1 is easily exchangeable on board the aircraft by an inexperienced user. The cartridge 1 can thus be of an external shape such that only one direction of integration into the recess 25 is possible.

The processor 27 of the equipment 2 is adapted to be able to identify the different modules of a system and / or the different systems of a kit, via a connector 251 of the recess 25 connected to

a rear connector 14 of the cartridge comprising a card 141, and

a logic 147 for identifying the cartridge 1. For this purpose, the processor 27 comprises, for example, an E2PROM circuit I2C and / or a loopback of logic signals and / or a set of switches of the known type Dip-Switches for example.

The modules are preferably standard and standard commercially available wireless communication modules, and may be of different origins and / or manufacturers and / or different technologies.

As has been seen above, without limitation, the system may comprise at least one storage module 152 (the third module 152 in the example of FIG. 4) comprises a storage space which stores the pilot software (" drivers ") previously approved and qualified by the initial designer of the equipment, for each of the communication modules 151. Only the designer of the host equipment designs the pilot software modules that can be integrated into the equipment through a cryptographic signature. The integration of previously unqualified and qualified models is thus prohibited, which ensures the safety of the whole.

However, the modules 151 generally also comprise a storage space, which makes the module 152 optional, the pilot software ("drivers") previously homologated and quali fi ed by the initial designer of the equipment, for each of the modules 1 51 of communication, can then be directly stored on the modules 151.

The equipment comprises a logic circuit 26 for supplying power to the cartridge 1.

Thus, when the equipment 2 forms a unit for acquiring, processing and communicating avionic data of an aircraft, the logic circuit 26 is adapted to cut off the power supply of the cartridge 1 when the aircraft is in flight.

For this purpose, the circuit 26 comprises mainly

a source 263 of voltage, connected to the power supply of the equipment 2, for example delivering 5V in direct current, the connector 251 of the recess 25, designed to cooperate with the rear connector 14 of the cartridge 1, and

at least one first switch 261 and a second switch 262 placed in series with respect to each other between the source 263 and the connector 251.

The logic circuit 26 also comprises

a first AND logic gate 264 ("AND" in is) controlling the first switch 261, and

a second AND logic gate 266 ("AND" in ang lais) controlling the second switch 262.

The doors 264 and 266 are adapted to receive as input at least two discrete electrical signals 265 indicating the landing of the aircraft.

Each gate 264 or 266 is busy when it receives as input at least two different discrete signals indicating that the aircraft is no longer in flight (for example AIR / GND # 1 and AIR / GND # 2 for gate 266, and AIR / GND # 2 and AIR / GND # 3 or Door Open for Door 264). There is therefore redundancy at the level of the discrete signals 265.

The gate 264 or 266 gate closes respectively the first switch 261 or the second switch 262.

Switches 261 and 262 being in series, the two switches 261 and 262 must be closed to allow the supply of the cartridge 1. There is therefore also redundancy at the switches 261 and 262, and the supply of the cartridge 1 is not possible in flight.

The processor 27 is informed of the opening or closing of the switches 261 or 262.

Preferably, the outer portion 13 of the cartridge 1 comprises a light 133 illuminating when the activity of the modules 151 is allowed.

Similarly, the cartridge 1 may optionally include, as shown in Figure 6, a display 132 on the outer front portion 13.

The display 132 may be of the screen type, preferably tactile.

Claims

1. Cartridge (1) for communication characterized in that

- It is adapted to be removably integrated in a recess (25) of a host equipment (2), in normal operation, an outer front portion (13) of the cartridge being intended to be external to the recess (25). ) the host equipment (2),

and in that

it comprises at least one front port (17) placed in an internal space (1 5) of the cartridge (1) and intended to cooperate with a wireless communication module (151) also placed in the internal space (15). ) of the cartridge (1), in normal operation,

the port (17) being further adapted to have an adjustable position in the internal space (15), so that the module (1 51) is at least partially positioned in the external front portion (1 3) of the cartridge (1), in normal operation.

2. Cartridge (1) according to claim 1, comprising a base (1 1) and a cover (12) cooperating mechanically with the base (1 1) to open and / or close the cartridge (1).

3. Cartridge (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, comprising

a rear connector (14) placed in the internal space (15) and adapted through the cartridge (1) to cooperate with a connector (251) of the recess (25), and in which

the front port (17) comprises a connector (174) mounted in translation in the internal space (15) and connected to the rear connector (14) via a flexible cable (172).

4. Cartridge according to one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a blocker (1 31) of module (1 51, 152) in the longitudinal alignment of the port (17) before.

5. Cartridge according to one of claims 1 to 4, comprising a display (132) on the portion (13) external front.

The cartridge according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the front port (17) is a USB port or a PCIe port.

7. Cartridge according to one of claims 1 to 6, comprising a logic (147) for identifying the cartridge (1).

8. Cartridge according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the outer front portion (13) comprises

a housing external to the cartridge (1), for an insertion of an external antenna to a module (151), and / or

- a connector for an external antenna.

9. Host equipment (2), forming a unit for acquiring, processing and communicating avionic data of an aircraft, characterized in that it comprises

a recess (25) adapted, in normal operation, to removably integrate a cartridge (1) for communication, the cartridge com carrying a portion (1 3) external front intended to be external to the recess (25), and

a logic power supply circuit (26) for the cartridge (1), the electrical supply logic circuit (26) of the cartridge (1) being adapted to cut off the power supply of the cartridge (1) when the aircraft is in flight.

Equipment according to claim 9, wherein the logic circuit (26) comprises

a source (263) of voltage,

- a connector (251) of the recess (25) for cooperating with a connector (14) rear of the cartridge (1), and

at least a first switch (261) and a second switch (262) placed in series with respect to each other between the source (263) and the connector (251), the first switch (261) and the second switch (262) being each controlled by a logic gate (264, 266) adapted to receive as input at least two discrete electrical signals (265).

1 1. Equipment according to one of claims 9 to 10, comprising a processor (27) comprising an E2PROM circuit I2C and / or a loopback of logic signals and / or a set of switches.

12. A set, characterized in that it comprises at least one cartridge (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8 and equipment according to one of claims 9 to 1 1.

13. System, characterized in that it comprises at least one cartridge (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8 and at least one wireless communication module (151).

14. System according to claim 13, comprising a storage space (151, 152) which stores pilot software previously approved and qualified for the communication module (151) and having a cryptographic signature.