Methodology for simplification of aircraft harnessing in multi-redundant control systems

A single effector Line-Replaceable Unit (LRU) for an aircraft comprising:

• a first connection port configured to connect to a first control LRU using a first harnessing that includes a first communication cable;
• a second connection port configured to connect to a second control LRU using a second harnessing that includes a second communication cable;
• a third connection port configured to connect to a third control LRU using a third harnessing that includes a third communication cable;
• a first interconnect wire disposed internal to the effector LRU and internally connecting only the first connection port with only the second connection port;
• a second interconnect wire disposed internal to the effector LRU and internally connecting only the first connection port with only the third connection port;
• and
• a third interconnect wire disposed internal to the effector LRU and internally connecting only the second connection port with only the third connection port,
• wherein:
• the first control LRU and the second control LRU are configured to communicate using the first and second harnessing, respectively, and using only the first interconnect wire internal to the effector LRU,
• the first control LRU and the third control LRU are configured to communicate using the first and third harnessing, respectively, and using only the second interconnect wire internal to the effector LRU, and
• the first second control LRU and the third control LRU are configured to communicate the using second and third harnessing, respectively, and using only the third interconnect wire internal to the effector LRU.

A method of implementing a control system for controlling an aircraft, the method comprising:

• providing a single effector Line-Replaceable Unit (LRU) with first, second and third connection ports;
• connecting the first and second connection ports using only a first interconnect wire disposed internal to the effector LRU, the first and third connection ports using only a second interconnect wire disposed internal to the effector LRU and the second and third interconnect ports using only a third interconnect wire disposed internal to the effector LRU;
• providing a first control LRU, a second control LRU, and a third control LRU that are respectively connected to the first connection port, the second connection port and the third connection port by way of first, second and third harnessing, respectively;
• transmitting signals between the first control LRU and the second control LRU using the first and second harnessing, respectively, and using the first interconnect wire internal to the effector LRU;
• transmitting signals between the first control LRU and the third control LRU using the first and third harnessing, respectively, and using the second interconnect wire internal to the effector LRU;
• and
• transmitting signals between the second control LRU and the third control LRU using the second and third harnessing, respectively, and using the third interconnect wire internal to the effector LRU.