Networking methods and network systems for transportation vehicles

A method, comprising:

• detecting an internal fault at a seat electronic box (SEB) of a distribution network of an aircraft, the distribution network used for distributing data to a plurality of seat devices;
• wherein the SEB includes a first switch that receives data from a first port, and a second switch connected to a second port that transmits data to a next SEB, when the SEB is not a last SEB of a first column having a plurality of SEBs;
• initiating a bypass mode at the SEB, in response to detecting the internal fault;
• disabling the second switch in response to initiating the bypass mode;
• enabling connection between a first terminal and a second terminal of the first switch for the bypass mode;
• wherein during standard operation of the SEB, without the internal fault, the first switch uses the first terminal and a third terminal for transmitting data to the second switch;
• and transferring data from the first port to the second port via the first switch using the first terminal and the second terminal, bypassing the second switch disabled for the bypass mode;
• wherein the SEB is a last SEB of the first column, and is coupled to a last SEB of a second column using an inverted cable.

A method, comprising:

• detecting an internal fault at a seat electronic box (SEB) of a distribution network of an aircraft, the distribution network used for distributing data to a plurality of seat devices;
• wherein the SEB includes a first switch that receives data from a first port, and a second switch connected to a second port that transmits data to a next SEB, when the SEB is not a last SEB of a first column having a plurality of SEBs;
• initiating a bypass mode at the SEB, in response to detecting the internal fault;
• disabling the second switch in response to initiating the bypass mode;
• and
• enabling connection between a first terminal and a second terminal of the first switch for the bypass mode;
• wherein during standard operation of the SEB, without the internal fault, the first switch uses the first terminal and a third terminal for transmitting data to the second switch;
• and transferring data from the first port to the second port via the first switch using the first terminal and the second terminal, bypassing the second switch disabled for the bypass mode;
• wherein a bias voltage at the second port from another SEB indicates to the SEB that it is not a last SEB in the first column.

A method, the method comprising:

• detecting a fault by a network device of a distribution network of an aircraft, the distribution network used for distributing data to a plurality of seat devices of the aircraft;
• wherein the network device detects the fault when it is unable to receive data at a first port via a first path of a network connection;
• disabling the first port by the network device;
• inverting a data line of a first switch of the network device;
• initializing a second port of the network device for receiving data from a second path using the inverted data line of the first switch, the second port used as a loopback port;
• and
• transmitting the received data to the plurality of seat devices via a third port using an inverted data line of a second switch of the network device.

A network for an aircraft, the network comprising:

• a plurality of seat electronic boxes (SEBs) coupled to a plurality of seat devices, the SEBs used for distributing content to the plurality of seat devices for an in-flight entertainment system;
• wherein a SEB includes a first switch that receives data from a first port and a second switch connected to a second port to transmit data to a next SEB, when the SEB is not a last SEB of a first column of SEBs;
• wherein a bias voltage at the second port from another SEB indicates to the SEB that it is not a last SEB in the first column;
• wherein when the SEB detects an internal fault and initiates a bypass mode, the second switch is disabled, enabling connection between a first terminal and a second terminal of the first switch;
• wherein during the bypass mode, data from the first port is transferred to the second port via the first switch using the first terminal and the second terminal, bypassing the disabled second switch.