Cockpit and cabin LiFi power and data
AssigneeTextron Innovations Inc.
InventorsMichael Hull, Glenn Sahagun, Daniel Donley
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Embodiments are directed to systems and methods for utilizing aircraft cockpit and cabin lighting to provide both power and data transmission to occupants. Data and power may be transmitted on non-visible and/or visible spectrums. The visible light may be used independently for aircraft illumination. Data for the cockpit allows for quick upload and download of flight planning and maintenance data to an electronic flight bag. The electronic flight bag may also be able to receive power from cockpit and cabin lighting during flight.
Claims19
A system for providing light communication (LC) in an aircraft, comprising:
- at least two LC transmitters, each LC transmitter configured to broadcast light of a particular frequency or frequency band within a respective defined region of a cockpit of the aircraft to establish an attocell in the respective defined region of the cockpit;
- an electronic flight bag comprising an LC receiver configured to receive light broadcast by at least one of the LC transmitters at one or more particular frequency or frequency bands;
- and
- an interface to an aircraft data network in electronic communication with aircraft systems monitoring and/or controlling aircraft flight conditions and the LC transmitters and therethrough to the electronic flight bag when the electronic flight bag is disposed in a particular respective defined region of the cockpit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.