Robust radio frequency waveguide system for gas turbine engines

A communication system of an aircraft, comprising:

• a first device at a first location;
• a radio frequency transceiver at the first device;
• a waveguide extending between the first device to a second device at second location;
• a processor at the first device, the processor configured to:
• transmit a first radio frequency signal through the waveguide toward the second location;
• receive a second radio frequency signal in response to the first radio frequency signal;
• determine a presence of a fault in the waveguide from the second radio frequency signal;
• transmit a third radio frequency signal via the radio frequency transceiver outside of the waveguide when the presence of the fault is determined;
• control an operation of the aircraft using the third radio frequency signal.

An aircraft, comprising:

• a first device at a first location of the aircraft;
• a second device at a second location of the aircraft;
• a radio frequency transceiver at the first device;
• a waveguide extending between the first device to the second device;
• a processor configured to:
• transmit a first radio frequency signal from the first device through the waveguide toward the second location;
• receive a second radio frequency signal in response to the first radio frequency signal;
• determine a presence of a fault in the waveguide from the second radio frequency signal;
• transmit a third radio frequency signal via the radio frequency transceiver outside of the waveguide when the presence of the fault is determined;
• control an operation of the aircraft using the third radio frequency signal.