Can bus network protection in redundant fly-by-wire systems
AssigneeHoneywell Aerospace US LLC
InventorsMilan Bostik, Frantisek Horniak
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system for protecting a controller area network (CAN) aircraft bus from a flight control module failure has been developed. Multiple CAN bus systems serve multiple connected components located onboard an aircraft. Flight control modules located onboard the aircraft are connected to multiple the CAN bus systems. An electronic isolator/repeater that is located between each connection of a flight control module and a CAN bus system. The isolator/repeater serves to isolate the CAN bus system from a failure of the connected flight control module.
Claims16
A system for protecting a controller area network (CAN) bus of a fly-by-wire aircraft from a flight control module failure, comprising:
- at least one CAN bus system located onboard the aircraft, wherein each CAN bus system serves multiple connected flight control components;
- at least one flight control module located onboard the aircraft, wherein each flight control module is connected to multiple CAN bus systems;
- and
- an electronic isolator/repeater that is located between each connection of a flight control module and at least one CAN bus system, and includes a built in test (BIT) capability for testing communication ability between the flight control module and the at least one CAN bus system when the flight control module is in a dominant state, wherein the isolator/repeater isolates the CAN bus system from a failure of the connected flight control module.
A fly-by-wire system for an aircraft, comprising:
- a three separate CAN bus groups located onboard the aircraft, wherein each CAN bus group serves multiple connected flight control components;
- at least three flight control modules located onboard the aircraft, wherein each flight control module is connected to at least one of CAN bus groups;
- and
- electronic isolator/repeaters that are located between each connection of a flight control module and at least one CAN bus group, and includes a built in test (BIT) capability for testing communication ability between the flight control module and the at least one CAN bus system when the flight control module is in a dominant state, wherein the isolator/repeater isolates the CAN bus group from a failure of the connected flight control module.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.