Switch usage for routing ethernet-based aircraft data buses in avionics systems

Abstract

Switches for Ethernet-based aircraft data buses in avionics systems provide manual means (through human interaction) to route the information transmitted on avionics system high speed data buses. For instance, the information path can be selected according to crew or maintenance people intentions. Considering a point-to-point databus connection between two pieces of equipment, adding an appropriate switch in the connection between those two pieces of equipment can allow one or more pieces of equipment to be connected to the other terminals of the switch. Therefore, depending on switch position, it is possible to establish a connection between those two or more selected pieces of equipment, where other equipment connected to open terminals may remain without access to the data bus.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.