Abstract: Systems and methods provide for a sensing system for a vehicle system. The sensor monitors including a control circuit having one or more processors. The control circuit is communicatively coupled to a switch based on a Power over Ethernet (PoE) interface. The control circuit receives power from the PoE network switch. The sensor monitors include an interface circuit bi-directionally communicating with one or more sensors to acquire sensor measurements. The control circuit transmits the sensor measurements to the switch using the PoE interface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for illuminating an airplane cabin using a light strip comprising a plurality of spectrally-tuned illuminators within a housing are provided. The illuminators include a first visible light illuminator and an infrared illuminator. The light strip is disposed to provide indirect infrared illumination of the cabin via diffuse reflection from a surface of the cabin (wash lighting) from a shrouded location. The illuminators include light emitting diodes (LEDs), and include white and some combination of red, yellow, green, and blue. A controller varies intensities of each illuminator, to emphasize or de-emphasize various colors or infrared illumination throughout an interior of the airplane cabin.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a communications interface configured to receive, at a first aircraft, data related to a radiofrequency (RF) survey of a particular location. The RF survey is based on RF samples from at least a second aircraft. The apparatus further includes a radio, an onboard network system (ONS) configured to determine that the first aircraft is approaching the particular location, and a radio controller coupled to the radio. The radio controller is configured to automatically adjust, based on the RF survey and responsive to determining that the first aircraft is approaching the particular location, a parameter of the radio.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of processing raw sensor data in an Aviation Internet of Things (AIoT) system is provided. The computer-implemented method comprises obtaining, by a network interface of a sensor processing unit (SPU), raw sensor data from one or more systems of a vehicle; providing, by the network interface, the raw sensor data to one or more processing units of the SPU; performing, by the one or more processing units, one or more processing tasks on the raw sensor data to produce processed data; and providing, by the network interface, the processed data to the one or more systems.

Abstract: A method for communicating data between a vehicle and a ground system comprises receiving, by a vehicle bus multiplexer on the vehicle, the data via a plurality of vehicle data buses from an onboard system. The method further comprises multiplexing, by the vehicle bus multiplexer, the data into at least one data path of a multi-use power interface. Also, the method comprises transmitting, by the multi-use power interface via at least one data path, the data from the vehicle bus multiplexer to a ground bus multiplexer associated with the ground system. In addition, the method comprises demultiplexing, by the ground bus multiplexer, the data from at least one data path of the multi-use power interface into a plurality of ground data buses associated with the ground system. Further, the method comprises transmitting, by the ground bus multiplexer, the data via the plurality of ground data buses to the ground system.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for a multi-use optical data, powerline data, and ground power interface for an airplane are disclosed. A method for communicating data between a vehicle and a ground system comprises disposing a pin of a connector of a multi-use power interface, which is connected to the ground system, into a socket of a connector of the vehicle such that a lens located on an end of the pin mates with an interior surface of a bottom of the socket. The pin and the socket each comprise an optical portion and a power portion. The method further comprises providing, by the ground system, power to an onboard system on the vehicle via the power portions of the pin and socket. Further, the method comprises communicating data between the onboard system and the ground system via the optical portions and the power portions of the pin and socket.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of processing raw sensor data in an Aviation Internet of Things (AIoT) system is provided. The computer-implemented method comprises obtaining, by a network interface of a sensor processing unit (SPU), raw sensor data from one or more systems of a vehicle; providing, by the network interface, the raw sensor data to one or more processing units of the SPU; performing, by the one or more processing units, one or more processing tasks on the raw sensor data to produce processed data; and providing, by the network interface, the processed data to the one or more systems.

Abstract: Systems and methods for illuminating an airplane cabin using a light strip comprising a plurality of spectrally-tuned illuminators within a housing are provided. The illuminators include a first visible light illuminator and an infrared illuminator. The light strip is disposed to provide indirect infrared illumination of the cabin via diffuse reflection from a surface of the cabin (wash lighting) from a shrouded location. The illuminators include light emitting diodes (LEDs), and include white and some combination of red, yellow, green, and blue. A controller varies intensities of each illuminator, to emphasize or de-emphasize various colors or infrared illumination throughout an interior of the airplane cabin.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a communications interface configured to receive, at a first aircraft, data related to a radiofrequency (RF) survey of a particular location. The RF survey is based on RF samples from at least a second aircraft. The apparatus further includes a radio, an onboard network system (ONS) configured to determine that the first aircraft is approaching the particular location, and a radio controller coupled to the radio. The radio controller is configured to automatically adjust, based on the RF survey and responsive to determining that the first aircraft is approaching the particular location, a parameter of the radio.

Abstract: A method for communicating data between a vehicle and a ground system comprises receiving, by a vehicle bus multiplexer on the vehicle, the data via a plurality of vehicle data buses from an onboard system. The method further comprises multiplexing, by the vehicle bus multiplexer, the data into at least one data path of a multi-use power interface. Also, the method comprises transmitting, by the multi-use power interface via at least one data path, the data from the vehicle bus multiplexer to a ground bus multiplexer associated with the ground system. In addition, the method comprises demultiplexing, by the ground bus multiplexer, the data from at least one data path of the multi-use power interface into a plurality of ground data buses associated with the ground system. Further, the method comprises transmitting, by the ground bus multiplexer, the data via the plurality of ground data buses to the ground system.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for a multi-use optical data, powerline data, and ground power interface for an airplane are disclosed. A method for communicating data between a vehicle and a ground system comprises disposing a pin of a connector of a multi-use power interface, which is connected to the ground system, into a socket of a connector of the vehicle such that a lens located on an end of the pin mates with an interior surface of a bottom of the socket. The pin and the socket each comprise an optical portion and a power portion. The method further comprises providing, by the ground system, power to an onboard system on the vehicle via the power portions of the pin and socket. Further, the method comprises communicating data between the onboard system and the ground system via the optical portions and the power portions of the pin and socket.

Abstract: A system configured to communicate with a vehicle on-board system of a vehicle. The system includes a ground sub-system configured to provide power to and to communicate with the vehicle on-board system. The ground sub-system includes an integrated power and communications connector including a socket having a conductive portion and an optical communication portion. The integrated power and communications connector is configured to supply power to the vehicle on-board system via the conductive portion, and is configured to communicate data between the vehicle on-board system and the ground sub-system via the optical communication portion.

Abstract: Secure aircraft camera monitoring includes capturing images of an area of interest proximate to an aircraft, and securely transmitting the images as data files over an encrypted communication network associated with the aircraft. In one example, a system includes an image capture device configured to be secured to an aircraft to capture a plurality of images of a field of view of an area of interest proximate to the aircraft. The system also includes a processor configured to receive the plurality of captured images and convert the captured images to a plurality of data files. The system further includes a memory configured to store the data files, and a communication interface configured to connect to an encrypted communication network associated with the aircraft, wherein the communication interface is configured to securely transmit the data files over the encrypted communication network.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide for a sensing system for a vehicle system. The sensor monitors including a control circuit having one or more processors. The control circuit is communicatively coupled to a switch based on a Power over Ethernet (PoE) interface. The control circuit receives power from the PoE network switch. The sensor monitors include an interface circuit bi-directionally communicating with one or more sensors to acquire sensor measurements. The control circuit transmits the sensor measurements to the switch using the PoE interface.

Abstract: The disclosed fire detection system improves fire detection, e.g., aboard an aircraft, by optically monitoring an interior compartment to detect, at a first time, visible radiation in a visible light spectrum and thermal radiation in an infrared light spectrum. The fire detection system combines the detected radiation to generate a multi-spectrum image, spanning visible and infrared wavelengths, of the interior compartment at the first time to facilitate the detection of a fire event and/or threat within the interior compartment. As a result, the fire detection system provides situational awareness of a fire event and/or threat within the interior compartment.

Abstract: A system configured to communicate with a vehicle on-board system of a vehicle. The system includes a ground sub-system configured to provide power to and to communicate with the vehicle on-board system. The ground sub-system includes an integrated power and communications connector including a socket having a conductive portion and an optical communication portion. The integrated power and communications connector is configured to supply power to the vehicle on-board system via the conductive portion, and is configured to communicate data between the vehicle on-board system and the ground sub-system via the optical communication portion.

Abstract: A vehicle that includes an onboard connector including a conductive portion and an optical communication portion. The vehicle further includes an optical interface coupled in communication with the onboard connector and onboard systems of the vehicle. The optical interface is configured to at least one of receive or transmit optical signals via the optical communication portion. When a ground-system connector is connected to the onboard connector, data included in the optical signals is communicated between the ground system connector and the onboard systems of the vehicle.

Abstract: A cabin service system may include a control module unit, a pair of power rails, the power rails being configured to provide mechanical attachment and electrical power to the control module unit, and a plurality of cabin services, wherein the control module is communicatively coupled to the plurality of cabin services to provide control of the plurality of cabin services. The control module unit may include a plurality of communication ports, and a plurality of relays coupled to at least one communication port of the plurality of communication ports, wherein each communication port of the plurality of communication ports corresponds to at least one cabin service of the plurality of cabin services, and wherein each relay of the plurality of relays provides discrete control of an associated cabin service of the plurality of cabin services.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and a Broadband over Power Line (BPL) module cover assembly for enabling communication between an aircraft and a ground-based network are provided. The BPL module cover assembly includes a connection interface configured to be coupled to and receive power from a stringer connector and a BPL network interface coupled to and configured to receive power from said connection interface. The BPL module cover assembly also includes a fuse interface including a plurality of fuses coupled between the connection interface and the BPL network interface. The fuse interface is configured to prevent power provided by the connection interface from damaging the BPL network interface in the event of an electrical fault.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and an integrated Broadband over Power Line (BPL) module cover assembly for communicating data between an aircraft and a ground-based network are provided. The assembly includes a power receptacle cover plate and a BPL module coupled to said power receptacle cover plate.