Abstract: A method for providing information by optimizing the data rate to a vehicle over a three-phase power line utilized to provide power to the vehicle is described. The method includes generating carrier signals in three separate frequency bands, modulating various data onto the three carrier signals to generate three transmission signals, switching the three transmission signals onto respective conductors of the three-phase power line, demodulating the various data within the vehicle, and providing the various data to one or more vehicle systems. The three transmission signals are dynamically monitored such that the three frequency bands are controlled to optimize a data rate of the transmission.

Abstract: Provided are methods and systems for multiband wireless data transmission between aircraft and ground systems. The transmission uses different wavelength ranges, each wavelength range corresponding to a different data domain and establishing a different communication channel. This wavelength differentiation provides physical separation between different data domains and, as a result, improves data security. Furthermore, a single broadband antenna is used on the exterior of the aircraft for transmitting data sets from different data domains. The single antenna configuration reduces drag and weight and improves structural integrity of the aircraft in comparison to multi-antenna configurations. Different aircraft communication modules, which are connected to different aircraft systems, handle different data domains and operate at different wavelength ranges. These modules are connected to the same antenna using a multiplexer.

Abstract: A method and system for securely wirelessly communicating between a vehicle and a source are provided. Information regarding a vehicle or a source is provided with at least one information device. Wireless communications of data between a first wireless communication device of the vehicle and a second wireless communication device of the source are only allowed when security parameters are met based on the information provided by the at least one information device.

Abstract: Provided are methods and systems for terrestrial data transmission between aircraft and external networks, such as airline networks and/or airport networks. While an aircraft is landed, various data domains may need to be transmitted between the aircraft and such networks using two or more communication channels available to the aircraft. These channels may include wired and/or wireless channels, such as broadband over power line channels, Ethernet channels, Wi-Fi channels, and cellular channels. The available communication channels are allocated to transmit particular data domains based on the security levels of these channels. For example, aircraft control domains may be transmitted using a more secure communication channel than passenger information domains and/or entertainment systems domains. In some embodiments, multiple communication channels may be used to transmit the same domain parsed into multiple transmission packets. The packets are recombined back into the data domain after the transmission.

Abstract: A system and method for performing a simulation of aircraft networks. Characteristics of components of the aircraft networks are identified. The aircraft networks include a first set of networks within a plurality of aircraft and a second set of networks configured for communication between the plurality of aircraft. Virtual implementations of the components are generated based on the characteristics of the components. A simulation of the aircraft networks is performed that includes the virtual implementations of the components processing virtual flight test data generated by the virtual implementations of the components. The virtual flight test data for the components in the aircraft networks is compared to actual flight test data from the components in the aircraft networks to form a comparison. The characteristics of the components are then modified based on the comparison.

Abstract: An aircraft includes a first electrical connector configured to couple with a first power cable, a first data communication network and a first modem coupled to first electrical connector and first data communication network and is configured to transmit data received at first electrical connector through first power cable to first data communication network and to transmit data from first data communication network to first power cable through first electrical connector. The aircraft additionally includes a second electrical connector configured to couple with a second power cable, a second data communication network and a second modem coupled to second electrical connector and to second data communication network and is configured to transmit data received at second electrical connector through second power cable to second data communication network and to transmit data from second data communication network to second power cable through second electrical connector.

Abstract: Provided are methods and systems for terrestrial data transmission between aircraft and external networks, such as airline networks and/or airport networks. While an aircraft is landed, various data domains may need to be transmitted between the aircraft and such networks using two or more communication channels available to the aircraft. These channels may include wired and/or wireless channels, such as broadband over power line channels, Ethernet channels, Wi-Fi channels, and cellular channels. The available communication channels are allocated to transmit particular data domains based on the security levels of these channels. For example, aircraft control domains may be transmitted using a more secure communication channel than passenger information domains and/or entertainment systems domains. In some embodiments, multiple communication channels may be used to transmit the same domain parsed into multiple transmission packets. The packets are recombined back into the data domain after the transmission.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for authenticating a signal received at a wireless node. The signal is received at the wireless node. The wireless node is one of a plurality of wireless nodes in a communications network. A set of parameters is identified for the signal. A distance between the wireless node and a source of the signal is identified using a location of the wireless node and the set of parameters for the signal. A determination as to whether the source of the signal is an authorized source is made using the distance identified.

Abstract: Methods and systems for communicating data between a vehicle and a ground system are described. The system includes an integrated power and communications connector that couples to the vehicle so that power is supplied to at least selected systems on-board the vehicle. In addition, data is communicated between the vehicle on-board systems and the ground system via the integrated connector.

Abstract: Methods and systems for communicating data between an aircraft and an off-board network are provided. The method includes pre-loading data for the aircraft onto a secure power unit, communicatively coupling the aircraft to the secure power unit, validating the aircraft at the secure power unit based on air traffic management information, absolute (GMT) time, and aircraft location data, and transferring data between the aircraft and the secure power unit based on the validation.

Abstract: Methods and systems for communicating data between an aircraft and a ground-based unit are provided. The method includes integrating a Broadband over Power Line (BPL) module and inductive coupler into the ground-based unit, communicatively coupling the aircraft to the ground-based unit, initiating a Broadband over Power Line (BPL) link between the aircraft and the ground-based unit when power is supplied to the aircraft, and updating data stored in the aircraft with data received from the ground-based unit.

Abstract: Provided are methods and systems for terrestrial data transmission between aircrafts and external networks connected to gates at airports. This type of data transmission is performed through an electrical power cable that includes multiple conductors interconnecting electrical components of an aircraft and a gate. Each conductor may be used to establish a separate broadband over power line (BPL) communication channel using its own frequency range that does not overlap with frequency ranges of other channels. As such, no radio frequency (RF) shielding is needed in the cable and any standard multi-conductor cable may be used. A channel management unit is used to control allocation of data domains among different communication channels depending on characteristics of the data domains, characteristics of the channels, and other factors. For example, one channel may be designated for secure data transfer of specific data domains, such as aircraft control data.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for managing network security at an airport. A threat level for the airport is identified. A number of policies for a network data processing system is identified at the airport based on the threat level identified for the airport in response to identifying the threat level for the airport. Enforcement of the number of policies is initiated in the network data processing system.

Abstract: Methods and systems for use in exchanging information between aircraft at an airport are provided. The system includes a power system capable of providing power to each of the plurality of vehicles via an electric cable, at least one off-board broadband over power lines (BPL) module coupled to the power system. The at least one off-board BPL module is capable of communicating via the electric cable with an onboard BPL module on each of the plurality of vehicles. The system also includes a network coupled to each of the at least one off-board BPL modules for communicatively coupling each of the at least one off-board BPL modules such that the plurality of vehicles can exchange information via the network.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product for simulating mobile platforms. In one advantageous embodiment, a method is used to performing operations with a virtual aircraft network. A data processing system with the virtual aircraft network is connected to a ground network. The operations are performed with the virtual aircraft network connected to the ground network.

Abstract: In one embodiment a communications system includes an unmanned vehicle and a communications station located remote from the unmanned vehicle. The unmanned vehicle has a first wireless communications system and a first directional antenna for wirelessly communicating with the remote communications station. A first antenna control system tracks the remote communications station and aims the first directional antenna, in real time, at the remote communications station during wireless communications with the remote communications station. The remote communications station has a second wireless communications system having a second directional antenna for wirelessly communicating with the unmanned vehicle. A second antenna control system of the remote communications station tracks the unmanned vehicle and aims the second directional antenna at the unmanned vehicle, in real time, during wireless communications with the unmanned vehicle.

Abstract: A method for providing information by optimizing the data rate to a vehicle over a three-phase power line utilized to provide power to the vehicle is described. The method includes generating carrier signals in three separate frequency bands, modulating various data onto the three carrier signals to generate three transmission signals, switching the three transmission signals onto respective conductors of the three-phase power line, demodulating the various data within the vehicle, and providing the various data to one or more vehicle systems. The three transmission signals are dynamically monitored such that the three frequency bands are controlled to optimize a data rate of the transmission.

Abstract: A method of communicating data between a vehicle and a ground system is described. The method includes initiating a connection between a plurality of clients on a vehicle and a ground system, and communicating, in parallel, data between the plurality of clients and the ground system.

Abstract: A mobile aircraft emulation system comprising communications hardware and data processing hardware. The communications hardware is configured for use in an aircraft and to establish a communications link with an airport network data processing system. The data processing hardware is configured for use in the aircraft to run a number of software aircraft parts and exchange information with the airport network data processing system using the communications link. The number of software aircraft parts is configured for use in the aircraft.

Abstract: In one embodiment a communications system includes an unmanned vehicle and a communications station located remote from the unmanned vehicle. The unmanned vehicle has a first wireless communications system and a first directional antenna for wirelessly communicating with the remote communications station. A first antenna control system tracks the remote communications station and aims the first directional antenna, in real time, at the remote communications station during wireless communications with the remote communications station. The remote communications station has a second wireless communications system having a second directional antenna for wirelessly communicating with the unmanned vehicle. A second antenna control system of the remote communications station tracks the unmanned vehicle and aims the second directional antenna at the unmanned vehicle, in real time, during wireless communications with the unmanned vehicle.