Aeronautics and astronautics – Miscellaneous
Reexamination Certificate
2002-05-08
2003-05-13
Jordan, Charles T. (Department: 3644)
Aeronautics and astronautics
Miscellaneous
C244S194000, C385S134000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06561454
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to communication networks and, in particular, to data networks having physical transmission media. Still more particularly, the present invention is directed to a removable and replaceable network hub that facilitates centralized testing and reconfiguration of a data network having physical transmission media.
2. Description of the Related Art
A data network requires ongoing maintenance to upgrade or replace aging or failed network devices and to insert additional network devices into the data communication network. Such maintenance is performed relatively easily when the network device(s) to be replaced, upgraded or inserted are installed within a special purpose facility, such as a computer room having raised-access flooring or a network closet. In such cases, the ease of maintenance is due to the ability to easily access both the network devices and the physical transmission media (e.g., cabling) utilized to connect the network devices to the data communication network.
In some network installations, however, network maintenance is problematical in that the devices and/or the network transmission media comprising the data network are not easily accessible. For example, the insertion or removal of a network device or other topological changes to a data network installed within an aircraft often requires gutting the cockpit and/or cabin of the aircraft in order to access the installation sites of one or more network devices and portions of the aircraft wiring affected by the network change.
FIG. 1
is a high level plan view of an aircraft having a conventional data network. As illustrated, aircraft
10
, which comprises a fuselage
12
, wings
14
, engines
16
and tail section (empennage)
18
, has a data network
20
installed therein. In the depicted embodiment, data network
20
is a fibre channel arbitrated loop including a number of network devices
22
, which are coupled together by fiber optic cables
24
terminated on either end by connectors
26
. Network devices
22
may include, for example, an avionics computer, avionics sensors, aircraft system controls, and communications equipment.
As will be appreciated, data network
20
is typically installed within fuselage
12
behind cockpit instrumentation panels and other fixtures within the cabin interior. Consequently, if data network
20
requires testing, maintenance, or modification, for example, by the addition or removal of a network device
22
or reordering of network devices
22
within the loop, many of the fixtures of the cabin interior may have to be removed to access network devices
22
and/or fiber optic cables
24
. It is therefore time consuming, expensive and inconvenient to reconfigure or test data network
20
and its components.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In recognition of the foregoing and additional difficulties with testing and reconfiguring conventional data network installations, the present invention provides an improved data network and a network hub for structures such as aircraft in which access to network infrastructure is restricted.
In accordance with the present invention, the data network includes a plurality of network devices, a plurality of physical transmission lines each coupled to a respective one of said plurality of network devices, and a network hub coupled to each of said plurality of physical transmission lines. The network hub has a removable and replaceable termination element providing signal connectivity between selected ones of said plurality of transmission lines. In one embodiment, the data network is installed within an aircraft including a fuselage, an empennage connected to the fuselage, a lift-generating surface coupled to the fuselage, and at is least one engine for propelling the aircraft.
Additional objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed written description.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4422180 (1983-12-01), Wendt
patent: 5896473 (1999-04-01), Kaspari
patent: 5971623 (1999-10-01), Wanamaker
patent: 6356809 (2002-03-01), Morrison et al.
patent: 2002/0065582 (2002-05-01), Morrison et al.
“Network Devices Inc.”, http://ecc400.com
etworkdevices/products.htm, pp. 1-4.*
“The many faces of PDF”, Webopedia.com, pp. 1-3.*
“Fiber optic network Topologies for ITS and Other systems”, Fiber Optics System Design, www.fiber-optics.info/articles/its-networks.htm, pp. 1-3.
Bracewell & Patterson L.L.P.
Holzen Stephen A
Jordan Charles T.
Lockheed Martin Corporation
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