Method and apparatus for remote initiation of ARINC 615 downloads

Abstract

A method and apparatus for remotely downloading data to a selected one of a plurality of avionics line replaceable units (LRUs) on an aircraft. In one configuration, a method includes transmitting a message wirelessly to a receiver on the aircraft identifying an LRU having data to be downloaded; selectively switching a communication path from the identified LRU to an aircraft data services link (ADSL) dependent upon the identified LRU; and wirelessly downloading data to the identified LRU utilizing the selectively switched communication path.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for remotely downloading data to a selected one of a plurality of avionics line replaceable units (LRUs) on an aircraft, said method comprising: 
 transmitting a message wirelessly to a receiver on the aircraft identifying an LRU having data to be downloaded;    selectively switching a communication path from the identified LRU to an aircraft data services link (ADSL) dependent upon the identified LRU; and    wirelessly downloading data from the identified LRU utilizing the selectively switched communication path.    
     
     
         2 . A method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the selectively switched communication path is an ARINC 429 communication path.  
     
     
         3 . A method in accordance with  claim 2  wherein said selectively switching a communication path comprises selectively switching one of a plurality of ARINC 429 communication paths utilizing a software-controlled switch.  
     
     
         4 . A method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said transmitting a message wirelessly comprises transmitting the message wirelessly utilizing a wireless spread spectrum communication link.  
     
     
         5 . A method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said transmitting a message wirelessly further comprises transmitting an operational program configuration (OPC) file that contains criteria for automated routing.  
     
     
         6 . A method in accordance with  claim 1  further comprising triggering said wirelessly downloading data upon a triggering condition.  
     
     
         7 . A method in accordance with  claim 6  wherein said triggering condition is setting of a parking brake.  
     
     
         8 . A method in accordance with  claim 6  further comprising accumulating records of wireless downloads.  
     
     
         9 . A method in accordance with  claim 1  further comprising configuring a header file for the identified LRU to download.  
     
     
         10 . A method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said data wirelessly downloaded comprises operational software.  
     
     
         11 . An apparatus for remotely downloading data to a selected one of a plurality of avionics line replaceable units (LRUs) on an aircraft, said apparatus configured to: 
 receive a message wirelessly transmitted to the aircraft identifying an LRU having data to be downloaded;    selectively switch a communication path to the identified LRU to an aircraft data services link (ADSL) dependent upon the identified LRU; and    wirelessly download data to the identified LRU utilizing the selectively switched communication path.    
     
     
         12 . An apparatus in accordance with  claim 11  wherein, to selectively switch a communication path to the identified LRU to an aircraft data services link (ADSL) dependent upon the identified LRU, said apparatus is further configured to selectively switch a plurality of ARINC 429 communication paths.  
     
     
         13 . An apparatus in accordance with  claim 12  further comprising a software-controlled switch configured to selectively switch said ARINC 429 communication paths.  
     
     
         14 . An apparatus in accordance with  claim 11  wherein said apparatus further comprises a wireless spread spectrum transceiver configured to receive said message wirelessly.  
     
     
         15 . An apparatus in accordance with  claim 11  further configured to receive an operational program configuration (OPC) file that contains criteria for automated routing.  
     
     
         16 . An apparatus in accordance with  claim 11  further configured to trigger said wireless download of data upon a triggering condition.  
     
     
         17 . An apparatus in accordance with  claim 16  configured to trigger said wireless download of data upon setting a of parking brake.  
     
     
         18 . An apparatus in accordance with  claim 16  further configured to accumulate records of wireless downloads.  
     
     
         19 . An apparatus in accordance with  claim 11  configured to wirelessly download operational software.  
     
     
         20 . An apparatus for downloading data to a selected one of a plurality of avionics line replaceable units (LRUs) onboard an aircraft, said apparatus comprising: 
 a wireless radio transceiver;    a communication management unit server responsive to said wireless radio transceiver; and    a remotely controllable switch responsive to said communication management unit server to configure a data path between said wireless radio transceiver and a selected one of said LRUs for downloading of data.