Ge Aviation Systems Limited

Enablence USA Fttx Networks Inc.

Wave7 Optics, Inc.

Aurora Networks, Inc.

Enablence Technologies Inc.

Wave7 Optices, Inc.

Deven J Anthony

James O Farmer

Patrick W Quinn

Stephen Anthony Thomas

John Jared Creech

John J Kenny

Joseph Bernard Steffler

David Barnard Pierce

Jay Robert Pruiett

Paul F Whittlesey

Emmanuel A Vella

Thomas A Tighe

Kevin Bourg

Systems and methods for configuring a cryptographic system, such as an avionic data transfer system associated with an aircraft, are provided. More particularly, systems and methods can be used to assemble a cryptographic key configuration (CKC) for use in a cryptographic system. A CKC can include various components for configuration of a cryptographic system. An administrator can generate CKCs for multiple host systems via a user interface (e.g., a graphical user interface) at a terminal and can deliver the CKCs to the host systems via an automated process by way of, for instance, a removable data cartridge.

Configuring cryptographic systems

Systems and methods using a removable data storage device having an embedded cryptographic ignition key (CIK) are provided. In one embodiment, a CIK device is embedded into a removable data cartridge used to transfer information for cryptographic processing to a host system. When the removable data cartridge is interfaced with the host system, the CIK device communicates a CIK used to authenticate a user so that the data subject to cryptographic processing can be transferred to and/or otherwise processed by the host system. Once user authentication has occurred, the removable data cartridge can transfer data to the host system for cryptographic processing.

Cryptographic ignition key (CIK) embedded in removable data cartridge

Systems and methods using a cryptographic key loader embedded in a removable data storage device are provided. In one embodiment, the removable data storage device can include a dedicated key memory storing one or more cryptographic keys for cryptographic processing of data by a host system. The removable data storage device can further include a dedicated data memory storing data subject to cryptographic processing by the host system. When the removable data cartridge is interfaced with the host system, the cryptographic key(s) and the data subject to cryptographic processing can become accessible to host system.

Cryptographic key loader embedded in removable data cartridge

Systems and methods for managing cryptographic keys in an avionic data transfer system are provided. A host device associated with the avionic data transfer system can receive one or cryptographic keys via a key fill interface. For instance, in one embodiment, the host device can receive one or more cryptographic keys from a removable data cartridge. The host device can act as a key server for other cryptographic units associated with the avionic data transfer system via a data bus. For instance, the host device can distribute one or more cryptographic keys to other cryptographic units associated with aircraft via an aircraft bus. The other cryptographic units can use the one or more cryptographic keys for cryptographic processing of data.

Cryptographic key server embedded in data transfer system

A return path system includes inserting RF packets between regular upstream data packets, where the data packets are generated by communication devices such as a computer or interne telephone. The RF packets can be derived from analog RF signals that are produced by legacy video service terminals. In this way, the present invention can provide an RF return path for legacy terminals that shares a return path for regular data packets in an optical network architecture.

Method and system for providing a return path for signals generated by legacy terminals in an optical network

A return path system includes inserting RF packets between regular upstream data packets, where the data packets are generated by communication devices such as a computer or internet telephone. The RF packets can be derived from analog RF signals that are produced by legacy video service terminals. In this way, the present invention can provide an RF return path for legacy terminals that shares a return path for regular data packets in an optical network architecture.

A return path system includes inserting RF packets between regular upstream data packets, where the data packets are generated by communication devices such as a computer or internet telephone. The RF packets can be derived from analog RF signals that are produced by legacy video service terminals. At a data service hub, a digitized-RF-to-packet converter (DRPC) can convert the RF packets into standard sized packets such as Ethernet packets for processing by a video services controller. In this way, the present invention can provide an RF return path for legacy terminals that shares a return path for regular data packets in an optical network architecture.

Method and system for providing a return path for signals generated by legacy video service terminals in an optical network

A return path system includes inserting RF packets between regular upstream data packets, where the data packets are generated by communication devices such as a computer or internet telephone. The RF packets can be derived from analog RF signals that are produced by legacy video service terminals. In this way, the present invention can provide an RF return path for legacy terminals that shares a return path for regular data packets in an optical network architecture. The invention operates independently of a legacy upstream transmission timing scheme so that the legacy upstream transmission timing scheme can remain effective in preventing data collisions. In other embodiments, the present invention allows for less complex hardware for subscribers that are not taking data services. Further, an optical signal present line in combination with a driver may be employed in order to reduce the amount of hardware in a laser transceiver node.

A protocol for an optical network can control the time at which subscriber optical interfaces of an optical network are permitted to transmit data to a transceiver node. The protocol can prevent collisions of upstream transmissions between the subscriber optical interfaces of a particular subscriber group. With the protocol, a transceiver node close to the subscriber can allocate additional or reduced upstream bandwidth based upon the demand of one or more subscribers. That is, a transceiver node close to a subscriber can monitor (or police) and adjust a subscriber's upstream bandwidth on a subscription basis or on an as-needed basis. The protocol can account for aggregates of packets rather than individual packets. By performing calculation on aggregates of packets, the algorithm can execute less frequently which, in turn, permits its implementation in lower performance and lower cost devices, such as software executing in a general purpose microprocessor.

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Tampa, FL, United States of America

Deven J Anthony