Thomson-csf Sextant

Pierre Bernas

Christian Sannino

Georges Henri Simon

A device for distributing information and its fault management process which improves the robustness of a network, such as in an aircraft, a boat, or a train. The device or process includes one or more splitters of which an upstream input output is linked to a first end of a chain including stations, at lower overdimensioning cost, and with dynamic management of a fault which renders it transparent or of very short duration. A second end of the chain is linked to a downstream input output of another splitter and a fault management procedure is implemented activating or otherwise one of the ends of a chain depending on the nature and the conditions of the fault. Preferably, addresses of the elements of the network can reflect its topology and facilitate the shunting of the addresses of the stations between splitters.

Data distribution network and method for managing a breakdown in said network

The present invention relates to the management, on board an aircraft, of the aeronautical digital telecommunications networks ACARS and ATN. It covers a method for automatic choice of the transmission sub-network of the ACARS or ATN networks which is most appropriate for the exchange of digital messages with the ground, taking account of the capabilities of the equipment of the aircraft, of that existing on the ground in the area overflown, of the costs and of the reliabilities of the possible links, and of the preferences of the pilot, of his airline and of the control services. This method consists principally in the creation and updating of a database containing information: costs, performance levels, security/reliability, aircraft configuration, availabilities of the communications sub-networks as well as the stipulations by the pilot, by his airline and by the control services, and in the automatic selection of a communications mode via a sub-network of the ACARS or ATN networks, taking into account an order of preference established on the basis of criteria based on the information contained in the database ( ).

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Palaiseau, France

Pierre Bernas