Broadband integrated digital information exchange networks for avionics applications

This paper presents the design concept for Broadband Integrated Digital avionics Information Exchange Networks (B-IDAIEN's) for future aircraft applications. The use of B-IDAIEN's can improve communication efficiency, flexibility, and capacity compared with using present avionics data buses. To implement B-IDAIEN's the supporting techniques, such as wavelength-division multiplexing/wavelength-division multiple access and optical Benes network, are considered. Related optical components are also discussed. It is expected that the proposed B-IDAIEN's can efficiently provide real-time video and voice communications, high/low speed data transmissions, parallel communications, and other time-critical services such as urgent signals from warning receivers.