BACKGROUND

The inventive concepts disclosed herein relate generally to the field of aircraft network systems. More particularly, embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosed herein relate to data communication in aircraft network systems including, but not limited to, a shared communication channel.

Avionics communication systems can employ several network subsystems for various topologies and domains. For example, one subsystem may be associated with the Aircraft Control Domain (“ACD”), which may be configured to carry data relating to deterministic information, such as flight critical parameters for the avionics system. Another subsystem may be associated with the Aircraft Information Services Domain (“AISD”), which may be configured to carry data relating to non-deterministic information. An avionics communication system may involve additional wiring and other network components to accommodate devices in the subsystems.

Multiple subsystems and domains in a communication system can result in significant aircraft wiring overhead, for example, to connect devices and equipment to the appropriate network. In some instances, equipment may reside on two networks. In order to provide data connectivity to devices in an aircraft, a communication system may require physically separate trunk lines, which can span the length of the aircraft and cause added weight and fuel costs. The communication system may also require additional bulkhead connectors that can be complex to wire and maintain.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the inventive concepts disclosed herein are directed to a system. The system includes a first subsystem having a number of devices configured to communicate a first data type, a second subsystem having a number of devices configured to communicate a second data type, and a network controller communicably coupled to the first subsystem and to the second subsystem. The network controller includes a processing circuit having a processor and a memory. The processing circuit is configured to receive data relating to the first data type, the data relating to the first data type received over a first plurality of communication channels. The processing circuit is further configured to receive data relating to the second data type, the data relating to the second data type received over a second plurality of communication channels. The processing circuit is further configured to multiplex the data relating to the first data type and the second data type to a multiplexed data stream, the multiplexed data stream configured for communication over a single communication channel. The processing circuit is further configured to transmit the multiplexed data stream over a data transmission line.

In a further aspect, the inventive concepts disclosed herein are directed to a method. The method includes receiving, by a first processing circuit, data relating to a first data type, the data relating to the first data type provided over a first plurality of communication channels. The method further includes receiving, by the first processing circuit, data relating to a second data type, the data relating to the second data type provided over a second plurality of communication channels. The method further includes multiplexing, by the first processing circuit, the data relating to the first data type and the second data type to a multiplexed data stream, the multiplexed data stream configured for communication over a single communication channel. The method further includes transmitting, by the first processing circuit, the multiplexed data stream over a data transmission line. The method further includes receiving, by a second processing circuit, the multiplexed data stream. The method further includes demultiplexing, by the second processing circuit, the multiplexed data stream to data relating to the first data type and to data relating to the second type.

In a further aspect, the inventive concepts disclosed herein are directed to a processing circuit having a processor and a memory. The processing circuit is configured to receive data relating to the first data type, the data relating to the first data type received over a first plurality of communication channels. The processing circuit is further configured to receive data relating to the second data type, the data relating to the second data type received over a second plurality of communication channels. The processing circuit is further configured to multiplex the data relating to the first data type and the second data type to a multiplexed data stream, the multiplexed data stream configured for communication over a single communication channel. The processing circuit is further configured to transmit the multiplexed data stream over a data transmission line.

