GoldenGate

Modern commercial aircraft represent ever-growing sources and sinks of data. Depending on the installed systems and operational use cases, more than 2 terabytes (TB) of data are generated per hour of flight.

Conventional data links via satellite or direct-to-ground connections do not offer sufficient bandwidth to transfer even a fraction of such data volumes. Even high-bitrate radio or cable connections do not allow the transfer of such quantities within an acceptable time window, such as a turnaround stop between two flights, regardless of the infrastructure overhead and security measures required.

The bandwidth and data-security requirements for such connections are only conceivable through optical methods. Yet even here, significant technical challenges remain, demanding novel solutions for this kind of data transfer.

The goal of this project is to demonstrate in the laboratory that, using current state-of-the-art technology and at an acceptable cost, the following objectives can be achieved based on real and simulated flight data:

Improving the performance of data networks: Development of an AI-supported sensor network to integrate various types of sensors and systems with edge computing devices for data processing, featuring optimized resource and memory management while minimizing energy, space, and weight requirements for future sensor, computing, and data networks in aircraft.

Transmission of large amounts of data in a short time: To download the data generated in modern aircraft (up to 100 TB) within the timeframe of a normal turnaround stop, a fast, stable data connection with adapted data encoding and encryption is necessary. This is to be implemented via a wireless optical connection.

Develops the wireless optical link with precision electronic control and mechanical alignment between aircraft and ground.

Builds aircraft-side data sources, acquisition and storage using real and simulated sensors. Hosts integration testing.

GoldenGate is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy under grant number 20Q2421, based on a resolution of the German Bundestag. The project is part of the SME joint venture programme supporting innovative aeronautical research.