Patent classifications
G08G5/50
AIRCRAFT INSTRUMENTATION SYSTEMS FOR DISPLAYING ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT BREAKER INFORMATION
Aircraft instrumentation systems and controllers are provided. An aircraft instrumentation system includes a display and a controller. The controller is configured to monitor an electronic circuit breaker (ECB) status of each of a plurality of aircraft systems. The controller is further configured to generate, for each of the plurality of aircraft systems, a visual indicator that indicates the ECB status. The controller is yet further configured to generate an image arrangement that includes the visual indicator for each of the plurality of aircraft systems and to generate a signal that causes a display to present the image arrangement.
Methods and apparatus for voice-controlled access and display of electronic charts onboard an aircraft
A method for accessing electronic charts stored on an aircraft is provided. The method receives, via an onboard avionics system, location data for the aircraft; receives a set of speech data via a user interface of the aircraft; identifies one or more applicable electronic charts, based on the received location data and the received set of speech data, wherein the electronic charts stored on the aircraft comprise at least the one or more applicable electronic charts; and presents, via an aircraft display, a first one of the one or more applicable electronic charts.
VALIDATING AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL MESSAGES DURING THE COURSE OF FLIGHT
A system and method for dynamically validating uplink messages during flight are provided. The system comprises at least one processing unit in an aircraft, and at least one communication device in the aircraft that is operatively connected to the processing unit. The communication device is configured to receive uplink messages from a ground air traffic control (ATC) center, and transmit downlink messages to the ground ATC center. The system also includes a human machine interface (HMI) in the aircraft that is operatively connected to the processing unit. The HMI is configured to receive input from a user and display information to the user. One or more data sources that provide dynamic information are in operative communication with the processing unit. The processing unit is configured to determine whether an ATC uplink message is acceptable based on analysis of the dynamic information from the one or more data sources.
Upgraded flight management system and method of providing the same
A preexisting FMS system may be upgraded to increase its functionality while still taking advantage of certain components of the legacy system previously provided on the aircraft and replacing other preexisting components with different components for enhancing the functionality of the FMS system. The preexisting IRU, CADC, DME receiver and DFGC in the upgraded FMS system are in communication with the legacy AFMC but, instead of employing the legacy EFIS which existed in the preexisting FMS system, the EFIS is replaced by a data concentrator unit as well as the display control panel and integrated flat panel display, and a GPS receiver. The upgraded FMS system is capable of such increased functionality as increased navigation database storage capacity, RNP, VNAV and RNAV capability utilizing a GPS based navigation solution, and RTA capability, while still enabling the legacy AFMC to exploit its aircraft performance capabilities throughout the flight.
System and method for providing guidance during a flare maneuver of an aircraft
A system and method for providing guidance during a flare maneuver of an aircraft may include the steps of: (1) generating a primary flare command from a primary flare control law based on an altitude of the aircraft, (2) generating the secondary flare command from a secondary flare control law based on inertial vertical speed of the aircraft, and (3) generating an ultimate flare command by selecting one of the primary flare command when the aircraft is over regular terrain or the secondary flare command when the aircraft is over irregular terrain.
UPGRATED FLIGHT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR AUTOPILOT CONTROL AND METHOD OF PROVIDING THE SAME
A preexisting FMS system may be upgraded to increase its functionality by optimizing the control of autopilot and auto-throttle functions and replacing other preexisting components with different components for enhancing the functionality of the FMS system. The preexisting IRU, CADC, DME receiver and DFGC in the upgraded FMS system are in communication with the legacy AFMC but, instead of employing the legacy EFIS, the EFIS is replaced by a data concentrator unit as well as the display control panel and integrated flat panel display, and a GPS receiver. The upgraded FMS system is capable of iteratively controlling the autopilot and auto-throttle during all phases of flight and of such increased functionality as increased navigation database storage capacity, RNP, VNAV, LPV and RNAV capability utilizing a GPS based navigation solution, and RTA capability, while still enabling the legacy AFMC to exploit its aircraft performance capabilities throughout the flight.
AIR VEHICLE NAVIGATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS USING A COMMON RUNTIME AIRCRAFT INTENT DATA STRUCTURE
Example air vehicle navigation systems and methods are described herein that utilize a Common Runtime Aircraft Intent Data Structure (CRAIDS). An example method includes determining an initial condition of a flight of an air vehicle, determining a flight constraint, determining, using a common runtime aircraft intent data structure (CRAIDS), an aircraft trajectory based on the initial condition and the flight constraint, and performing the determined aircraft trajectory during the flight of the air vehicle.
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR IMPROVING SITUATIONAL AWARENESS OF UNANTICIPATED YAW ON A ROTORCRAFT SYSTEM
A method and system for alerting a pilot to a potential unanticipated LTE with simple intuitive symbology on the cockpit display is provided. The provided method and system evaluates rotorcraft airspeed, wind velocity, wind direction, and rotorcraft height above ground to predict several scenarios for LTE zones. The provided method and system overlays or superimposes simple intuitive symbology on the existing PFD and/or MFD to alert a pilot to a potential LTE.
Communication management unit (CMU) based support for automated dependent surveillance-contract (ADS-C) fulfillment
A system and method for offloading Future Air Navigation System (FANS) and Automated Dependent Surveillance-Contract (ADS-C) functionality from the flight management system (FMS) to an aircraft-based communications management unit (CMU) receives intent data outputs from the FMS, each intent data output including aircraft state and trajectory intent data. Based on the received intent data outputs, the CMU generates a dynamic route representation approximating the aircraft route, inferring and connecting waypoints without otherwise querying the FMS or the pilot for additional data. The CMU receives inbound messages related to ADS-C contracts established with the aircraft by air traffic control (ATC) ground stations and, based on the dynamic route, generates and transmits any necessary ADS-C reports to the ATC ground stations. Further, the CMU queries aircraft-based absolute and relative navigational systems to verify navigational system availability and accuracy status with each ADS-C report.
PROVIDING CONFIDENCE INFORMATION ASSOCIATED WITH DETECTED STATE TRANSITIONS FOR DYNAMIC SYSTEMS
A method includes obtaining, at a first device, first output from a transition state model for a dynamic system. The first output indicates a first state of the dynamic system. The method includes obtaining, at the first device, second output from the transition state model. The second output indicates a state transition from the first state to a second state. The method includes retrieving, at the first device, a transition confidence metric associated with the state transition from the first state to the second state from a transition confidence matrix. The method also includes providing, via the first device, the second state as output in response to the transition confidence metric indicating that the state transition is valid.