Aviation Communication and Surveillance Systems, LLC

L-3 Communications Corporation

Cyro Allen Stone

Gregory Theodore Stayton

Charles Castel Manberg

Zachary R Reynolds

Richard Darrell Ridenour, Ii

James Roy Troxel

Kathryn W Ybarra

Stacey R Rowlan

Desi Stelling

Douglas W Guetter

James Peter Redmond

Christopher Polynin

Tom V Eich

Harold Tjorhom

Nicholas R Hoffman

Various methods can, for example, depict information for use by a pilot or other individual in an aircraft. In an exemplary embodiment, the method may include providing, in a hardware display, a graphical vertical profile displaying an aircraft to the pilot of the aircraft. This method may further include providing, in the vertical profile, an indication of the relative speed of at least one other aircraft and a graphical indication of a clearance window for vertical maneuvers for the aircraft of the pilot. Further embodiments of the present invention concern systems and software for implementing the related method embodiments of the present invention.

Systems and methods for providing a vertical profile for an in-trail procedure

There is provided an avionics system that provides several avionics functions within a single LRU. In one embodiment, the system comprises a software-configurable RF assembly, one or more processor assemblies that are configured to provide multiple TAWS/TCAS/Mode S/ADS-B/ATC functions, interfaces to allow connections to aircraft electronics and data loaders, and multipurpose antennas. In one embodiment, a common processor architecture allows generic avionics processors to be configured to operate a number of TAWS/TCAS/Mode S/ADS-B/ATC functions without the need for multiple LRUs, and software-defined RF functions allow RF circuitry that interfaces to the processors to handle current and future communication needs.

Integrated avionics system

Embodiments of the present invention enhance existing ITP (In-Trail Procedure) algorithms by providing additional information to the flight crew. The additional information may enable the flight crew to appropriately modify own aircraft airspeed, and thereby, ground speed, in order to qualify for ITP procedures.

Systems and methods for providing an in-trail procedure speed director

A delineated collision avoidance system may comprise a processor for executing one or more instructions that implement one or more functions of the collision avoidance system, a transceiver for transmitting information from and receiving information for the host aircraft, and memory for storing the one or more instructions for execution by the processor to implement the one or more functions of the collision avoidance system to: receive from the transceiver information from another aircraft, generate from the received information a track for the other aircraft, and determine whether the track will intersect within a predefined period of time a region of interest around the host aircraft. In a variation, the system may include a display and the memory may include instructions to: determine whether a predefined condition is satisfied and change an appearance of a symbol shown on the display to indicate that the predefined condition is satisfied.

Systems and methods for enhancing situational awareness of an aircraft on the ground

An aircraft control system is delineated for a host aircraft, the system comprising a processor for executing one or more instructions that implement one or more functions of the aircraft control system, a transceiver for transmitting information from and receiving information for the host aircraft, and memory for storing the one or more instructions for execution by the processor to implement the one or more functions of the aircraft control system to: receive from the transceiver information from another aircraft, and generate from the received information a signal for use in the host aircraft to control separation between the host aircraft and the other aircraft while the aircraft are within a predefined range of a location where the aircraft plan to land.

Sequencing, merging and approach-spacing systems and methods

There is presented a system and method for providing aircraft runway guidance. One delineated runway alert system for a host aircraft comprises: a processor for executing one or more instructions that implement one or more functions of the runway alert system; a data storage device including geographical runway information; a receiver for obtaining current location data of the host aircraft; an apparatus to provide a current heading of the host aircraft; a data entry device for receiving data indicating a desired runway; memory for storing the one or more instructions for execution by the processor to implement the one or more functions of the runway alert system to: receive the identity of the desired runway; provide an indicia of: the desired runway; and the position of the host aircraft in relation to the desired runway.

Systems and methods for providing aircraft runway guidance

Methods and systems are disclosed for preventing aircraft collisions with forward looking terrain avoidance (FLTA) functionality based on a terrain avoidance profile used to evaluate potential terrain threats based on the projected flight path of an aircraft in flight, and a clear terrain profile to determine whether the terrain threat has been cleared. If the terrain avoidance profile conflicts with terrain, a collision threat may exist whereby the pilot is notified and a terrain avoidance maneuver is executed. During the terrain avoidance maneuver the clear terrain profile extends in a direction substantially parallel with the horizon at or near the present altitude of the aircraft to check whether it is safe to return to the previous flight path angle or otherwise end the terrain-avoiding maneuver. When the clear terrain profile no longer conflicts with the terrain threat, a terrain clear indicator is then issued to the pilot.

Aircraft terrain warning systems and methods

A subsystem of an avionics system is operated in a first mode for receiving software via a port; and in a second mode in accordance with a circuit that includes a terminator coupled to the port. By using the terminator to convey information regarding a desired configuration for operation in the second mode, communication and wiring is avoided between subsystems of the avionics system for conveying such information. In one implementation, operation in the second mode includes performing a collision avoidance function (e.g., providing a TCAS advisory). Configuration information in accordance with the circuit may specify an arrangement of shared antennas between multiple transponders and/or mode changes related to using an antenna for a collision avoidance function in a hijack mode of operation.

System having termination for data loading port

A traffic collision avoidance system has a transponder with an interrogation monitoring engine for receiving interrogations and an interrogation response engine for inhibiting responses to the interrogations if the interrogations are air traffic control interrogations and the transponder is in a quiet mode. Typically the transponder enters quiet mode during military formation flight if the aircraft in which the transponder is installed is not a tail or lead member of the formation.

System and method for inhibiting transponder replies

A surveillance and collision avoidance system provides a presentation of situational awareness information for display that includes a compound symbol for each target spaced at a distance and bearing relative to a host symbol. The target compound symbol includes indicia of (a) whether the target is airborne or on the ground; (b) whether the target is a civil aircraft, a military aircraft identified as a formation member with the host aircraft, or a military aircraft not identified as a formation member with the host aircraft; (c) whether a ground track for the target is unknown, known by passive surveillance, or known by active surveillance; (d) for civil aircraft, whether the target is the subject of no advisory, a traffic advisory, or a resolution advisory; and (e) for a military aircraft, whether the target is the subject of no encroachment advisory, an unintended encroachment advisory, or an intended encroachment advisory. Subsystems selectively use an active or a passive mode of surveillance. In a passive mode, surveillance may rely on information received via a network among formation members and/or unsolicited received signals.

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Peoria, AZ, United States of America

Cyro Allen Stone