Rockwell Collins, Inc.

Richard E Heinrich

Patrick Dennis McCusker

Sethu R Rathinam

Angelo J Joseph

Alan E Siniff

Patrick J Cosgrove

Keith L Kerley

Fred W Powell, Jr

Ryan J Paulus

Frederick M Rudolph

The present invention is directed to a system for providing precision location determination. The system includes a receiver configured for receiving both a first set of signals from a first constellation of satellites and a second set of signals from a second constellation of satellites. The system further includes a processor, which is connected to the receiver and is configured for processing the received satellite signals. The system further includes control programming for executing on the processor. The control programming is configured for determining a first location of the receiver based upon the first set of received signals and for determining a second location of the receiver based upon the second set of received signals. The control programming is further configured for correlating the first location and the second location to provide an enhanced location for the receiver.

System and method for providing space-based precision position correlations for promoting improved availability, accuracy and integrity

The present invention is directed to system for providing precision location determination. The system includes a receiver configured for receiving both a first set of signals from a first constellation of satellites and a second set of signals from a second constellation of satellites. The system further includes a processor, which is connected to the receiver and is configured for processing the received satellite signals. The system further includes control programming for executing on the processor. The control programming is configured for determining a first location of the receiver based upon the first set of received signals and for determining a second location of the receiver based upon the second set of received signals. The control programming is further configured for correlating the first location and the second location to provide an enhanced location for the receiver.

System and mehtod for providing space-based precision position correlations for promoting improved availability, accuracy and integrity

The present disclosure is directed to an event-driven reporting system that enables off-board entities, such as on-ground control centers or other aircrafts, to receive information regarding on-board conditions when the aircraft enters into a non-nominal or hostile state. Various embodiments of the disclosure are directed to an event-driven reporting system and method that provide a burst-mode transmission of recorded on-board data to an off-board entity when certain triggering events that indicate non-nominal or hostile aircraft conditions are detected.

Event-driven burst-mode status reporting

A system and related method for reception and storage of a command and control (C2) data link between a control station and a Remotely Piloted Vehicle (RPV) for RPV operation. From the C2 data link, the system receives and stores command signals generated by the control station as well as telemetry data associated with and generated by the RPV. The system operates to compare the received telemetry data to 1) the command signal to assure RPV compliance, 2) stored information associated with the RPV to determine a RPV anomaly, and 3) stored information associated with a high value asset (HVA). Should the comparison reveal a threat to the RPV or HVA, the system alerts an authority to mitigate the threat. The system and method aggregates data associated with specific RPV type or operator to support several safety initiatives, methods used to perform predictive maintenance planning, and accident recreation and investigation.

Remotely piloted aircraft telemetry recording using the command and control data link system and related method

The disclosed invention embodies a system and method for multi-sensor, multi-frequency, multi-constellation data integration providing integrated onboard positioning of a vehicle. Multiple correlators perform autonomous signal quality monitoring to avoid the need for external augmentation systems. The integrated method and system typically includes multi-constellation, multi-channel GNSS and may consider positioning information from one or more other positioning resources including onboard, airborne, and ground-based signals. The positioning information from these functions are used in combination to exclude an erroneous signal from consideration while providing an integrated, blended precision positioning solution with improved size, weight, power and cost characteristics. The system utilizes a plurality of positioning signals from multiple GNSS constellations on multiple channels correlated with ground-based, airborne, and onboard positioning signals to determine a hierarchy of positioning signals used in accurate positioning without the need for differential correction provided by offboard augmentation.

Low-cost high integrity integrated multi-sensor precision navigation system

A system for presenting performance attributes on a display unit on an aircraft is disclosed. The system may include a communication module for receiving the RNP for the aircraft, a navigation module for determining the position of the aircraft as well as its ANP, and a processing module for generating an integrated graphical representation of these performance attributes. The processing module may generate a cross-sectional depiction of a virtual tunnel based on the RNP and the position of the aircraft, wherein the cross-sectional depiction may include a first containment limit indicator and a second containment limit indicator. The processing module may also generate an aircraft position indicator, wherein the aircraft position indicator may indicate the position of the aircraft as well as the ANP of the aircraft. The cross-sectional depiction of the tunnel and the aircraft position indicator may be displayed on a display unit in a two-dimensional manner.

Airspace performance depictions using vertical and lateral guidance bars

Methods and systems for providing architecture independent event driven vehicle position reporting are disclosed. The position reporting capability in accordance with the present disclosure is provided by a stand-alone, self-contained apparatus operating independently from the rest of the systems onboard a vehicle. This stand-alone, self-contained apparatus is configured to detect a non-nominal or a hostile condition, and automatically starts position reporting and/or tracking. In addition, this stand-alone, self-contained apparatus is configured in a manner so that it cannot be turned off or disabled.

Architecture independent event driven transponders and position reporting devices

Methods and apparatus for providing trajectory planning for an aircraft based on constraint processing are disclosed. The method may take into consideration the dynamic or real-time operational and environmental factors, and utilizes constraint processing to provide trajectory optimizations between the end points of the flight. The trajectory planning method may be performed utilizing a computer or processor onboard the aircraft. The method may include receiving a starting location and an ending location for a phase of flight of the aircraft; receiving a set of constraints from multiple systems and sensors for the phase of flight of the aircraft, wherein operations of the aircraft during the phase of flight are subject to the set of constraints; and analyzing the set of constraints to determine an optimal trajectory between the starting location and the ending location, the optimal trajectory is determined based on compliance with the set of constraints.

Constraint processing as an alternative to flight management systems

A mobile computing platform for processing data in an environment requiring multiple levels of authentication may include processes to authenticate various applications at each of the multiple levels. The mobile computing platform may integrate with aircraft avionics to provide data from applications to a certified avionics system.

Adaptive, multi-level security for flight deck applications hosted on mobile platforms

Systems and methods for incorporating virtual network computing ('VNC') into a cockpit display system ('CDS') and controlling an aircraft system and a remote system simultaneously with a VNC-incorporated CDS are disclosed. A system for incorporating VNC into the CDS is comprised of a VNC server of a remote system, at least one first user application (&#x201c;UA&#x201d;), a second UA, a pilot input device, and a CDS comprised of, in part, a processing module (&#x201c;PM&#x201d;) configured with a method employing an aviation-industry standard protocol (e.g., ARINC 661) and a VNC protocol. A system for controlling the remote system aircraft system with a VNC-incorporated CDS is comprised with a VNC server of the aircraft system and/or the non-aircraft system, a UA, a pilot input device, a display surface format, and a CDS comprised of, in part, a PM configured with a method employing an aviation-industry standard protocol and a VNC protocol.

Incorporating virtual network computing into a cockpit display system for controlling a non-aircraft system

A method for providing trajectory planning for an aircraft based on constraint processing is disclosed. The method may be performed utilizing a computer or processor onboard the aircraft that is en route, through all phases of flight, to an end location. The trajectory planning method may comprise receiving a set of constraints during the flight of the aircraft; analyzing the set of constraints to determine an optimal trajectory between a current location of the aircraft and the end location, the optimal trajectory is determined based on compliance with the set of constraints; and dynamically adjusting the flight of the aircraft based on the optimal trajectory.

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Marion, IA, United States of America

Richard E Heinrich