Rockwell Collins, Inc.

Richard S Dove

Scott F Bauler

William T Greenleaf

Kirschen A Seah

Andrew M Vesel

Randy H Jacobson

Steve J Nieuwsma

Randy H Jacobsen

Eamon P Hegerty

An apparatus for forecasting weather related threats aboard an aircraft includes a computer for sending and receiving meteorological data to and from other aircraft in a self-organizing mesh network of aircraft. The computer isolates meteorological sensor data originating from the other aircraft in a region along the flight path of the aircraft and uses that data to forecast weather related threats along the aircraft's flight path.

Sharing air data between aircraft for threat detection

The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for determining an ownship position of an aircraft. The method includes the steps of receiving data from a plurality of proximate aircraft and examining the data. Next, the method involves selecting a plurality of reference aircraft from the plurality of proximate aircraft, and receiving data from each reference aircraft. The data received from the reference aircraft is then correlated to a common time in order to create a reference frame for calculating the position of the aircraft. The next step of the method is to calculate the ownship position of the aircraft based on the data received from the reference aircraft and the common time. The system includes a receiver, processor, display, and transmitter, which are used to determine the ownship position of an aircraft.

Backup navigation position determination using surveillance information

A system for providing the capability for a vehicle to avoid regions of signal interference from high energy (HE) electromagnetic (EM) radiation emitters. The system includes a processing module. A database is operatively connected to the processing module. The database comprises a plurality of geographical areas affected by HE EM radiation emitters and data associated with the geographical areas. The data includes location, lateral and vertical extents, and signal attenuation for selected geographical areas affected by HE EM radiation emitters. The data preferably also includes affected frequency spectrum for the selected geographical areas. A display system is operatively connected to the processing module. The processing module functions to receive information regarding the position of the vehicle and query the database to retrieve relevant HE EM radiation emitters which are a threat to the vehicle's ability to properly navigate or communicate. The relevant HE EM radiation emitters are displayed on the display system. The present invention provides enhanced situational awareness to the pilot and permits decision support systems to refine their trajectory through hazards.

Mapping, storage, retrieval and display of high energy electromagnetic radiation emitters

A system may include a sensor for coupling with a vehicle configured for atmospheric flight. The sensor may be configured for detecting a turbulence event, where the turbulence event is at least one of experienced by the vehicle or occurs proximal to the vehicle during atmospheric flight. The system may also include a transmitter coupled with the sensor. The transmitter may be configured for automatically remotely transmitting data regarding the turbulence event to a ground based entity.

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Palm Bay, FL, United States of America

Richard S Dove