Abstract: Methods and systems for instrument landing system (ILS) alerting. The method may include: receiving an ILS localizer signal and traffic information; monitoring a signal-quality of the received ILS signal; annunciating on a display system onboard the aircraft an impending ILS auto-pilot disconnect alert when the signal-quality is determined to have decreased by more than a threshold; associating the ILS signal with stored ILS antenna information to thereby construct a three-dimensional ILS envelope with a point of origination at a location of an ILS localizer; presenting a map showing the aircraft at a current location, and the runway; and, using the traffic information to monitor a location and movement of an intruder traffic and predict an infringement of the intruder traffic on the ILS envelope. Responsive to the predicted infringement, the method may annunciate an ILS alert and transmit a notification to air traffic control or the intruder traffic.

Abstract: A graphic rendering system for use with certified avionics software onboard an aircraft is disclosed. The graphic rendering system includes a graphic rendering engine that has been certified by governing governmental authority for use in an aircraft for displaying critical information, wherein the graphic rendering engine is configured to access an aircraft-specific graphical database file and an aircraft-specific geographical database file for graphical and geographical data for use in rendering the graphic for display on the cockpit display. Both the aircraft-specific graphical database file and the aircraft-specific geographical database file have been customized for use on the aircraft.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling the brightness level of a lamp in a backlit LCD display include primary and secondary controllers. The primary controller establishes the arc drive to the lamp to achieve the desired lamp brightness. The primary controller includes a desired brightness set-point as a first input, and a feedback signal corresponding to actual brightness detected at the lamp as a second input. The primary controller operates in real time, essentially adjusting the lamp arc drive instantaneously as a function of the detected brightness feedback signal. The secondary controller is employed to fine tune the control of the lamp by determining whether the desired brightness level may be achieved more efficiently. The secondary controller varies one or more parameters, such as temperature, within the lamp to achieve the optimum operating point of the lamp at the desired brightness level.