Abstract: A ground station is used by an air traffic controller to provide support to an aircraft. In particular, the ground station may mirror or regenerate a weather radar overlay of a flight display of the aircraft. The air traffic controller and the flight crew may then both see the same real-time weather information with minimum delay and achieve a similar level of situation awareness. The weather radar overlay may be displayed on a display of the ground station. The ground station may receive weather data and ADS-B data or other forms of location data and intended flight path from the aircraft via an air-to-ground communication channel. The weather data may be used to regenerate the weather radar overlay. The ground station may also use the ADS-B data to generate a coverage map of the aircraft in a selected airspace.

Abstract: A system and method for transporting passengers via uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) receives passenger requests for transport between origin and destination points. Based on the request a transport plan is generated for each passenger, identifying the passenger, assigning a UAS and including a flight plan (which includes flight instructions and a communications plan for the UAS control system). Based on the transport plan one or more encoded flight plan datasets are generated. Each encoded dataset is downloadable to and displayable by the passenger's portable computing device, and scannable and decodable by reader devices at the origin and destination ports and aboard the UAS. Scanning an encoded dataset both grants the passenger access to the origin port and UAS and confirms the passenger's presence. Further, each assigned UAS downloads from the decoded flight plan data the necessary configuration data to fulfill its portion/s of the flight plan.

Abstract: A system and method for optimizing pre-departure sequencing instantiates independent agent processes for each aircraft. Each independent agent is trained via multi-agent reinforcement machine learning with an existing set of data to maximize that agent's individual reward within established bounds and while cooperating with each other agent. The interaction of the independent agents produces an optimized pre-departure sequence. The individual reward is defined with respect to a change between the current timestamp and the newly suggested timestamp. A lower delta results in a higher reward.

Abstract: An onboard system in an aircraft records data simultaneously from a plurality of onboard products, systems, and devices. The data is recorded in response to an event trigger common to each onboard product, system, and device, and tagged with a common timestamp and stored in a centralized data store. The system compiles the data into a single dataset, synchronizing the data according to the common timestamp. The data may be modified to reflect the common timestamp where the data includes a different timecode from the original source. The data may also be modified to conform to a standard format. The dataset may be encrypted according to a standard and transmitted offboard for later analysis, or analyzed onboard if immediate analysis is required.

Abstract: A method approximates outlines of weather cells within the weather radar data using geometric shapes. The weather cells are filtered and clustered into clusters. The edges of the clusters are detected through an edge detection algorithm. Geometric shapes are fit to the edges of the clusters. The geometric shapes require significantly less bandwidth when transmitting over a communication channel, as compared to the weather radar data. The method saves the radar data with very few parameters and thus reduces the required memory for storage and required throughput for exchange.

Abstract: A baggage handling system is described. The baggage handling system may include cameras. Video from the cameras may be automatically monitored. The video may be automatically monitored in real time across the entire journey of the baggage. The baggage handling system may provide an automated approach to identify theft of airport bags\luggage without manual effort required by humans. The bags may then be safely transported through an airport without theft or tampering. The automated surveillance and responding system may not depend on airport staff to monitor for baggage theft. The automated surveillance and responding system may detect multiple types of baggage theft/tampering.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for time synchronization and message scheduling among network elements involving wireless nodes, data controllers, and a network manager. The network manager provides configuration information for the data controllers and the wireless nodes. The wireless node includes a timing circuit with a duty cycle which is initially configured based on the configuration information. Subsequent to the initial configuration, the network manager schedules polling requests for the data controller to transmit to the wireless nodes based on a time at which sensor data is received from the wireless nodes, thereby correcting for timer drift.

Abstract: A system and method for generating an enhanced set of NOTAMs. The system and method include converting one or more abbreviated terms of a NOTAM text of the NOTAM into one or more respective expanded terms. The system and method include applying a set of capitalization rules to the NOTAM text. The system and method include emphasizing a portion of each word of the NOTAM text based on one or more emphasizing rules, where words are terms with only letters. The system and method include directing at least a portion of the enhanced set of NOTAMs to be at least one of displayed via a display or physically printed by a printer.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is described. The UAV includes functions such as geo-location-based approvals, targeted system updates and dynamic rule enforcements, authentical, internet protocol (IP) whitelisting, and application control. The functions are controlled from the firmware level. The functions may ensure a highly secure and controlled embedded system on the UAV in the event an application of the UAV is compromised by a third party. UEFI is used to provide a tamper proof way of enforcing permitted flights on authorized equipment.

Abstract: A circuit card assembly is described. The circuit card assembly adapts a host circuit card assembly of a host device with an expansion card. By such adaption, the host device may communicate with an access point of an avionics network. The circuit card assembly includes an interface for receiving power from the host circuit card assembly. The circuit card assembly then continuously and selectively provides power to a second interface based on the availability of aircraft power. The second interface receives the expansion card. The circuit card assembly also includes one or more coaxial RF connectors for receiving modulated signals from the expansion card. The circuit card assembly also includes an antenna which transmits radio waves based on the modulated signals. A system for communication to an access point of an avionics network includes the circuit card assembly.

Abstract: A method for coordinating Wireless Avionics Intra-Communication (WAIC) communications with a radio altimeter signal includes monitoring a frequency band and recording a sequence of time stamps, each time stamp of the sequence of time stamps corresponding to a time at which a strength of the radio altimeter signal exceeds a threshold signal strength in the frequency band. The method further includes calculating time stamp intervals between successive time stamps to produce a sequence of time stamp intervals, and identifying a pattern of time stamp intervals in the sequence of time stamp intervals. The method further includes coordinating the WAIC communications with the pattern of time stamp intervals to avoid interference with the radio altimeter signal.

Abstract: A system and method are provided to support accommodating safe integration of small unmanned aircraft systems (sUASs) into the National Airspace Structure in the United States and to augment previously untracked aircraft positions by opportunistically acquiring their position information and forwarding this information to other systems for display. The disclosed schemes integrate automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) capabilities in sUASs by providing an ADS-B receiver on the small unmanned aircraft or in association with a ground-based sUAS control and communication workstation. Processing of the ADS-B information is integrated with processing of acquired information on sUAS aerial platform operations. Processed integrated information is displayed locally on the workstation and transmitted to other facilities to be remotely displayed.

Abstract: A system and method are provided to support accommodating safe integration of small unmanned aircraft systems (sUASs) into the National Airspace Structure in the United States and to augment previously untracked aircraft positions by opportunistically acquiring their position information and forwarding this information to other systems for display. The disclosed schemes integrate automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) capabilities in sUASs by providing an ADS-B receiver on the small unmanned aircraft or in association with a ground-based sUAS control and communication workstation. Processing of the ADS-B information is integrated with processing of acquired information on sUAS aerial platform operations. Processed integrated information is displayed locally on the workstation and transmitted to other facilities to be remotely displayed.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to intelligently employ antenna resources in a manner that may reduce interference between communications signals even in instances where multiple separate frequency band communications need to be supported in a vehicle of limited size. A manifold antenna system is proposed that provides a scheme and a physical construct whereby multiple individual radio receiver/transmitter units may share a limited number of transmitting and receiving antennas. The disclosed manifold antenna system is particularly adaptable to aircraft, spacecraft, vessel or vehicle applications where there is limited room for mounting a number of individual antennas as may be needed to support each radio receiver/transmitter unit in an effort to minimize an amount of interference as is conventionally caused by having transmitting antennas located in too close a proximity to receiving antennas.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for tracking passengers at a travel facility and may include receiving captured facial recognition features of a passenger using a first facial recognition camera at a first known location, determining if the captured facial recognition features of the passenger are stored in a database, wherein if the captured facial recognition features of the passenger are not stored in the database, starting a timer, receiving captured facial recognition features of the passenger using a second facial recognition camera at a second known location, stopping the timer, determining the amount of elapsed time between the received captured facial recognition features of the passenger using the first facial recognition camera at the first known location and the receiving captured facial recognition features of the passenger using the second facial recognition camera at the second known location, outputting the determined amount of elapsed time to at least one or more.

Abstract: A system and method are provided to support safe integration of small unmanned aircraft systems (sUASs) into the National Airspace Structure in the United States. Substantially real-time data communication provides interested parties with an ability to communicate directly with an operator of the sUAS during system operations. Individual interactive user interfaces are used to implement two way text-like messaging directly with the sUAS control console to enhance safety and reduce conflicts with operations of the sUAS. When an instance arises in which an air traffic controller needs to advise an sUAS operator regarding an unauthorized sUAS mission or a requirement to keep an sUAS clear of a specific block of airspace or specific geographic location due to an immediate, emergent and/or unforeseen event, a means is provided by which to more effectively and more quickly communicate directly with the sUAS operator.

Abstract: A method for using an Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) located on an aircraft to communicate with a remote aircraft system data communications unit concerning aircraft systems problems and malfunctions, is disclosed. The method may include receiving aircraft systems data from one or more aircraft systems, identifying any problems or malfunctions in the aircraft systems, automatically communicating any identified problems or malfunctions in the aircraft systems to the remote aircraft system data communications unit, receiving information concerning a solution to the identified problems or malfunctions in the aircraft systems from the remote aircraft system data communications unit, and implementing the solution to the identified problems or malfunctions in the aircraft systems.

Abstract: A system and method are provided to support safe integration of small unmanned aircraft systems (sUASs) into the National Airspace Structure in the United States. Substantially real-time data communication provides interested parties with an ability to communicate directly with an operator of the sUAS during system operations. Individual interactive user interfaces are used to implement two way text-like messaging directly with the sUAS control console to enhance safety and reduce conflicts with operations of the sUAS. When an instance arises in which an air traffic controller needs to advise an sUAS operator regarding an unauthorized sUAS mission or a requirement to keep an sUAS clear of a specific block of airspace or specific geographic location due to an immediate, emergent and/or unforeseen event, a means is provided by which to more effectively and more quickly communicate directly with the sUAS operator.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for converting radio communication signals between a Digital Fixed Station Interface (DFSI) Internet Protocol (IP) APCO P25 standard communications format and binary serial data protocol standard communications. Received serial binary data may be evaluated, separated into control information and data payloads, and converted to DFSI IP standard data. Incoming and outgoing data communications are processed by implementing decisions about how to handle the information contained in, or to be contained in, the incoming and outgoing data communications based upon the substance, or overarching format, of the data contained in individual data packets, or serial bit streams. In embodiments, decisions and determinations regarding the information include determining that the information is damaged or corrupted and therefore not available to be converted. The data may be discarded based on such a determination.

Abstract: A system and method are provided to support accommodating safe integration of small unmanned aircraft systems (sUASs) into the National Airspace Structure in the United States. A specifically-tailored service is provided to address a change of paradigm from aircraft-based avionics/capabilities to a ground-based solution centered on the sUAS control station that is typically employed to manage an sUAS mission and/or flight. Appropriate software, server and system components are integrated into an interactive, easy-to-use, web-based tool that provides interested parties with real-time, graphical flight-following information to acquire position information regarding an sUAS platform from the control console for the sUAS platform. The acquired position information is forwarded to a separate server that can augment and provide graphical display of the sUAS intended route of flight (flight planned route).