Abstract: An autonomous distress tracking system for an aircraft is described. The system can include a transponder configured to transmit radio frequency (RF) emissions and an RF detector unit configured to detect the RF emissions. The system can further include an alert system that is in communication with the RF detector unit and be configured to activate a distress radio beacon if no RF emissions are detected within a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide for the detection/identification of objects near a rotary-wing/VTOL aircraft such as a helicopter, drone, or an eVTOL (electric Vertical Take Off & Landing) aircraft using LiDAR. Various aspects of the present invention may include installation of one or more LiDAR devices on a mast of a rotor system of a rotary-wing/VTOL aircraft. The LiDAR device(s) may be pointing outward from the central axis of the mast and may be aligned to avoid interference form the rotor blades. Multiple LiDAR devices may be oriented/pointed above, below or in-plane with the rotor system. As the mast rotates, the LiDAR is pulsed providing a range to objects near the rotor system as the LiDAR emitted beams are scanned through the 360 degree rotation of the rotor mast. A processor determines whether objects detected within the detection envelope/volume represent a threat or hazard condition to the aircraft.

Abstract: There are provided systems and methods for providing a barometric altitude monitor that assist pilots by providing alerts when a barometric altitude of the ownship aircraft is may be incorrect. Various embodiments of the present invention determine whether significant errors in barometric altitude occur though comparisons to alternate altitude information sources. Through aspects of the present invention, errors arising from manual entry of barometric pressure information by a pilot may be identified before safety issues arise, thus helping to prevent events such as controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).

Abstract: There is presented systems and methods to present air traffic and other related hazards on a flight deck display in a manner that presents relevant aircraft that may be of interest to flight deck personnel at a future time, accompanied with decluttering the display by removing information pertaining to aircraft that are of lesser impact to the safe navigation of an ownship aircraft. The improved avionics system of the present invention can make decisions that are more intelligent on how to best present traffic information to a flight crew in a manner that improves upon the prior hardware processes and increases efficiency of operation of the avionics hardware and processing system by presenting relevant information and suppressing unnecessary computation and modification of display elements.

Abstract: Various avionics systems may benefit from repeaters. For example, an ADS-B In traffic display repeater system may be useful for, for example, retrofit aircraft. A system, according to certain embodiments, can include a traffic awareness computer of an aircraft. The system can also include an aircraft interface device. The system can further include a data bus configured to convey data from the traffic awareness computer to the aircraft interface device. The data conveyed can be configured to permit repetition of one or more displays of a cockpit of the aircraft on a tablet computer.

Abstract: Various avionics systems may benefit from appropriate integration of distance measurement equipment, traffic collision avoidance systems, and transponders, with the distance measurement equipment using a dedicated antenna. A system can include a transponder processor. The system can also include a top antenna receiver configured to connect to a top antenna. The transponder processor can be configured to communicate using the top antenna. The system can also include a bottom antenna receiver configured to connect to a first bottom antenna, wherein the transponder processor is configured to communicate using the first bottom antenna. The system can further include a distance measure equipment processor integrated with the transponder processor and configured to measure distance using a second bottom antenna.

Abstract: Computer assistance in interval management may be beneficial in a number of ways. For example, digital communication of interval management instructions or information related to interval management may beneficially be communicated to aircraft with respect to other aircraft. This information may be communicated overlaid on air traffic control (ATC) communications, or otherwise. A method can include, for example, obtaining a spacing goal for an aircraft relative to a target aircraft. The method can also include determining clearance instructions for the aircraft, wherein the speed guidance is based on the spacing goal. The method can further include transmitting the clearance instructions in a computer-readable format to the aircraft. The instructions can be provided by an overlay-modulated signal of a provided modulated ATC signal. The instructions can be configured to enable control of the aircraft to achieve the spacing goal.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention delineates a method for relaying information between a first transceiver and a second provided transceiver. The method comprises generating a signal for transmission from the first transceiver to the second provided transceiver. The method also modulates the signal with a first data pattern, the first data pattern comprising aircraft state data. The method also modulates the signal with a second data pattern, the second data pattern comprising information other than aircraft state data. The method also transmits the signal including both the first data pattern and the second data pattern from the first transceiver to the second provided transceiver. Other related system and method embodiments are set forth.

Abstract: There are provided systems and methods for enhancing wake turbulence situational awareness in the cockpit of an aircraft. In one aspect, transmissions from a lead aircraft are received and stored by a trailing aircraft to allow the trailing aircraft to create a history of the lead aircraft's position for the purposes of, among other things, determining the relative positioning of the lead and the trailing aircraft (or trailing aircraft's) flight paths and relative altitudes. From this determination, better situational information can be displayed to the flight crew to aid in wake turbulence avoidance.

Abstract: An autonomous distress tracking system for an aircraft is described. The system can include a transponder configured to transmit radio frequency (RF) emissions and an RF detector unit configured to detect the RF emissions. The system can further include an alert system that is in communication with the RF detector unit and be configured to activate a distress radio beacon if no RF emissions are detected within a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: Various communication systems may benefit from enhanced reception methods. For example, various transponders and surveillance systems may benefit from reception methods that can distinguish between overlapping pulses from multiple sources. A method can include receiving, at an antenna, a first series of pulses from a first source. The method can also include receiving, at the antenna, a second series of pulses from a second source. The first series and the second series can at least partially overlap each other. The method can further include de-interleaving the first series from the second series using at least one non-time-domain technique.

Abstract: A distributed antenna system of an aircraft includes first and second antennas and corresponding first and second remote transceiver units (RTUs). Each RTU receives a radio signal from the corresponding antenna and includes a field-programmable gate array (FPGA)/digital signal processor (DSP). The FPGA/DSP of a second RTU receives a second signal corresponding to the radio signal from the second antenna and receives a first signal from the first RTU corresponding to the radio signal from the first antenna. The FPGA/DSP of a second RTU determines which of the first and second antennae will transmit a reply to an interrogation included in the radio signals from the first and second antennae, based on a comparison of the first signal and the second signal.

Abstract: Various communication systems may benefit from enhanced reception methods. For example, various transponders and surveillance systems may benefit from reception methods that can distinguish between overlapping pulses from multiple sources. A method can include receiving, at an antenna, a first series of pulses from a first source. The method can also include receiving, at the antenna, a second series of pulses from a second source. The first series and the second series can at least partially overlap each other. The method can further include de-interleaving the first series from the second series using at least one non-time-domain technique.

Abstract: A method according to the present invention includes calculating, based on a reported position of a vehicle, a probability that an actual position of the vehicle is within a region of interest. The method further includes determining whether a threat of a collision exists between the vehicle and an object based on the probability that the actual position of the vehicle is within the region of interest and a reported position of the object. The method further includes generating an alert if it is determined a threat of a collision exists between the vehicle and the object.

Abstract: Various communication systems may benefit from suitable use of redundancy. For example, surveillance systems in avionics applications may benefit from having functional redundancy. A system can include a collision avoidance or alerting system function in wired connection to a directional antenna. The system can also include a first mode-S transponder function in wired connection to the directional antenna. The system can further include a second mode-S transponder function in wired connection to the directional antenna, wherein the first mode-S transponder function is independent from the second mode-S transponder function.

Abstract: Various navigation and other instrumentation systems may benefit from appropriate methods for display of traffic. For example, certain avionics systems may benefit from systems and methods for providing an ADS-B In display and control system. A system can include a traffic computer, such as a Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) computer. The system can also include a TCAS traffic display, the traffic computer is configured to display Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) In information on the TCAS traffic display. Optionally, the system can further include a graphical ADS-B In Guidance Display (AGD) operationally connected to the traffic computer. The system can additionally include a Multi-Purpose Control Display Unit (MCDU) operationally connected to the traffic computer. The TCAS traffic display and MCDU, and optionally the graphical AGD, can be configured to substitute for a Cockpit Display of Traffic Information (CDTI).

Abstract: A system is delineated comprising a processor for performing operations for the system; memory for storing an operating system and one or more applications, the one or more applications including at least one application requiring certification by a certifying authority for use on the system and at least one application not requiring certification by the certifying authority for use on the system; and an application for use in conjunction with a provided processor external to and not part of the system to determine if the at least one application requiring certification is being interfered with or not executing properly. In certain instances, this system may comprise a class 1 electronic flight bag (EFB) or a class 2 EFB. Related methods are also described.

Abstract: Various avionics systems may benefit from providing remote L-band smart antennas. For example, smart antennas may be used in connection with transponders and other avionics equipment. The smart antenna may incorporate functionality that may obviate the need for coaxial RF cabling. According to certain embodiments, an avionics system may include an antenna having at least a radio frequency function included therewith. The avionics system may also include a data bus connecting the antenna to a digital receiver at avionics processing hardware.

Abstract: Various wireless systems may benefit from suitable sharing of antennas and related equipment. For example a various avionics systems may benefit from systems and methods for providing a distance measurement equipment L-band shared antenna. Circuitry can include an interface to a bottom omni-directional antenna. The circuitry can also include a radio frequency splitter in switchable communication with the interface to the bottom omni-directional antenna. The circuitry can further include an interface between the radio frequency splitter and a distance measurement equipment receiver. The circuitry can additionally include an interface between the radio frequency splitter and a surveillance receiver.

Abstract: An autonomous distress tracking system for an aircraft is described. The system can include a transponder configured to transmit radio frequency (RF) emissions and an RF detector unit configured to detect the RF emissions. The system can further include an alert system that is in communication with the RF detector unit and be configured to activate a distress radio beacon if no RF emissions are detected within a predetermined period of time.