Abstract: A system for enhancing flight safety of a host aircraft receives an adjustment value from a portable memory device; determines a working value of a parameter in accordance with the adjustment value; and provides an advice for threat avoidance in accordance with the working value of the parameter, a terrain database, and an expected climb gradient capability of the host aircraft. The adjustment value may describe an adjustment to at least one of: an aircraft capability parameter, a flight crew capability parameter, a mission parameter, a threat detection technique parameter, a threat advice parameter, or a threat avoidance parameter. Threats include a risk of colliding with other aircraft, colliding with terrain, and encountering adverse weather conditions.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus, method, and computer-executable program for detecting antenna failures in directional antennas. In particular, the present invention compares a bearing calculated from received positional data concerning a target to the bearing of the target determined using the directional antenna. If the calculated bearing and the determined bearing differ by greater than a predetermined amount, it is determined that there is an antenna failure. In this way, bearing information determined by the directional antenna is compared against a piece of known data in order to determine if the antenna is functioning properly.

Abstract: A method is described for controlling customer installations of software or data by providing to the customer an encrypted list of authorized installation targets, whereby the installation program reads and decrypts the list, and only allows installation to proceed if the customer's installation target has a serial number that matches one of the vendor-provided serial numbers in the authorization list. Provision is also made for allowing customers to add serial numbers to the list, within constraints predetermined by the software vendor. Also provided is a method for a customer to perform a predetermined number of installations, whereby the software maintains and decrements a counter in an encrypted file on a storage medium, keeping track of how many remaining installations a customer may perform.

Abstract: Systems and methods relate to an aircraft with a CAS that may be employed to enhance pilot awareness. The CAS may be employed on a formation member aircraft to provide a TA that is distinctive for an intruding formation member aircraft, as opposed to a TA provided as a result of an intruding nonmember aircraft. The CAS may also provide a plurality of status indications for aircraft engaged in airborne refueling, as well as aural indications of the present mode of operation for the CAS.

Abstract: A system for transmitting into a shared medium includes a processor, a transmitter, and a receiver. The processor is coupled to the transmitter for transmitting in a manner, at a time, and at a power level as directed by the processor. The processor determines from cooperation with the receiver the number of transmitters expected to be sharing the medium at a future time when transmitting is desired; prescribes a total power for a plurality of transmissions; and prescribes a maximum power for individual transmissions of various types.

Abstract: A subsystem of an avionics system is operated in a first mode for receiving software via a port; and in a second mode in accordance with a circuit that includes a terminator coupled to the port. By using the terminator to convey information regarding a desired configuration for operation in the second mode, communication and wiring is avoided between subsystems of the avionics system for conveying such information. In one implementation, operation in the second mode includes performing a collision avoidance function (e.g., providing a TCAS advisory). Configuration information in accordance with the circuit may specify an arrangement of shared antennas between multiple transponders and/or mode changes related to using an antenna for a collision avoidance function in a hijack mode of operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recording data concerning a system is provided. The apparatus comprises a memory card, such as a COMPACTFLASH card, and a processor unit, such as a T2CAS processor unit. The memory card includes a supplemental file that contains instructions as to what data is to be recorded and when the recording should start and stop. To conserve space the supplemental file is written as a sequence of hexadecimal characters whose position in the sequence and binary bit value indicates which data is to be recorded and when. A lookup table can be used to interpret the supplemental file. The processor unit includes or is coupled to a memory card reader/writer.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for preventing aircraft collisions with forward looking terrain avoidance (FLTA) functionality based on a terrain avoidance profile used to evaluate potential terrain threats based on the projected flight path of an aircraft in flight, and a clear terrain profile to determine whether the terrain threat has been cleared. If the terrain avoidance profile conflicts with terrain, a collision threat may exist whereby the pilot is notified and a terrain avoidance maneuver is executed. During the terrain avoidance maneuver the clear terrain profile extends in a direction substantially parallel with the horizon at or near the present altitude of the aircraft to check whether it is safe to return to the previous flight path angle or otherwise end the terrain-avoiding maneuver. When the clear terrain profile no longer conflicts with the terrain threat, a terrain clear indicator is then issued to the pilot.

Abstract: A system, according to various aspects of the present invention, provides a presentation to a hazard display. The system includes a memory having surveillance data and a processor. The processor updates an image in accordance with the surveillance data to provide an updated image. The processor also prepares a presentation in accordance with the updated image. The processor further provides the presentation to the hazard display. At least one of updating, preparing, and providing utilize a first scan mode for a hazardous region of the presentation and a second scan mode for a nonhazardous region of the presentation.

Abstract: A display system is disclosed for displaying air traffic symbology from a plurality of different types of air traffic surveillance systems on a single monitor. A display device includes a processor for generating display symbology from TCAS, SKE and ADS-B information, and a monitor for displaying the generated symbology in a uniform format.

Abstract: A method for displaying horizontally aligned characters on a radial display is disclosed. Each range bin for each scan line is associated with a rectangular grid location to determine the character located in the grid location and the background color and foreground color for the grid location. A font matrix corresponding to the appropriate character is then used to determine if the range bin corresponds to one of the pixels that make up the character or if the range bin corresponds to a background pixel. This determines if the range bin is assigned the foreground color or background color. The method is done for each range bin value and for each scan line. The range bin and scan line information is sent to a display.

Abstract: A method for displaying horizontally aligned characters on a radial display is disclosed. Each range bin for each scan line is associated with a rectangular grid location to determine the character located in the grid location and the background color and foreground color for the grid location. A font matrix corresponding to the appropriate character is then used to determine if the range bin corresponds to one of the pixels that make up the character or if the range bin corresponds to a background pixel. This determines if the range bin is assigned the foreground color or background color. The method is done for each range bin value and for each scan line. The range bin and scan line information is sent to a display.

Abstract: A terrain warning system includes an indicator to inform a pilot of a proposed degree of flight parameters for safely clearing terrain. An aural message may identify a vertical speed that may be used to safely traverse terrain to the pilot. A visual indicator on a display informs the pilot of a vertical speed or climb angle to traverse terrain. The display may be a vertical speed indicator also capable of displaying traffic advisories.

Abstract: A display system is disclosed for displaying air traffic symbology from a plurality of different types of air traffic surveillance systems on a single monitor. A display device includes a processor for generating display symbology from TCAS, SKE and ADS-B information, and a monitor for displaying the generated symbology in a uniform format.

Abstract: A system having replaceable subsystems is operable in a certified configuration after installation of a replacement subsystem. The system includes several subsystems each installed at an interface. For each subsystem, the interface includes memory having a description of the operating environment for that subsystem. The memory stores modules each having a signature, for example, a cyclic redundancy code (CRC). After installation of a replacement subsystem, a processor in the subsystem checks a list of signatures. Each signature corresponds to a module that is certified for use by an application program of the subsystem. If a listed signature corresponds to a module that is available in the memory, is desirable to be used, and the subsystem is not presently configured to use such a module, the subsystem reads the module, integrates the data of the module into an operating configuration, and operates thereafter in accordance with the updated operating configuration.

Abstract: A traffic collision avoidance system has a transponder with an interrogation monitoring engine for receiving interrogations and an interrogation response engine for inhibiting responses to the interrogations if the interrogations are air traffic control interrogations and the transponder is in a quiet mode. Typically the transponder enters quiet mode during military formation flight if the aircraft in which the transponder is installed is not a tail or lead member of the formation.

Abstract: A surveillance and collision avoidance system provides a presentation of situational awareness information for display that includes a compound symbol for each target spaced at a distance and bearing relative to a host symbol. The target compound symbol includes indicia of (a) whether the target is airborne or on the ground; (b) whether the target is a civil aircraft, a military aircraft identified as a formation member with the host aircraft, or a military aircraft not identified as a formation member with the host aircraft; (c) whether a ground track for the target is unknown, known by passive surveillance, or known by active surveillance; (d) for civil aircraft, whether the target is the subject of no advisory, a traffic advisory, or a resolution advisory; and (e) for a military aircraft, whether the target is the subject of no encroachment advisory, an unintended encroachment advisory, or an intended encroachment advisory. Subsystems selectively use an active or a passive mode of surveillance.

Abstract: A display system is disclosed for displaying air traffic symbology from a plurality of different types of air traffic surveillance systems on a single monitor. A display device includes a processor for generating display symbology from TCAS, SKE and ADS-B information, and a monitor for displaying the generated symbology in a uniform format.

Abstract: A formation collision avoidance system includes a Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) having a passive mode and an active mode. The passive mode enables several members of an aircraft formation to fly without actively interrogating using TCAS while only one or few formation members are actively interrogating. Formation members in passive mode maintain awareness of current air and ground traffic conditions using networked surveillance information provided over a communications link between formation members in active mode and formation members in passive mode. The networked surveillance information includes positional and intent information of current air/ground traffic obtained from ADS-B broadcasts and replies to the actively interrogating members of the formation. The communications link utilizes Station Keeping Equipment (SKE) already existing on certain aircraft.

Abstract: A system having replaceable subsystems is operable in a certified configuration after installation of a replacement subsystem. The system includes several subsystems each installed at an interface. For each subsystem, the interface includes memory having a description of the operating environment for that subsystem. The memory stores modules each having a signature, for example, a cyclic redundancy code (CRC). A method performed by a subsystem of the plurality includes, in any order, (a) obtaining data provided by the memory, the data comprising a multiplicity of respective pluralities of rows; (b) storing each respective plurality of rows so that all rows identified for each respective table may be accessed in series without accessing rows of any other than the respective table; and (c) communicating with other subsystems in accordance with rows of the tables. Each plurality of rows is identified for at least one particular table of a set of tables.