Abstract: There is presented a system and method for providing aircraft runway guidance. One delineated runway alert system for a host aircraft comprises: a processor for executing one or more instructions that implement one or more functions of the runway alert system; a data storage device including geographical runway information; a receiver for obtaining current location data of the host aircraft; an apparatus to provide a current heading of the host aircraft; a data entry device for receiving data indicating a desired runway; memory for storing the one or more instructions for execution by the processor to implement the one or more functions of the runway alert system to: receive the identity of the desired runway; provide an indicia of: the desired runway; and the position of the host aircraft in relation to the desired runway.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention sets forth a method for modulating a signal to include broadcast data, modulating the signal to include an overlay message comprising an address and data for an intended recipient, and transmitting the modulated signal including both the broadcast data and the overlay message including the address and data for the intended recipient. Another embodiment of the present invention sets forth a method for modulating a plurality of signal transmissions to include broadcast data, modulating the plurality of signal transmissions with an overlay message wherein the overlay message comprises a respective plurality of data segments, and transmitting the plurality of signal transmissions including both the broadcast data and the overlay message including the respective plurality of data segments. Further embodiments of the present invention set forth additional methods and related systems.

Abstract: A system is delineated comprising a display and a receiver coupled to the display for receiving data for presenting on the display, the data representing spoken VHF messages.

Abstract: A system is delineated comprising a processor, a transceiver coupled to the processor, and memory including instructions for execution by the processor to send with the transceiver meteorological data, 4-D position data, velocity data, and time and configuration data to a provided ATC ground station.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides a collision avoidance system for a host aircraft comprising a plurality of sensors for providing data about other aircraft that may be employed to determine one or more parameters to calculate future positions of the other aircraft, a processor to determine whether any combinations of the calculated future positions of the other aircraft are correlated or uncorrelated, and a collision avoidance module that uses the correlated or uncorrelated calculated future positions to provide a signal instructing the performance of a collision avoidance maneuver when a collision threat exists between the host aircraft and at least one of the other aircraft.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose systems and methods for providing an enhanced data link using overlaid modulation. Through embodiments of the present invention, existing ATC (or other) modulated signals using existing standard frequencies may be utilized to transmit (e.g., from an aircraft transponder) additional information in a manner that does not render the transmitted signal unrecognizable by legacy ATC equipment. Legacy equipment will be able to demodulate and decode information that was encoded in the transmitted signal in accordance with preexisting standard modulation formats, and updated equipment can also extract the additional information that was overlaid on transmitted signals.

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: A method according to the present invention includes transmitting a Mode S interrogation and receiving a response from an aircraft that has received the Mode S interrogation. A range to the aircraft is determined based on a time period between transmitting the Mode S interrogation and receiving the response. The method further includes receiving information from one or more data sources and determining at least one of a bearing to the aircraft and a position of the aircraft using the determined range and the information from the one or more data sources. Information can be received from any number (or type) of data sources, such as ADS-B-equipped aircraft.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose systems and methods for providing an avionics overlay data link. Through embodiments of the present invention, existing ATC (or other) modulated signals using existing frequencies (or other frequencies) may be utilized to transmit (e.g., from an aircraft transponder) additional information in a manner that does not render the transmitted signal unrecognizable by legacy ATC equipment. In various embodiments, legacy equipment may demodulate and decode information that was encoded in the transmitted signal in accordance with preexisting standard modulation formats, and updated equipment can also extract the additional information that was overlaid on transmitted signals.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide for an overall hardware and software approach to Mode-S demodulation, especially where the Mode-S signals (such as squitters) have been modulated with multiple modulation protocols. Various implementations utilize coherent phase detection, since coherently detecting phase transitions in a multiple modulated signal results in better sensitivity and improved interference rejection over non-coherent modulation techniques. Further, addressing the demodulation of multiply-modulated signals may also be approached in embodiments of the present invention as a unified demodulation system, rather than disjoint demodulation of the separately modulated protocols.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose systems and methods for providing an ATC Overlay data link. Through embodiments of the present invention, existing ATC (or other) modulated signals using existing standard frequencies may be utilized to transmit (e.g., from an aircraft transponder) additional information in a manner that does not render the transmitted signal unrecognizable by legacy ATC equipment. Legacy equipment will be able to demodulate and decode information that was encoded in the transmitted signal in accordance with preexisting standard modulation formats, and updated equipment can also extract the additional information that was overlaid on transmitted signals.

Abstract: There are presented various approaches to monitor performance of RF systems and circuitry such as those used in aircraft transponders. Such monitoring may be designed to verify operational performance of transponders as set forth by FAA regulations, or may be used to periodically or continually monitor integrity of transponder performance. Data may be collected by such periodic or continual monitoring, and may be analyzed to identify potentially troublesome trends in transponder performance, allowing early intervention or repair, if warranted.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides a collision avoidance system for a host aircraft comprising a plurality of sensors for providing data about other aircraft that may be employed to determine one or more parameters to calculate future positions of the other aircraft, a processor to determine whether any combinations of the calculated future positions of the other aircraft are correlated or uncorrelated, and a collision avoidance module that uses the correlated or uncorrelated calculated future positions to provide a signal instructing the performance of a collision avoidance maneuver when a collision threat exists between the host aircraft and at least one of the other aircraft.

Abstract: A method of transmitting from a traffic alert and collision avoidance system (TCAS) directional antenna, the TCAS directional antenna including a plurality of antenna elements connected to an integrated beam forming network, according to various aspects of the present invention comprises: providing a signal to each input of the integrated beam forming network, wherein each signal is of equal phase and equal amplitude to result in transmitting omnidirectionally from the TCAS directional antenna.

Abstract: A transmitter provides a plurality of output signals. The transmitter includes a processor, a modulator, a first circuit, and a second circuit. The modulator provides a modulated signal responsive to the processor. The modulated signal includes an amplitude modulated radio frequency for transmitting a pulse. The first circuit provides a first output signal, responsive to and with higher power than the modulated signal. The first output signal has a first phase during transmitting of the pulse. The second circuit provides a second output signal, responsive to and with higher power than the modulated signal. The second output signal has a second phase during transmitting of the pulse. The second phase is controlled by the second circuit in accordance with the first phase, the second phase, and indicia of a third phase provided by the processor.

Abstract: A system according to one aspect of the present invention includes two or more computer systems, the two or more computer systems each comprising a processor, a data interface, and a memory. The two or more computer systems are in communication with each other through the respective data interfaces of each of the two or more computer systems. Each memory of the two or more computer systems stores instructions that, when executed by its respective processor, cause the processor to perform at least a portion of one or more automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) processes.

Abstract: A method according to an aspect of the present invention includes determining a phase offset by simultaneously providing a calibration signal to a first element of an antenna and a second element of the antenna opposite the first element. The method further includes receiving an intermix signal by a third element of the antenna, measuring an amplitude characteristic for the intermix signal, and determining a phase offset based on the amplitude characteristic. The phase offset can be used to adjust a signal provided to the first element so that it is in phase with the signal provided to the second element. This method can account for phase errors due to the construction or design of the antenna, and allows antenna elements to be calibrated without the need for phase detector devices.

Abstract: A method of transmitting from a traffic alert and collision avoidance system (TCAS) directional antenna, the TCAS directional antenna including a plurality of antenna elements connected to an integrated beam forming network, according to various aspects of the present invention comprises: providing a signal to each input of the integrated beam forming network, wherein each signal is of equal phase and equal amplitude to result in transmitting omnidirectionally from the TCAS directional antenna.

Abstract: There is provided an avionics system that provides several avionics functions within a single LRU. In one embodiment, the system comprises a software-configurable RF assembly, one or more processor assemblies that are configured to provide multiple TAWS/TCAS/Mode S/ADS-B/ATC functions, interfaces to allow connections to aircraft electronics and data loaders, and multipurpose antennas. In one embodiment, a common processor architecture allows generic avionics processors to be configured to operate a number of TAWS/TCAS/Mode S/ADS-B/ATC functions without the need for multiple LRUs, and software-defined RF functions allow RF circuitry that interfaces to the processors to handle current and future communication needs.

Abstract: A transmitter provides a plurality of output signals. The transmitter includes a processor, a modulator, a first circuit, and a second circuit. The modulator provides a modulated signal responsive to the processor. The modulated signal includes an amplitude modulated radio frequency for transmitting a pulse. The first circuit provides a first output signal, responsive to and with higher power than the modulated signal. The first output signal has a first phase during transmitting of the pulse. The second circuit provides a second output signal, responsive to and with higher power than the modulated signal. The second output signal has a second phase during transmitting of the pulse. The second phase is controlled by the second circuit in accordance with the first phase, the second phase, and indicia of a third phase provided by the processor.