Abstract: Systems and methods for incorporating virtual network computing (“VNC”) into a cockpit display system (“CDS”) and controlling an aircraft system and a remote system simultaneously with a VNC-incorporated CDS are disclosed. A system for incorporating VNC into the CDS is comprised of a VNC server of a remote system, at least one first user application (“UA”), a second UA, a pilot input device, and a CDS comprised of, in part, a processing module (“PM”) configured with a method employing an aviation-industry standard protocol (e.g., ARINC 661) and a VNC protocol. A system for controlling the remote system aircraft system with a VNC-incorporated CDS is comprised with a VNC server of the aircraft system and/or the non-aircraft system, a UA, a pilot input device, a display surface format, and a CDS comprised of, in part, a PM configured with a method employing an aviation-industry standard protocol and a VNC protocol.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with a weather radar system having a radar antenna, the apparatus for mounting to an aircraft and for verifying terrain features shown on an electronic display, the terrain features based on terrain data from a terrain database. The apparatus includes processing electronics configured to receive radar return data from the weather radar system and configured to correlate the radar return data with the terrain data. The processing electronics using the correlation to provide an indication as to whether the terrain features displayed on the electronic display are correct or incorrect.

Abstract: In the examples described the forward-looking radar generated real-time terrain model (or in an alternative example in combination with a terrain database), can allow the use of a radio altimeter to compute aircraft vertical position relative to the runway threshold. Such a system typically provides improved accuracy for precision landings.

Abstract: Present novel and non-trivial methods for presenting traffic information are disclosed. In a first method, data representative of ownship position, first traffic, and second traffic are received by a traffic symbology generator (“TSG”). The traffic is divided into zones and a correlation between the targets of the traffic is determined. A traffic symbology data set is generated by the TSG based upon the results of the correlation(s). In a second method, data representative of ownship position and first traffic, runway references, and a selectable display range are received by the TSG. The traffic is divided into zones, and a traffic symbology data set is generated by the TSG thereafter. In a third method, data representative of ownship position and first traffic are received by the TSG. The traffic is divided into zones, and a traffic symbology data set is generated by the TSG thereafter.

Abstract: A system and methods for generating alerts in a terrain awareness and warning system (“TAWS”) in an aircraft, using data acquired from a forward-looking radar The system comprises a forward-looking imaging device, an airport database, a navigation system, a forward-looking terrain alert (“FLTA”) processor, and a crew alerting system. The FLTA processor determines a measured clearance altitude of a highest cell within an area and compares it with a required minimum clearance altitude; if the measured altitude is equal or less than the required altitude, the crew is alerted. Alternatively, a terrain database may be used. with the FLTA processor for determining if the aircraft descends below the minimum operating altitude or is predicted to do so and then generating an alert. A method is disclosed for generating TAWS alerts using elevation angle measured by the forward-looking radar and terrain data retrieved from a terrain database.

Abstract: Novel and non-trivial systems and methods for incorporating virtual network computing (“VNC”) into a cockpit display system (“CDS”) and controlling an aircraft system with a VNC-incorporated CDS are disclosed. A system for incorporating VNC into the CDS is comprised of a VNC server of an aircraft system, at least one first user application (“UA”), a second UA, a pilot input device, and a CDS comprised of, in part, a processing module (“PM”) configured with a corresponding method that employs both an aviation-industry standard protocol (e.g., ARINC 661) and a VNC protocol. A system for controlling an aircraft system with a VNC-incorporated CDS is comprised with a VNC server of an aircraft system, a UA, a pilot input device, a display surface format, and a CDS comprised of, in part, a PM configured with a corresponding method that employs both an aviation-industry standard protocol and a VNC protocol.

Abstract: A present novel and non-trivial system, module, and method for generating an image of a flight route corridor displayed an aircraft display unit. A processor generates an image data set using navigation data and object data, where object data includes terrain and obstacle data. The image data set is determined using the object data and flight route corridor data, wherein the flight route corridor data is determined by applying navigation and object data to flight route corridor design criteria. The image data set is provided to a display unit to display a flight route corridor and at least one “offending” object against the background of the scene outside the aircraft, where offending objects include those objects penetrating an obstacle clearance surface and those objects penetrating the flight route corridor. The depiction of the flight route corridor and offending objects may be enhanced with the use of highlighters.

Abstract: Another embodiment of the disclosure relates to an altitude system for an aircraft. The aircraft radar system includes a processor configured to determine an altitude of the aircraft using runway position information, and an angle to the runway associated with a radar beam to the runway. The angle to the runway is being determined using a pointing angle of the antenna adjusted with an angular offset. The angular offset is determined from phase processing.

Abstract: Present novel and non-trivial systems and methods for generating aircraft height data are disclosed. A processor is configured to receive both first data comprised of radar-based reflection data of a stationary reference point based upon a horizontal distance between the geographic position of an aircraft and the geographic position of the stationary reference point (e.g., landing threshold point) and second data comprised of internally sourced vertical travel data more frequently than the first data. From the first data and second data, an instant vertical distance above the stationary reference point is determined by updating the first data with the second data. Then, instant height data representative of the instant vertical distance above the stationary reference point is generated. Provided with the instant height data, a presentation system comprised of display unit, aural alert unit and/or a tactile alert unit may present the instant vertical distance to the pilot.

Abstract: The present examples provide circuits, systems, processes, and the like for providing precision course guidance, typically for improved positive course guidance below published minimum descent altitude or decision altitude, including just in time calculations of obstacle free flight paths. The calculated flight path may be presented in the context of a synthetic scene of the environment surrounding the aircraft. To provide precision course guidance, exemplary avionics systems, processes and the like, as described below may be utilized.

Abstract: A system for controlling access to an aircraft system by a portable electronic device attempting to connect to the aircraft system via an aircraft-based wireless network includes a reader configured to read first identification information from a first device. The system further includes communications electronics for the aircraft-based wireless network configured to receive second identification information from the portable electronic device. The system yet further includes a processing circuit configured to receive the first identification information from the reader and the second identification information from the communications electronics and to compare the first and second identification information. The processing circuit is configured to grant access to the aircraft system when the comparison indicates a match between the first and second identification information.

Abstract: A method for calculating a safe extraction path from a terrain-challenged airport that does not depend upon published procedures. The method includes the steps of: a) defining at least one containment zone for a circling climb departure path relative to a reference location; b) receiving aircraft performance data from an on-board flight management system; c) receiving air mass parameters from on-board aircraft sensors; d) calculating the maximum allowable climb altitude (MACA) utilizing the at least one containment zone, the received aircraft performance data, and the received air mass parameters; and, e) comparing the MACA to at least one selected safe departure altitude (SDA) to calculate the lowest possible descent altitude that can be achieved while ensuring that at least one safe extraction path exists.

Abstract: A present novel and non-trivial system, module, and method for varying the intensity of a visual aid depicted on an aircraft display unit. Visual aids could represent visible features such as markings on a runway surface. Data representative of visual aids may be provided by a navigation reference data source with errors inherent in the data which may be measured by one or more quality parameters. Also, errors associated with quality parameters are inherent in navigation data which provided positional information. Because of these errors, the depiction of visual aids on an egocentric display unit may appear misaligned with the corresponding visible feature. To compensate for the misalignment, an image generating processor generates visual aid data representative of at least one variable-intensity visual aid, wherein the intensity of each visual aid varies and such variation is based upon at least one quality parameter of the data.

Abstract: A terrain awareness and warning system (“TAWS”) provides input to a terrain alert (“TA”) processor from at least one real-time aircraft system or sensor and a source of terrain data; the processor determines a terrain clearance surface and a terrain airspace alert surface, and if one surface penetrates the other, the processor generates an alert signal and provides an alert signal to a crew alerting system. The two surfaces are determined by the processor by executing an algorithm(s) embedded in software containing the disclosed embodiments and methods. At least one criterion used to define an aircraft terrain alert surface is programmed to include real-time and/or static input factor data provided by at least one system or sensor input from an aircraft. Such input factor could be used to define a terrain clearance surface.

Abstract: A method of and system for determining the altitude of an aircraft can use a relative altitude estimate using information from an onboard radar. The altitude can be referenced to a runway for landing operations. The radar can produce relative altitude information from the range to the landing point and a precision estimation of the vertical angle to the landing point. The vertical angle estimate can be made with a phase processing antenna/radar system.

Abstract: A method of creating and modifying a flight plan using a cursor control device and a display to represent the flight plan in the context of terrain. The method includes inserting waypoints, including origin and destination waypoints, into a flight plan using a cursor control device to position the waypoints in a display and commanding a flight management system (FMS) to connect the waypoints into a flight plan. The flight plan is drawn in the context of terrain on a display where conflicts between the flight plan and terrain are indicated. Selected elements of the flight plan are selected with a cursor control device and the selected elements are dragged to new positions on the display until terrain conflicts are eliminated, thus generating a modified flight plan. The modified flight plan is reviewed in the context of terrain to determine its acceptability and making further modifications thereof if desired.

Abstract: A system and method for generating lateral guidance image data and presenting information representative of the image data is disclosed. A system is disclosed for determining lateral guidance information based upon the elevation of terrain cells and a level of terrain threat associated with the elevation. A left or right turn angle, or both could be formed between a projected flight path and a vector extending to a tangent point of a terrain boundary to the left and right, respectively. The degree of angle could be determined for each, and lateral guidance image data based upon the boundary location of a level of terrain threat with respect to the projected flight path determined. A lateral processor provides an alert signal associated with the generation of the lateral guidance information and provide such signal to a crew visual and aural alerting system.

Abstract: A present novel and non-trivial system, module, and method for generating and/or presenting airport surface traffic information presenting using a forward-looking aircraft radar system are disclosed. A runway awareness zone is established and traffic data is acquired by a forward-looking aircraft radar system. In one embodiment, a runway awareness zone is own-ship-based. In another embodiment, a runway awareness zone is based upon data received from a navigation reference data source. An advisory data set is generated using track alignment correction information and airport surface traffic located within the runway awareness zone. Navigation data is used to determine the location of airport surface traffic. Track alignment correction information may be calculated using traffic data or navigation data. Advisory data set is provided to one or more avionics systems including a presentation system and an external communication system. Advisory data set could include visual, aural, and/or tactile information.

Abstract: An aircraft weather radar system for displaying an indication of a threat level presented by an obstacle to the aircraft on an electronic display. The weather radar system includes a radar antenna configured to receive radar returns from a radar sweep. The weather radar system additionally includes processing electronics configured to determine a movement vector of the obstacle using the radar returns. The processing electronics are further configured to determine the threat level of the obstacle to the aircraft based on the determined movement vector, to generate parameters for an indication based on the determined threat level and to cause the indication to be displayed on an electronic display.

Abstract: A system and method for presenting an image of terrain threats are disclosed. Substantially transparent terrain symbols (color or monochrome) are depicted where each symbol is representative of a level of threat. Terrain symbols may overlay a weather image without a loss in information. A system is disclosed which comprises a navigation system, a terrain database, an image processor, and an indicating system. The navigation system acquires navigation data representative of aircraft position and direction; the database stores data of a plurality of cells; and the indicating system receives image data and presents symbols representative of the terrain image. The image processor receives navigation data defines a range of elevations of threat levels based upon the aircraft altitude, receives terrain data from the terrain database, determines the terrain threat of each cell, and provides an image representing the threat level and locations to the display.