Abstract: A method for operating a display unit such as an avionics display interface is provided. The method comprises displaying a plurality of logical categories of options available, with each of the logical categories including a plurality of items of information, selecting a first item of information in a first logical category when a first input key is pressed, and selecting a next item of information in the first logical category when the first input key is pressed again. The method further includes selecting a first item of information in a second logical category when a second input key is pressed, and selecting a next item of information in the second logical category when the second input key is pressed again.

Abstract: An avionics messaging system comprises a memory configured to store a plurality of pre-defined avionics message elements; a display unit configured to display data; a user input device configured to receive input from a user; and a processing unit configured to output a user-customizable list of pre-defined avionics message elements to the display unit, the user-customizable list comprising at least a subset of the plurality of pre-defined avionics message elements; wherein the processing unit is further configured to update the user-customizable list based on input received from the user input device; wherein the processing unit is further configured to provide a message composition screen to the display unit based on user input received from the user input device; and wherein the message composition screen corresponds to a pre-defined avionics message element selected from the user-customizable list of pre-defined avionics message elements.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting a loss of communications between an aircraft and a ground station are provided. In one embodiment, a system for detecting a loss of communication for an aircraft comprises: a communication detection software module resident as an application on an aircraft communication management unit (CMU); a CMU message router in communication with the communication detection software module; at least one radio coupled to the communication management unit; a statistical model of communications traffic density for an RF zone associated with a ground station; wherein the communication detection software module performs a statistical analysis of a current communications traffic density of radio communications observed by the at least one radio to determine when the aircraft has a lost a communications link with the ground station.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting a loss of communications between an aircraft and a ground station are provided. In one embodiment, a system for detecting a loss of communication for an aircraft comprises: a communication detection software module resident as an application on an aircraft communication management unit (CMU); a CMU message router in communication with the communication detection software module; at least one radio coupled to the communication management unit; a statistical model of communications traffic density for an RF zone associated with a ground station; wherein the communication detection software module performs a statistical analysis of a current communications traffic density of radio communications observed by the at least one radio to determine when the aircraft has a lost a communications link with the ground station.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing an active prompt for a timed response are provided. In one embodiment, a system comprises a human machine interface that presents controller pilot data link communication (CPDLC) information to a user, and a CPDLC computer configured to process received CPDLC messages. In certain embodiments, the CPDLC computer comprises a memory device that stores received CPDLC messages, and a processing unit that starts a timer when a CPDLC message is received, wherein the timer counts a response period for responding to the CPDLC message. Further the processing unit instructs the human machine interface to display a time remaining in the response period when the timer reaches a message expiration warning period.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing an active prompt for a timed response are provided. In one embodiment, a system comprises a human machine interface that presents controller pilot data link communication (CPDLC) information to a user, and a CPDLC computer configured to process received CPDLC messages. In certain embodiments, the CPDLC computer comprises a memory device that stores received CPDLC messages, and a processing unit that starts a timer when a CPDLC message is received, wherein the timer counts a response period for responding to the CPDLC message. Further the processing unit instructs the human machine interface to display a time remaining in the response period when the timer reaches a message expiration warning period.

Abstract: A computing-platform emulator for use on a vehicle is provided. The computing-platform emulator includes a display, a processor communicatively coupled to the display, a data-entry interface communicatively coupled to the processor, and at least one electronic interface to interface a host system in the vehicle to the processor. The host system implements at least one application and at least one protocol for use on the computing-platform emulator. The display, the data-entry interface, and the at least one electronic interface function as a multifunction control display unit.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting a loss of communications between an aircraft and a ground station are provided. In one embodiment, a system for detecting a loss of communication for an aircraft comprises: a communication detection software module resident as an application on an aircraft communication management unit (CMU); a CMU message router in communication with the communication detection software module; at least one radio coupled to the communication management unit; a statistical model of communications traffic density for an RF zone associated with a ground station; wherein the communication detection software module performs a statistical analysis of a current communications traffic density of radio communications observed by the at least one radio to determine when the aircraft has a lost a communications link with the ground station.

Abstract: An avionics messaging system comprises a memory configured to store a plurality of pre-defined avionics message elements; a display unit configured to display data; a user input device configured to receive input from a user; and a processing unit configured to output a user-customizable list of pre-defined avionics message elements to the display unit, the user-customizable list comprising at least a subset of the plurality of pre-defined avionics message elements; wherein the processing unit is further configured to update the user-customizable list based on input received from the user input device; wherein the processing unit is further configured to provide a message composition screen to the display unit based on user input received from the user input device; and wherein the message composition screen corresponds to a pre-defined avionics message element selected from the user-customizable list of pre-defined avionics message elements.

Abstract: A method for operating a display unit such as an avionics display interface is provided. The method comprises displaying a plurality of logical categories of options available, with each of the logical categories including a plurality of items of information, selecting a first item of information in a first logical category when a first input key is pressed, and selecting a next item of information in the first logical category when the first input key is pressed again. The method further includes selecting a first item of information in a second logical category when a second input key is pressed, and selecting a next item of information in the second logical category when the second input key is pressed again.