Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for reducing display clutter and improving the readability of a display by eliminating the necessity of providing separate multifunction control/display units and other similar radio/audio/etc. subsystem CDUs in an aircraft cockpit by providing an interface between the pertinent avionics subsystem (e.g., a satellite data unit (SDU)) and a primary display system (PDS) or other multifunction control/display system. The interface also allows the human-machine interface between the avionics subsystem device and the pilot or aircrew member to be consistent with the human-machine interface for the remainder of the aircraft operations. The interface also allows for automatic detection of the type of interface employed between the avionics subsystem and the primary display system or other multifunction display system, thus allowing the subsystem to automatically adapt to its specific installation environment.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for reducing display clutter and improving the readability of a display by eliminating the necessity of providing separate multifunction control/display units and other similar radio/audio/etc. subsystem CDUs in an aircraft cockpit.

Abstract: Transponder reply rate limiting employing a circular memory queue to store the times of prior responses up to the limits of circular memory queue capacity. Separate circular memory queues contain the times of (1) long replies, and both (2) long or short replies. Each circular memory queue has a pointer and several offset indicators which are spaced from the pointer to the time entry positions at predetermined intervals according to corresponding preestablished criteria. After each transponder reply, the time of the reply is entered in the circular memory queue at a next pointer location. Eartimes, i.e., earliest allowable response times, are repeatedly determined and compared to time elapsed from a selected reference time. When the current time exceeds the eartime, for a given inquiry signal, a response signal is generated by the transponder electronics and is transmitted to the inquiring ground station. Eartimes are based upon predetermined criteria of allowable response rates in selected time periods.