Abstract: A system and method are provided to support accommodating safe integration of small unmanned aircraft systems (sUASs) into the National Airspace Structure in the United States and to augment previously untracked aircraft positions by opportunistically acquiring their position information and forwarding this information to other systems for display. The disclosed schemes integrate automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) capabilities in sUASs by providing an ADS-B receiver on the small unmanned aircraft or in association with a ground-based sUAS control and communication workstation. Processing of the ADS-B information is integrated with processing of acquired information on sUAS aerial platform operations. Processed integrated information is displayed locally on the workstation and transmitted to other facilities to be remotely displayed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for creating a network cloud based hierarchical architecture for supporting unmanned aircraft are disclosed. A system may include a higher level server, one or more lower level server in direct communication with the higher level server, and one or more control station in direct communication with the lower level server. Each control station may be configured to: control flight operations of an unmanned aircraft; acquire flight information and position information of the unmanned aircraft; and provide updates to the lower level server regarding the flight information and position information of the unmanned aircraft. Each lower level server may be configured to: process the flight information and position information received from the control station; and provide updates to the higher level server regarding the flight information and position information received from the control station.

Abstract: Systems and methods for creating a network cloud based hierarchical architecture for supporting unmanned aircraft are disclosed. A system may include a higher level server, one or more lower level server in direct communication with the higher level server, and one or more control station in direct communication with the lower level server. Each control station may be configured to: control flight operations of an unmanned aircraft; acquire flight information and position information of the unmanned aircraft; and provide updates to the lower level server regarding the flight information and position information of the unmanned aircraft. Each lower level server may be configured to: process the flight information and position information received from the control station; and provide updates to the higher level server regarding the flight information and position information received from the control station.

Abstract: A system and method are provided to support accommodating safe integration of small unmanned aircraft systems (sUASs) into the National Airspace Structure in the United States and to augment previously untracked aircraft positions by opportunistically acquiring their position information and forwarding this information to other systems for display. The disclosed schemes integrate automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) capabilities in sUASs by providing an ADS-B receiver on the small unmanned aircraft or in association with a ground-based sUAS control and communication workstation. Processing of the ADS-B information is integrated with processing of acquired information on sUAS aerial platform operations. Processed integrated information is displayed locally on the workstation and transmitted to other facilities to be remotely displayed.

Abstract: A system and method are provided to support safe integration of small unmanned aircraft systems (sUASs) into the National Airspace Structure in the United States. Substantially real-time data communication provides interested parties with an ability to communicate directly with an operator of the sUAS during system operations. Individual interactive user interfaces are used to implement two way text-like messaging directly with the sUAS control console to enhance safety and reduce conflicts with operations of the sUAS. When an instance arises in which an air traffic controller needs to advise an sUAS operator regarding an unauthorized sUAS mission or a requirement to keep an sUAS clear of a specific block of airspace or specific geographic location due to an immediate, emergent and/or unforeseen event, a means is provided by which to more effectively and more quickly communicate directly with the sUAS operator.

Abstract: A system and method are provided to support accommodating safe integration of small unmanned aircraft systems (sUASs) into the National Airspace Structure in the United States. A specifically-tailored service is provided to address a change of paradigm from aircraft-based avionics/capabilities to a ground-based solution centered on the sUAS control station that is typically employed to manage an sUAS mission and/or flight. Appropriate software, server and system components are integrated into an interactive, easy-to-use, web-based tool that provides interested parties with real-time, graphical flight-following information to acquire position information regarding an sUAS platform from the control console for the sUAS platform. The acquired position information is forwarded to a separate server that can augment and provide graphical display of the sUAS intended route of flight (flight planned route).

Abstract: A system and method are provided to support accommodating safe integration of small unmanned aircraft systems (sUASs) into the National Airspace Structure in the United States. A specifically-tailored service is provided to address a change of paradigm from aircraft-based avionics/capabilities to a ground-based solution centered on the sUAS control station that is typically employed to manage an sUAS mission and/or flight. Appropriate software, server and system components are integrated into an interactive, easy-to-use, web-based tool that provides interested parties with real-time, graphical flight-following information to acquire position information regarding an sUAS platform from the control console for the sUAS platform. The acquired position information is forwarded to a separate server that can augment and provide graphical display of the sUAS intended route of flight (flight planned route).

Abstract: A multi-modal portable communications gateway for operation in an airport environment is disclosed.

Abstract: A system in a method are provided for sending and receiving messages between a point located on the ground and a point located on an aircraft via an Iridium Short Burst Data Service. The messages may conform to Airlines Electronic Engineering Committee (AEEC) Specification 618. The messages may be ground-to-air messages or air-to-ground messages. The messages may be ACARS messages and at least some of the messages may have a length exceeding a maximum payload of the Iridium Short Burst Data Service. ACARS messages, which exceed the maximum payload of the Iridium Short Burst Data Service may be segmented and each of the segments may be sent in respective Iridium Short Burst Data messages via the Iridium Short Burst Data Service. When the separate Iridium Short Burst Data messages are received, the segments may be combined to reconstruct the ACARS message for delivery to an intended destination.

Abstract: A system in a method are provided for sending and receiving messages between a point located on the ground and a point located on an aircraft via an Iridium Short Burst Data Service. The messages may conform to Airlines Electronic Engineering Committee (AEEC) Specification 618. The messages may be ground-to-air messages or air-to-ground messages. The messages may be ACARS messages and at least some of the messages may have a length exceeding a maximum payload of the Iridium Short Burst Data Service. ACARS messages, which exceed the maximum payload of the Iridium Short Burst Data Service may be segmented and each of the segments may be sent in respective Iridium Short Burst Data messages via the Iridium Short Burst Data Service. When the separate Iridium Short Burst Data messages are received, the segments may be combined to reconstruct the ACARS message for delivery to an intended destination.

Abstract: A method and system that receives and processes ADS-B data from one or more aircraft is disclosed. The system may include one or more ground stations that receives data from one or more aircraft and converts the received aircraft ADS-B data to XML format, determines the lowest cost communication mode available, and transmits the XML data over TCP/IP to an aircraft data server. The aircraft data server receives the aircraft ADS-B data in XML format from the one or more ground stations, processes the received ADS-B data to extract aircraft data and eliminate duplicate aircraft data; determines aircraft data missing from the processed aircraft data, receives supplemental aircraft data from other sources to provide aircraft data missing from the processed aircraft data, and outputs the processed aircraft data and the received supplemental aircraft data to one or more processing devices for processing and display.

Abstract: A system in a method are provided for sending and receiving messages between a point located on the ground and a point located on an aircraft via an Iridium Short Burst Data Service. The messages may conform to Airlines Electronic Engineering Committee (AEEC) Specification 618. The messages may be ground-to-air messages or air-to-ground messages. The messages may be ACARS messages and at least some of the messages may have a length exceeding a maximum payload of the Iridium Short Burst Data Service. ACARS messages, which exceed the maximum payload of the Iridium Short Burst Data Service may be segmented and each of the segments may be sent in respective Iridium Short Burst Data messages via the Iridium Short Burst Data Service. When the separate Iridium Short Burst Data messages are received, the segments may be combined to reconstruct the ACARS message for delivery to an intended destination.

Abstract: A wireless runway incursion system is disclosed. The wireless runway incursion system method may include a runway traffic management unit that manages aircraft traffic on and around an airport's runways, a plurality of wireless relay devices located between the runway access points and the runway traffic management unit that relay wireless signals to the runway traffic management unit, and a plurality of wireless runway incursion sensors that are located in proximity of at least one airport runway that detect metallic objects. If a metallic object is detected, the wireless runway incursion sensors that detect the metallic object send signals to the runway traffic management unit, the wireless signal being an indication that the metallic object is one of entering the runway and leaving the runway.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for weight and balance management for aircraft is disclosed.

Abstract: To facilitate crew coordination and interaction using portable electronic data storage and display devices, automated and interactive capabilities allow any of several crew members to forward information regarding a page of data which the crew member has selected using the user interface of his or her portable electronic data storage and display device to the portable electronic data storage and display device of any other crew member or all other crew members particularly those who, due to task loading, may be unable to immediately employ the data manipulation and control functions resident in their own portable electronic data storage and display device. Data thus displayed is available for independent or interactive manipulation as though it had been locally rather than remotely selected.

Abstract: A multi-modal portable communications gateway is disclosed. The multi-modal portable communication gateway may include a communication interface, a controller that controls the operation of the multi-modal portable communication gateway, a power supply unit that enables power to be provided to the multi-modal portable communication gateway, wherein the controller signals the power supply to shut down based on one or more safety-of-flight indication, and a communication router that receives data from systems on-board an aircraft through the communication interface, and transmits the data to one or more predetermined location outside the aircraft upon receiving a signal from the controller, wherein the controller signals the communication router to transmit based on one or more safety-of-flight indication.

Abstract: An electronic paper device is disclosed for use by aircraft passengers. The electronic paper device may include a communication interface that facilitates downloading of media publications, the media publications being available for download prior to each flight, a memory that stores the media publications, a user interface that facilitates access and use of the media publications by a user, and an electronic paper display that displays the media publications to the user in a manner that permits viewing in lighting conditions similar to that required of paper (including bright light).

Abstract: An electronic paper device is disclosed for use by aircraft pilots and crew. The electronic paper device may include a communication interface that facilitates downloading of aviation-related documents, the aviation-related documents being and available for downloaded prior to each flight, a memory that stores the aviation-related documents, a user interface that facilitates access and use of the aviation-related documents by a user, and an electronic paper display that displays the aviation-related documents to the user in a manner that permits viewing in all lighting conditions.

Abstract: This invention provide systems and methods for cockpit flight crew preflight planning and subsequent, systematic recall and execution of procedures, ground/inflight navigation, and communications using portable electronic data storage and display devices. A capability is provided within a portable electronic data storage and display device to replace and replicate the typical preflight planning methodology of the individual flight crew member to facilitate execution of a procedures, navigation and communications plan from preflight to postflight. A user may create a usable subset of the potentially thousands of available pages of data or data reference pages stored in the portable electronic data storage and display device, organizing the perhaps 100 or less individual pages of data, static or interactive, desired for a specific leg of the flight in order that required information is immediately available in an expected order of need.

Abstract: The invention provides a communication and control system and method including a portable control and display unit, such as a portable handheld pocket PC, an aircraft mounted integrated Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite receiver, a VHF radio modem, an Aircraft Communication and Reporting System (ACARS) transceiver, a backup battery for power, and a camera aboard the aircraft which is controlled by the portable control and display unit. The control and display unit transmits and receives data messages, voice communication and video communication, and control the operation and functions of the camera while in flight or on the ground. The control and display unit also communicates as a cell phone.