Abstract: A high-performance electrochemically active sodium molten salt catholyte enables a dramatic reduction in molten sodium battery operating temperature from near 300° C. to less than 120° C. As an example, stable electrochemical cycling was demonstrated in a high voltage (3.65 V) sodium battery comprising a sodium iodide-gallium chloride (NaI—GaCl3) molten salt catholyte for over 8 months at 110° C. The combination of high voltage, stable cycling behavior, and practical current densities supported by a molten catholyte enables a new generation of transformative high performance, low temperature molten sodium batteries.

Abstract: A method and system for an aircraft communications system. The aircraft communications system comprises an Internet protocol network router and an aircraft communications addressing and reporting system network router. The Internet protocol network router, located within an aircraft, is configured to transmit data to a group of ground stations remote to the aircraft using an Internet protocol communications link. The aircraft communications addressing and reporting system network router, located within the aircraft, is connected to the Internet protocol network router. The aircraft communications addressing and reporting system network router is configured to transmit the data from aircraft systems to the group of ground stations using at least one of an aircraft communications addressing and reporting system communications link or, via the Internet protocol network router, using at least one of an Internet protocol communications link.

Abstract: A method and system for an aircraft communications system. The aircraft communications system comprises an Internet protocol network router and an aircraft communications addressing and reporting system network router. The Internet protocol network router, located within an aircraft, is configured to transmit data to a group of ground stations remote to the aircraft using an Internet protocol communications link. The aircraft communications addressing and reporting system network router, located within the aircraft, is connected to the Internet protocol network router. The aircraft communications addressing and reporting system network router is configured to transmit the data from aircraft systems to the group of ground stations using at least one of an aircraft communications addressing and reporting system communications link or, via the Internet protocol network router, using at least one of an Internet protocol communications link.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting data. An aircraft data transmission system comprises an aircraft flight data transmitter. The aircraft flight data transmitter is configured to be connected to a connector for an on-board flight data recorder system for an aircraft. The aircraft flight data transmitter is further configured to receive data generated by sensors in the aircraft from the on-board flight data recorder system. The aircraft flight data transmitter is further configured to determine whether an undesired condition is present in the aircraft using the data. The aircraft flight data transmitter is further configured to initiate sending of at least a portion of the data received from the on-board flight data recorder system over a wireless communications link in response to a determination that the undesired condition is present in the aircraft.

Abstract: Technologies are described herein for providing automatic emergency reporting. The technologies are adapted to receive values of aircraft state parameters collected from one or more sensors arranged within an aircraft. The technologies then determine whether the collected values of the aircraft state parameters indicate normal or anomalous operation of the aircraft. Responsive to the determination of whether the aircraft state parameters indicate normal or anomalous operation of the aircraft, the technologies initiate an emergency reporting function. The emergency reporting function may transmit a report containing the collected values of the aircraft state parameters to a ground system via a data-link.

Abstract: Embodiments for seamless air traffic control (ATC) data link transfers are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, a method includes receiving a new air traffic control center designation from an original air traffic control center through an active connection. The active connection is based on a first data link standard. The method further includes initiating control transfer by at least one of an aircraft logon to a new air traffic control center or a contact between the original and new traffic control centers. The method additional includes establishing an inactive connection between the new air traffic control center and the aircraft based on a second link standard. The method also includes confirming the establishment of an inactive connection from the aircraft to the new air traffic control center. Additionally, the method includes terminating the active connection between the original air traffic control center and the aircraft.

Abstract: Embodiments for seamless air traffic control (ATC) data link transfers are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, a method includes receiving a new air traffic control center designation from an original air traffic control center through an active connection. The active connection is based on a first data link standard. The method further includes initiating control transfer by at least one of an aircraft logon to a new air traffic control center or a contact between the original and new traffic control centers. The method additional includes establishing an inactive connection between the new air traffic control center and the aircraft based on a second link standard. The method also includes confirming the establishment of an inactive connection from the aircraft to the new air traffic control center. Additionally, the method includes terminating the active connection between the original air traffic control center and the aircraft.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically transferring control from one air traffic control (ATC) center that uses one ATC data link standard to another ATC center that uses a different ATC data link standard are disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes a receiver component configured to receive at least a new air traffic control center designation message from an original air traffic control center through an active connection, an identifier component configured to determine a data link standard of a new air traffic control center from the message, a logon component to log the aircraft into the new center. The system further includes a connection component to establish an inactive connection with the new air traffic control center, a confirmation component to confirm the inactive connection, and a switch component to terminate the active connection and activate the inactive connection.

Abstract: Systems and methods for communication using a plurality of data link standards through a common operator interface are disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes components configured to select and establish communication with an air traffic control center using one of a plurality of data link standards. The system further includes components configured to format at least one downlink page to only allow appropriate data inputs based on one or more functionalities of the data link standard, and encode one or more entered data inputs based on the selected data link standard and transmit the inputs to the air traffic control center. In a particular embodiment, the system further includes a components configured to receive and display each of the decoded uplink data transmission in a text message on a corresponding uplink display page according to one or more message text conventions of the selected data link standard.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for preparing to transmit data over a network. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a request to send message in a first communication protocol, the request to send message having a destination address; causing an initial write request to be transmitted to the destination address using a second communication protocol; and causing a subsequent write request to be transmitted to the destination address using the second communication protocol in response to an indication that an error message was received.

Abstract: An aircraft avionics system utilizes ARINC 429 compliant equipment, connected to one or more ARINC 429 data buses, and ARINC 629 equipment, coupled to one or more ARINC 629 data buses. Communication between the ARINC 429 and ARINC 629 equipment is facilitated by a data conversion gateway function (DCGF) system. The DCGF transforms ARINC 429 signals on one ARINC 429 bus for transmission over a second ARINC 429 bus, or over one or more ARINC 629 buses. The DCGF also transforms ARINC 629 signals on one ARINC 629 bus for transmission over a second ARINC 629 bus, or over one or more ARINC 429 buses.