Abstract: A method and system for airline operation center (AOC) data communications are disclosed. The method comprises providing a computing device for use onboard an aircraft, with the computing device hosting at least one application configured to interact with at least one avionics processing unit onboard the aircraft. The method further comprises automatically retrieving, by the at least one application, AOC information for storage and processing on the computing device, and transmitting by the at least one application, the AOC information from the computing device to the at least one avionics processing unit. The AOC information is used by the at least one avionics processing unit to execute an AOC application hosted by the at least one avionics processing unit.

Abstract: A vehicle communication system including at least one receiver/transmitter, and communication unit and a router is provided. The at least one receiver/transmitter receives and transmits data communication messages to at least a remote first ground facility and a remote second ground facility. The communication unit is configured to automatically copy at least portions of select types of data communication messages that are at least one of received from and transmitted to the first ground facility. The router is configured to route the copy of the at least portions of the select types of data communication messages between the communication unit and one receiver/transmitter of the at one receiver/transmitter. The copy of the data communication messages transmitted to the second ground facility is provided so the second ground facility is aware of the data communication messages communicated between a vehicle that includes the vehicle communication system and the first ground facility.

Abstract: A method and system for airline operation center (AOC) data communications are disclosed. The method comprises providing a computing device for use onboard an aircraft, with the computing device hosting at least one application configured to interact with at least one avionics processing unit onboard the aircraft. The method further comprises automatically retrieving, by the at least one application, AOC information for storage and processing on the computing device, and transmitting by the at least one application, the AOC information from the computing device to the at least one avionics processing unit. The AOC information is used by the at least one avionics processing unit to execute an AOC application hosted by the at least one avionics processing unit.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for facilitating less expensive and more rapid implement and modification of processes, e.g., communications processes, performed in a vehicle, e.g., a commercial aircraft, by implementing those functions on a non-certified computer. This is because the non-certified computer and the functions which it performs do not require certification by a government entity. Optionally, the non-certified computer is communicatively coupled to a communications management unit which requires certification from the government entity. Optionally, the non-certified computer may be an electronic flight bag for commercial aviation applications.

Abstract: A communications management system and an AoIP gateway server are disclosed. The AoIP gateway server is configured to send a first ACARS downlink message via an AoIP communication link. While the first ACARS downlink message is pending transmission, the communications management system is configured to send one or more ACARS downlink messages of a store and forward message type to the AoIP gateway server. The AoIP gateway server is configured to store each of the ACARS downlink messages while the first ACARS downlink message is pending transmission, and, for each store and forward message, send a pseudo-acknowledgment response back to the communications management system that indicates that the store and forward message was successfully transmitted to at least one ground system.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a system comprising a communications management system and an AoIP gateway server on a vehicle. The system is configured to receive and send ACARS messages directly to and from at least one ground operations center. In certain embodiments, ACARS messages are converted between a format that is native to the communications management system to a format that is native to the ground operations center. Accordingly, ACARS messages can be sent directly from a vehicle to a ground operations center without routing the ACARS message to a datalink service provider.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reconfigurable on-vehicle data routing are provided. In one embodiment, a data link communication system comprises: a router to communicate with at least one communication bus and at least one data bus, and monitor data communicated over the communication data buses, wherein the communication bus communicates data link messages with an off-vehicle service provider system, wherein the data bus transports data between the router and a plurality of on-vehicle systems; a routing control logic; and a conditional logic database, wherein the database comprises definitions of one or more datatypes and definitions for at least one data forwarding command; wherein, in response to receiving a first set of data associated with a datatype defined by the database, the logic executes the at least one data forwarding command to control the router to output a second set of data to one or more of the plurality of on-vehicle systems.

Abstract: A method comprises providing first and second end systems sharing the same A619 origin and destination codes, wherein the first end system has a first A618 label/sublabel, and the second end system has a second A618 label/sublabel different from the first label/sublabel. When an uplink message is an A618 uplink with the first label/sublabel, the method sends an A619 uplink with A619 destination code via a first end system port. If an uplink message is an A618 uplink with the second label/sublabel, the method sends an A619 uplink with A619 destination code via a second end system port. When downlink message is received with the A619 origin code on the first end system port, the method sends an A618 downlink with the first label/sublabel. If downlink message is received with the A619 origin code on the second end system port, the method sends an A618 downlink with the second label/sublabel.

Abstract: A method comprises transmitting uplink messages from an AoIP ground datalink service provider to an AoIP gateway server, when an AoIP communication channel is available; determining whether the uplink messages have been received by the gateway server; storing the uplink messages in the gateway server; and notifying the datalink service provider when each uplink message is received by the gateway server. The method determines whether there are any uplink messages to be sent from the gateway server to a communications management system onboard an aircraft; sends any uplink messages, one at a time, from the gateway server to the communications management system; and transmits an acknowledgement from the communications management system to the gateway server. Each uplink message is sent from the communications management system to an onboard ACARS end system. Subsequent to each acknowledgement, a next uplink message is sent from the gateway server to the communications management system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detection of network issues and health reporting to ground-based stakeholders are described herein. In exemplary embodiments, a system includes multiple aircraft, wherein an aircraft in the multiple aircraft communicates through one or more communication links. The aircraft includes processors that compile network event information related to degraded communication link events. Further, the aircraft includes memory units that store a degraded link event report and a configuration database, wherein the degraded link event report stores the network event information related to the degraded communication link events as directed the configuration database.

Abstract: Systems and methods for seamless switching of data radios are provided herein. In one example, a communications system includes first and second data radios communicatively coupled to first and second antennas at first and second positions on a vehicle, respectively. The first and second data radios are tuned to the same frequency for data communications. The communications system includes at least one processor communicatively coupled to a memory, the first data radio, and the second data radio. The at least one processor is configured to: monitor one or more parameters for the first and second data radios; determine whether the first data radio or the second data radio has better current performance based on a comparison of the one or more parameters for the first and second data radios; and switch from the first data radio to the second data radio for primary data communications based on the determination.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reconfigurable on-vehicle data routing are provided. In one embodiment, a data link communication system comprises: a router to communicate with at least one communication bus and at least one data bus, and monitor data communicated over the communication data buses, wherein the communication bus communicates data link messages with an off-vehicle service provider system, wherein the data bus transports data between the router and a plurality of on-vehicle systems; a routing control logic; and a conditional logic database, wherein the database comprises definitions of one or more datatypes and definitions for at least one data forwarding command; wherein, in response to receiving a first set of data associated with a datatype defined by the database, the logic executes the at least one data forwarding command to control the router to output a second set of data to one or more of the plurality of on-vehicle systems.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reconfigurable on-vehicle data routing are provided. In one embodiment, a data link communication system comprises: a router to communicate with at least one communication bus and at least one data bus, and monitor data communicated over the communication data buses, wherein the communication bus communicates data link messages with an off-vehicle service provider system, wherein the data bus transports data between the router and a plurality of on-vehicle systems; a routing control logic; and a conditional logic database, wherein the database comprises definitions of one or more datatypes and definitions for at least one data forwarding command; wherein, in response to receiving a first set of data associated with a datatype defined by the database, the logic executes the at least one data forwarding command to control the router to output a second set of data to one or more of the plurality of on-vehicle systems.

Abstract: Techniques for detecting the presence of interference in a channel of a VHF data radio are provided. Upon detecting a sufficient level interference, the mode of the VHF data radio is changed from VHF data link (VDL) mode 2 to VDL mode A. Optionally, the VHF data radio mode may be changed back to VDL 2 from VDL mode A departing or preparing to depart.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detection of network issues and health reporting to ground-based stakeholders are described herein. In exemplary embodiments, a system includes multiple aircraft, wherein an aircraft in the multiple aircraft communicates through one or more communication links. The aircraft includes processors that compile network event information related to degraded communication link events. Further, the aircraft includes memory units that store a degraded link event report and a configuration database, wherein the degraded link event report stores the network event information related to the degraded communication link events as directed the configuration database.

Abstract: A vehicle communication system including a communication management unit (CMU) and a data gateway is provided. The CMU is at least in part configured to route first type messages using a first type message communication. The data gateway is configured to communicate second type messages to a remote location. The CMU is configured to route at least some of the first type messages to the data gateway. The data gateway is configured to communicate a pseudo acknowledgment for each message block of each first type message routed to the data gateway back to the CMU indicating the message block was received by a designated remote location. The data gateway is further configured to interface each received first type message into the second type message and communicate each second type message to the designated remote location using a second type of message communication.

Abstract: Systems and methods for seamless switching of data radios are provided herein. In one example, a communications system includes first and second data radios communicatively coupled to first and second antennas at first and second positions on a vehicle, respectively. The first and second data radios are tuned to the same frequency for data communications. The communications system includes at least one processor communicatively coupled to a memory, the first data radio, and the second data radio. The at least one processor is configured to: monitor one or more parameters for the first and second data radios; determine whether the first data radio or the second data radio has better current performance based on a comparison of the one or more parameters for the first and second data radios; and switch from the first data radio to the second data radio for primary data communications based on the determination.

Abstract: Systems and methods for updating remote databases are provided. In certain embodiments, a method includes determining an installed version for a remote database stored on a vehicle computer. Further, the method includes identifying an incremental update for the remote database, wherein the incremental update contains differences between a desired version for the remote database and the installed version. Additionally, the method includes providing the incremental update to the vehicle computer. Also, the method includes updating the remote database with the incremental update.

Abstract: Systems and methods for updating remote databases are provided. In certain embodiments, a method includes determining an installed version for a remote database stored on a vehicle computer. Further, the method includes identifying an incremental update for the remote database, wherein the incremental update contains differences between a desired version for the remote database and the installed version. Additionally, the method includes providing the incremental update to the vehicle computer. Also, the method includes updating the remote database with the incremental update.

Abstract: Techniques for detecting the presence of interference in a channel of a VHF data radio are provided. Upon detecting a sufficient level interference, the mode of the VHF data radio is changed from VHF data link (VDL) mode 2 to VDL mode A. Optionally, the VHF data radio mode may be changed back to VDL 2 from VDL mode A departing or preparing to depart.