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.

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: An embodiment of a communication management unit (CMU) includes emulator and data-mining circuits. The emulator circuit is configured to generate a data request having a same format as a data request from a vehicle communications center, to send the data request to a subsystem disposed on a vehicle, and to receive data sent by the subsystem in response to the data request. The data-mining circuit is configured to provide at least some of the received data to a determining circuit configured to determine information in response to the provided data. For example, such a CMU can request flight-plan data from a flight management subsystem (FMS) by sending, to the FMS, an emulated data-request message having the same format as a data-request message from a ground-based aircraft operations center. That is, the CMU can “fool” the FMS into “thinking” that the data-request message originated from the ground-based aircraft operations center.

Abstract: A communication system is provided. The communication system comprises a communication management unit (CMU) comprising a processor, a memory and an input/output port; wherein the processor is configured to run a distribution application operable to: when data is received from a ground system at the input/output port, transmit the data to a designated first device and transmit selected data of the data received at the input/output port to at least one designated second device; and when data is received from the first device or the second device, transmit the data to the other of the first and second device as well as an intended recipient of the data.

Abstract: A method and system for formatting datalink messages is disclosed. The method comprises providing a format style of parameters and/or portions of free text for a datalink message; sending the datalink message to a destination; decoding the datalink message at the destination for both content and format style information; sending the content and format style information to a display processor; and generating parameter or free text highlighting information on a display screen corresponding to the content and format style information.

Abstract: In one example, a system for a preventing unauthorized access to operational aircraft data is provided. The system includes a server configured to be positioned on an aircraft. The server configured to communicate with a portable electronic device and a plurality of aircraft systems, wherein the server is configured to unidirectionally communicate with the plurality of aircraft systems, wherein the server is configured to receive avionic operational data from the plurality of aircraft systems. The server is further configured to implement security measures to prevent unauthorized electronic devices from accessing the avionic operational data produced by the plurality of aircraft systems. The server is further configured to control dissemination of avionic operational data to electronic devices.

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: A method for generating an air traffic control (ATC) request is provided. The method includes receiving input on at least one of an onboard graphical display avionics device or an offboard avionics device to request a change to a current flight parameter based on an active state of the aircraft, generating an air traffic control request, on one of the onboard graphical display avionics device or the offboard avionics device, based on the input using an air traffic control interface application, presenting, on one of the onboard graphical display avionics device or the offboard avionics device, the generated air traffic control request; and when the air traffic control request is approved to be sent, passing the generated air traffic control request to an air traffic control application on a communications management unit (CMU), Communications Management Function (CMF) or a flight management system (FMS).

Abstract: Systems and methods for secure communications over broadband datalinks are provided. In certain implementations, a system for providing secure communications through a communication link includes a first communication unit that includes a processing unit that is configured to execute code that causes the first communication unit to verify messages with a firewall as they are received by the first communication unit; remove encapsulation data that encapsulates a message received from a second communication unit; check a digital signature appended to the message received from a second communication unit through a non-secure communication link; perform an integrity check on the message; and when the message is verified through the digital signature and the integrity check, process the message; wherein removal of the encapsulation data and implementation of the firewall is in a first partition and performance of the integrity check and verification of the digital signature is in a second partition.

Abstract: A communication system is provided. The communication system comprises a communication management unit (CMU) comprising a processor, a memory and an input/output port; wherein the processor is configured to run a distribution application operable to: when data is received from a ground system at the input/output port, transmit the data to a designated first device and transmit selected data of the data received at the input/output port to at least one designated second device; and when data is received from the first device or the second device, transmit the data to the other of the first and second device as well as an intended recipient of the data.