Wireless Precision Avionics Kit

Abstract

A wireless precision avionics kit is provided for retrofitting aircraft to facilitate communication between the cockpit and modern military stores without hardware or software modifications to the aircraft. The store includes an electrical interface that requires data and possibly power from the aircraft and provides for communication via a message set. The kit may be used with any aircraft that provides a rack or pylon for mounting the store and the capability to release the store. The kit may be used with aircraft having no existing capability to communicate with smart stores, with aircraft having an incompatible interface for modern stores or even with aircraft that have a compatible hardware interface for which the software is outdated.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to the integration of modern military stores with aircraft to facilitate communication between the pilot and the store. In particular the wireless precision avionics kit can retrofit any aircraft to deliver and control any smart store.

2. Description of the Related Art

Aircraft carry and release stores (e.g. bombs, missiles etc.) to engage targets. On older aircraft with “dumb” stores the pilot simply pressed the “pickle” button on the hands-on throttle and stick (HOTAS) to send a signal via a hardwired cable to the rack or pylon to release the store. On more recent aircraft and “smart” precision-guided stores (e.g. GPS, laser or RF guided) an additional electrical interface provides for bi-directional communication of data between the aircraft and store via a message set over a separate hardwired cable.

As shown in FIG. 1, an aircraft 50 is outfitted with one or more smart stores 52 mounted on a rack 53. The aircraft includes a HOTAS and electrical interface that are coupled to a display 54. An electrical cable 55 connects the HOTAS to rack 53 to control release of the store. An electrical cable 56 and mating connectors hardwire the aircraft electrical interface to a compatible electrical interface on the store. The required message sets are communicated back-and-forth between the cockpit and store via the cable. The store interface generates a video signal to display text and graphics on display 54 to the pilot inside the cockpit.

U.S. and several foreign designed aircraft built after the early 1970s such as the A-4, AV-8, F-4, F-15, F-16, F-111 and so on include an AGM-65 (“Maverick”) interface to interface with “smart” stores. Different aircraft and stores can have different instantiations of the Maverick interface e.g. the precise functions and signals may vary to implement a message set. As shown in FIG. 2, an embodiment of a Maverick interface 10 includes an aircraft Maverick analog interface 12 on the aircraft and a store Maverick analog interface 13 on the store that are connected via a cable and Maverick connectors (not shown). The aircraft and store interfaces communicate via signals on power lines 14, discrete input signal lines 16 (“high” or “low” only), variable analog input signal lines 18, a video output signal line 20 and discrete output signal lines 22 (“high” or “low” only) where input and output are referenced to the store. The aircraft interface provides 3-phase, 400 Hz, 115V AC and 28V DC power on power lines 14 to power the store. The aircraft interface provides discrete signals such as uncage, station select, AGM-65 select, launch, track, spare . . . on discrete input signal lines 16, which change state depending on how the aircrew manipulates the Maverick controls. For example, pressing the Maverick “Track” button, typically located on the HOTAS, momentarily causes the “track” signal to go high. The aircraft interface further provides two variable analog slew signals on analog input signal lines 18 that are used to slew the gimbaled seeker on the store in azimuth and elevation. The store interface receives analog video from the seeker (e.g. infrared sensed imagery) and transmits the video over video output signal line 20 where the video can be viewed by the aircrew in the cockpit. The store interface provides the discrete signals on discrete output signal lines 22 such as launcher present, AGM-65 identification MSL ready, spare etc. to the aircraft.

In the early 1990s, the U.S. Department of Defense promulgated MIL-STD-1760 that defines a digital interface, hardware and software for aircraft and stores. Newly produced tactical aircraft are internally wired with a 1760-compatible data bus for coupling to the MIL-STD-1760 standard store interface. Modern smart weapons such as the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM), Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) or Enhanced Paveway™ are designed to communicate with the aircraft via such an interface to obtain control, monitor and firing information to carry out mission critical operations.

As shown in FIG. 3, MIL-STD-1760 interface 30 includes an aircraft 1760 digital interface 32 on the aircraft and a store 1760 digital interface 34 that are connected via an electrical cable (not shown) and communicate via signals on power lines 36, signal lines 38 and discrete lines 40. 115V AC and 28V DC power is carried on power lines 36 to power the store. Release consent and interlock are carried on discrete lines 40 from the aircraft interface to the store, an interlock return is returned from the store. Release consent allows the store to be dropped or launched when commanded (via the HOTAS and separate cable connection to the rack/pylon) and interlock and interlock return indicate whether the store is present. The digital signals are communicated via a high speed 1760-compatible data bus. Currently, the data bus is a MIL-STD-1553 data bus 42 that includes Mux A and Mux B channels and address lines. Future stores will replace the 1553 data bus with fibre channel 44 that provides approximately 1000x the bandwidth of the current 1553 data bus. The standard interface supports having either or both the 1553 bus and the fibre channel. The store generates digital data such as store status and situational awareness including position, the launch acceptability region (LAR) etc. that is sent via the high speed data bus 42 or fibre channel 44 to the aircraft and displayed in the cockpit. The data is used by the aircraft computer to define various screens of text and graphics that the aircrew navigate to view store status, targeting information and control deployment of the store. The aircraft sends digital data and controls over the data bus to the store for IBIT, targeting and launch, for example. MIL-STD-1760 also specifies a high and/or low bandwidth lines 46 which comprise general purpose transmission lines for analog or digital signals in the frequency range of 20 Hz to 1.6 GHz.

The Universal Armaments Interface (UAI) program, run by the Aging Aircraft Systems Squadron, has the goal of developing common software that will allow the Air Force to incorporate new precision-guided munitions onto its aircraft without requiring major changes to each aircraft's operational-flight-program (OFP) software. What the UAI standard defines is a message set that 1760-class weapons and compatible platforms use and recognize This capability is expected to enable the integration of weapons independent of the block-upgrade process, cutting as much as five years from a given integration effort. This presumes that the aircraft interface as well as the store interface is based on the UAI standard to maintain compatibility. This further presumes that the “goal” of developing common software that in fact works as new precision-guided munitions are developed is achieved.

The overwhelming majority of legacy aircraft in use today lack either the proper hardware and/or software to interface with the MIL-STD-1760 interface of modern stores or envisioned UAI. Economic and political constraints dictate that the lives of existing aircraft must be extended, making the incorporation of new 1760 or UAI stores into existing aircraft highly desirable if not necessary. Integration of new 1760 or UAI stores with legacy “Maverick” aircraft or aircraft with no existing interface requires significant hardware and software modifications to the aircraft. Such modifications are both complex and costly to design and implement and may not provide the full functionality of the 1760 or UAI store.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following is a summary of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not intended to identify key or critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description and the defining claims that are presented later.

The present invention provides a wireless precision avionics kit for retrofitting aircraft to facilitate communication between the cockpit and modern military stores without hardware or software modifications to the aircraft. The store includes an electrical interface that requires data and possibly power from the aircraft and provides for communication via a message set. The kit may be used with any aircraft that provides a rack or pylon for mounting the store and the capability to release the store. The kit may be used with aircraft having no existing capability to communicate with smart stores, with aircraft having an incompatible interface for modern stores or even with aircraft that have a compatible hardware interface for which the software is outdated.

In an embodiment, the addition of a kit to a precision guided store allows the store to operate autonomously from the aircraft. The aircraft only needs the ability to carry and release the store. The kit powers the store via a battery pack and communicates with the pilot via a wireless link. The wireless link provides the pilot the ability to control power to the store via the battery pack and to program data necessary for the store to complete it's mission.

In an embodiment, a kit comprises both a wireless aircraft module adapted for mounting in the cockpit of the aircraft and a wireless store module adapted for mounting on the store. The aircraft module comprises a power supply, a display, means for pilot input and an emulator that emulates the message set to send wireless messages in response to pilot input and to interact with the display and a wireless transmitter and antenna. The wireless store module comprises a battery, a store controller including a compatible electrical interface configured for hardwiring to the electrical interface of the store and a wireless receiver and antenna.

In an embodiment, the kit's aircraft module is autonomous and self-contained. The module provides its own display and power supply and does not receive any data from the aircraft. Targeting information may be loaded into the module pre-flight and/or input or modified by the pilot during flight.

In another embodiment, the kit's aircraft module may be partially integrated with the aircraft. The aircraft module may be powered by a power supply on-board the aircraft. The aircraft module may utilize an existing display (upgrading the software to execute the emulator or providing a hardware dongle or plug-in). The aircraft module may receive targeting data e.g. GPS data or environmental data from systems on-board the aircraft. However, even in a partially integrated configuration, the kit bypasses any electrical interface should it exist.

In an embodiment, the aircraft and store modules each comprise a transceiver (transmitter and receiver) that is configured for bi-directional communication. The store electrical interface generates data in the form of messages that are passed to the store module's store controller and wireless transmitted to the aircraft module.

In an embodiment, the emulator (e.g. a computer processor configured via software) emulates a particular message set for communication with the store and for communication the pilot. To the store, the emulator may provide a minimal, custom or full message set as required or supported by the store interface. To the pilot, the emulator may provide a message set that mimics the minimal/custom/full message set provided to the store, a message set that mimics the legacy interface of the aircraft should one exist, a generic kit message set that is the same regardless of store or aircraft or a custom kit message set. The emulator may be customized for a particular store and store interface or may be generic, in which case a translator is provided with the store module to translate back-and-forth between the generic message set and the store message set.

In an embodiment, the store controller's compatible electrical interface comprises a power interface coupled to the battery for supplying in response to received control messages at least one voltage to the one or more power lines on the store, a discrete interface coupled to the battery for supplying in response to received control messages at least one voltage to the one or more discrete lines on the store and a digital data interface for bi-directional communication of data messages with the one or more digital data lines on the store. The store controller further comprises a message set controller that routes received control messages to the appropriate power or discrete interface and the data messages to the digital data interface.

In an embodiment in which the store is provided with an internal battery, the store controller's compatible electrical interface comprises a discrete interface coupled to one or more discrete lines on the store and a digital data interface for communication of data messages with the one or more digital data lines on the store. The store controller further comprises a message set controller that routes received control messages to the discrete interface and the data messages to the digital data interface. In one configuration, data is loaded into the store prior to launch and the discrete interface is used only to fire the battery. In another configuration, data is stored in memory in the store module until release and downloaded to the store.

These and other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1, as described above, is a diagram of a fighter jet including a conventional interface between aircraft and store; FIG. 2, as described above, is a functional diagram an aircraft-store analog AGM-65 (“Maverick”) interface;

FIG. 3, as described above, is a functional diagram an aircraft-store digital MIL-STD 1760 interface;

FIG. 4 is a diagram of an aircraft outfitted with a wireless precision avionics kit for integrating a smart store with a fighter jet;

FIGS. 5a and 5b are diagrams of a kit's cockpit and store modules;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the kit's wireless platform module adapted for mounting in the cockpit;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the kit's wireless weapon module adapted for mounting on the store for hardwired communication with the store interface;

FIG. 8 is a diagram of the kit's wireless weapon module adapted hardwired communication with a store MIL-STD 1760 interface;

FIGS. 9a through 9f are a sequence of diagrams illustrating an embodiment of the steps performed by the message set emulator and graphics displayed to the pilot to fire a MIL-STD 1760 store;

FIG. 10 is a diagram of an embodiment of the kit's wireless weapon module adapted for hardwired communication with a store MALD interface; and

FIG. 11 is a diagram of another embodiment of the kit's wireless weapon module adapted for hardwired communication with a store MALD interface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a wireless precision avionics kit (the “kit”) for retrofitting aircraft to facilitate communication between the cockpit and modern military stores without hardware or software modifications to the aircraft. The kit may be used with any aircraft that provides a rack or pylon for mounting the store and the capability to release the store. The kit may be used with aircraft having no existing capability to communicate with smart stores, with aircraft having an incompatible interface for modern stores or even with aircraft that have a compatible hardware interface for which the software is outdated. Whether the aircraft has or does not have an existing interface or whether that interface is compatible with the store interface is irrelevant as the kit bypasses any hardware or software for a pre-existing interface on the aircraft. The addition of a kit to a precision guided store allows the store to operate autonomously from the aircraft. The kit powers the store via a battery pack and communicates with the pilot via a wireless link. The wireless link provides the pilot the ability to control power to the store via the battery pack and to program data necessary for the store to complete it's mission. The kit may implement a minimal, custom or full message set supported by the store. The kit may be configured to present a visual interface that mimics that of the existing aircraft, the store or a customized interface. As will be described below, the kit requires and provides much more than simply replacing the electrical cable and mating connectors with a wireless link.

An embodiment of a kit 100 for integrating a store 102 with an aircraft 104 is depicted in FIG. 4. The aircraft typically includes a HOTAS to fly the aircraft. The

HOTAS is connected via an electrical cable 106 to a rack or pylon 108 to allow the pilot to control release of the store by pressing the “pickle” button on the HOTAS.

Store 102 includes a store electrical interface 110 such as a Maverick, MIL-STD-1760 or UAI interface. This electrical interface must send and receive power, discrete voltages and data signals on specified lines and in a specified format according to the particular standard. The store operates according to a defined message set. Messages are sent in received via the discrete voltage and data signals. Neither the software nor hardware of the store electrical interface is modified. From the perspective of the store and store electrical interface nothing changes with the possible exception that the interface's physical connector that would otherwise interface with a mating connector on an umbilical cable to the cockpit may have to be repositioned or possibly removed and the interface wired directly to the portion of the kit inside the store. The kit may be configured to use the full-functionality supported by the particular store interface or may use a subset (e.g. minimal or custom) of the full-functionality. But in either case, as far as the store electrical interface is concerned it appears to be connected as if hardwired to a compatible electrical interface in the cockpit of the aircraft.

kit 100 comprises a wireless aircraft module 112 mounted in the cockpit of the aircraft and a wireless store module 114 adapted for mounting on the store 102, typically outside the mold line of the aircraft 104. Aircraft module 112 emulates the message set prescribed by the store interface 110 to communicate with the store. The aircraft module also presents text and graphical information regarding the store and mission to the pilot and receives input from the pilot. Store module 114 provides discrete and data lines and, if needed, power lines that are hard wired to store interface 110 so that it appears as if the store interface is hardwired to a compatible electrical interface in the cockpit. Messages are communicated between the aircraft and store modules using a short-range wireless link and wireless protocol. The kit effectively moves the physical aircraft interface (compatible electrical interface) from the cockpit to the store itself and uses a wireless link to communicate between the aircraft interface and the cockpit. As such the kit must emulate the message set to send and receive power/discrete/data signals via the wireless link and to interface with a display that is not hardwired for the particular interface.

Wireless aircraft module 112 includes a smart display 116 that includes a display for displaying text and graphics, means for receiving pilot input such as a touch-screen and one or more computer processors programmed to emulate a message set and to encode/decode messages to and from a wireless protocol a wireless transceiver 118 (in some cases possibly just a transmitter) and an antenna 120. In some embodiments, smart display 116 is a self-contained package as shown in FIG. 5a that operates completely autonomously of the aircraft. The smart display 116 may, for example, be any touch-screen display with processing capability that is programmed to emulate the message set and to provide the text and graphics to support the store. These may be mounted in the cockpit using Velcro, fasteners or some other mounting device. Versions of smart-phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs) or computer tablets may be used. The targeting data for each store is either loaded into the smart display prior to takeoff or by the pilot in flight. Other targeting data such as current GPS coordinates is determined by the store itself and transmitted back to the smart display. Most stores have an on-board GPS antenna and navigation system that can track GPS satellites and navigate while carried on the aircraft. In other embodiments, smart display 116 may be configured to use certain hardware such as the display, means for pilot input, computer processors already existing on the aircraft or a power source. A software upgrade or physical dongle or plug-in may be used to provide the emulator and wireless encode/decode capability. Although the smart display may have its own battery it may be plugged into a power source on the aircraft, much like plugging a cell phone into a cigarette lighter in a car. Although not self-contained, the smart display still operates autonomously from the aircraft, and specifically autonomously from any hardware or software associated with an existing aircraft interface. In other embodiments, smart display 116 may be configured to receive certain data such as GPS coordinates or environmental data (e.g. wind direction and speed, temperature and humidity) from systems on-board the aircraft to provide or augment target data that was pre-loaded or provided by the pilot. This data may, for example, be coupled to the smart display's data port using a USB cable.

Wireless store module 114 includes a store controller 122 for hardwired communication with store electric interface 110 of power, discrete voltage signals and/or data signals, a battery 124 that powers both the module and, as necessary, the store pre-release via its interface, a wireless transceiver 126 (in some cases possibly just a receiver) and an antenna 128. Store controller 122 includes the aircraft electrical interface that is compatible with and hardwired to store electrical interface 110 in order to communicate the power, discrete voltages and data signals on the specified lines and in the specified format according to the particular standard implemented by the store interface.

Store module 114 is mounted on store 102 and hardwired to the power/discrete/data lines of store electrical interface 110. How the store module is physically connected to the store interface will depend upon the store and the position of the interface connector should one exist. In some cases, store module 114 may include a mating connector that can be plugged into the existing interface connector. In other cases it may be necessary to rework the store to reposition the interface connector. In yet other cases, in which the store is designed for use with a kit the physical connectors may be dispensed with and the store module placed inside the store and hardwired directly to the appropriate power/discrete/data lines of the store interface.

As shown in FIG. 5b, in some modern smart stores such as the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM), Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) or Enhanced Paveway™ a tail section 130 is connected to the weapon. A store interface connector is formed in the side of a weapon. A short umbilical cord with mating connectors at each end is connected to the store interface connector and runs along the length of the weapon to the tail section leaving a very short length of cord and connector free. Ordinarily this free connector is connected to a mating connector on the rack or pylon for connection via a long umbilical cord back to the aircraft interface in the cockpit. With the kit the free end of the umbilical is folded inside tail section 130. Store module 114 is configured to slide into the open tail section so that its connector 132 mates with the interface connector. The store module's patch antenna 128 is positioned on the weapon within line of sight of the cockpit.

A block diagram of an embodiment of smart display 116 is depicted in FIG. 6. The smart display includes both hardware and software. The hardware includes a display 140, a touch screen 142, a processor 144, memory 146 and a battery 148. Battery 148 supplies power for the hardware and for the wireless transceiver via an external power port 149. Memory 146 stores store data and target data that is loaded by the flight crew pre-flight, input by the aircrew via the touch screen 142 or received from an aircraft subsystem via a data port 150.

Processor 144 is configured with various software modules to implement a sequence of instructions to communicate with the store via its electrical interface. A first software module is a store application 152. The store application provides the various graphical templates that provide the menu options to present data to the pilot and to enter data and command various store functions. The store application may be configured to provide the same look and feel as that associated with the existing interface on the aircraft, as that associated with the interface on the store, of a uniform kit interface for all aircraft and stores or of a customized interface for a particular customer's needs.

A second software module is a message set emulator 154 that generates messages to emulate the message set associated with the particular store interface. For example, different interfaces may use different discrete voltage signals on different hardwired lines to command the store to perform a certain function. Or different stores may require different sequences of commands to perform a certain function. In response to a pilot commanded function such as to perform an IBIT, update LAR or to initiate a firing sequence, the message set emulator generates one or more control or data messages to send to the store module. In response to these messages or in response to periodically performing an IBIT or updating LAR, the store module generates data messages that are returned to the software module. In response to these data messages, the message set emulator generates commands or data to update the display. The message set emulator may be programmed to implement the full message set and full-functionality supported by the store interface, to implement a minimum message set necessary to fire the store or to implement a customized message set for a particular customer's needs. The message set emulator may be programmed to generate outgoing control and data messages for the particular store interface. Alternately, the message set emulator may be programmed to generate outgoing control and data messages that are independent of the particular store interface. In this latter case, the store controller is provided with a translator that translates between the generic message set and the store specific message set. For example, the emulator may generate a control message that commands the store to “turn on battery power”. The translator may translate this generic command to activate the store's internal battery to specific commands that switch on the 115V AC, 28V DC#1 and 28V DC#2 lines in the store module that are hardwired to the store interface. This latter approach may be desirable in order to make all of the aircraft modules the same and configure only the store modules for a particular store interface.

A third software module is a wireless codec (encoder/decoder) 156. For certain stores or minimal message sets in which the flow of wireless data is only from the aircraft to the store, the codec may be configured as only an encoder. More generally, the wireless codec encodes messages into and decodes messages from a specified short range wireless protocol. To ensure that the messages can be reliably and securely transmitted over an open wireless link, the messages must be formatted into a wireless protocol. The encoded messages are sent and received through a wireless port 158 via the wireless transceiver and antenna. Again, in limited circumstances the transceiver may only comprise a transmitter.

A block diagram of an embodiment wireless store module 114 and its hardwired connection to store electrical interface 110 is depicted in FIG. 6. Store electrical interface 110 includes a power interface 160 having one or more power lines 162, a discrete interface 162 having one or more discrete lines 163 and a digital data interface 164 having one or more digital signal lines 165. Power interface 160 receives power on power lines 162 to power the store until the store is released. Discrete interface 162 receives discrete control signals that may be set to either high or low discrete voltages such as release consent or interlock and may return signals such as interlock return. Digital data interface 164 sends and receives digital data signals such as IBIT, LAR etc. This embodiment of electrical interface 1110 has the same basic architecture as the MIL STD 1760 digital interface.

Wireless store module 114 includes wireless transceiver 126 to send and receive messages to and from the aircraft module, battery 124 and store controller 122 to provide power to the store and communicate with the store via the physical interface and message set dictated by the store electrical interface 110. Store controller 122 includes an electrical interface 170 that is compatible with store electrical interface 110 and hardwired thereto either via a short umbilical cable and mating connectors or direct wiring and one or more processors 172 configured to implement a wireless message codec 174 and a message controller 176. Electrical interface 170, which includes a power interface 178, a discrete interface 180 and a digital data interface 182 effectively moves the aircraft's compatible electrical interface from the cockpit to the store itself These interfaces are physical interfaces, the power and discrete interface suitably comprising a controller and relays to and the digital data interface comprising a chip set such as RS-422. Message controller 176 receives the control and data messages generated by the aircraft module's emulator and directs the control messages to the appropriate power or discrete interface and the data messages to the data interface. As discussed above, if the aircraft module is configured to emulate a generic message set, the store controller includes a translator 184 that translates the generic message into a store specific message and vice-versa. Data messages from the store are passed through the wireless message codec (and possibly the translator) and transmitted back to the aircraft module.

FIG. 8 depicts the wireless store module 114 of FIG. 7 configured for a particular MIL STD 1760 interface used in a Paveway™ weapon. In this case, the translator is not implemented and the power, discrete and data lines mirror are a subset of those of the full MIL STD 1760 interface depicted in FIG. 3. As illustrated, from the perspective of the store and store interface both the physical connections and format of the message set have not changed. The kit provides the same physical connections and message set as would a conventional system in which the aircraft electrical interface in the cockpit is hardwired to the store electrical interface via a long umbilical cable and connectors. The kit provides this functionality without requiring the aircraft to have the compatible electrical interface.

In an embodiment, the kit provides menu options to the aircrew to control the store via a touch-screen on the display. The aircrew uses the touch screen to scroll through store-specific menu options, enter data and command various store functions. The kit interprets the aircrew's commands to generate and wirelessly transmit the appropriate messages to the store module, which directs the message to the appropriate power/discrete/data interface for communication to the store interface. The kit receives data messages from the store and updates the appropriate text and graphics on the display.

One menu option may be the mission status display (MSD) that shows the store (weapon) launch solution, called the launch acceptability region (LAR). The MSD is constructed by continuously polling a variety of store messages including the LAR message. The LAR is typically computed in the store based on the store's knowledge of current position, altitude, attitude (pitch/yaw/roll), airspeed, and target location, along with associated target attack parameters like impact angle and impact bearing. This dynamic display shows the present position of the aircraft and the target, and a graphical representation of the size and position of the LAR. The LAR grows and shrinks as the platform turns towards or away from the target, gains or loses altitude, and so on. When the aircrew maneuvers the platform inside the LAR, the store can be launched and will reach its target. Some stores compute their own LAR, and the kit will perform the calculations for those that don't.

Another menu option may be to perform an Initiated Built-In Test (IBIT). Upon selection, the emulator generates a message that commands the store to enter IBIT and changes the cockpit display to an IBIT status display that shows IN PROGRESS. When the store indicates that IBIT is complete (typically 20 seconds or longer), the kit updates the status display to indicate COMPLETE, and to show the pass/fail status of each of the store's tested subsystems. The number and type of tested subsystems vary by store. The aircrew selects another menu option to return to the main or other menu.

A sequence of menu options may be performed to “fire” the weapon. Notionally, this may include “store power on”, “target download”, “weapon status display”, “weapon arm” and “weapon battery fire”. Note, IBIT and LAR may be performed as part of this sequence or prior to. At the completion of this sequence the kit updates the display for battery countdown. This lets the pilot know how much time he has to depress the “pickle” button and release the weapon. An embodiment of the sequence for “firing” the weapon is illustrated and described in detail in FIGS. 9a through 9f. The figures depict both the text and graphics that are displayed to the aircrew and selections made by the aircrew and the processing that is performed by both the aircraft module (cockpit) and store modules (weapon).

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, certain stores are not powered until just prior to release. The store's electrical interface, hence the store module's compatible electrical interface do not include a power interface. Consequently, either the target data is stored in the wireless store module and transferred when the internal battery is fired just prior to release as shown in FIG. 10 or the target data is loaded pre-flight via a separate data port to the store's data interface (not coupled to the wireless store module) as shown in FIG. 11. In general, because the store is not powered until release the store is not generating and transmitting data messages back to the aircraft module. An example of such a store may be a Miniature Air Launched Device (MALD).

As shown in FIG. 10, a store 200 includes an internal battery 202 that powers the store itself and the store's electrical interface 204 that comprises a discrete interface 206 and a digital data interface 208. Wireless store module 210 comprises a battery 212, a wireless receiver 214, a computer processor 216 configured to implement a wireless message decoder 218 and a message controller 220, a compatible electrical interface 221 including a discrete interface 222 and a digital data interface 224, a memory 226 and a memory controller 228. Target data is downloaded from the wireless aircraft module to the wireless store module decoded and directed to memory 226 where it is stored. When it's time to fire the store's internal battery 202 and launch the store, the aircraft module sends a control message to fire the internal battery. Message controller 220 routes the message through discrete interface 222 to the store's discrete interface 206, which in turn fires internal battery 202. Either a return discrete signal from the store indicating “battery fired” or the discrete signal from the store module to the store to fire the battery, triggers memory controller 228 to transfer the target data from memory 226 to data interface 224 and through the hard-wired connection to the store's data interface 208 after the internal battery has been fired and just prior to launching the store. Once the internal battery has been fired and target data downloaded, the aircrew can release the store.

As shown in FIG. 11, a store 300 includes an internal battery 302 that powers the store itself and the store's electrical interface 304 that comprises a discrete interface 306 and a data interface 308. Wireless store module 310 comprises a battery 312, a wireless receiver 314, a computer processor 316 configured to implement a wireless message decoder 318 and a message controller 320 and a compatible electrical interface 321 including only a discrete interface 322. In this configuration, target data is downloaded pre-flight by the flight crew via a data port to data interface 308. This data port and data interface 308 are not connected to the wireless store module. When it's time to fire the store's internal battery 302 and launch the store, the aircraft module sends a control message to fire the internal battery. Message controller 320 routes the message through discrete interface 322 to the store's discrete interface 306, which in turn fires internal battery 302. Once the internal battery has been fired, the aircrew can release the store.

While several illustrative embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, numerous variations and alternate embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. Such variations and alternate embodiments are contemplated, and can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A wireless precision avionics kit for integration of stores with aircraft, said store including an electrical interface that provides for communication via a message set, said kit comprising:

a wireless aircraft module adapted for mounting in the cockpit of the aircraft, said module comprising, a power supply; a wireless transmitter and antenna; a display; means for pilot input; an emulator that emulates the message set in response to pilot input and to interact with the display; and a wireless codec that encodes messages into a wireless protocol; and

a wireless store module adapted for mounting on the store, comprising, a battery; a wireless receiver and antenna; and a store controller including a wireless codec that decodes messages from the wireless protocol and a compatible electrical interface configured for hardwiring to the electrical interface of the store.

2. The kit of claim 1, wherein the power supply comprised of a battery, the display, the means for pilot input and the emulator are integrated into a self-contained package for mounting in the cockpit that operates autonomously from the aircraft.

3. The kit of claim 1, wherein the store module further comprises a transmitter for transmitting data messages from the store and wherein the aircraft module further comprises a receiver for receiving data messages, said wireless codecs both encoding and decoding messages to and from the wireless protocol, said emulator emulating the message set in response to the data messages from the store to interact with the display.

4. The kit of claim 1, wherein the emulator comprises one or more computer processors configured to implement a sequence of instructions to emulate the message set for communication with the store interface and to interact with the display.

5. The kit of claim 4, wherein the sequence of instructions emulate the full message set and full functionality supported by the store interface.

6. The kit of claim 4, wherein the sequence of instructions emulate a minimal message set and minimal functionality required to fire the store, said minimal message set comprising store initiated built-in test (IBIT) and launch acceptability region (LAR) messages sent from the store to the aircraft and power and target data messages sent from the aircraft to the store.

7. The kit of claim 4, wherein the sequence of instructions emulate a customized message set and customized functionality selected from the full message set and full functionality supported by the store interface.

8. The kit of claim 4, wherein the kit is adapted for use with an aircraft having a pre-existing electrical interface that is incompatible with the store's electrical interface, wherein the sequence of instructions provide text and graphics to the display that emulate the pre-existing electrical interface.

9. The kit of claim 4, wherein the sequence of instructions provide text and graphics to the display that emulate the display of an aircraft electrical interface compatible with the store's electrical interface.

10. The kit of claim 4, wherein the sequence of instructions provide customized text and graphics to the display.

11. The kit of claim 4, wherein the sequence of instructions are customized for the store's particular electrical interface.

12. The kit of claim 4, wherein the sequence of instructions support a generic message set for all types of store electrical interfaces, wherein said store module's store controller further comprises a translator that translates between the generic message set and the particular message set for the store's particular electrical interface.

13. The kit of claim 1, wherein the compatible electrical interface comprises a power interface coupled to the battery for supplying in response to received control messages at least one voltage to the one or more power lines on the store, a discrete interface coupled to the battery for supplying in response to received control messages at least one voltage to the one or more discrete lines on the store and a digital data interface for communication of data messages with the one or more digital data lines on the store, said store controller further comprising a message set controller that routes received control messages to the appropriate power or discrete interface and the data messages to the digital data interface.

14. The kit of claim 1, wherein the store comprises an internal battery, wherein the compatible electrical interface comprises a discrete interface coupled to the battery for supplying in response to received control messages at least one voltage to the one or more discrete lines on the store to fire its internal battery and a digital data interface for communication of data messages with the one or more digital data lines on the store, said store controller further comprising a message set controller that routes received control messages to the discrete interface and the data messages to the digital data interface.

15. The kit of claim 14, wherein data messages from the aircraft module are transmitted and data stored in memory in the store controller, upon firing the store's internal battery, said data being transferred from memory to the store via the digital data interface.

16. The kit of claim 1, wherein the store comprises an internal battery and the store's electrical interface comprises a discrete interface and a data interface, said data interface configured to receive target data pre-flight through a data port that is not hardwired to the store module, wherein the compatible electrical interface comprises a discrete interface coupled to the battery for supplying in response to a received control message at least one voltage to the one or more discrete lines on the store to fire the store's internal battery

17. A wireless precision avionics kit for integration of stores with aircraft, said store including an electrical interface including power, discrete and digital data lines that provides for communication via a message set, said kit comprising:

a wireless aircraft module adapted for mounting in the cockpit of the aircraft, said module comprising, a power supply; a wireless transceiver and antenna; a display; means for pilot input; an emulator that emulates the message set to send wireless control and data messages in response to pilot input, receive wireless data messages and to interact with the display; a wireless codec to encode and decode messages to and from a wireless transmission protocol, and

a wireless store module adapted for mounting on the store, comprising, a battery; a wireless transceiver and antenna coupled to the battery; and a store controller comprising, a wireless codec to encode and decode messages to and from a wireless transmission protocol; a compatible electrical interface configured for hardwiring to the electrical interface of the store, said interface comprising, a power interface coupled to the battery for supplying in response to received control messages at least one voltage to the one or more power lines on the store; a discrete interface coupled to the battery for supplying in response to received control messages at least one voltage to the one or more discrete lines on the store; and a digital data interface for bi-directional communication of data messages with the one or more digital data lines on the store; and a message set controller that routes received control messages to the appropriate power or discrete interface and the data messages to the digital data interface.

18. The kit of claim 17, wherein the power supply comprised of a battery, the display, the means for pilot input and the emulator are integrated into a self-contained package for mounting in the cockpit that operates autonomously from the aircraft.

19. A wireless precision avionics kit for integration of stores with aircraft, comprising:

a store including an electrical interface that provides for communication via a message set;

a wireless aircraft module adapted for mounting in the cockpit of the aircraft, said module comprising, an autonomous self-contained smart display including a display, means for pilot input, a battery, a processor configured to emulate the message set in response to pilot input and to interact with the display and a wireless codec that encodes messages into a wireless protocol; and a wireless transmitter and antenna coupled to the self-contained smart display, and

a wireless store module mounted on the store, comprising, a battery; a wireless receiver and antenna; and a store controller including a wireless codec that decodes messages from the wireless protocol, a compatible electrical interface configured for hardwiring to the electrical interface of the store for bi-directional communication of data and a message set controller that routes received messages to the compatible electrical interface for the store.

20. The kit of claim 19, wherein the store module further comprises a transmitter for transmitting data messages from the store and wherein the aircraft module further comprises a receiver for receiving data messages, said wireless codecs both encoding and decoding messages to and from the wireless protocol, said emulator emulating the message set in response to the data messages from the store to interact with the display.

21. The kit of claim 19, wherein the compatible electrical interface comprises a power interface coupled to the battery for supplying in response to received control messages at least one voltage to the one or more power lines on the store, a discrete interface coupled to the battery for supplying in response to received control messages at least one voltage to the one or more discrete lines on the store and a digital data interface for communication of data messages with the one or more digital data lines on the store, said store controller further comprising a message set controller that routes received control messages to the appropriate power or discrete interface and the data messages to the digital data interface.