Abstract: RTCA Special Committee 186 has recently adopted a series of changes to the original Minimum Aviation System Performance Standards (MASPS) for Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B). The new document will be published as DO-242A. Major changes to the MASPS include a significant restructuring and expansion of the intent parameters for future ADS-B systems. ADS-B provides a means for aircraft to exchange information about their intended trajectories with each other and with ground systems. NASA and Boeing have played significant roles in recommending these changes and providing supporting analysis. The intent changes are anticipated to provide substantial benefits to several programs and operational concepts under development by the two organizations. Major changes include the addition of Target State reports and the replacement of Trajectory Change Point reports with Trajectory Change reports. These changes have been designed to better reflect the capabilities of existing and future aircraft avionics, while providing benefits to current and proposed applications. DO-242A implements intent information elements that can be supported by current avionics systems and data buses. Provisions are made for future incorporation of other intent elements, as needed to meet operational requirements. This document summarizes the reasons for the DO-242A intent changes and provides a detailed overview of current and future intended ADS-B MASPS changes related to aircraft intent.

Abstract: A method, avionics apparatus and computer program for determining a terminal flight path, including access to aircraft position information provided by a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver. The method apparatus and computer program determine an Intended Touchdown Point (ITP), which is the desired landing location on an intended runway; determine a Current Touchdown Point (CTP), which is where the aircraft will land given its current glidepath and is a function of the current trajectory, configuration and engine thrust; determine a correspondence of the CTP and ITP and generate an output signal as a function of the correspondence, which is displayed on a cockpit display device, annunciated on a cockpit speaker, or both.

Abstract: Autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) require avionics systems that enable them to maintain a stable attitude and to follow a desired flight path. This paper considers the design and development of such an avionics system that provides navigational and terrain information to the flight computer of a rotorcraft UAV. The process includes the design and testing of flight hardware and software that interprets sensor data. The paper provides an overview of a specific implementation of the approach: the GTMax testbed developed at the Georgia Institute of Technology UAV research facility. Its available payload and performance allows for a variety of onboard sensors, supports reconfiguration, and has the capability to demonstrate aggressive maneuvers under complex and changing mission scenarios.

Abstract: The system and method of the present invention provides automated electronic switching and control for data uploading of software in the form of operational programs, operational configuration or databases, collection of S/W configuration information from the various loadable avionics (but not limited to avionics) subsystems and download data between those subsystems and the ARINC 615-3 or 615A data load applications. The data load applications can be resident in existing ARINC 615 Airborne, Portable or PC-based data loaders or an optional ARINC 763 type on-aircraft Network Server System. The invention's real-time Linux based platform is also capable of hosting any data load application. The switch interface unit can be either manually controlled as a standalone replacement for existing rotary switches installed on Boeing aircraft, or remotely controlled when integrated into an ARINC 763 type Network Server System such as the Aircraft Data Services ink (ADSL). The switch interface unit functions as the aircraft system selector in the Data Load/Configuration system. The invention is line replaceable, and has many advantages over the existing manual rotary switch. The unit's design meets and exceeds the current data load interfacing requirements for avionics equipment.

Abstract: Introduction Avionics Technology Data Bus Networks System Safety Avionics Architectures Systems Development Electrical Systems Sensors Communications and Navigation Aids Flight Control Systems Navigation Systems Flight Deck Displays Military Aircraft Adaptations References Further Reading Introduction to Appendices Appendix A: Safety Analysis - Flight Control System Appendix B: Safety Analysis - Electronic Flight Instrument System Appendix C: Safety Analysis - Electrical System Appendix D: Safety Analysis - Engine Control System Simplified Example (all failure rates per flight hour) Index.

Abstract: The present invention resides in a system, method and an article of manufacture for transmitting maintenance and diagnostic data from an aircraft. The system comprises an aircraft, a cellular infrastructures and a data reception unit. The aircraft has an avionics system and a communications unit. The avionics system comprises a plurality of line replaceable units, and the communications unit is connected to each line replaceable, unit. The cellular infrastructure is in communication with said communications unit after the aircraft has landed. The communication is initiated automatically upon the landing of the aircraft. The data reception unit is connected to the cellular infrastructure.

Abstract: An intelligent communications capability that enhances legacy military tactical datalink systems by creating an interface between disparate civil and military communications systems onboard military aircraft, ground vehicles, and ground-based communications infrastructures. This capability performs various information management tasks to interface with avionics systems, ground vehicle computer systems, and ground-based infrastructure computer systems. The invention enhances message processing through automation in areas such as data collection, incoming message handling, outgoing message construction, communications network management, and message priority management and routing. The invention also incorporates learning techniques to improve the overall efficiency of integrated military missions, operations, and maintenance in areas such as intelligent consolidation of datalink information, intelligent message distribution, and adaptive message re-routing in response to communications network failures. These enhancements will benefit the military by improving mission effectiveness with real-time information integration and management while reducing their support costs.

Abstract: In accordance with this invention, an apparatus and method for aircraft navigation are provided that utilize a blended architecture consisting of a global positioning system (GPS) and micro-electromechanical sensors (MEMS) for the primary navigation system and a laser gyroscope system for the secondary navigation system. The blended architecture of the present invention provides a navigation system that is at least as accurate, redundant and fault-tolerant as conventional navigation systems. In addition, the navigation system components may be distributed throughout the aircraft and may share computing resources with other avionics systems to process signals and provide data to the avionics systems. Overall, the navigation system of the present invention is significantly less expensive and easier to maintain, but equally or more precise and redundant, relative to conventional navigation systems.

Abstract: Agent-based simulation may provide an effective method of evaluating safety issues in air traffic control. For example, simulation of human performance models of controllers and pilots, interacting with aircraft avionics systems and with communication, navigation, and surveillance technologies, may assess both the individual behavior of these agents and the overall emergent behavior of the air traffic control system. This paper describes a collaborative effort in developing an agent-based simulation of air traffic control. In order to exercise the capabilities of the proposed approach, a test scenario was developed to investigate the impact of new avionics systems which provide alerts of clear air turbulence (CAT) to flight crews. An agent-based simulation using the Reconfigurable Flight Simulator (RFS) software architecture and its asynchronous timing methods is outlined. Adaptation of the Man-machine Integration Design and Analysis System (MIDAS) human performance model to model the behavior of pilots and air traffic controllers and to interact with RFS is detailed, including description of an algorithm implemented to synchronize the timing between RFS and MIDAS. This paper then discusses the use of agent-based simulation incorporating human performance models as a means to assess safety.

Abstract: This paper presents the evolution of FOG development and performance capabilities at Honeywell. A timeline of key milestones is given, and the technology developments and resulting performance improvements are outlined. Data from Honeywell's strategic-grade, high-precision FOGs (HPFOG) is included. Their applications include navigation and attitude reference, predominantly in the commercial aircraft industry.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an integrated air turbine driving system for providing aircraft environmental control. The system has at least one air driven turbine for providing power to an aircraft mounted accessory drive and for providing heated air to an aircraft anti-ice system. The system further has a subsystem for supplying cooled pressurized air to a flight deck and/or cabin and to aircraft avionics. Still further, the subsystem provides cooling air to other aircraft components such as a generator and/or an aircraft mounted accessory drive.

Abstract: An aircraft operation data transmission and retrieval system. The system includes one or more black boxes, such as a flight data recorder or a cockpit voice recorder, that stores aircraft operational data received from sensors on the aircraft. A flight data acquisition unit that is connected to sensors around the aircraft may provide the aircraft operational data. The black boxes store data during a flight that, in the event of an accident, can assist investigators in determining the cause of the accident. If the aircraft systems or the pilots believe that an accident is about to occur, a triggering device is activated to cause the black boxes to output their data to a formatting device. This can occur when an abnormal operating condition is sensed by one or more of the sensors. The data is then formatted and sent to a transmitter for wireless transmission. Formatting can include data compression and the insertion of error correction codes. Either a ground based receiver or a satellite receiver receives the data, thereby allowing for the efficient and effective retrieval of aircraft operational data.

Abstract: This paper discusses the current development of an air traffic operations simulation that supports feasibility research for advanced air traffic management concepts. The Air Traffic Operations Simulation (ATOS) supports the research of future concepts that provide a much greater role for the flight crew in traffic management decision-making. ATOS provides representations of the future communications, navigation, and surveillance (CNS) infrastructure, a future flight deck systems architecture, and advanced crew interfaces. ATOS also provides a platform for the development of advanced flight guidance and decision support systems that may be required for autonomous operations.

Abstract: Wireless sensors can provide new opportunities to foster the push to develop prognostics for both new and legacy aircraft systems. These sensor modules add significant value by being easy to install and/or retrofit. By including all the data necessary to make direct maintenance decisions unilaterally within the sensor module itself rather than processing the data through other systems, these wireless sensors can operate independently and reduce maintenance manpower substantially compared to traditional time-based maintenance scenarios. This paper explains typical system topologies, current technologies, and concerns associated with wireless sensing systems.

Abstract: A very recent FCC Final Rule now permits marketing and operation of new products that incorporate Ultrawideband (UWB) technology into handheld devices. Wireless product developers are working to rapidly bring this versatile, powerful and expectedly inexpensive technology into numerous consumer wireless devices. Past studies addressing the potential for passenger-carried portable electronic devices (PEDs) to interfere with aircraft electronic systems suggest that UWB transmitters may pose a significant threat to aircraft communication and navigation radio receivers. NASA, United Airlines and Eagles Wings Incorporated have performed preliminary testing that clearly shows the potential for handheld UWB transmitters to cause cockpit failure indications for the air traffic control radio beacon system (ATCRBS), blanking of aircraft on the traffic alert and collision avoidance system (TCAS) displays, and cause erratic motion and failure of instrument landing system (ILS) localizer and glideslope pointers on the pilot horizontal situation and attitude director displays. This paper provides details of the preliminary testing and recommends further assessment of aircraft systems for susceptibility to UWB electromagnetic interference.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting electronic display aeronautical chart data to aeronautical chart data that is tailored for an avionics display is disclosed. The method and apparatus received by a data processing unit, electronic display aeronautical chart data. The color palette of the electronic display aeronautical chart data is then remapped to improve viewability on the avionics quality display. Finally, signals representative of the remapped colors are sent to the avionics quality display.

Abstract: Integrated modular avionics (IMA) architectures found in modern aircraft contain applications of different criticalities executing on the same CPU. The execution of these applications must be scheduled so that they do not inadvertently consume CPU time that has been budgeted for other applications. This scheduling function may be performed by a real-time operating system (RTOS) that provides time partitioning guarantees. The large number of variables affecting application execution interleavings makes it difficult and costly to verify time partitioning by traditional means.This paper reports on our efforts to use model checking techniques to verify time partitioning properties in an avionics RTOS. Our modeling and analysis is based on the actual embedded software so as to capture the implementation details of the scheduler. We focus here on several advanced scheduling features of the RTOS that are particularly challenging to verify.

Abstract: Two fundamental trends influence the way we conceive and construct new computing and information systems. The first is that information technology of all forms is becoming highly commoditized i.e., hardware and software artifacts are getting faster, cheaper, and better at a relatively predictable rate. The second is the growing acceptance of a network-centric paradigm, where distributed applications with a range of quality of service (QoS) needs are constructed by integrating separate components connected by various forms of communication services. The nature of these interconnections can range from very small and tightly coupled systems, such as avionics mission computing systems, to very large and loosely coupled systems, such as global telecommunications systems and so-called “grid” computing.

Abstract: The Space Shuttle program began flying atmospheric flight navigation units in 1993, in support of Shuttle avionics upgrades. In the early 1990s, it was anticipated that proven in-production navigation units would greatly reduce integration, certification and maintenance costs. However, technical issues arising from ground and flight tests resulted in a slip in the Shuttle GPS certification date. A number of lessons were learned concerning the adaptation of atmospheric flight navigation units for use in low-Earth orbit. They are applicable to any use of a navigation unit in an application significantly different from the one for which it was originally designed. Flight experience has shown that atmospheric flight navigation units are not adequate to support anticipated space applications of GPS, such as autonomous operation, rendezvous, formation flying and replacement of ground tracking systems. Nomenclature AFRL Air Force Research Lab

Abstract: This paper describes an approach to cognitive and cooperative operator assistance in the field of tactical flight mission management. A framework for a generic functional concept is derived from general considerations of human performance and cognitive engineering. A system built according to these human-centred design principles will be able to keep up with the change of situation parameters, in order to provide situational adapted operator assistance. Such a cognitive assistant system represents an approach to ensure the highest degree possible of situation awareness of the flight deck crew as well as a satisfactory workload level. This generic approach to mission management and crew assistance for military aircraft has been realised in different application domains such as military transport and air-to-ground attack. The Crew Assistant Military Aircraft is a functional prototype for the air transport application. Even applications in the domain of uninhabited aerial vehicles (UAV) are in reach. This paper mainly covers one state-of-the-art research and development activity in the domain of combat aircraft: the TMM – Tactical Mission Management System is an experimental solution for the air-to-ground attack role. The TMM has been implemented as a functional prototype in the mission avionics experimental cockpit (MAXC), a development flight simulator at ESG and evaluated with German Air Force pilots as subjects in simulator trials. Therefore, the TMM has been compared with a reference cockpit avionics configuration in terms of task performance, workload, situation awareness and operator acceptance. After giving an overview of the system concepts this paper reports on the experimental design and results of the simulator trial campaign.

Abstract: Significant changes to the intent reporting structure in the Minimum Aviation System Performance Standards (MASPS) for Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B) have recently been approved by RTCA Special Committee 186. The re-structured intent formats incorporate two major changes to the current MASPS (DO-242): addition of a Target State (TS) report that provides information on the horizontal and vertical targets for the current flight segment and replacement of the current Trajectory Change Point (TCP) and TCP+1 reports with Trajectory Change (TC) reports. TC reports include expanded information about TCPs and their connecting flight segments, in addition to making provisions for trajectory conformance elements. New intent elements are designed to accommodate a greater range of intent information, better reflect operational use and capabilities of existing and future aircraft avionics, and aid trajectory synthesis and conformance monitoring systems. These elements are expected to benefit near-term and future Air Traffic Management (ATM) applications, including separation assurance, local traffic flow management, and conformance monitoring. The current MASPS revision (DO-242A) implements those intent elements that are supported by current avionics standards and data buses. Additional elements are provisioned for inclusion in future MASPS revisions (beyond DO-242A) as avionics systems are evolved.

Abstract: With the proliferation of so-called "smart" components and the availability of small, low-cost, and high-speed data networks, avionics that have traditionally been centralized are becoming distributed. A distributed approach offers many potential benefits and can reduce the risk associated with design errors by splitting complex hardware and software into more manageable components. However, distributed systems also introduce new challenges in meeting real-time deadlines and providing fault tolerance. The automotive industry is addressing the challenges with the development of distributed, drive-by-wire systems, and the adaptation of these to avionic applications looks promising. In developing these new distributed systems, there are many fundamental system design considerations including: time or event-triggered data communication, distributed or centralized data network control, need and method for time-synchronization of distributed components, topology and amount of redundancy to provide fault tolerance. This paper examines these design considerations and identifies the strengths and weaknesses of each.

Abstract: The rapid growth of technology over the last twenty years is providing vastly improved capabilities for both avionics and avionics test systems. Unfortunately, an environment of rapid technological growth breeds a corresponding environment of rapid technological obsolescence. Test systems developed fifteen years ago are becoming increasingly more difficult to support due to obsolescence issues and, additionally, such a test system does not reflect the current state-of-the-art for automatic test equipment. The ability of a test system to evolve is essential to providing cost-effective support systems for electronic systems. The F-15 Tactical Electronic Warfare System (TEWS) Intermediate Support System (TISS) was developed under the Modular Automatic Test Equipment (MATE) guidelines to support the suite of F-15 electronic warfare LRUs. MATE imposed hardware architecture constraints, which were factors that contributed to its abandonment. However, the modular aspect of MATE has provided a system that can easily evolve with technological advancements. Modularity is the cornerstone of modern software systems and this is the aspect that has been exploited in the evolution of the TISS.

Abstract: The Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) database was reviewed for incident reports involving interference to avionics from portable electronic devices (PEDs). There were 125 incident reports identified. Examination of these reports revealed a wide variety of affected avionics, predominately navigation. A diverse group of passenger electronics is mentioned, primarily cellular phones and laptop computers. Relationships between categories of PEDs and avionics were shown to exist statistically. Many aircraft models were involved in the incidents, but preliminary analysis showed that no specific model was more vulnerable than any other. There were safety critical avionics involved and events occurred at critical flight phases. Some incident reports clearly demonstrated the potential for catastrophe. This paper, the first published review of the ASRS data in close to a decade, serves as a reminder that attention to this topic is important and timely due to technology advances, proliferation of consumer electronic devices and aging aircraft.

Abstract: Non-aerospace industries from automobiles to consumer electronics are using product platform concepts to accelerate product development. By planning and developing a series of products based on similar architectures, firms can reuse hardware, software, and manufacturing processes to provide a wide range of products, at lower costs and with shorter development cycles. The nature of spacecraft systems creates special technical, strategic, economic, and organizational challenges for implementing product platforms. The low volume, extreme operating environments, long development cycles, short technology cycles, and the nature of government space programs make it difficult for the space industry to benefit from product platform concepts. However, several aerospace organizations are implementing avionics platforms with significant technical, cost, and strategic benefits. This paper discusses the potential strategic benefits of product platform concepts applied to spacecraft avionics.

Abstract: In the preliminary design of spacecraft, one particularly difficult task is determining the optimal placement of avionics boxes on the spacecraft panels and decks. This is actually a multi-objective optimization problem, as there are multiple competing constraints that must be satisfied simultaneously. These constraints include minimizing the amount of harness wiring between boxes (and thus the wire harness mass), minimizing the length of RF cable runs (to minimize attenuation), keeping the thermal loading of all panels/decks within prescribed limits, and keeping the mass imbalance of the spacecraft within prescribed limits. This task is generally performed manually, based on prior experience and similarity to previous designs. This type of manual process tends to be highly iterative, wastes valuable time and resources, and is guaranteed to always produce sub-optimal results. As the complexity of the spacecraft increases, this problem becomes increasingly formidable. The avionics box placement problem is shown to be a variant of the classical traveling salesman problem (TSP), which is a well-known problem in combinatorial optimization. The classical TSP and its variants are of the class NP-hard, and thus cannot be solved to optimality in polynomial time due to the vastness of the solution space. Global search techniques that use a stochastic engine to explore diverse regions of the solution space (such as genetic algorithms and simulated annealing) have been employed with great success against such problems. This paper examines the utility of implementing a box placement optimization tool using a stochastic global search algorithm. A candidate algorithm is presented, run against a simplified representative avionics box placement problem, and the results documented. The utility of the algorithm is assessed, and recommendations are made for additional enhancements that would increase algorithm performance and make the algorithm more suitable for actual applications.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for reducing display clutter and improving the readability of a display by eliminating the necessity of providing multifunction control/display units and other similar radio/audio/etc. subsystem CDUs in an aircraft cockpit. This is accomplished by providing an interface between the pertinent avionics subsystem (e.g., a satellite data unit (SDU)) and a primary display system (PDS) or other multifunction control/display system. The interface also allows the human-machine interface between the avionics subsystem device and the pilot or aircrew member to be consistent with the human-machine interface for the remainder of the aircraft operations. The interface also allows the human-machine interface to be independent of the machine-machine interface. The interface also allows for automatic detection of the type of interface employed between the avionics subsystem and the primary display system or other multifunction display system, thus allowing the subsystem to automatically adapt to its specific installation environment.