ADS-B System Transponder Data Extraction

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing ADS-B systems require manual input from flight crews or wired data interfaces for controlling and providing aircraft information, which increases workload and may necessitate avionics retrofits in aircraft without compatible interfaces.

Innovation Solution

An ADS-B system with a receiver configured to extract information from aircraft transponders, such as TCAS radar transponders, allowing for broadcast over the ADS-B datalink without dedicated flight crew controls or wired data interfaces, maintaining system independence from transponders and avionics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual input controls are used for ADS-B system, then system operation is simple, but flight crew workload increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem operation simplicityVSAvoidflight crew workload

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The ADS-B system automatically acquires aircraft information from the transponder without requiring manual input from the flight crew. The system extracts data such as position, altitude, and identification automatically from the transponder responses, eliminating the need for crew members to manually enter or update this information while maintaining simple system operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Extent of automation

If wired data interfaces are installed for ADS-B system, then information acquisition is automated, but avionics retrofit is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation acquisition automationVSAvoidavionics retrofit requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The ADS-B system utilizes the existing transponder, which is already universally installed in aircraft for radar detection and identification purposes. By extracting information from the transponder's existing responses, the system achieves automated information acquisition without requiring additional dedicated wired data interfaces or avionics retrofits, making it compatible with existing aircraft equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If ADS-B dedicated controls are installed, then system functionality is enhanced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem functionalityVSAvoidcontrols and interfaces

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts necessary information directly from the transponder responses without requiring dedicated ADS-B controls or interfaces. By taking out the required data (position, altitude, identification) from the existing transponder communication protocol, the system achieves enhanced functionality while avoiding the complexity of additional dedicated control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS8102301B2Self-configuring ADS-B system

Publication Date: 2012.01.24 GARMIN INTERNATIONAL INC

AI summary

Techniques are described that allow information to be acquired by an ADS-B system of an aircraft without the installation of ADS-B dedicated flight crew controls or wired data interfaces in the aircraft. In one or more implementations, a receiver is associated with the ADS-B system in the aircraft. The receiver is configured to receive transmissions from a transponder of the aircraft, such as a radar transponder of a Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), or the like. Information used by the ADS-B system is extracted from the received transmissions and furnished to the ADS-B transceiver for broadcast over the ADS-B datalink.