Aircraft Datalink Selection Logic for Grouped Ground Stations

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current aircraft communication systems do not account for grouped ground transmitting stations, leading to potential selection of sub-optimal stations, which can cause connectivity issues and message delays due to the lack of dynamic selection logic for conventional and grouped ground transmitting stations.

Innovation Solution

A communications management system on board the vehicle determines whether a ground transmitting station is part of a group by analyzing characteristics such as message frequency, signal strength, service provider compatibility, database indicators, and message content, and evaluates these stations based on criteria like signal strength, geographical location, and vehicle navigation parameters to select the most suitable primary ground transmitting station.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If current aircraft ground selection logic is used without accounting for grouped ground transmitting stations, then the system maintains simplicity in ground station selection, but the aircraft may select sub-optimal ground transmitting stations leading to connectivity problems and message delays

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidground station selection logic complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic ground station selection logic that adapts to different ground station types (traditional vs. grouped). The system dynamically adjusts selection criteria based on whether ground stations share network addresses, enabling reliable communication by choosing appropriate stations while maintaining operational simplicity through automated decision-making algorithms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the aircraft evaluates ground station characteristics (such as network address sharing status, signal strength, and geographical location) and adjusts its selection accordingly. This feedback loop ensures optimal communication reliability by continuously monitoring and selecting the best ground station based on current operational conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If multiple ground transmitting stations share the same network address as grouped ground transmitting stations, then the aircraft perceives them as a single entity simplifying identification, but the aircraft may have difficulty selecting the optimal physical station for communication

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveground station identification easeVSAvoidmessage transmission delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves the ambiguity of grouped ground stations by introducing additional selection dimensions beyond network address. The system evaluates multiple parameters including geographical location relative to aircraft position, signal strength metrics, and predetermined priority assignments to select the optimal physical station, thereby eliminating delays while maintaining the simplified single-entity perception benefit

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If the aircraft evaluates ground transmitting stations based on multiple criteria including signal strength and geographical location, then the selection of optimal ground station is improved, but the processing complexity and time required for selection increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveground station selection accuracyVSAvoidevaluation process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality assessment by evaluating ground stations based on their specific characteristics relative to the aircraft's current state. Different criteria (signal strength, geographical location, grouped station status) are weighted and applied locally to each ground station candidate, allowing accurate selection without requiring complex global optimization algorithms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts evaluation parameters based on operational context. The selection logic modifies which criteria are most important depending on conditions such as aircraft altitude, speed, and proximity to ground stations, thereby achieving high selection accuracy while maintaining processing efficiency through context-aware parameter adjustment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20250309974A1Ground station selection logic between grouped ground transmitting stations

Publication Date: 2025.10.02 HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC

AI summary

Embodiments are directed to a communications management system on a vehicle configured to determine whether a ground transmitting station is a grouped ground transmitting station. In some embodiments, the communications management system is configured to select one or more primary ground transmitting stations for communicating a datalink message based on whether the ground transmitting station is a grouped ground transmitting station. In determining the presence of grouped ground transmitting stations, the vehicle can take advantage of the grouped ground transmission functionality offered by these entities when communicating datalink messages.