Aircraft Display Lists Using Relative Offsets for Faster Chart Rendering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Avionics display systems face challenges with limited data storage space for avionics chart data and extensive run-time image display times, exacerbated by the need for hardware directives that rely on unknown base addresses.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for creating and executing machine code subroutines with indeterminate addresses, converting hardware directives offline into sorted keys and subroutines to minimize storage requirements and run-time access times, using relative offsets generated without knowledge of the hardware base address.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If chart data is stored in avionics display systems, then chart images can be displayed during run-time, but data storage space is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments chart data into two distinct components: sorted keys (stored offline in limited on-board memory) and associated data (stored externally with larger capacity). This segmentation allows the system to work within tight on-board storage constraints while still accessing comprehensive chart information during flight operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces sorted keys as an intermediary structure that bridges the gap between limited on-board storage and comprehensive chart data. These keys contain sufficient information to identify and retrieve full chart images from external sources during run-time, enabling efficient data access without requiring all chart data to be permanently stored on the avionics system.
2Speed
If hardware directives use absolute addresses, then chart images can be accessed directly, but run-time display time is extensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary sorting and indexing of chart data offline before flight operations. Sorted keys are pre-calculated and stored in on-board memory with optimized data structures that enable rapid lookup during run-time. This preliminary organization eliminates the need for time-consuming data retrieval and processing during actual flight operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the addressing paradigm from absolute addresses to a two-stage relative addressing system. Instead of storing and processing large absolute addresses during run-time, the system uses compact relative offsets stored in sorted keys, which are then combined with base addresses to locate full chart data. This parameter transformation significantly reduces run-time computational overhead.
3Volume of stationary object
If hardware directives are converted offline into sorted keys, then storage requirements are minimized, but the system requires complex subroutine creation and execution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service mechanisms where the sorted keys and associated data structures are automatically generated and organized during offline processing. The system creates its own efficient data retrieval infrastructure without requiring complex manual configuration or intervention during flight operations, reducing operational complexity despite the sophisticated data structures employed.
4Adaptability or versatility
If relative offsets are generated without base address knowledge, then hardware independence is achieved, but address updating during run-time is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic addressing system where base addresses can be updated during run-time based on actual memory loading conditions. The sorted keys store relative offsets that are automatically adjusted when base addresses change, allowing the system to adapt to different memory configurations without requiring regeneration of the entire data structure. This dynamic adjustment mechanism maintains hardware independence while minimizing update overhead.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method is disclosed. The method may include receiving chart data; converting the received chart data into one or more sets of hardware directives and one or more subroutines, the one or more sets of one or more hardware directives including at least a first set hardware directives and a second set of hardware directives, the first set of hardware directives including one or more relative offsets needing address modification, the second set of hardware directives not needing address modification; generating a display list including the set of hardware directives and one or more rules, the one or more relative offsets needing address modification arranged at a beginning position in the generated display list; providing the generated display list to an on-board aircraft controller; and updating, via the on-board aircraft controller, the one or more absolute addresses of the relative offsets of the first set of hardware directives during run-time.