Aircraft Sensor Control GUI for Fault Isolation in Avionics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cockpit display systems are overly complex, making it cognitively demanding for pilots to respond to alert annunciations from aircraft sensors, as they require extensive training and knowledge to identify and address sensor failures across multiple physically distinct displays and avionics systems.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that includes a controller circuit communicating with aircraft sensors and avionic systems, generating representative signals, and presenting a graphical user interface to visually distinguish critical sensor data, allowing pilots to easily identify and manage sensor failures by grouping sensors by type and preventing consumption of faulty data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple aircraft sensors are used to provide data to avionic systems, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity and difficulty of detecting and measuring sensor failures increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex sensor system into individual sensor instances (first aircraft sensor, second aircraft sensor, etc.) grouped by sensor type (ADS, IRS, RA). Each sensor is individually monitored and identified in the GUI, allowing pilots to see specific sensor data sources rather than a monolithic system, thereby reducing perceived complexity while maintaining multiple sensors for precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller circuit acts as an intermediary between the multiple aircraft sensors and the avionic systems. It receives data from multiple sensors, processes the information, determines sensor reliance for each avionic system, and manages data distribution. This intermediary simplifies the interface by consolidating multiple sensor inputs into a manageable control point.
2Reliability
If multiple aircraft sensors are deployed across different avionic systems, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to scattered control elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control interface for multiple sensors and avionic systems into a single consolidated GUI page. This page displays all aircraft sensors, their data sources, and associated avionic systems in one location, eliminating the need for pilots to navigate across multiple physically distinct displays and menu pages. The control elements are combined and presented together, improving ease of operation while maintaining reliable monitoring across all systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The GUI page serves multiple functions simultaneously: it displays sensor data, identifies sensor failures, shows avionic system dependencies, and provides control elements for managing sensor usage. This multi-functional interface consolidates what would otherwise require separate displays and controls, making the system easier to operate while maintaining comprehensive monitoring of all sensors and avionic systems.
3Reliability
If comprehensive sensor monitoring is implemented across all avionic systems, then reliability is improved, but cognitive load on pilots increases due to information complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs visual distinction techniques including color changes to indicate sensor failure status. The GUI page visually distinguishes between healthy and failed sensors, allowing pilots to quickly identify problems without processing complex data. This visual coding reduces cognitive load by transforming complex sensor status information into immediately recognizable visual cues.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller circuit changes the presentation parameters of sensor information based on status. Healthy sensors are displayed with normal parameters, while failed sensors are visually distinguished and their data consumption is controlled. This dynamic parameter adjustment simplifies the information presented to pilots, showing only relevant details and highlighting critical issues without overwhelming the operator with raw data complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods enabling user control over use of aircraft sensors located onboard an aircraft. The method receives sensor signals comprising any combination of ADS signals, IRS signals and a third RA signals, and GPS signals; comparing sensor data values in the sensor signals to each other and to respective acceptable thresholds and critical thresholds that are preprogrammed; grouping avionic systems on-board the aircraft into subgroups having a same sensor reliance; presenting a graphical user interface (GUI) page on the display system, the GUI page identifying a sensor subgroup, the aircraft sensors of the respective sensor subgroup, and respective critical sensor parameters and associated critical sensor parameter data; visually distinguishing an critical sensor parameter data that exceeds the respective acceptable threshold or exceeds the respective critical threshold; and, accepting user deselections of aircraft sensors via the GUI page.