Avionic Communication Management System for Automated CPDLC Clearance Requests
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pilots face challenges in requesting optimal deviations to flight plans due to resource limitations, relying on manual entry of Flight Management System (FMS) data for Controller Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC) clearances, which can be inefficient and burdensome.
Innovation Solution
An avionic system that includes a communication device coupled with a Flight Management System (FMS) to provide advisory support by suggesting deviation values for flight parameters like altitude and speed, reducing pilot workload by automatically generating system messages and displaying computed values for clearance requests.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If pilots manually enter FMS computed data into CMU pages for ATC downlink requests, then clearances can be requested through CPDLC, but pilot workload increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by automatically populating CMU pages with FMS computed data without requiring pilot intervention. The communication management function autonomously retrieves, formats, and enters the necessary flight plan information, routing data, and deviation parameters into the appropriate CPDLC message structures, thereby eliminating manual data entry while maintaining operational accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-computing and pre-formatting all necessary data for CPDLC clearances before the pilot needs to request them. The FMS continuously calculates optimal deviation values and the communication management function prepares the message structures in advance, so that when a clearance request is needed, the data is already ready for immediate transmission without manual intervention
2Loss of time
If pilots rely on manual data entry from FMS for CPDLC clearances, then clearances can be obtained, but the process becomes burdensome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The communication management function performs self-service by automatically retrieving FMS computed data, formatting it according to CPDLC requirements, and entering it into the message structure without pilot intervention. This autonomous operation eliminates the time pilots would spend manually copying data from FMS displays to CMU pages
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the mechanical process of manual data entry with an automated electronic data transfer mechanism. The communication management function electronically retrieves data from the FMS, processes it through formatting routines, and transmits it via data link, substituting the manual mechanical actions of reading, copying, and entering data with an automated electronic workflow that is both faster and less burdensome
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for requesting air traffic control (ATC) clearance comprising receiving user input to display an ATC clearance request page corresponding to a respective flight parameter; based on the received user input, requesting a computed value for the respective flight parameter from a flight management (FMS) system; and displaying the computed value with the ATC clearance request page corresponding to the respective flight parameter.