Avionics Interface Adapting CPDLC Message Sets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flight crew members face confusion when navigating different air traffic control (ATC) centers with varying Controller/Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC) versions, as they need to select the correct messages for each version, which can lead to errors due to unclear message sets and inconsistent user interfaces.
Innovation Solution
An avionics system with a human machine interface and control device that adjusts the user interface based on the CPDLC version of an established session, providing a consistent user interface across different CPDLC versions by using CPDLC version abstraction functionality, ensuring only supported messages are available for selection and reducing pilot confusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the system supports multiple CPDLC versions with different message sets, then the adaptability of the system improves, but the device complexity increases due to the need to manage multiple message sets and versions
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a universal user interface that can operate with multiple CPDLC versions (v1.0, v2.0, v3.0) through a single unified interface design. The control device automatically detects the ATC center's CPDLC version capability and adapts the message set accordingly, allowing one interface to serve multiple version requirements without requiring separate interfaces for each version.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer between the user interface and the CPDLC protocol implementation. This intermediary automatically translates between different CPDLC versions and manages message set compatibility, shielding the flight crew from version-specific complexities while maintaining full functionality across versions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the system provides all available CPDLC messages across different versions, then the versatility improves, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to pilot confusion about which messages are supported
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the available message set based on the detected CPDLC version of the connected ATC center. When connected to a v1.0 ATC center, only v1.0 compatible messages are presented to the flight crew. When connected to a v3.0 center, the full v3.0 message set becomes available. This local adaptation ensures that pilots are never presented with messages that their current connection doesn't support.
Solution Approach 2:
The user interface is designed to be dynamic, automatically reconfiguring the available message options based on the runtime detection of the ATC center's CPDLC version capability. The system transitions between different message sets seamlessly without requiring manual intervention from the flight crew, maintaining ease of operation while supporting multiple versions.
3Measurement precision
If the system requires manual selection of CPDLC version and messages, then the measurement precision of version support improves, but the productivity decreases due to additional crew workload and training requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements automatic self-detection of the ATC center's CPDLC version capability through the data link connection. The control device autonomously queries and identifies the version supported by the ground system, then automatically configures the appropriate message set without requiring any manual input from the flight crew. This eliminates the productivity loss associated with manual version selection and training.
Data Source
AI summary
An avionics system comprising a human machine interface configured to display a user interface and a control device is provided. The control device coupled to the human machine interface, wherein the control device is configured to send and receive controller/pilot data link communications (CPDLC) messages and adjust the user interface based on a first CPDLC version of an established first CPDLC session.