Avionics Datalink Availability Detection via Database Query
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining if an airport is equipped with a datalink application are inefficient, often relying on voice communication or outdated paper charts, which consume extra time and resources for flight crews.
Innovation Solution
An avionics computer onboard an aircraft sends a request to a datalink applications database to query whether an airport is equipped with a datalink application, receiving a response to facilitate communication via datalink if available, or defaulting to voice communication if not.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If voice communication or paper charts are used to determine datalink availability, then flight crews can obtain information, but it consumes extra time and resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual voice communication and paper chart查阅 with an automated electronic system. The avionics computer automatically queries a database to determine datalink availability, substituting the mechanical processes of voice communication and manual chart review with an automated electronic information retrieval system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by allowing the avionics computer to autonomously query the database and determine datalink availability without requiring flight crew intervention for information gathering. The automated system serves itself by automatically retrieving and processing the necessary information.
2Productivity
If automated datalink query system is implemented, then time and resource efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The avionics computer performs multiple functions: it manages flight operations, communicates via datalink, and automatically queries database information. By making the avionics computer a multi-functional system that handles both flight control and information retrieval, the patent avoids adding separate dedicated hardware for database queries, thereby limiting the increase in system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments for detecting when a datalink application is available at an airport are disclosed. In one embodiment, an avionics computer installed onboard an aircraft comprises: a processing device; and a memory device communicatively coupled to the processing device and including instructions which, when executed by the processing device, cause the processing device to: send a request to a datalink applications database, wherein the request includes a query as to whether an airport is equipped with at least one datalink application; receive a response from the datalink applications database, wherein the response indicates whether the airport is equipped with the at least one datalink application; and send a message via datalink if the response indicates the airport is equipped with the at least one datalink application.