Avionics Display Definitions Interface for ARINC 661 Customization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current avionics communications systems lack support for user-modified displays and interfaces, limiting their ability to provide customizable and interactive cockpit displays for next-generation aircraft.
Innovation Solution
A display definitions interface is developed that generates an ARINC 661 definition file and user database from user-defined inputs, linking display attributes to convey information and update display data in real-time, using a ground-based software tool to create airline-specific modifications and interactive widgets compliant with ARINC 661 standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a formal description technique (ARINC 661) is used to define widget behavior and interface protocols, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity and difficulty of operation increase due to the rigid standardized interface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a ground-based software tool as an intermediary between the user and the ARINC 661 specification. This tool automatically generates the definition files and user databases required by the standardized interface, shielding users from the complexity of the formal description technique while maintaining compliance with ARINC 661 standards.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-generating definition files and user databases using the ground-based software tool before actual display operations. This preparation work is done in advance, so that during runtime, the system can directly use these pre-prepared files without requiring users to manually create or understand the complex ARINC 661 definitions.
2Reliability
If a standardized ARINC 661 interface is implemented, then reliability and measurement precision are improved, but adaptability and ease of operation deteriorate due to lack of user modification capability
Solution Approach 1:
The ground-based software tool serves as a mediator that translates user-friendly inputs into the standardized ARINC 661 format. Users can define their custom displays through the software tool without needing to understand or directly manipulate the rigid ARINC 661 specification, thus maintaining both reliability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary generation of definition files and user databases that incorporate user-specific modifications before deployment. This allows airline-specific customizations to be prepared in advance while maintaining compliance with the standardized interface during actual operations.
3Productivity
If runtime communications are provided for common displays, then productivity is improved, but adaptability worsens because user-modified displays are not supported
Solution Approach 1:
The ground-based software tool provides universal functionality by serving multiple purposes: it generates definition files, creates user databases, and supports both standard and customized displays. This multi-functional approach allows the system to maintain efficient runtime communications while simultaneously supporting user-modified displays through the same interface.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A method for displaying data in an avionics communications system is disclosed. The method generates an ARINC 661 definition file and a user database from one or more user-defined inputs for a communications management function of an aircraft. To convey information relating the one or more user-defined inputs with at least one display of the aircraft, the method links one or more display attributes of the user database with the ARINC 661 definition file. Based on user interactions with the at least one display, the method updates display data of the at least one display using the contents of the ARINC 661 definition file and the user database.