Control Display Unit Wireless Interface for Flight Management Data Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic flight bag (EFB) applications face limitations due to unavailability of certain avionics data, such as ARINC 739 data, which is inaccessible via standard aircraft interface devices, restricting their functionality during flights.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a wireless interface into the control display unit (CDU) to enable the transmission of flight management computer (FMC) data, including ARINC 739 data, to portable electronic devices, allowing EFB applications to access and utilize this data for calculations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a wireless interface is added to the CDU to enable data transfer to portable devices, then EFB application functionality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The CDU's wireless interface is designed to serve multiple functions: it enables data transfer to portable electronic devices for EFB applications while maintaining the CDU's primary flight management functions. The interface can handle various data types (navigation, performance, weather) and communicate with different portable devices, making the system multi-functional without requiring separate dedicated systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless interface acts as an intermediary component between the FMC/CDU system and portable electronic devices. It bridges the gap between the aircraft's avionics data bus and external portable devices, enabling data exchange without requiring direct integration or modification of the core FMC system. This intermediary approach allows EFB functionality while preserving the integrity of the primary flight management system.
2Loss of information
If FMC data is transmitted to portable devices in real-time, then data accessibility is improved, but potential interference with pilot activities may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the necessary FMC data elements needed for EFB applications and transmits them selectively to portable devices. Rather than transmitting all FMC data continuously, the wireless interface identifies and transmits specific data sets (such as navigation parameters, performance data, or weather information) that are relevant to flight planning and monitoring, reducing potential distractions while maintaining data accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The data transmission system is designed to be dynamic and adaptive, adjusting data flow based on flight phase, pilot needs, and system state. The wireless interface can modify transmission rates, data types, and timing to ensure that data availability supports pilot activities rather than interfering with them, creating a flexible system that responds to operational context.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes generating a first flight management computer (FMC) data request at a data capture component of a control display unit (CDU). The method includes sending the first FMC data request from the data capture component of the CDU to the FMC. The method also includes receiving, at the data capture component of the CDU, first FMC data from the FMC responsive to the first FMC data request. The method further includes sending the first FMC data from the CDU to a portable electronic device via a wireless interface of the CDU.