CPDLC Data Authority Function for Concurrent Session Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Non-integrated Controller Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC) systems on aircraft, such as FANS and ATN CPDLC, can cause confusion among flight crews due to shared alerting approaches and the potential for establishing concurrent data authority sessions with different air traffic control centers, posing safety risks and regulatory certification issues.
Innovation Solution
A system with a Human Machine Interface (HMI) that allows access to both FANS and ATN CPDLC applications, featuring a data authority function to determine and manage only one current data authority session, preventing concurrent sessions and ensuring safe communication by designating a single current data authority and limiting functionality of stand-by applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If non-integrated FANS and ATN CPDLC systems are independently implemented on an aircraft, then the aircraft can support both CPDLC systems for geographical flexibility, but flight crew confusion and safety risks arise due to shared alerting approaches and potential concurrent data authority sessions
Solution Approach 1:
A data authority management function is introduced as an intermediary between the FANS CPDLC application and ATN CPDLC application. This mediator monitors both applications, determines which one has current data authority session based on registration status with ATC centers, and prevents conflicting concurrent data authority sessions by blocking the non-authority application from establishing such sessions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If both FANS and ATN CPDLC systems are independently implemented, then geographical flexibility is improved, but crew confusion increases due to shared alerting approaches
Solution Approach 1:
The data authority management function implements feedback by continuously monitoring the operational status of both FANS and ATN CPDLC applications, determining which application currently has data authority session based on ATC center registration, and providing control signals to prevent the non-authority application from establishing conflicting sessions. This feedback mechanism eliminates crew confusion about which system to access.
3Adaptability or versatility
If concurrent data authority sessions are allowed in both CPDLC systems, then communication flexibility with different ATC centers is improved, but regulatory certification issues and safety risks arise
Solution Approach 1:
The data authority management function performs preliminary action by proactively determining which CPDLC application has current data authority session before allowing communication operations. It registers the authority status in advance and prevents the non-authority application from establishing concurrent data authority sessions, thereby avoiding regulatory certification issues and safety risks before they can occur.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for a non-integrated CPDLC solution are provided. In one embodiment, the system includes: a first and second computing system for respectively executing a first and second CPDLC application; a Human Machine Interface coupled to the first and second computing systems, the Human Machine Interface providing access to display screens generated by both the first and second CPDLC applications; and a data authority function that determines a data authority application from the first and second CPDLC applications based on which of the first and second CPDLC applications has a current data authority (CDA) session. The data authority function prevents the first CPDLC application from establishing a concurrent current data authority session when the second CPDLC application is the data authority application. The data authority function prevents the second CPDLC application from establishing a concurrent current data authority session when the first CPDLC application is the data authority application.