Flight Management System Datalink Performance Table Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current flight management systems cannot efficiently update performance databases with up-to-date aerodynamic and propulsion data, leading to deviations in predicted flight profiles and fuel consumption, as they lack the capability to upload or download data in tabular or polynomial formats, increasing maintenance time and labor costs.
Innovation Solution
A flight management system with a datalink management function that enables the uploading of updated airplane performance tables or curves from a ground station, allowing for real-time data updates and flexible application during flight phases, using a protocol similar to existing datalink capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If performance database tables are updated manually by maintenance crew on the ground, then the performance data can be updated, but the time and labor costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of maintenance crew physically accessing the flight deck to load performance database tables with an automated electronic datalink system. The FMS computer system automatically receives performance table data through digital communication channels from ground stations, eliminating the need for manual intervention and significantly reducing both time and labor costs while maintaining data accuracy.
2Productivity
If the FMS datalink is enhanced to upload performance tables, then data update efficiency improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal datalink message format that can carry multiple types of aviation data including performance tables, flight plans, and other operational information. By designing the datalink capability to handle various data types through a single standardized interface, the system achieves high productivity for performance data updates without proportionally increasing complexity, as the same infrastructure serves multiple functions.
3Measurement precision
If performance algorithms use baseline performance data from flight tests, then the initial accuracy is good, but the data deviates from actual airplane performance over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the FMS computer system continuously monitors actual airplane performance during operations and compares it against the baseline performance data. When deviations exceed predetermined thresholds, the system automatically requests updated performance tables through the datalink from ground stations that have received actual performance data from the aircraft fleet, thereby maintaining measurement precision over extended periods.
4Reliability
If maintenance crew enters the flight deck to load new performance database, then the performance tables can be updated, but the operational disruption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the FMS computer system to perform self-service by automatically requesting, receiving, and processing updated performance table data through the datalink without requiring maintenance crew intervention. The system can initiate data updates autonomously when performance deviations are detected, eliminating operational disruptions caused by crew entry into the flight deck while maintaining data currency.
Data Source
AI summary
A flight management system which is capable of monitoring changes in airplane characteristics. The flight management system is configured with a datalink management function that enables the uploading of updated performance table data from a ground station via a datalink. Upon receipt of updated aerodynamic and propulsion performance data via the datalink, the flight management system creates or updates a set of airplane performance tables or curves in a database which can be utilized to compute more accurate flight profile and trip prediction parameters, such as estimated time of arrival and predicted fuel consumption quantity.