Flight Management System Database Update Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complex and time-consuming process of updating flight management system (FMS) software, which can take months or years to develop and verify, often leaves errors unfixed and users waiting for extended periods to receive performance computation method updates, hindering operational efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a database, such as a Performance Database (PDB), to store and update performance computation methods independently of the FMS operational software, allowing for quick updates via data uploads, reducing reliance on new software releases and simplifying the development process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional software update methods are used for flight management system, then system reliability is maintained through thorough verification, but update time becomes extremely long (months or years)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the FMS into two independent parts: operational software (requiring thorough verification) and performance computation methods (requiring frequent updates). By separating these functions, the performance computation methods can be updated independently without triggering full software verification cycles, thus reducing update time while maintaining reliability of the core operational software.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a performance database as an intermediary layer between the operational software and performance computation methods. This database serves as a mediator that stores computation methods separately, allowing them to be updated and loaded without modifying the operational software itself, thereby enabling rapid updates while preserving system reliability.
2Reliability
If traditional software update methods are used for flight management system, then comprehensive error checking is performed, but development complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the system into operational software and performance computation methods stored in a separate database, the patent reduces development complexity. Errors in performance computation methods can be identified and corrected in the database without requiring complex re-verification of the entire operational software stack, simplifying the development process while maintaining error detection capability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If performance computation methods are updated through software releases, then system consistency is maintained, but update speed becomes extremely slow
Solution Approach 1:
The performance database acts as an intermediary that maintains system consistency while enabling fast updates. The database stores performance computation methods in a structured format that can be quickly updated and loaded by the operational software without requiring full software releases, thus achieving both consistency and speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-structuring performance computation methods in the database with proper formatting and validation before they are loaded into the FMS. This preliminary preparation ensures consistency when methods are loaded, while the database structure allows rapid updates without requiring complete software releases.
Data Source
AI summary
An improved system for updating a flight management system of an aircraft is described. A flight management system is configured to execute an operation. The flight management system can comprise a storage device storing thereon a database. The database is configured to store data usable by the flight management system to execute the operation and receive updates to the database that pertain to the operation executed by the flight management system. The updated database enables updating of the operation without updating the operational software of the flight management system.