Flight Management System Upgrade via Segmentation and Intermediary

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flight management systems on aircraft, such as those on MD-80/90 aircraft, face challenges in upgrading to modern standards due to limited navigation database storage capacity, lack of GPS-based navigation capabilities, and inadequate autopilot and auto-throttle control, necessitating costly and inefficient complete system replacements.

Innovation Solution

The upgrade involves retaining legacy components like the advanced flight management computer (AFMC) and integrating new components like a data concentrator unit, GPS receiver, and multipurpose control display unit to enhance navigation database storage, enable GPS-based navigation, and improve autopilot and auto-throttle control, while optimizing the use of existing components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the preexisting flight management system is completely replaced with a new system, then modern navigation capabilities (GPS-based RNP, VNAV, RNAV, LPV) and autopilot control functionality are achieved, but the cost and downtime increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenavigation capabilityVSAvoiddowntime

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into legacy components (AFMC, flight control computer) and modern components (GPS receiver, data concentrator unit, multipurpose control display unit). The legacy AFMC is retained and integrated with modern GPS-based navigation systems, allowing partial replacement rather than complete system replacement, thus reducing downtime while achieving modern navigation capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The legacy AFMC is made multi-functional by integrating it with both traditional navigation systems and modern GPS-based RNP, VNAV, RNAV, and LPV capabilities. The flight control computer is similarly enhanced to provide both traditional flight control and modern autopilot control with optimization features, allowing one component to serve multiple eras of technology

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenavigation capabilityVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of discarding the entire legacy flight management system, the patent recovers and retains valuable legacy components (AFMC, flight control computer) that still have functional value. These components are upgraded through integration with modern GPS receivers and control display units, recovering investment in existing hardware while achieving modern capabilities at lower cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Solution Approach 2:

The system replacement is segmented into essential modern components (GPS receiver, data concentrator unit, multipurpose control display unit) and retained legacy components. This selective replacement approach reduces overall system cost compared to complete replacement while achieving required modern navigation and autopilot control capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Loss of time

If legacy components are retained and integrated with new components, then cost and downtime are reduced, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedowntimeVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A data concentrator unit is introduced as an intermediary component that bridges legacy systems (AFMC, flight control computer) and modern GPS-based navigation systems. This intermediary manages data flow and communication protocols between components of different eras, simplifying the integration process and reducing operational complexity despite the multi-era architecture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Loss of energy

If legacy EFIS system is retained, then cost is reduced, but navigation database storage capacity and GPS-based navigation capability are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecostVSAvoidnavigation database storage capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The EFIS system is segmented from the navigation database and GPS processing functions. Legacy EFIS display components are retained for cost savings, while modern GPS receivers and data concentrator units provide enhanced navigation database storage and GPS-based RNP, VNAV, RNAV, and LPV capabilities through separate integrated components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS9846437B2Upgraded flight management system for autopilot control and method of providing the same

Publication Date: 2017.12.19 INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS & SUPPORT INC

AI summary

A preexisting FMS system may be upgraded to increase its functionality by optimizing the control of autopilot and auto-throttle functions and replacing other preexisting components with different components for enhancing the functionality of the FMS system. The preexisting IRU, CADC, DME receiver and DFGC in the upgraded FMS system are in communication with the legacy AFMC but, instead of employing the legacy EFIS, the EFIS is replaced by a data concentrator unit as well as the display control panel and integrated flat panel display, and a GPS receiver. The upgraded FMS system is capable of iteratively controlling the autopilot and auto-throttle during all phases of flight and of such increased functionality as increased navigation database storage capacity, RNP, VNAV, LPV and RNAV capability utilizing a GPS based navigation solution, and RTA capability, while still enabling the legacy AFMC to exploit its aircraft performance capabilities throughout the flight.