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Systems and methods for updating aircraft data based on location of aircraft

  • US 10,664,258 B2
  • Filed: 10/27/2016
  • Issued: 05/26/2020
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2016
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method for updating aircraft data on one or more aircraft wherein each of the one or more aircraft comprises:

  • an onboard gateway configured to wirelessly communicate with ground infrastructure;

    a data loader in operative communication with the onboard gateway; and

    an avionics system comprising;

    a communications management function in operative communication with the onboard gateway and the data loader; and

    one or more line replaceable units in operative communication with the communications management function and the data loader, the method comprising;

    receiving one or more messages at a ground system that one or more aircraft are each parked at an airport terminal gate;

    selecting, by the ground system, one or more aircraft parked at respective airport terminal gates to receive a software or database update from the ground system;

    determining, by the ground system, whether each of the selected one or more aircraft will be parked at the respective airport terminal gates for an amount of time required to complete the software or database update;

    for each of the selected one or more aircraft determined to be parked at the respective airport terminal gates for the required amount of time, verifying, by the ground system, that the selected one or more aircraft parked at the respective airport terminal gates is in need of the software or database update;

    initiating, by the ground system, a remote loading of the software or database update to the verified selected one or more aircraft parked at the respective airport terminal gates, wherein the remote loading comprises;

    sending an auto update command from the ground system to the communications management function through a datalink message;

    forwarding the auto update command from the communications management function to the line replaceable unit for which the software or database update is needed;

    saving the auto update command at the line replaceable unit until a different mode for the line replaceable unit is entered; and

    when the different mode is entered, sending a request from the line replaceable unit to the data loader to start the software or database update at the line replaceable unit; and

    receiving one or more messages at the ground system from the verified selected one or more aircraft indicating a status of the remote loading.

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