ADAPTIVE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM AND METHOD

• US 20060178141A1
• Filed: 02/09/2005
• Published: 08/10/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: McGuffin, Thomas F., True, Willard R., Erwin, Mark C., Holder, Michael D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,359,703 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/431
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0013 with a ground station
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18506 Communications with or from aircraft, i.e. aeronautical mobile service
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/06 Airborne or Satellite Networks space-based or airborne stations H04B7/185

Abstract

System and method for the adaptive control of VHF communications in aircraft. In one embodiment, the invention includes an adaptive communications system for an aircraft having a communications processor that accesses a communications switching model to select a preferred ground communications station. In another embodiment, a method of communication between an aircraft and a ground station includes receiving a communications switching model and determining a flight parameter for the aircraft as the aircraft navigates along a flight route and selecting a ground station based upon the determined flight parameter. The aircraft then communicates with the selected ground station. In still another embodiment, a method for compiling a communications switching model includes receiving signals from a ground station and measuring a signal strength. A preferred ground station is selected based upon the measured signal strength value.

Claims

1. An adaptive communications system for an aircraft, the system comprising:

a position sensing device configured to determine a position and a flight altitude for the aircraft;

a communications processor configured to select a ground communications station based upon the flight position and altitude of the aircraft; and

a previously defined communications switching model that is accessible by the communications processor and configured to indicate the ground station to be selected based upon the position and altitude.

2. The adaptive communications system of claim 1, wherein the communications processor is further coupled to a communication management unit (CMU).

3. The adaptive communications system of claim 2, wherein the communications management unit (CMU) is operable to select a desired communications device.

4. The adaptive communications system of claim 1, wherein the communications processor is further configured to record communications data including one or more signal strengths from ground stations within a radio range of the aircraft and at least one of a position and an altitude of the aircraft.

5. The adaptive communications system of claim 1, wherein the communications processor is further coupled to a database loader configured to receive the communications model.

6. The adaptive communications system of claim 4, further comprising an external processor configured to receive the communications data and to process the data to compile the communications switching model.

7. The adaptive communications system of claim 6, wherein the external processor is further configured to combine the communications data with other data stored in a database coupled to the processor.

8. A method of communication between an aircraft and a ground station, comprising:

receiving a communications switching model that identifies the ground station based upon a selected flight parameter;

determining a flight parameter for the aircraft as the aircraft navigates along a flight route;

accessing the communications switching model to select a ground station based upon the determined flight parameter; and

communicating with the selected ground station.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein receiving a communications switching model further comprises transferring a switching model that includes at least a geographical position and a flight altitude corresponding to the selected ground station.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein receiving a communications switching model further comprises providing a frequency corresponding to the selected ground station.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein determining a flight parameter for the aircraft further comprises determining at least a flight altitude and a flight position for the aircraft as it navigates along a prescribed route.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein determining at least a flight altitude and a flight position further comprises sensing a flight altitude from a pitot-static system positioned on the aircraft, and receiving aircraft positional data from a global positioning system (GPS) positioned on the aircraft.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein accessing the communications switching model further comprises providing at least an altitude and a flight position of the aircraft, and selecting a frequency of a ground station based upon the altitude and the flight position of the aircraft.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein accessing the communications switching model further comprises accessing a memory device that contains the communications switching model.

15. The method of claim 8, wherein communicating with the selected ground station further comprises discontinuing communications with a first ground station and initiating communications with a second ground station when the aircraft is proximate to a hand-over point.

16. A method for generating a communications switching model, comprising:

receiving signals from at least one ground station within a radio range of an aircraft;

measuring a signal strength corresponding to the ground station;

determining an altitude of the aircraft when the signal strength is measured;

determining a geographical location of the aircraft when the signal strength is measured; and

defining a geographical hand-over point based upon the measured signal strength and the altitude.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein determining an altitude of the aircraft further comprises receiving an altitude measurement from one of a pitot-static system and an air-data computer operably coupled to the aircraft.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein determining a geographical location further comprises receiving the geographical position from one of a global positioning system (GPS) and an inertial navigation system (INS) operably coupled to the aircraft.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein determining an altitude of the aircraft further comprises periodically determining the altitude.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein determining a geographical location further comprises periodically determining the geographical location.

21. The method of claim 16, further comprising storing the measured signal strength and the corresponding altitude and geographical location in a memory device.

22. The method of claim 16, wherein defining a hand-over point based upon the measured signal further comprises processing the measured signal strength and the corresponding altitude and geographical location to identify the hand-over point.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein processing the measured signal strength and the corresponding altitude and geographical location further comprises processing a data record compiled while the aircraft is navigating along a route, and further comprising combining the processed data record with other processed data records obtained from one or more aircraft that previously navigated along the route.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein processing the measured signal strength and the corresponding altitude and geographical location further comprises processing a data record compiled while the aircraft is navigating along a route, and further comprising combining the processed data record with other processed data records obtained from one or more aircraft that previously navigated along the route.

25. A method for recording communications data for an aircraft, comprising:

measuring at least one signal strength value received from a ground station within a radio range of the aircraft;

determining a position of the aircraft corresponding to the measured signal strength; and

determining an altitude of the aircraft corresponding to the measured signal strength.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein determining a position of the aircraft further comprises estimating a geographical position of the aircraft using at least one of a global positioning system (GPS) and an inertial navigation system (INS).

27. The method of claim 25, wherein determining a position of the aircraft further comprises measuring an elapsed flight time.

28. The method of claim 25, wherein determining a position of the aircraft further comprises measuring a latitude and a longitude corresponding to the position of the aircraft.

29. The method of claim 25, wherein measuring at least one signal strength value received from a ground station further comprises measuring a signal strength value while the aircraft is positioned on the ground.

30. The method of claim 25, wherein measuring at least one signal strength value received from a ground station further comprises measuring a signal strength value while the aircraft is navigating along a flight route.

31. The method of claim 25, further comprising compiling a data record that includes at least the measured signal strength, a ground station identity, an aircraft altitude and an aircraft position.

32. A communications system for an aircraft, comprising:

a position sensing device operable to determine a flight position and a flight altitude for the aircraft; and

a communications processor coupled to a memory device, the processor being operable to select a ground communications station based upon a predetermined communications switching model stored within the memory device, and being further operable to acquire selected communications data.

33. The system of claim 32, wherein the position sensing device further comprises at least one of a global positioning system (GPS) and an inertial navigation system (INS).

34. The system of claim 32, wherein the position sensing device further comprises at least one of a pitot-static system and an air data computer coupled to the aircraft.

35. The system of claim 32, wherein the communications processor is further configured to transfer the communications data to an external processor.

36. The system of claim 35, wherein the communications data further comprises a ground station signal strength measurement, a position determination of the aircraft and an aircraft altitude determination.

37. The system of claim 35, wherein the external processor is further configured to process the communications data and compile the communications switching model.

38. The system of claim 35, wherein the external processor is further configured to transfer the communications switching model to the communications processor.

39. The system of claim 38, wherein the external processor is configured to wirelessly transfer the communications switching model to the communications processor.

40. The system of claim 38, wherein the external processor is configured to receive a portable memory device that contains the communications data.