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Aircraft control method

  • US 6,931,247 B2
  • Filed: 02/20/2001
  • Issued: 08/16/2005
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2000
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method for a mission controller at a ground station to control an aircraft, comprising:

  • identifying a plurality of communication subsystems between the ground station and the aircraft, wherein the plurality of communication subsystems are at least partially redundant;

    establishing communication between the ground station and the aircraft using a first communication subsystem of the plurality of communication subsystems;

    operating the first communications subsystem as a communication link for the mission controller to control the aircraft;

    monitoring the first communication subsystem to determine information on at least one of;

    the availability of the first communication subsystem and the reliability of the first communication subsystem;

    monitoring a second communication subsystem of the plurality of communication subsystems to determine information on at least one of;

    the availability of the second communication subsystem and the reliability of the second communication subsystem;

    comparing the information determined in the steps of monitoring the first and second communication subsystems; and

    operating the second communications subsystem as a communication link for the mission controller to control the aircraft if, in the step of comparing, the first communication subsystem is found to be at least one of;

    unavailable and characterized by less preferable reliability than the second communication subsystem.

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