Adaptive communications system and method

• US 7,359,703 B2
• Filed: 02/09/2005
• Issued: 04/15/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: McGuffin, Thomas F., True, Willard R., Erwin, Mark C., Holder, Michael D.
• Primary Examiner(s): D'Agosta; Steve M.
• Application Number:
  US10/906,218
• Publication Number:
  US 20060178141A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,161 Days
• Field of Search: 455/404.2, 4554141-4142, 455/524, 455/431, 455/432.1, 455/431.2, 455436-444, 4554561-457, 343/705, 701/120, 701/220, 701/213
• 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 onboard the aircraft configured to determine a position and a flight altitude for the aircraft;

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

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, the communications switching model comprising a three-dimensional model defining a plurality of discrete volumes of air space, with each volume defining an address of the ground station to be selected, the three-dimensional model including information that indicates which ground station is expected to be available based upon the position and altitude of the aircraft and prior experience of other aircraft; and

a communication management unit coupled to and separate from the communications processor, the communications management unit operable to select a desired communications device onboard the aircraft.

2. The adaptive communications system of claim 1, wherein the communication management unit is further coupled to a flight management computer system.

3. The adaptive communications system of claim 2, wherein the communications management unit is further coupled to at least one multiple control display unit.

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:

providing a position sensing device onboard the aircraft;

receiving a communications switching model that identifies the ground station based upon a selected flight parameter, the communications switching model comprising a three-dimensional model defining a plurality of discrete volumes of air space, with each volume defining an address of the ground station, the three-dimensional model including information that indicates which ground station is expected to be available based upon a position and altitude of the aircraft and prior experience of other aircraft;

determining a flight parameter for the aircraft from the position sensing device 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;

wherein determining a flight parameter for the aircraft farther comprises determining at least a flight altitude and a flight position for the aircraft as it navigates along a prescribed route.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein receiving a communications switching model further comprises providing a VHF frequency corresponding to the selected ground station.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein determining at least a flight altitude and a flight position farther 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.

11. 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.

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

13. 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.

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

providing a position sensing device onboard an aircraft;

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

measuring a signal strength of the signals from the ground station;

determining an altitude of the aircraft from the position sensing device when the signal strength is measured;

determining a geographical location of the aircraft from the position sensing device when the signal strength is measured; and

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

wherein defining a hand-over point based upon the measured signal strength further comprises processing the measured signal strength and the corresponding altitude and geographical location to identify the hand-over point;

wherein the communications switching model comprises a three-dimensional model defining a plurality of discrete volumes of air space, with each volume defining an address of the ground station to be selected, the three-dimensional model including information that indicates which ground station is expected to be available based upon the location and altitude of the aircraft and prior experience of other aircraft.

15. The method of claim 14, 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.

16. The method of claim 14, 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.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein determining an altitude of the aircraft further comprises periodically determining the altitude.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein determining a geographical location further comprises periodically determining the geographical location.

19. The method of claim 14, further comprising storing the measured signal strength and the corresponding altitude and geographical location in a memory device.

20. The method of claim 14, 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.

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

providing a position sensing device onboard the aircraft;

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

determining a position of the aircraft from the position sensing device corresponding to the measured signal strength;

determining an altitude of the aircraft from the position sensing device corresponding to the measured signal strength;

selecting a ground station based on the measured signal strength, determined position, and determined altitude by accessing a communications switching model that identifies the ground station based upon a selected flight parameter, the communications switching model comprising a three-dimensional model defining a plurality of discrete volumes of air space, with each volume defining an address of the ground station, the three-dimensional model including information that indicates which ground station is expected to be available based upon the position and altitude of the aircraft and prior experience of other aircraft; and

compiling a data record that includes at least the measured signal strength, a ground station identity, the aircraft altitude, and the aircraft position.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein determining a position of the aircraft farther comprises estimating a geographical position of the aircraft using at least one of a global positioning system (GPS) and an inertial navigation system (INS).

23. The method of claim 21, wherein determining a position of the aircraft further comprises measuring an elapsed flight time.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein determining a position of the aircraft further comprises measuring a latitude and a longitude corresponding to the position of the aircraft.

25. The method of claim 21, 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.

26. The method of claim 21, 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.

27. A communications system for an aircraft, comprising:

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

a communications processor coupled to a memory device and onboard the aircraft, the processor being operable to select a ground station based upon a predetermined communications switching model stored within the memory device, and being further operable to acquire selected communications data, the communications data comprising a ground station signal strength measurement, the position determination of the aircraft and the aircraft altitude determination;

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 the position and the altitude of the aircraft;

wherein the communications switching model comprises a three-dimensional model defining a plurality of discrete volumes of air space, with each volume defining an address of the ground station to be selected, the three-dimensional model including information that indicates which ground station is expected to be available based upon the position and altitude of the aircraft and prior experience of other aircraft.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein the position sensing device further comprises at least one of a global positioning system (GPS) and an inertial navigation system (INS).

29. The system of claim 27, wherein the position sensing device further comprises at least one of a pitot-static system and an air data computer coupled to the aircraft.

30. The system of claim 27, wherein the communications processor is further configured to transfer the communications data to an external processor.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein the external processor is further configured to process the communications data and compile the communications switching model.

32. The system of claim 30, wherein the external processor is further configured to transfer the communications switching model to the communications processor.

33. The system of claim 32, wherein the external processor is configured to wirelessly transfer the communications switching model to the communications processor.

34. The system of claim 32, wherein the external processor is configured to receive a portable memory device that contains the communications data.