Integrated live and simulation environment system for an aircraft

• US 8,616,884 B1
• Filed: 11/25/2011
• Issued: 12/31/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Wokurka, John, Lechner, Robert James, Stumpf, Timothy, Bernier, Kenneth Leonard, Greene, Ryan, Keller, Chad Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Musselman, Timothy A
• Application Number:
  US13/304,514
• Time in Patent Office: 767 Days
• Field of Search: 434 1- 71, 434/219, 703/8, 731/180.3, 244/220
• US Class Current: 434/35
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/12 Motion systems for aircraft simulators
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/44 providing simulation in a real aircraft flying through the atmosphere without restriction of its path
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/54 Simulation of radar G09B9/40 takes precedence

Abstract

A method and apparatus for training in an aircraft. A display system is associated with an aircraft. A sensor system is associated with the aircraft. A training processor is configured to be connected to the aircraft. The training processor is configured generate constructive data for a number of simulation objects and generate simulation sensor data using the constructive data. The training processor is further configured to present the simulation sensor data with live sensor data generated by the sensor system for an aircraft on a display system in the aircraft.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

an aircraft;

a display system associated with the aircraft;

a sensor system associated with the aircraft configured to generate live sensor data for aerial objects and ground objects;

a training processor, connected to a weapons bus in the aircraft, and configured to;

receive the live sensor data;

generate constructive data for a number of simulation objects;

generate simulation sensor data using the constructive data; and

present the simulation sensor data with the live sensor data generated by the sensor system on the display system, wherein the training processor is configured for use in a removable pod connected externally to the aircraft, and wherein the apparatus is capable of operation while the aircraft is in flight.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a network interface associated with the aircraft, wherein the network interface is configured to exchange data using a wireless communications link, wherein the training processor receives virtual data using the wireless communications link.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the training processor generates the simulation sensor data using the constructive data and the virtual data.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the training processor is configured to receive the live sensor data from the sensor system associated with the aircraft.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the training processor comprises:

a housing;

a number of processor units; and

program code configured to run on the number of processor units to generate the constructive data for the number of simulation objects;

generate the simulation sensor data using the constructive data; and

present the simulation sensor data with the live sensor data generated by the sensor system on the display system.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the number of processor units are configured to provide a number of levels of security.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein responsive to a processor unit running a process in the number of processor units failing to operate as desired, a portion of other processor units in the number of processor units running the processes for the processor unit failing to operate as desired.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the training processor is configured to operate in an untethered mode in which the constructive data is generated internally.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the training processor is configured to generate sounds that simulate at least one of sensor sounds and weapon sounds.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the training processor is configured to generate video data for a number of simulated objects.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the training processor is configured to provide audio communications with a number of training devices in the form of a number of flight simulators over a wireless communications link.

12. A training system comprising:

a training processor, connected to a weapons bus in an aircraft, configured to;

receive live sensor data from the aircraft for aerial objects and ground objects;

receive ownship data from the aircraft from controls and a navigation system of the aircraft;

generate constructive data for a number of simulation objects;

generate simulation sensor data using the constructive data; and

present the simulation sensor data with live sensor data generated by a sensor system for the aircraft on a display system in the aircraft, wherein the training processor is configured for use in a removable pod connected externally to the aircraft, and wherein the system is capable of operation while the aircraft is in flight.

13. A method for training in an aircraft, the method comprising:

providing to a training processor live sensor data from the aircraft for aerial objects and ground objects, the live sensor data generated by a sensor system for the aircraft;

providing to the training processor ownship data from the aircraft from controls and a navigation system of the aircraft;

generating, by the training processor, constructive data;

generating, by the training processor, simulation sensor data using the constructive data; and

presenting the simulation sensor data with the live sensor on a display system in the aircraft;

wherein the training processor is connected to a weapons bus in the aircraft, and the training processor is configured for use in a removable pod connected externally to the aircraft, and wherein the method is capable of operation while the aircraft is in flight.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising:

receiving, by the training processor, virtual data over a wireless communications link to a network interface in the aircraft.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein generating, by the training processor, the simulation sensor data using the constructive data comprises:

generating, by the training processor, the simulation sensor data using the constructive data and the virtual data.

16. The method of claim 13 further comprising:

generating, by the training processor, sounds that simulate at least one of sensor sounds and weapon sounds.

17. The method of claim 13 further comprising:

generating, by the training processor, video data for a number of simulated objects for display on the display system in the aircraft.

18. The method of claim 13 further comprising:

providing, by the training processor, audio communications with a number of training devices over a wireless communications link.