Integrated live and simulation environment system for an aircraft

• US 9,262,939 B2
• Filed: 12/27/2013
• Issued: 02/16/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Lechner, Robert James, Stumpf, Timothy, Wokurka, John, Bernier, Kenneth Leonard, Greene, Ryan, Keller, Chad Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Musselman, Timothy A
• Application Number:
  US14/141,761
• Publication Number:
  US 20140113255A1
• Time in Patent Office: 781 Days
• Field of Search: 434 11- 27
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 network interface associated with the aircraft, wherein the network interface is configured to exchange data using a wireless communications link;

a display system associated with the aircraft;

a sensor system associated with the aircraft;

a computer system at a ground-based location remote from the aircraft, the computer system in communication with the network interface, the computer system configured to perform a simulation of a first number objects and generate first simulation data from the simulation and send the first simulation data to the network interface, such that the first simulation data comprises virtual data; and

a training processor within the aircraft, such that the training processor is configured to;

receive the first simulation data;

convert the first simulation data to a format matching live sensor data;

generate constructive data for a number of simulation objects using the first simulation data;

generate simulation sensor data using the constructive data and the virtual data; and

present the simulation sensor data with live sensor data generated by the sensor system on the display system, the simulation sensor data including a model of a sensor in the sensor system such that the model comprises at least;

a radar model that simulates operation of a radar system in the aircraft, and a radar warning receiver model that simulates operation of a radar warning receiver in the aircraft, such that the training processor provides the constructive data and the simulation sensor data to an aircraft network of the aircraft, the aircraft network linked to a second computer system of the aircraft; and

the second computer system comprises the display system, and the display system comprises one or more display devices.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the training processor receives the virtual data, generated by the computer system, the first simulation data including the 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 1, wherein the training processor is configured to operate in an untethered mode in which the constructive data is generated internally.

7. 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.

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

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the training processor is configured to provide audio communications with a number of training devices over at least one of:

the wireless communications link, and a second wireless communications link.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the training processor is configured to be connected to a weapons bus in the aircraft.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the training processor is positioned in an interior of the aircraft.

12. A training system comprising:

a network interface associated with an aircraft, wherein the network interface is configured to exchange data using a wireless communications link; and

a training processor within the aircraft that receives virtual data, and configured to;

generate constructive data for a number of simulation objects;

generate simulation sensor data using the constructive data and the virtual 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, such that the simulation sensor data comprises a model of a sensor in the sensor system that comprises at least a radar model that simulates operation of a radar system in the aircraft and a radar warning receiver model that simulates operation of a radar warning receiver in the aircraft, and such that the constructive data, the virtual data, and the simulation sensor data are provided to an aircraft network of the aircraft, the aircraft network linked to a computer system of the aircraft such that the computer system comprises the display system, and the display system comprises one or more display devices, wherein the training processor is connected to the network interface that links with the computer system.

13. The training system of claim 12, wherein the training processor configured to be connected to a bus for the aircraft.

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

generating, by a training processor, constructive data;

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

receiving simulation data from a network interface in the aircraft during a training session, wherein the network interface uses a wireless communications link to receive the simulation data;

receiving, by the training processor, virtual data over at least one of;

the wireless communications link, and a second wireless communications link to a network interface in the training processor within the aircraft;

responsive to receiving the simulation data, generating simulation sensor data using the simulation data, using a model of a sensor including at least a radar model that simulates operation of a radar system in the aircraft and a radar warning receiver model that simulates operation of a radar warning receiver in the aircraft, the simulation sensor data transformed to a format matching live sensor data; and

presenting the virtual data and the simulation sensor data with the live sensor data generated by a sensor system for the aircraft on a display system in the aircraft and further comprising providing the constructive data and the simulation sensor data to an aircraft network of the aircraft, the aircraft network linked to a computer system of the aircraft, the computer system including the display system, and the display system having one or more display devices.

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 14 further comprising:

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

17. The method of claim 14 further comprising:

generating, 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 14 further comprising:

providing, by the training processor, audio communications with a number of training devices over at least one of;

the wireless communications link, and a second wireless communications link.