초록 ▼

A system and method updates flight management files in accordance with the present invention and provides a retrievable record of the flight performance of an aircraft. A flight management computer is positioned on board the aircraft and interfaces and provides flight critical data received from fli

A system and method updates flight management files in accordance with the present invention and provides a retrievable record of the flight performance of an aircraft. A flight management computer is positioned on board the aircraft and interfaces and provides flight critical data received from flight navigation database files to a plurality of aircraft navigation and operational components located throughout the aircraft. A ground data link unit includes a data store that accumulates and stores flight performance data. A spread spectrum transceiver coupled to the data store transmits the stored flight performance data and uploads navigation database files over a spread spectrum communication signal. A controller is operatively connected to the data store, spread spectrum transceiver and flight management computer and receives the uploaded flight navigation database files and transfers the database files to a flight management computer. The airport based spread spectrum transceiver includes a receiver that receives the spread spectrum signal from the aircraft and demodulates the signal to obtain flight performance data. A transmitter transmits flight navigation database files to the aircraft over a second spread spectrum communication signal based on a unique tail number identifier.

대표청구항 ▼

[ That which is claimed is:] [1.] A system for updating flight management files and providing a retrievable record of the flight performance of an aircraft comprising:a flight management computer positioned on board the aircraft that interfaces and provides flight critical data received from flight

[ That which is claimed is:] [1.] A system for updating flight management files and providing a retrievable record of the flight performance of an aircraft comprising:a flight management computer positioned on board the aircraft that interfaces and provides flight critical data received from flight navigation database files to a plurality of aircraft navigation and operational components located throughout the aircraft, wherein the aircraft has a unique tail number identifier;a ground data link unit that obtains flight performance data representative of aircraft flight performance during flight of the aircraft and updates flight navigation database files to the flight management computer, said ground data link unit comprising:a) a data store operative to accumulate and store flight performance data during flight of the aircraft,b) a spread spectrum transceiver coupled to said data store, and comprising a transmitter that is operative after the aircraft completes its flight and lands at an airport to download the flight performance data that has been accumulated and stored by said data store during the flight over a spread spectrum communication signal, and a receiver for receiving uploaded navigation database files over a spread spectrum communication signal,c) a controller operatively connected to the data store, spread spectrum transceiver and the flight management computer for receiving the uploaded flight navigation database files from the spread spectrum transceiver and transferring the flight navigation database files to the flight management computer;an airport based spread spectrum transceiver comprising a receiver that receives the spread spectrum signal from the aircraft and demodulates the signal to obtain the flight performance data, and a transmitter that transmits flight navigation database files for uploading to the aircraft having a specific tail number over a second spread spectrum communication signal based on an aircraft tail number identifier.