Systems and methods for activating a radio beacon for global aircraft tracking
AssigneeAviation Communication & Surveillance Systems LLC
InventorsChristopher Polynin, Jarett Alan Malone, Christophe Hamel
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An autonomous distress tracking system for an aircraft is described. The system can include a transponder configured to transmit radio frequency (RF) emissions and an RF detector unit configured to detect the RF emissions. The system can further include an alert system that is in communication with the RF detector unit and be configured to activate a distress radio beacon if no RF emissions are detected within a predetermined period of time.
Claims21
A system for activating a radio beacon on an aircraft, comprising:
- a device, the device installed on the aircraft at a first location;
- and
- an RF detector, the RF detector installed on the aircraft at a second location;
- wherein the device is configured to transmit coded information readable by the RF detector;
- and
- wherein the RF detector is configured to trigger activation of the radio beacon based on the coded information;
- the system, further comprising:
- a distress trigger logic, the distress trigger logic monitoring performance of the aircraft and being configured to determine a distress event;
- wherein if the distress event is determined, the device is configured to transmit a distress bit in the coded information to the RF detector for triggering activation of the radio beacon.
A system for activating a radio beacon on an aircraft, comprising:
- a transponder with trigger logic located in a first location of the aircraft;
- a first antenna coupled to the transponder and configured to communicate with a first satellite;
- an RF detector installed in the aircraft at a second location, the RF detector coupled to an Emergency Locator Transmitter-Distress Tracking (ELT-DT) unit and a second antenna for communicating with a second satellite;
- and
- wherein the system is configured to execute functions comprising:
- detecting aircraft operations for an aircraft;
- identifying an abnormal event has occurred based on the aircraft operations;
- determining if the abnormal event was intentional;
- and
- activating a locator beacon if the abnormal event was not intentional;
- determining if at least one transponder is in an ON state;
- activating the locator beacon if no transponder is in the ON state;
- determining if the at least one transponder was properly operating as it exited the ON state;
- and
- activating the locator beacon if the at least one transponder was properly operating as it exited the ON state.
A system for activating a radio beacon on an aircraft, comprising:
- a transponder with trigger logic located in a first location of the aircraft;
- a first antenna coupled to the transponder and configured to communicate with a first satellite;
- an RF detector installed in the aircraft at a second location, the RF detector coupled to an Emergency Locator Transmitter-Distress Tracking (ELT-DT) unit and a second antenna for communicating with a second satellite;
- and
- wherein the system is configured to execute functions comprising:
- detecting aircraft operations for an aircraft;
- identifying an abnormal event has occurred based on the aircraft operations;
- determining if the abnormal event was intentional;
- activating a locator beacon if the abnormal event was not intentional;
- monitoring an information system, wherein the information system includes at least one of a traffic collision avoidance system (TCAS), a transponder bus, and a weather radar;
- determining if a specific event was detected from the information system;
- and
- entering into a monitor mode for a period of time if the specific event was detected.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.