US 2003/0200026 A1 · System and method using environment memory having signatures

Abstract

A system having replaceable subsystems is operable in a certified configuration after installation of a replacement subsystem. The system includes several subsystems each installed at an interface. For each subsystem, the interface includes memory having a description of the operating environment for that subsystem. The memory stores modules each having a signature, for example, a cyclic redundancy code (CRC). After installation of a replacement subsystem, a processor in the subsystem checks a list of signatures. Each signature corresponds to a module that is certified for use by an application program of the subsystem. If a listed signature corresponds to a module that is available in the memory, is desirable to be used, and the subsystem is not presently configured to use such a module, the subsystem reads the module, integrates the data of the module into an operating configuration, and operates thereafter in accordance with the updated operating configuration. In one implementation, an aircraft collision avoidance system includes one or more replaceable subsystems that each read a memory in a tray of the cockpit interface and configure themselves for updated operation.

Claims51

Dependent claims

A collision avoidance system comprising:

means for determining own aircraft data including position, altitude, velocity, and bearing;
means for interrogating other aircraft to determine other aircraft data including position, altitude, velocity, and bearing;
means for determining a threat of collision with other aircraft in accordance with the own aircraft data and with the other aircraft data;
means for displaying at least a portion of the own aircraft data and at least a portion of the other aircraft data;
means for alerting a crew member of a threat of collision with other aircraft;
wherein:
for at least one of the means for determining own aircraft data, means for interrogating, means for determining a threat of collision with other aircraft, means for displaying own aircraft data, means for determining own aircraft position, means for displaying a terrain map, means for determining a threat of collision with terrain, and the means for alerting a crew member:
the at least one means is packaged in a replaceable unit for installation on the own aircraft at an interface, the interface having a first means for storing first content and a plurality of signature values, each signature value for a respective portion of the first content;
the at least one means further comprises:
second means for storing second content;
means for validating the second content with reference to at least one signature value of the first content;
means for updating the second content in accordance with the first content;
and
means for operating the subsystem in accordance with the updated second content.

11 more elements

A system comprising:

a plurality of subsystems coupled to cooperate;
first means for storing first content and a plurality of first signature values, each first signature associated with a respective portion of the first content;
subsystem means for performing an avionics program, the subsystem means comprising:
means for coupling the subsystem means to at least one of the plurality of other subsystems;
means for accessing the first means for storing to validate the first content with reference to at least one of the plurality of first signature values;
second means for storing second content and a second signature;
means for accessing the second means for storing to validate the second content with reference to the second signature;
means for updating the second content in accordance with at least a portion of the first content;
and
means for performing the avionics program in accordance with the updated second content.

7 more elements

A system for operation in an aircraft, the system comprising:

a plurality of subsystems coupled to cooperate;
an environment memory comprising content of the environment memory and a plurality of first signatures, each first signature associated with at least one of a component, a module, an image, and an entirety of the content of the environment memory;
and
a subsystem of the plurality comprising:
a nonvolatile memory comprising content of the nonvolatile memory and a signature value of the content of the nonvolatile memory;
an interface that facilitates removal and replacement of the subsystem;
and
a processor having access to the environment memory via the interface;
wherein the processor:
accesses each first signature for at least one of:
identifying the associated component, module, image, or entirety;
and validating the associated component, module, image, or entirety;
validates the content of the nonvolatile memory with reference to the signature value of the content of the nonvolatile memory;
validates the content of the environment memory with reference to the signature value of the content of the environment memory;
updates the content of the nonvolatile memory in accordance with the content of the environment memory;
and
performs an avionics program in accordance with the updated content of the nonvolatile memory.

14 more elements

A method for operating a subsystem of an avionics system, the system comprising a plurality of subsystems, the subsystem being packaged as a replaceable unit for installation via an interface of the subsystem, the subsystem comprising a processor and a first memory, the system comprising a second memory accessed by the subsystem via the interface, the method performed by a processor of the subsystem, the method comprising:

a step for determining a first calculated signature of a first content of the first memory;
a step for comparing the first calculated signature with a first stored signature stored in the first memory to conclude validity of the first content;
a step for determining a second calculated signature of a second content of the second memory;
a step for comparing the second calculated signature with a second stored signature stored in the second memory to conclude validity of the second content;
a step for updating the first content in accordance with the second content in response to determining that the first content is valid and the second content is valid and a difference exists among at least two of the first calculated signature, the second calculated signature, the first stored signature, and the second stored signature;
and
a step for performing an avionics program in accordance with the updated first content.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

System and method using environment memory having signatures

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System and method using environment memory having signatures

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims51