Flight Management Architecture and Design Methodology
OwnerJohn Robinsoninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A FMS architecture and design methodology wherein the critical system functions are implemented in substantially autonomous partitions. The FMS architecture and design methodology enhances system cohesiveness and reduces data coupling relative to existing FMS designs. Execution and control of the FMS is governed by central operating system and complex areas of the traditional FMS organization are structured into these manageable partitions. Finally, data items, whether singular data units or large data structures, are restricted from being nonchalantly passed between functional areas to deter data coupling between FMS function areas.
Claims19
A flight management system, comprising:
- an operating system on a computing platform that interfaces with,
- a lateral flight planning partition that constructs a lateral flight plan of waypoints within a first two-dimensional plane, and
- a vertical flight planning partition that constructs a vertical flight plan of waypoints within a second two-dimensional plane.
In a flight management system comprised of computer memory and an operating system operating on a computing platform, a method of managing computer memory comprising:
- restricting the read and write privileges to a portion of computer memory to a first and second flight management system functions selected from the group of functions consisting of, input and output, aircraft guidance, operator input device handling, aircraft performance, airframe and aero engine database, and flight planning.
A method of developing a flight plan in a flight management system, comprising:
- permitting software functions within the flight management system access to flight data within a previously developed first flight plan;
- while
- denying software functions within the flight management system access to flight data within a second flight plan undergoing development, and subsequently,
- permitting software functions within the flight management system access to flight data within the second flight plan upon its completion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.