Gateway retrieval alert device for aircraft pushback operations
AssigneeDavid Clark Company Incorporated
InventorsRobert A. Daigle, Nick Cannata
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A gateway retrieval alert device is configured for use in an aircraft ground support system. The gateway retrieval alert device is connected to an intercom gateway, either through a direct wireless connection or through a direct connection to a headset of a tug operator, the headset in turn being wirelessly connected to the intercom gateway. The integrity of the wireless link to the intercom gateway is monitored, and when the integrity of the link falls below a set threshold, an alert is issued. The alert is issued externally to the communication network between the ground crew and pilot.
Claims20
A wireless ground support system for communication between a ground crew and a pilot of an aircraft comprising:
- an intercom gateway configured to:
- allow wireless communication between communication devices of the ground crew over a network;
- and
- connect to the aircraft via a wired connection to allow communication between the ground crew and the pilot over the network;
- a first communication device of the ground crew configured to wirelessly connect to the intercom gateway for communication over the network;
- and
- a gateway retrieval alert device proximate and external to the first communication device and configured to:
- connect to the intercom gateway and monitor an integrity of a wireless link between the intercom gateway and the gateway retrieval alert device;
- determine if the integrity of the wireless link falls below a set threshold;
- and
- issue an alert through a dedicated output of the gateway retrieval alert device if the integrity of the wireless link falls below the set threshold.
A gateway retrieval alert device for use in a wireless ground support system, the wireless ground support system including an intercom gateway configured to connect to an aircraft via a wired connection to allow communication between a communication device of a pilot and at least one communication device of a at least one ground crew member over a network, the gateway retrieval alert device comprising:
- a transceiver configured to wirelessly connect to the intercom gateway and monitor an integrity of a wireless link between the intercom gateway and the gateway retrieval alert device;
- and
- a dedicated output device configured to issue an alert when an integrity of the wireless link falls below a set threshold,
- wherein the gateway retrieval alert device is external to the network and communication devices.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.