Data link clearance monitoring and pilot alert sub-system (compass)

US6828921B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Boeing Company · US

Inventors

• John A. Brown · Snohomish, US
• Bradley D. Cornell · Lake Stevens, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 5, 2001
• Grant date: Dec 7, 2004
• Expiry date: Jul 7, 2022

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G08G5/26
• WIPO field: Control
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A Data Link Clearance Alerting System is enabled, either manually or automatically, as soon as the flight crew establishes a data link connection with air traffic control. Once a connection is established, the system stores each ATC clearance that has been positively acknowledged, and accepted, by the crew. The system monitors the aircraft in relation to the clearance. An alert is provided to the flight crew as soon as, in some cases just prior to, the airplane is not in compliance with a clearance. In addition, an alert is provided when estimates (e.g. estimated time of arrival at a point) or intent data passed to ATC by data link communication or data link surveillance systems no longer reflect the aircraft's predicted flight path.