IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,893,863
Granted Patent B2
US 7,893,863 · App. 12/350,107 · Granted Feb 22, 2011

Enhanced aircraft transponder reliability

Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,893,863
App. No.
12/350,107
Granted
Feb 22, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

An aircraft system includes a transponder and a processor. The processor is configured to determine if the aircraft is positioned in a predetermined restricted flying zone. If the aircraft is positioned in a predetermined restricted flying zone, the processor determines if the transponder is functioning in a transmit mode. If the transponder is not functioning in a transmit mode, the processor sets the transponder to function in a transmit mode.

Claims (38)

1. A computer-readable medium including instructions that, when executed by a processor onboard an aircraft having a transponder, enable the processor to perform steps comprising:

determining if the aircraft is positioned in a predetermined restricted flying zone;

if the aircraft is positioned in a predetermined restricted flying zone, determining if the transponder is functioning in a transmit mode; and

if the transponder is not functioning in a transmit mode, setting the transponder to function in a transmit mode.

2. The medium of claim 1 wherein the transponder has an altitude-report mode, and the steps further comprise:

if the aircraft is positioned in a predetermined restricted flying zone, determining if the transponder is functioning in the altitude-report mode; and

if the transponder is not functioning in the altitude-report mode, setting the transponder to function in the altitude-report mode.

3. The medium of claim 1 wherein the steps further comprise:

if the aircraft is positioned in a predetermined restricted flying zone, determining if the transponder is malfunctioning.

4. The medium of claim 1 wherein determining if the aircraft is positioned in a predetermined restricted flying zone comprises consulting a terrain database onboard the aircraft.

5. The medium of claim 1 wherein the transponder is configured to function in a non-transmit mode, and the steps further comprise:

if the aircraft is positioned in a predetermined restricted flying zone, disabling the non-transmit mode.

6. A computer-readable medium including instructions that, when executed by a processor onboard an aircraft having a transponder configured to function in a non-transmit mode, enable the processor to perform steps comprising:

determining if the aircraft is positioned in a predetermined restricted flying zone; and

if the aircraft is positioned in a predetermined restricted flying zone, disabling the non-transmit mode.

7. The medium of claim 6 wherein the steps further comprise:

if the aircraft is positioned in a predetermined restricted flying zone, determining if the transponder is functioning in a transmit mode; and

if the transponder is not functioning in a transmit mode, setting the transponder to function in a transmit mode.

8. The medium of claim 6 wherein the transponder has an altitude-report mode, and the steps further comprise:

if the aircraft is positioned in a predetermined restricted flying zone, determining if the transponder is functioning in the altitude-report mode; and

if the transponder is not functioning in the altitude-report mode, setting the transponder to function in the altitude-report mode.

9. The medium of claim 6 wherein the steps further comprise:

if the aircraft is positioned in a predetermined restricted flying zone, determining if the transponder is malfunctioning.

10. The medium of claim 6 wherein determining if the aircraft is positioned in a predetermined restricted flying zone comprises consulting a terrain database onboard the aircraft.

11. An aircraft system comprising:

a transponder; and

a processor coupled to the transponder, the processor configured to:

determine if the aircraft is positioned in a predetermined restricted flying zone,

if the aircraft is positioned in a predetermined restricted flying zone, determine if the transponder is functioning in a transmit mode, and

if the transponder is not functioning in a transmit mode, set the transponder to function in a transmit mode.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the transponder has an altitude-report mode, and the processor is further configured to:

if the aircraft is positioned in a predetermined restricted flying zone, determine if the transponder is functioning in the altitude-report mode; and

if the transponder is not functioning in the altitude-report mode, set the transponder to function in the altitude-report mode.

13. The system of claim 11 wherein the processor is further configured to:

if the aircraft is positioned in a predetermined restricted flying zone, determine if the transponder is malfunctioning.

14. The system of claim 11 , further comprising a terrain database, and wherein determining if the aircraft is positioned in a predetermined restricted flying zone comprises consulting the terrain database.

15. The system of claim 11 wherein the transponder is configured to function in a non-transmit mode, and the processor is further configured to:

if the aircraft is positioned in a predetermined restricted flying zone, disable the non-transmit mode.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 7, 2009
From: NARAYANAMURTHY, GURUPRASAD
To: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
Reel/Frame 022073/0184 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20100171647A1 · Jul 8, 2010