Abstract:
A method and apparatus for recording data concerning a system is provided. The apparatus comprises a memory card, such as a COMPACTFLASH card, and a processor unit, such as a T 2 CAS processor unit. The memory card includes a supplemental file that contains instructions as to what data is to be recorded and when the recording should start and stop. To conserve space the supplemental file is written as a sequence of hexadecimal characters whose position in the sequence and binary bit value indicates which data is to be recorded and when. A lookup table can be used to interpret the supplemental file. The processor unit includes or is coupled to a memory card reader/writer.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
   This invention relates to configuring and storing data and more particularly to a method and system for recording system information. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Complex machines, such as commercial and military aircraft, at times need to have various systems tested to ensure the machine is operating properly. For example, it is often necessary to test these machines under operating conditions and record data from these tests. When testing various systems of a complex machine, it is convenient to record data from certain inputs or outputs in order to obtain a record of system parameters. It is often of interest to start and stop the recording of certain inputs and outputs based on the condition of a system. For example, when testing systems on an aircraft, certain parameters indicative of the aircraft performance or the performance of a system might be of interest to record when the aircraft is operating between certain altitudes or at certain airspeed. However, current methods of recording such data have been limited. 
   Traditionally, to record information such as that generated by an aircraft and its various systems, bulky data recorders are attached to a serial output of a processor unit associated with the system and data is recorded. The use of this type of data recorder has several drawbacks. First, the data recorders are large and expensive. Also, the data recorders typically record all the signals from a given input or output, or all data from all inputs and output. There is no way to tell the system what data should be recorded and when recording should take place. This leads to the storage of unnecessary information and wasting of space on the recording medium. The bulky recorders are also not very portable and are not a convenient way to carry the data. 
   Therefore, a need has arisen for a recording method that both utilizes a recording medium that is compact and convenient to use a carry, but that also provides a way to easily specify what data is to be recorded and under what condition the recording should take place. The specification of what data to record and when to record the data should be done in such a way as to be easily changed by the user to record other data of interest. Therefore, what is needed is a method and system for recording system information. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Therefore a need has arisen for a method and system for recording system information. 
   In one embodiment, a memory card for storing test data is disclosed. The memory card includes a supplemental file section that stores a supplemental file. The supplemental file includes instructions indicating the data to be recorded and/or when to record the data. The memory card also includes a file storage area for storing data based on the instructions in the supplemental file. The supplemental file of the memory card may include a plurality of hexadecimal characters. In this embodiment, the system reads the position and bit value of the hexadecimal character and determines the data to be recorded. Additionally, the supplemental file of the memory also contains instructions for starting and stopping recording data when certain predefined conditions are met. 
   In another embodiment, an apparatus for recording information about a system is disclosed. Included is a memory card. The memory card includes a supplemental file and a file storage section. Also included is a processor unit designed to read from and write to the memory card. The supplemental file includes instructions for the processor that tells the processor what information to save to the file storage section. 
   In another embodiment, a method for recording data concerning a system is disclosed. The method includes a step of storing a supplemental file on a memory device. The supplemental file contains instructions indicating the data to record. Next, the memory device is coupled to a processor unit. The processor unit reads the supplemental file and stores the data to the memory device. 
   Technical benefits of the present invention include that only specified data is stored. This includes the ability to specify parameters to start and stop the recording of data. Other technical benefits are apparent from the following descriptions, illustrations and claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Non-limiting and non-exhaustive preferred embodiments of the present invention are described with references to the following figures wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a data recording system for monitoring and recording data concerning another system or subsystem; 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram of an avionic implementation of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary memory card; 
       FIG. 4  illustrates the format of the supplemental file; 
       FIG. 5  is a flow chart indicating the use of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 6  is a flow chart indicating the use of the present invention to selectively record data. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   A flash configurable memory, according to various aspects of the present invention, stores a supplemental file. The supplemental file specifies which parameters of a system are to be recorded and under what conditions to record the data to a solid-state memory card. Parameters include, among other things, specific bus inputs/outputs on a communication bus. The present invention also provides a way to specify under what conditions to record data. Conditions may include aircraft altitude, aircraft status and the like. 
   A system for recording information regarding a system, according to various aspects of the present invention, generally includes a processor unit for monitoring inputs and outputs. Additionally, a memory card reader and writer receives data from the processor unit and records the data. The memory card may include a supplemental file that specifies which inputs and outputs to record from and when to record the data from the inputs and outputs. 
   For example,  FIG. 1  illustrates a processing system  100  where data concerning this system or another system or subsystem may be monitored and recorded. System  100  includes a central processor unit  102 . Central processor unit  102  sends data to and receives data from one or more subsystem processor units  106  via input/output lines  104 . Processor unit  102  also processes data it receives. A memory card  108  is coupled to processing unit  102  via a reader/writer (not pictured) that can be directly incorporated as part of processor unit  102  or attached to processor unit  102  via a line such as a serial communication line. 
   Processing system  100  can be any system for monitoring another system and the environment of that system. For example, system  100  may be used in a factory. In this example, central processing unit  102  may receive information regarding plant parameters from individual subsystem processor units  106 . In another embodiment processing system  100  may be installed in an aircraft as part of an aircraft traffic and terrain collision avoidance system. The embodiment where system  100  is an aircraft traffic and terrain collision avoidance system will be discussed in greater detail in conjunction with  FIG. 2 . 
   Central processor unit  102  receives and processes information received from subsystem processor units  106 . Central processor unit  102  can also send information to subsystem processing units  106 . 
   Subsystem processor unit  106  may be any device capable of receiving or detecting information such as a temperature sensor, an altimeter and the like. Subsystem process unit  106  may also process data detected or received to produce additional data that can then be sent to the central processor unit  102 . 
   Input/output connection  104  is any connection between central processor unit  102  and subsystem processor units  106  that is capable of transmitting data, either wired or wireless. 
   Memory card  108  is any solid state memory device capable of storing information including a memory card, such as the COMPACTFLASH card first developed by the SanDisk Corporation of Santa Clara Calif., a memory card, such as the SMART MEDIA card manufactured by Toshiba Corporation, a memory device, such as the MEMORY STICK manufactured by Sony Corporation, a memory card, such as the MULTIMEDIA CARD developed jointly by SanDisk and Siemens, a PCMCIA compatible memory card, or any other solid state device capable of storing information. Solid-state memory cards are advantageous for storing data because they are easily transportable, shock resistant and can go through numerous read/write cycles. Additionally, solid-state memory cards typically do not require batteries to retain their memory when stored. Memory card  108  may also be a portable magnetic storage device such as a portable hard drive like the MICRODRIVE hard drive by International Business Machines of Armark, N.Y. Memory card  108  is either inserted into a reader/writer in central processor unit  102  or attached to a read/write device coupled to central processor unit  102 . Once inserted, memory card  108  records data detected by or generated within processing system  100 . Memory card  108  may also include a file that specifies which input/output to record and/or under what conditions to record the inputs. In one embodiment, memory card  108  is a 256 MB compact flash card, although other size memory cards using other formats can also be substituted without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
   In operation, central processor unit  102  receives data from one or more subsystem processor units  106 . Central processor unit  102  may also generate data based on received information. All or part of this information can be saved to memory card  108 . The data stored on memory card  108  can then be used to analyze the system being monitored. 
     FIG. 2  is a block diagram of an avionic embodiment of the present invention. Illustrated are major components of an air traffic and terrain collision avoidance system  200  (referred to as T2CAS as manufactured by ACSS of Phoenix, Ariz.). System  200  can be used for navigation, flight management, mission command, communication and control, and/or air traffic collision avoidance. In the discussions below, the present invention can be used in any collision avoidance system with or without terrain avoidance capabilities. System  200  comprises a terrain and traffic collision avoidance processor  208 , transponder unit  202 , GPS unit  204 , radio altimeter  216  and memory card reader  213 . 
   System  200  includes a terrain and traffic collision avoidance processor unit  208 . Terrain and traffic collision avoidance processor unit  208  receives data from various subsystems described below and determines the portion of the aircraft it is monitoring in relation to other aircrafts and terrain. The terrain and traffic avoidance processor unit  208  can also output data to other output devices, such as a display. Terrain and traffic avoidance processor unit  208  may include a memory  209 . Memory  209  stores information regarding the configuration of the aircraft such as what are the inputs and outputs to the terrain and traffic avoidance processor unit  208 . This information is stored as and aircraft specific database (ASDB)  211 . Components of system  200  are typically connected to terrain and traffic avoidance processor unit  208  via wires such as a twisted pair of wires that transmits digital data. In one embodiment the digital data is transmitted as specified in Aeronautical Radio, Inc. (ARINC) Standard ARNIC-429 “Mark 33 Digital Information Transfer System (DITS)—Parts 1, 2, and 3” hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference. Other components transmit analog data, which can be recorded in a digital format. For example, radio altimeter  215  may be an analog device that outputs a voltage that corresponds to the altitude. There are also discrete analog inputs  217  that output one of two values such as circuit open or closed. An example of a discrete input is the landing gear position, which is either in the up or down position. 
   In one embodiment, transponder unit  202  is a mode-S transponder such as the XS-950 mode transponders manufactured by ACSS of Phoenix, Ariz. Transponder  202  includes an omni-directional antenna  215  for transmitting/receiving information to/from other aircraft or air traffic control ground stations. Transponder unit  202  receives inputs from the central panel  212  of the aircraft as well as from a pressure altimeter  214 . Transponder unit  202  may be any device or combination of devices capable to receive communications known as interrogations from another aircraft or air traffic control ground station and respond to these interrogations. The replies to these interrogations may include the position of the aircraft and its identification. 
   Global positioning system (GPS) receiver  204  is also coupled to processor unit  208 . GPS receiver  204  may be any device or devices that can provide navigational data to processor unit  208  through the reception of locational signals. GPS receiver  204  receives locational signals, via GPS antenna  216 . 
   Radio altimeter  215  is also coupled to processor unit  208 . Radio altimeter  215  is used to determine the altitude of the aircraft using radio waves reflected from the ground. 
   Memory card  108  is coupled to terrain and traffic collision avoidance processor unit  208  via a memory card reader/writer  213  in such a way as to be able to receive and record data sent to, sent from and/or processed by the terrain and traffic collision avoidance processor unit  208 . Memory card  108  can also record parameters internal to the T 2 CAS such as the status of internal counter such as those that track how long software has been running. In one embodiment, processor unit  208  has a slot containing a reader/writer unit  213  that accepts memory card  108  for read/write operation. In another embodiment a reader/writer unit  213  is located remotely from the processor unit  208  but is in communication with the processor unit  208 . Memory card  108  may record data inputs to the processor unit  208 , data outputs of the processor unit  208 , and data created within the processor unit  208 . Memory card  108  may record digital or analog data onto the memory card  108  in a digital form. 
   Vertical speed display  228  is coupled to and receives data from processor unit  208 . Vertical speed display  228  indicates the speed of the aircraft as vertical speed in feet per minute. Vertical speed display  228  can also be used as a vertical speed indicator/traffic advisory and resolution advisory screen, which provides both vertical speed and indication of the aircraft position in reference to other aircraft. The output to vertical speed display  228  is typically a wired output such as those specified by ARINC-429. 
   Radar display  280  is coupled to the processor unit  208  and is capable of displaying other aircraft location. Radar display  280  can also display terrain data in an aircraft capable of displaying this information. Radar display  280  can also couple to weather radar unit  206  to receive and display weather data. Audio annunciator  230  receives outputs from the processor unit  208  in order to provide audio advisories to the pilot of the aircraft. Other outputs  232  to the processor units also exist to support various subsystems. 
   In operation, memory card  108  is used in testing to record in-flight data. Memory card  108  is communicatively coupled to the processor unit  208  such as by insertion into a slot of memory card reader/writer  213  in the processor unit  208 , which connects the memory card  108  for reading and writing operations. Other methods of coupling memory card  108  to processing unit  208  can be used. Memory card  108  can receive data from any input of processor unit  208 , any output of processor unit  208 , as well as data generated internal to processor unit  208 . Memory card  108  may contain a supplemental file that is read before data storage to indicate what data is recorded to the memory card. 
     FIG. 3  is a block diagram of the structure of an exemplary memory card  108 . Memory card  108  includes a header section  302 , a supplemental file storage area  304  that stores a supplemental file  305  and a data storage area  306 . The header section  302  may contain a configuration file  303 . If processor unit  208  detects the presence of the configuration file  303 , data recording is enabled. The configuration file  303  indicates whether there is a supplemental file  305 . If the configuration file  303  indicates there is not a supplemental file  305 , all data parameters defined by an aircraft specific database (ASDB)  211  are continuously recorded to memory card  108 . The ASDB  211  is a database specific to each aircraft that specifies, among other things, the configuration of various aircraft parameters including the assignment of each input and output of the processor unit  208 . The ASDB  211  is stored in memory  209  at the processor unit  208 . If the configuration file  303  indicates the presence of a supplemental file  305 , processor unit  208  reads supplemental file  305 , which is stored in supplemental file storage area  304 . The supplemental file  305  contains instructions that are read and interpreted by processor unit  208 . These instructions indicate what parameters are to be recorded to memory card  108  and stored in the data storage area  306 . If there is no supplemental file, then all data generated by, sent to or sent from processor unit  208  is recorded. Alternatively, if there is no supplemental file, a default set of data is recorded. The default set of data can be chosen ahead of time and could be based on the typical data needed by maintenance workers, the typically data needed by a supplier to evaluate the suppliers component or any other predetermined set of data. The ASDB  211  can store which parameters of the system comprise the default data. 
   In an alternative embodiment, the supplemental file maybe sent over a parallel or serial connection directly to processor unit  208  without it being read from a memory card. For example, the supplemental file may be sent over an Ethernet or RS-232 connection to processor unit  208 . The processor unit reads the supplemental file and outputs the data to be recorded based on the supplemental file. The data can be sent back over the same Ethernet or RS-232 to a computer (such as a laptop) for recording on a hard drive, optical drive, or solid-state memory card coupled to the computer. Alternatively, the data can be sent to card reader  213  for recording on a memory card  108 . 
   In one embodiment, supplemental file  305  comprises a series of hexadecimal characters with each character representing a hexadecimal value between zero and F. A hexadecimal value between zero and F represents a decimal value between zero and  15 . Referring to  FIG. 4 , the hexadecimal characters are placed in order from a first position  402  all the way to the last position  403 . Each hexadecimal character can also be expressed as a binary value having at most four bits. The binary value has at most four bits because the greatest four bit binary number, 1111, is equal to 15 in decimal or F in hexadecimal, which is the largest hexadecimal value. For example, the hexadecimal value “A” is equivalent to the decimal value 10 and the binary value 1010 as represented by label  404 . The binary value 1010, as represented by label  404 , has a one in the first position which is also known as the most significant bit, a zero in the second position, a one in the third position, and a zero in the fourth position where the fourth position is known as the least significant bit. In the present invention, the position of the hexadecimal character in a series of hexadecimal characters and the value of each of the bit numbers for the equivalent binary numbers for that hexadecimal character, tells the processing unit  102  what data to record. The hexadecimal character and the binary equivalent are used in conjunction with a decoder table  219 , which, in one embodiment, is stored at the processor unit  208  in conjunction with the aircraft specific database  211  to set what data is recorded and from where the data is recorded. An exemplary decoder table  219 , which correlates the assignment of hexadecimal characters and the associated bit numbers to the actual inputs and outputs to record and when to record, is shown in Table 1, below. In the table “RX” means to enable recording. Enabling recording enables the recording of all the data that is received by the input or the output while filtering records only parameters defined by the ASDB, which among other things, assigns each ARINC 429 input to specific devices. 
   
     
       
             
           
             
             
             
             
           
             
             
             
             
           
         
             
               TABLE 1 
             
           
           
             
                 
             
             
               Flight Recording Supplemental File Character Definition 
             
           
        
         
             
               Character 
               Bit Number 
               Name 
               Definition 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
         
             
               1 
               1 
               Spare 
                 
             
             
               1 
               2 
               Spare 
             
             
               1 
               3 
               Spare 
             
             
               1 
               4 
               Spare 
             
             
               2 
               1 
               FILTER RX 1 
               Enables recording of ARINC 429 Input #1 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               data 
             
             
               2 
               2 
               FILTER 
               Enables filtering in accordance with ASDB 
             
             
                 
                 
               ASDB RX 1 
               parameters of ARINC 429 Input #1 data 
             
             
               2 
               3 
               FILTER RX 2 
               Enables recording of ARINC 429 Input #2 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               data 
             
             
               2 
               4 
               FILTER 
               Enables filtering in accordance with ASDB 
             
             
                 
                 
               ASDB RX 2 
               parameters of ARINC 429 Input #2 data 
             
             
               3 
               1 
               FILTER RX 3 
               Enables recording of ARINC 429 Input #3 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               data 
             
             
               3 
               2 
               FILTER 
               Enables filtering in accordance with ASDB 
             
             
                 
                 
               ASDB RX 3 
               parameters of ARINC 429 Input #3 data 
             
             
               3 
               3 
               FILTER RX 4 
               Enables recording of ARINC 429 Input #4 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               data 
             
             
               3 
               4 
               FILTER 
               Enables filtering in accordance with ASDB 
             
             
                 
                 
               ASDB RX 4 
               parameters of ARINC 429 Input #4 data 
             
             
               4 
               1 
               FILTER RX 5 
               Enables recording of ARINC 429 Input #5 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               data 
             
             
               4 
               2 
               FILTER 
               Enables filtering in accordance with ASDB 
             
             
                 
                 
               ASDB RX 5 
               parameters of ARINC 429 Input #5 data 
             
             
               4 
               3 
               FILTER RX 6 
               Enables recording of ARINC 429 Input #6 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               data 
             
             
               4 
               4 
               FILTER 
               Enables filtering in accordance with ASDB 
             
             
                 
                 
               ASDB RX 6 
               parameters of ARINC 429 Input #6 data 
             
             
               5 
               1 
               FILTER RX 7 
               Enables recording of ARINC 429 Input #7 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               data 
             
             
               5 
               2 
               FILTER 
               Enables filtering in accordance with ASDB 
             
             
                 
                 
               ASDB RX 7 
               parameters of ARINC 429 Input #7 data 
             
             
               5 
               3 
               FILTER RX 8 
               Enables recording of ARINC 429 Input #8 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               data 
             
             
               5 
               4 
               FILTER 
               Enables filtering in accordance with ASDB 
             
             
                 
                 
               ASDB RX 8 
               parameters of ARINC 429 Input #8 data 
             
             
               6 
               1 
               FILTER RX 9 
               Enables recording of ARINC 429 Input #9 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               data 
             
             
               6 
               2 
               FILTER 
               Enables filtering in accordance with ASDB 
             
             
                 
                 
               ASDB RX 9 
               parameters of ARINC 429 Input #9 data 
             
             
               6 
               3 
               FILTER RX 
               Enables recording of ARINC 429 Input #10 
             
             
                 
                 
               10 
               data 
             
             
               6 
               4 
               FILTER 
               Enables filtering in accordance with ASDB 
             
             
                 
                 
               ASDB RX 10 
               parameters of ARINC 429 Input #10 data 
             
             
               7 
               1 
               FILTER RX 
               Enables recording of ARINC 429 Input #11 
             
             
                 
                 
               11 
               data 
             
             
               7 
               2 
               FILTER 
               Enables filtering in accordance with ASDB 
             
             
                 
                 
               ASDB RX 11 
               parameters of ARINC 429 Input #11 data 
             
             
               7 
               3 
               FILTER RX 
               Enables recording of ARINC 429 Input #12 
             
             
                 
                 
               12 
               data 
             
             
               7 
               4 
               FILTER 
               Enables filtering in accordance with ASDB 
             
             
                 
                 
               ASDB RX 12 
               parameters of ARINC 429 Input #12 data 
             
             
               8 
               1 
               FILTER RX 
               Enables recording of ARINC 429 Input #13 
             
             
                 
                 
               13 
               data 
             
             
               8 
               2 
               FILTER 
               Enables filtering in accordance with ASDB 
             
             
                 
                 
               ASDB RX 13 
               parameters of ARINC 429 Input #13 data 
             
             
               8 
               3 
               FILTER RX 
               Enables recording of ARINC 429 Input #14 
             
             
                 
                 
               14 
               data 
             
             
               8 
               4 
               FILTER 
               Enables filtering in accordance with ASDB 
             
             
                 
                 
               ASDB RX 14 
               parameters of ARINC 429 Input #14 data 
             
             
               9 
               1 
               FILTER RX 
               Enables recording of ARINC 429 Input #15 
             
             
                 
                 
               15 
               data 
             
             
               9 
               2 
               FILTER 
               Enables filtering in accordance with ASDB 
             
             
                 
                 
               ASDB RX 15 
               parameters of ARINC 429 Input #15 data 
             
             
               9 
               3 
               FILTER RX 
               Enables recording of ARINC 429 Input #16 
             
             
                 
                 
               16 
               data 
             
             
               9 
               4 
               FILTER 
               Enables filtering in accordance with ASDB 
             
             
                 
                 
               ASDB RX 16 
               parameters of ARINC 429 Input #16 data 
             
             
               10 
               1 
               FILTER RX 
               Enables recording of ARINC 429 Input #17 
             
             
                 
                 
               17 
               data 
             
             
               10 
               2 
               FILTER 
               Enables filtering in accordance with ASDB 
             
             
                 
                 
               ASDB RX 17 
               parameters of ARINC 429 Input #17 data 
             
             
               10 
               3 
               FILTER RX 
               Enables recording of ARINC 429 Input #18 
             
             
                 
                 
               18 
               data 
             
             
               10 
               4 
               FILTER 
               Enables filtering in accordance with ASDB 
             
             
                 
                 
               ASDB RX 18 
               parameters of ARINC 429 Input #18 data 
             
             
               11 
               1 
               FILTER AI 
               Enables recording of all Analog Input Data 
             
             
               11 
               2 
               FILTER 
               Enables recording of GCAM data 
             
             
                 
                 
               GCAM 
             
             
               11 
               3 
               FILTER 
               Enables recording of T 2 CAS data 
             
             
                 
                 
               T 2 CAS 
             
             
               11 
               4 
               Spare 
             
             
               12 
               1 
               FILTER TX 1 
               Enables recording of ARINC 429 Output #1 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               data 
             
             
               12 
               2 
               FILTER TX 2 
               Enables recording of ARINC 429 Output #2 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               data 
             
             
               12 
               3 
               FILTER TX 3 
               Enables recording of ARINC 429 Output #3 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               data 
             
             
               12 
               4 
               FILTER TX 4 
               Enables recording of ARINC 429 Output #4 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               data 
             
             
               13 
               1 
               FILTER DI 
               Enables recording of all Discrete Input Data 
             
             
               13 
               2 
               FILTER DO 
               Enables recording of all Discrete Output 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               Data 
             
             
               13 
               3–4 
               Spare 
             
             
               14–16 
               1–4 
               Spare 
             
             
               17–24 
               1–4 
               CONDITION 
               Provides a 32-bit Data Parameter Address to 
             
             
                 
                 
               1 ADDRESS 
               Evaluate Condition 1 
             
             
               25 
               1–4 
               CONDITION 
               Type condition for contents of address: 
             
             
                 
                 
               1 TYPE 
               ‘1’ indicates a 32-bit integer. 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               ‘2’ indicates a 32-bit floating point. 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               ‘3’ indicates a 64-bit integer. 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               ‘4’ indicates a 64-bit floating point. 
             
             
               26 
               1–4 
               LOGICAL 
               Test to be applied to contents of 
             
             
                 
                 
               TEST 1 
               CONDITION 1 ADDRESS. 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               ‘1’ indicates an evaluation of the contents of 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               CONDITION 1 ADDRESS &gt; CONDITION 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               1 VALUE. 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               ‘2’ indicates an evaluation of the contents of 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               CONDITION 1 ADDRESS ≧ CONDITION 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               1 VALUE. 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               ‘3’ indicates an evaluation of the contents of 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               CONDITION 1 ADDRESS = CONDITION 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               1 VALUE. 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               ‘4’ indicates an evaluation of the contents of 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               CONDITION 1 ADDRESS ≠ CONDITION 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               1 VALUE. 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               ‘5’ indicates an evaluation of the contents of 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               CONDITION 1 ADDRESS ≦ CONDITION 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               1 VALUE. 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               ‘6’ indicates an evaluation of the contents of 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               CONDITION 1 ADDRESS &lt; CONDITION 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               1 VALUE. 
             
             
               27–28 
               1–4 
               Spare 
             
             
               29–36 
               1–4 
               CONDITION 
               The value to evaluate condition 1, for 64 bit 
             
             
                 
                 
               1 VALUE #1 
               type. 
             
             
               37–44 
               1–4 
               CONDITION 
               The value to evaluate condition 1 for 32 bit 
             
             
                 
                 
               1 VALUE #2 
               type, or the continuation of a 64 bit type 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               value. 
             
             
               45–52 
               1–4 
               CONDITION 
               Provides a 32-bit Data Parameter Address to 
             
             
                 
                 
               2 ADDRESS 
               Evaluate Condition 2 
             
             
               53 
               1–4 
               CONDITION 
               Type condition for contents of address: 
             
             
                 
                 
               2 TYPE 
               ‘1’ indicates a 32-bit integer. 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               ‘2’ indicates a 32-bit floating point. 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               ‘3’ indicates a 64-bit integer. 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               ‘4’ indicates a 64-bit floating point. 
             
             
               54 
               1–4 
               LOGICAL 
               Test to be applied to contents of 
             
             
                 
                 
               TEST 2 
               CONDITION 2 ADDRESS. 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               ‘1’ indicates an evaluation of the contents of 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               CONDITION 2 ADDRESS &gt; CONDITION 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               2 VALUE. 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               ‘2’ indicates an evaluation of the contents of 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               CONDITION 2 ADDRESS ≧ CONDITION 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               2 VALUE. 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               ‘3’ indicates an evaluation of the contents of 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               CONDITION 2 ADDRESS = CONDITION 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               2 VALUE. 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               ‘4’ indicates an evaluation of the contents of 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               CONDITION 2 ADDRESS ≠ CONDITION 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               2 VALUE. 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               ‘5’ indicates an evaluation of the contents of 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               CONDITION 2 ADDRESS ≦ CONDITION 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               2 VALUE. 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               ‘6’ indicates an evaluation of the contents of 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               CONDITION 2 ADDRESS &lt; CONDITION 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               2 VALUE. 
             
             
               55–56 
               1–4 
               Spares 
             
             
               57–64 
               1–4 
               CONDITION 
               The value to evaluate condition 2, for 64 bit 
             
             
                 
                 
               2 VALUE #1 
               type. 
             
             
               65–72 
               1–4 
               CONDITION 
               The value to evaluate condition 2 for 32 bit 
             
             
                 
                 
               2 VALUE #2 
               type, or the continuation of a 64 bit type 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               value. 
             
             
               73 
               1 
               RATE = 1000 
               Changes record rate from 100 ms to 1000 ms 
             
             
                 
                 
               MS 
             
             
               73 
               2–4 
               Spare 
             
             
               74–76 
               1–4 
               Spare 
             
             
               77–84 
               1–4 
               ADDITIONAL 1 
               Address of Additional Parameter #1 to be 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               recorded 
             
             
               85–92 
               1–4 
               ADDITIONAL 2 
               Address of Additional Parameter #2 to be 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               recorded 
             
             
                93–100 
               1–4 
               ADDITIONAL 3 
               Address of Additional Parameter #3 to be 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               recorded 
             
             
               101–108 
               1–4 
               ADDITIONAL 4 
               Address of Additional Parameter #4 to be 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               recorded 
             
             
               109–116 
               1–4 
               ADDITIONAL 5 
               Address of Additional Parameter #5 to be 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               recorded 
             
             
               117–120 
               1–4 
               Spare 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   For example, referring to Table 1, if the character in the second position (character two) had a hexadecimal value such that its binary equivalent would have a “1” in the first position (left most position), then the system is set to record the data from ARINC input bus  1 . If for character two the second bit number is also set to “1”, the overall hexadecimal value would be a C (bit number of 1100 which is 12 in decimal and a C in hexadecimal) both the “FILTER RX  1 ” option and the “FILTER ASDB RX  1 ” option are set. This will enable recording of ARINC 429 input bus  1  with ASDB parameters. The ASDB parameters are preset parameters stored in the database that specify to record the data from the particular input or output and/or what data to record. Bus  1  can be defined to be any input into processor unit  208 . The definition of which input is which component is stored in the ASDB, in one embodiment. The actual inputs and outputs to the processor unit  208  can be defined in the supplemental file. Referring to  FIG. 4 , the most significant bit was given the value of position one although one skilled in art would realize that the most significant bit or least significant bit could be called one and the system indexed from there. The same hold true for the positioning of the characters in the supplemental file  305 , the most significant bit could be the nth bit or the first bit is the least significant bit or hexadecimal value. 
   An exemplary supplemental file is: 
   “0C80 0000 0000 0000 1000 0000 1500 0000 0000 0000” 
   “2710 1000 0000 1300 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 1000” 
   “0000 0000 0000 2000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000” 
   To translate this file the first hexadecimal character is 0 so that one has no effect on the recording. The second hexadecimal character is “C” which has a binary equivalent of 1100. This turns on filter RX 1  with filtering done according to the parameters stored in the ASDB. This turns on the recording of input bus  1  according to the ASDB parameters. The supplemental file above request ASDB specifies parameters from ARINC 429 input bus  1  and all parameters on ARINC 429 input bus  3  be recorded. Recording occurs when the radio altitude (the contents of address 1000 0000) is less than 10,000 feet and the aircraft on ground discrete (the contents of address 2000 0000) is false. The recording thus is stopped when the aircraft is on the ground or above an altitude of 10,000 feet. The following table, Table 2, decodes the above supplemental file using Table 1. 
   
     
       
             
           
             
             
             
             
           
             
             
             
             
           
         
             
               TABLE 2 
             
           
           
             
                 
             
             
               Flight Recording Supplemental File Example 
             
           
        
         
             
               Character 
               Value 
               Name 
               T 2 CAS Definition 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
         
             
               1 
               0 
               Spare 
               N/A 
             
             
               2 
               C 
               FILTER RX 1 
               FILTER RX 1 On 
             
             
                 
                 
               and 2 
               FILTER ASDB RX 1 On 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               FILTER RX 2 Off 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               FILTER ASDB RX 2 Don&#39;t Care. 
             
             
               3 
               8 
               FILTER RX 3 
               FILTER RX 3 On 
             
             
                 
                 
               and 4 
               FILTER ASDB RX 3 Off 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               FILTER RX 4 Off 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               FILTER ASDB RX 4 Don&#39;t Care. 
             
             
               4 
               0 
               FILTER RX 5 
               FILTER RX 5 Off 
             
             
                 
                 
               and 6 
               FILTER ASDB RX 5 Don&#39;t Care 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               FILTER RX 6 Off 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               FILTER ASDB RX 6 Don&#39;t Care 
             
             
               5 
               0 
               FILTER RX 7 
               Both FILTER RX&#39;s Off, FILTER ASDB RX 
             
             
                 
                 
               and 8 
               settings are don&#39;t care 
             
             
               6 
               0 
               FILTER RX 9 
               Both FILTER RX&#39;s Off, FILTER ASDB RX 
             
             
                 
                 
               and 10 
               settings are don&#39;t care 
             
             
               7 
               0 
               FILTER RX 
               Both FILTER RX&#39;s Off, FILTER ASDB RX 
             
             
                 
                 
               11 and 12 
               settings are don&#39;t care 
             
             
               8 
               0 
               FILTER RX 
               Both FILTER RX&#39;s Off, FILTER ASDB RX 
             
             
                 
                 
               13 and 14 
               settings are don&#39;t care 
             
             
               9 
               0 
               FILTER RX 
               Both FILTER RX&#39;s Off, FILTER ASDB RX 
             
             
                 
                 
               15 and 16 
               settings are don&#39;t care 
             
             
               10 
               0 
               FILTER RX 
               Both FILTER RX&#39;s Off, FILTER ASDB RX 
             
             
                 
                 
               17 and 18 
               settings are don&#39;t care 
             
             
               11 
               0 
               FILTER AI, 
               Each of these FILTERs Off 
             
             
                 
                 
               FILTER 
             
             
                 
                 
               GCAM, 
             
             
                 
                 
               FILTER 
             
             
                 
                 
               T 2 CAS, Spare 
             
             
               12 
               0 
               FILTER TX 1 
               Each of these FILTERs Off 
             
             
                 
                 
               FILTER TX 2 
             
             
                 
                 
               FILTER TX 3 
             
             
                 
                 
               FILTER TX 4 
             
             
               13 
               0 
               FILTER D1 
               Each of these FILTERs Off 
             
             
                 
                 
               FILTER D0 
             
             
                 
                 
               Spare 
             
             
                 
                 
               Spare 
             
             
               14–16 
               000 
               Spares 
               Don&#39;t Care 
             
             
               17–24 
               1000 0000 
               CONDITION 
               Evaluate the data starting at address 1000 
             
             
                 
                 
               1 ADDRESS 
               0000 
             
             
               25 
               1 
               CONDITION 
               Condition Type = “1”; the translation of this 
             
             
                 
                 
               1 TYPE 
               is a 32-bit integer. 
             
             
               26 
               5 
               LOGICAL 
               Test Type = “≦”. This indicates an 
             
             
                 
                 
               TEST 1 
               evaluation of the (contents of CONDITION 1 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               ADDRESS) ≦ (CONDITION 1 VALUE). A 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               TRUE result, when ANDed with a TRUE 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               result of Condition 2 results in recording of 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               data. 
             
             
               27–28 
               00 
               Spares 
               Don&#39;t Care 
             
             
               29–36 
               0000 0000 
               CONDITION 
               Don&#39;t care, because Start Condition Type is a 
             
             
                 
                 
               1 VALUE #1 
               32-bit Integer. 
             
             
               37–44 
               0000 2710 
               CONDITION 
               Integer value of 10,000. Indicates that the 
             
             
                 
                 
               1 VALUE #2 
               contents of address 1000 0000 will be 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               evaluated for being less than or equal to 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               10,000. 
             
             
               45–52 
               2000 0000 
               CONDITION 
               Evaluate the data starting at address 2000 
             
             
                 
                 
               2 ADDRESS 
               0000. It is assumed that the Boolean value is 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               stored in the LSB of this 32-bit word. 
             
             
               53 
               1 
               CONDITION 
               Condition Type = “1”; the translation of this 
             
             
                 
                 
               2 TYPE 
               is a 32-bit Integer for this example of a 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               Boolean evaluation. It is assumed that the 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               raw boolean has been stored as the LSB of a 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               32-bit word at address 2000 0000. 
             
             
               54 
               3 
               LOGICAL 
               Test Type = “=”. This indicates an 
             
             
                 
                 
               TEST 2 
               evaluation of the (contents of CONDITION 2 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               ADDRESS) = (CONDITION 2 VALUE). A 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               TRUE result, when ANDed with a TRUE 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               result of Condition 1 results in recording of 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               data. 
             
             
               55–56 
               00 
               Spares 
               Don&#39;t Care 
             
             
               57–64 
               0000 0000 
               CONDITION 
               Don&#39;t care, because Start Condition Type is a 
             
             
                 
                 
               2 VALUE #1 
               32-bit Integer 
             
             
               65–72 
               0000 0000 
               CONDITION 
               Represents a Boolean value of ‘0’ or FALSE. 
             
             
                 
                 
               2 VALUE #2 
               Indicates that the contents of address 2000 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               0000 will be tested for being equal to FALSE 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               or “0” in the LSB. Note: in general, the 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               FALSE condition is the preferred Boolean to 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               compare to. If the contents of CONDITION 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               2 ADDRESS are equal to zero (resulting in a 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               TRUE evaluation), and the results of 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               LOGICAL TEST 1 are TRUE, data will be 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               recorded. 
             
             
               73 
               0 
               RATE = 1000 
               Indicates false, which means that rate is 100 msec. 
             
             
                 
                 
               MS 
             
             
               74–76 
               000 
               Spares 
               Don&#39;t Care 
             
             
               77–84 
               1000 0000 
               ADDITIONAL 1 
               Contents of Address 1000 0000 to be 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               recorded (32 bits) 
             
             
               85–92 
               0000 0000 
               ADDITIONAL 2 
               No recording of additional address #2 
             
             
                93–100 
               2000 0000 
               ADDITIONAL 3 
               Contents of Address 2000 0000 to be 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               recorded (32 bits) 
             
             
               101–108 
               0000 0000 
               ADDITIONAL 4 
               No recording of additional address #4 
             
             
               109–116 
               0000 0000 
               ADDITIONAL 5 
               No recording of additional address #5 
             
             
               117–120 
               1–4 
               Spare 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   Referring to  FIG. 5 , the present invention provides a method for storing information to a memory card. A method for using the present invention is disclosed. In a first step  502 , the supplemental file  305  is stored in the memory card  108 . This can be done by a user with a computer and a reader/writer for the memory card  108 . The user defines what parameters need to be recorded and what other options to activate recording. Based on those values and using the table similar to the one shown in conjunction with  FIG. 4 , the proper hexadecimal values are stored in the supplemental file  305 . Also, the configuration file is stored, indicating if there is a supplemental file  305 . After the supplemental file  305  is stored to memory card  108  in step  504 , the memory card  108  is inserted into processing unit  102 . In step  506 , processing unit  102  reads the supplemental file  305  and determines what parameters are to be recorded based on the supplemental file and the table that defining the supplemental file. Then finally in step  508 , data is saved to the data file portion  306  of the memory card  108  based on the instructions stored in the supplemental file  305 . 
   One of the advantages of the present invention is that the supplemental file  305  can contain instructions to begin recording of data when certain parameters occur. For example, supplemental file  305  can contain instructions that, when read by processing unit  102 , commences recording of data when the aircraft reaches a certain altitude and stops the recording after the aircraft has reached a second altitude. This can be useful in recording only the data needed to troubleshoot a suspected problem. In the present invention, the parameters indicating when to start and stop recording are entered into the supplemental file. For example, the start condition, i.e. what altitude to start recording at, can be entered into the supplemental file as well as the stop condition, i.e. the altitude to stop recording at. Other parameters can also be used to control the recording of data including air speed and the like. 
     FIG. 6  illustrates the flow chart illustrating the recording of data based on preset recording conditions. In step  602 , processor unit  102  checks to see if the parameter specified in the already read supplemental file  305  (such as altitude) has reached the value specified in the supplemental file  305 . If not, no recording occurs and the parameter is checked again in step  602 . If the value of the parameter has been reached, then recording to the storage file is activated in step  604 . After an amount of data is recorded, i.e. at specified time intervals, the value of the parameter is checked again in step  606  to see if the values of the parameter are still within the values specified in the supplemental file  305  to permit recording. If the value of the parameter falls in to the range to stop recording, then the recording will stop in step  608 . If not, recording continues. The present invention is useful to record different conditions at a set parameter value such as conditions occurring at a certain altitude range. Also, the same memory card  108  can be used over a period of time when only recording certain data that occur at certain parameters. Thus, the results of several flights at a certain altitude can be stored in one COMPACTFLASH or similar memory device for analysis. 
   Having now described preferred embodiments of the invention; modifications and variations to the present invention may be made by those skilled in the art. The invention is thus not limited to the preferred embodiments, but is instead set forth in the following clauses and legal equivalents thereof.