Abstract:
At least two waveforms are operated on a single antenna. A scheduler module coordinates the at least two waveforms. A modem module processes the at least two waveforms. A transmitter propagates the at least two waveforms to the antenna.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure generally relates to the field of antenna platforms, and more particularly to a system and method for operating multiple waveforms on a single antenna. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In modern aviation, aircraft are required to receive and transmit electromagnetic signals. These signals include waveforms utilized for identification, navigation, communications, collision avoidance, and proximity detection. Many of the specifications of these avionics waveforms were implemented with little regard for waveform co-location. In many instances, each individual avionics waveform is implemented on a separate antenna platform. Each antenna platform potentially adds weight, increases aerodynamic drag, raises manufacturing and maintenance costs, and provides opportunities for co-site interference. 
     SUMMARY 
     A system for operation of at least two waveforms on a single antenna may include, but is not limited to a scheduler module for coordinating the at least two waveforms, a modem module operably coupled to the scheduler module for processing the at least two waveforms, and a transmitter operably coupled to the modem module for propagating the at least two waveforms to the antenna. 
     A method for operating at least two waveforms on a single antenna may include, but is not limited to coordinating the at least two waveforms, processing the at least two waveforms; and propagating the at least two waveforms to the antenna. 
     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not necessarily restrictive of the present disclosure. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate subject matter of the disclosure. Together, the descriptions and the drawings serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The numerous advantages of the disclosure may be better understood by those skilled in the art by reference to the accompanying figures in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating an antenna platform; 
         FIG. 2  is a flow diagram illustrating a method of operating an antenna platform; 
         FIG. 3  is a table of common avionics waveforms and corresponding waveform characteristics; and 
         FIG. 4  is a table of common avionics waveforms and corresponding waveform characteristics. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the subject matter disclosed, which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
     An antenna platform (ex—antenna system) in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in  FIG. 1 . The platform  100  may include a scheduler module  110  for receiving a plurality of waveforms  130 . For example, plurality of waveforms  130  may include two or more waveforms. Further, plurality of waveforms  130  may be avionics waveforms (ex—navigation waveforms, communications waveforms, collision avoidance waveforms, proximity detection waveforms). Scheduler module  110  may coordinate the two or more waveforms for platform  100 . Coordinating the two or more waveforms  130  may include issuing commands to other modules (ex — 150 ,  160 ) of platform  100  for the handling of the two or more waveforms  130  (ex—avionics waveforms of  FIGS. 3 and 4 ). 
     Scheduler module  110  may include waveform analysis data  120  as input. For example, waveform analysis data  120  may include simulated results of waveform priority calculation for a particular set or subset of contextual variables (ex—aircraft situational information, aircraft speed, aircraft density in airspace, distance from navigational aids, distance from other aircraft, aircraft flight stage, aircraft velocity, aircraft location, airspeed, aircraft altitude, aircraft pitch angle, aircraft vertical speed, aircraft throttle position, aircraft proximity to destination, flight state (e.g., normal or emergency), ceiling, visibility, wind direction, available approaches, terrain). In further embodiments of the present disclosure, waveform analysis data  120  may include simulated results of various signal processing operations (ex—signal packetization, signal digitization). For example, waveform analysis data  120  may include waveform degradation data for plurality of waveforms  130 . Waveform analysis data  120  may be calculated prior to operation of antenna system  100 . Alternatively, waveform analysis data  120  may be calculated in real-time. Scheduler module  110  may coordinate plurality of waveforms  130  based on waveform analysis data  120 . 
     Scheduler module  110  may receive contextual data  140  (ex—aircraft situational information, aircraft speed, aircraft density in airspace, distance from navigational aids, distance from other aircraft, aircraft flight stage, aircraft velocity, aircraft location, airspeed, aircraft altitude, aircraft pitch angle, aircraft vertical speed, aircraft throttle position, aircraft proximity to destination, flight state (e.g., normal or emergency), ceiling, visibility, wind direction, available approaches, terrain) for waveform coordination. For example, scheduler module  110  may coordinate plurality of waveforms  130  based on contextual data  140 . Coordinating plurality of waveforms  130  may include prioritization of plurality of waveforms  130 . Further, waveform coordination may be based on waveform characteristics (ex—signal frequency, waveform duration, waveform priority, waveform time-sensitivity, waveform degradation). Multipurpose waveform prioritization schemes could be derived by weighting one or more of the contextual information  140 . It will also be appreciated that artificial intelligence, neural networks, and the like, might be employed such that the present invention may, over time, learn to make appropriate prioritization schemes based on the aforementioned contextual data. 
     Referring generally to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a non-exclusive table listing avionics waveforms and corresponding waveform characteristics is provided to illustrate scheduling and prioritization. Prioritization of waveforms (ex—avionics waveforms listed in  FIGS. 3 and 4 ) may change during scheduler module operation. For example, during a landing flight stage or a takeoff flight stage, avionics waveforms with ground navigational applications (ex—ILS, MB, SVS, TAWS) may be assigned a higher priority than avionics waveforms with airborne navigation applications or a lower utility (ex—VHF NAV, VOR, GPS, DME). During an airborne flight stage, avionics waveforms with ground navigational applications may be assigned a lower priority. In a further embodiment, during a flight stage with other aircraft in close proximity, avionics waveforms with aircraft locating applications (ex—TCAS, XPDR, GPS) may be assigned a higher priority than avionics waveforms with navigation applications (ex—VHF NAV, VOR, DME). Further, a prioritization scheme involving a flight stage may utilize relevant contextual data to identify the flight stage (ex—altitude, airspeed, proximity to destination, pitch angle, location). In addition, a prioritization scheme involving the proximity of other objects, may utilize relevant contextual information to identify the proximity of other objects (ex—altitude, proximity to destination location, aircraft density in airspace, terrain, ceiling, visibility). 
     In a further embodiment of the present disclosure, scheduler module  110  may coordinate two or more waveforms (ex—avionics waveforms of  FIGS. 3 and 4 ) for simultaneous transmission if the waveforms have sufficient frequency separation. For example, as shown in  FIG. 3 , VOR waveforms may have a frequency of 108 Megahertz (MHz). Waveform analysis data  120  may indicate a VHF COM waveform having a frequency of 136.9 MHz is sufficiently separated from the VOR waveform frequency for simultaneous transmission. Waveform degradation data for a simultaneous transmission may be utilized for simultaneous transmission scheduling. Further, waveform duration may be utilized for scheduling. For example, a navigational waveform may possess a short duration relative to an audio communications waveform. Waveform analysis data may indicate such a navigational waveform may receive a higher priority for the extent of the short duration with an acceptable level of degradation to the audio communications waveform. In another embodiment, delaying at least one of waveforms  130  may be utilized instead of such an alternating of waveforms. Further, delaying at least one of waveforms  130  may be utilized with such an alternating of waveforms. 
     Platform  100  may include a modem module  150  (ex—universal modem) for processing the plurality of waveforms  130 . Modem module  150  may receive waveforms from scheduler module  110 . Modem module may be operably coupled to scheduler module  110 . Further, modem module  150  may receive commands for processing plurality of waveforms  130  from scheduler module  110 . For example, scheduler module  110  may send commands (ex—instructions) to modem module  150  to digitize a waveform for transmission. Platform  100  may include a transmitter  160  operably coupled to modem module  150 . Modem module  150  may send plurality of waveforms  130  to transmitter  160  for signal propagation. Transmitter  160  may propagate plurality of waveforms  130  to antenna unit  170 . Antenna platform  100  may operate plurality of waveforms  130  within specification compliance (ex—avionics standards compliance). Further, antenna platform  100  may operate plurality of waveforms  130  at least substantially simultaneously (ex—within the same time frame). Antenna platform  100  may operate plurality of waveforms  130  to have at least substantially uninterrupted utility to an operator (ex—flight crew). 
     Scheduler module  110  may be co-located with modem module  150  and transmitter  160  within the aircraft. In another embodiment, scheduler module may be located remotely from modem module  150  and transmitter  160 , within the aircraft. Scheduler module  110  may be equipment separate from the other elements of antenna platform  100 . Alternatively, scheduler module  110  may be integrated into a single unit with the other elements of antenna platform  100 . Scheduler module  110  may be an integral part of an end system. Further, scheduler module  110  may reside in software. 
     Referring generally to  FIG. 2 , a method for operating at least two waveforms (ex—the avionics waveforms of  FIGS. 3 and 4 ) on a single antenna is shown. The method  200  may include the step of coordinating the at least two waveforms  210 . Coordinating the at least two waveforms may include utilizing contextual information. Further, coordinating the least two waveforms may be based on the contextual information. In an embodiment, coordinating the at least two waveforms may include utilizing waveform analysis data. The waveform analysis data may be calculated prior to utilization for coordinating the at least two waveforms. Further, coordinating the least two waveforms may be based on the waveform analysis data. In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the coordinating the at least two waveforms  210  may be based on one or more waveform characteristics (ex—signal frequency, waveform duration, waveform priority, waveform time-sensitivity, waveform degradation) of one or more waveforms. 
     The method  200  may further include the step of processing the at least two waveforms  220 . For example, processing the at least two waveforms (ex—the avionics waveforms of  FIGS. 3 and 4 ) may include digitizing at least one analog waveform of the at least two waveforms. Further, the method  200  may further include the step of propagating the at least two waveforms (ex—the avionics waveforms of  FIGS. 3 and 4 ) to the antenna. In exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the method  200  may operate within specification compliance (ex—avionics standards compliance). Further, the method  200  may operate the at least two waveforms at least substantially simultaneously (ex—within the same time frame). Method  200  may operate at least two waveforms to have at least substantially uninterrupted utility. Platform  100  may perform method  200 . 
     In the present disclosure, the methods disclosed may be implemented as sets of instructions or software or firmware readable by a device. Such software may include a computer program product which employs a computer-readable storage medium including stored computer code which is used to program a computer to perform the disclosed function and process of the present invention. The computer-readable medium may include, but is not limited to, any type of conventional floppy disk, optical disk, CD-ROM, magnetic disk, hard disk drive, magneto-optical disk, ROM, RAM, EPROM, EEPROM, magnetic or optical card, or any other suitable media for storing electronic instructions. Further, it is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps in the methods disclosed are examples of exemplary approaches. Based upon design preferences, it is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps in the method can be rearranged while remaining within the disclosed subject matter. The accompanying method claims present elements of the various steps in a sample order, and are not necessarily meant to be limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented. 
     It is believed that the present disclosure and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components without departing from the disclosed subject matter or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form described is merely explanatory, and it is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.