Optimizing Airborne Platforms To Support Wireless-In-The-Sky Applications by Andy Mason & Eric Tarter, Kontron (formerly AP Avionx)

Optimizing Airborne Platforms To Support Wireless-In-The-Sky Applications An Overview of the Opportunities, Challenges & Solutions for Deploying Web Access, Multicast In-flight Entertainment and Other Wi-Fi Services On-Board Commercial Aircraft. Contents Optimizing Airborne Platforms To Support Wireless-In-The-Sky Applications 1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Contents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ....

Overview Over the past few years, the deployment of broadband Internet access and other wireless services aboard commercial aircraft has moved from just a “pie in the sky” idea to a very real “wireless in the sky” market opportunity. A recent Airline Business/SITA study indicated that some 68% of airlines plan to invest in IP broadband connectivity both to and from aircraft over the next three years. As some of the early experiments have progressed and validated the market opportunity, the scope of potential services has also broadened; from an initial focus on Web browsing and email access to...

In addition to opening up new revenue streams, the shifting to standards-based Wi-Fi for disseminating in-flight entertainment also holds the opportunity for cost benefits to the airlines. Instead of having to outfit the aircraft with drop-down video monitors at various points in the passenger cabin or individual seat-back screens, Wi-Fi enables airlines to leverage virtually any of the Wi-Fi enabled devices (laptops, netbooks, PDAs, etc.) that passengers are already bringing on board with them. Of course, airlines also have the option to provide wireless units (for a fee) to those passengers...

Optimized Support for Multicast and Video-on-Demand Designing the Optimal Rugged Platform In addition, the 802.11n standard is optimized for supporting Multicast video-streaming operations, as well as Unicast AVOD (Audio-Video-On-Demand). A multicast packet includes a group address that simultaneously delivers the same packet to more than one destination on the network. The use of multicasting greatly reduces overall bandwidth consumption on the network because only the transmission of a single packet is necessary rather than sending packets individually addressed to each node. Creating an optimized...

The individual CWAP units throughout the passenger cabin communicate with centralized airborne server units via Gigabit Ethernet. Depending on the specific requirements, one or more server units provide network management, load-balancing, media server functions and handling of the backhaul communications (via satellite or air-to-ground). Robust security layers ensure integrity and privacy of all communications over the local wireless network and the backhaul communication links. CWAP units Fitting into Tight Space Constraints Leveraging years of experience in designing airborne, shipboard, UAV,...

client systems. This constitutes a more than 5x performance advantage over competing systems that show measureable degradation of performance at 20+ wireless clients. The Bottom Line Now that the long-held predictions about wireless-in-thesky services and the real-world market opportunities have finally come together, many airlines are moving very quickly to implement their own services. Lured by the lucrative ancillary revenue opportunities and driven by competitive pressures, airlines are looking for proven solutions that can support both rapid-rollout and scalable, sustainable growth over...

Kontron is a global leader in embedded computing technology. With more than 30% of its employees in Research and Development, Kontron creates many of the standards that drive the world’s embedded computing platforms. Kontron’s product longevity, local engineering and support, and value-added services, helps create a sustainable and viable embedded solution for OEMs and system integrators. Kontron works closely with its customers on their embedded application-ready platforms and custom solutions, enabling them to focus on their core competencies. The result is an accelerated time-to-market, reduced...