Cabin equipment specialist DeCrane Aircraft is negotiating with a launch customer for its high-speed data communications system for business jets.
The e-Cabin.Connect system brings together Ku-band satellite communications and air-to-ground telephones to provide what, DeCrane says, is the fastest airborne internet connection yet.
The system is built around a single-box integrated server receiver (ISR), which includes a high-speed satellite communications (satcom) data modem as well as the server for the cabin local area network and audio/video-on-demand in-flight entertainment system. The ISR can interface with any communications link, says DeCrane.
E-Cabin.Connect provides a 512kbit/s uplink to the aircraft via Ku-band communications satellites. Internet URL requests will be downlinked at low speed via the air-to-ground telephone and the requested web content uplinked in real time via satellite.
ViaSat Satellite Networks provides the satellite receiver for the system, leases the Ku-band trans-ponders and runs the network operations centre and uplink facilities. MagnaStar onboard telephone supplier Teledyne Controls provides single-point billing and product support, while Passenger Networks supplies the ISR.
Service will be provided via Telstar 6 in North America, Eutelsat 3 in Europe and another satellite in Asia. DeCrane expects installation to begin within 30-45 days.
Source: Flight International