Matsushita Avionics Systems (MASC) is to form a strategic alliance with Honeywell. The tie-up combines the Japanese company's in-flight entertainment (IFE) technology with its US partners strengths in avionics, particularly communications.
The link between Matsushita, an IFE market-leader, and Honeywell is in part a response to Rockwell Collins purchase last year of Hughes Avicom.
Honeywell, with partner Racal Avionics, and Rockwell Collins are the main players in the commercial aircraft satellite communications market. All are undertaking ground-braking research into on-board file server computer technology, which would also incorporate IFE - a concept which Honeywell calls the Total Aircraft Information System (TAIS).
The first products formed by the venture are likely to appear early next year. They will include onboard websites on the file server for the cabin, and could lead to features such as real time credit card verification.
Honeywell reckons it will effectively become the first Internet service provider for aircraft, although initially real time Internet access is unlikely due to difficulties with bandwidth and speed of air/ground links. Initially pages will be pre-loaded on board for access by passengers. E-mail would be real time, however.
Although data rates are slow Inmarsat is preparing a satellite service with a rate of 64kbit/s.
Source: Flight International
