WAEA Internet Working Group
On-board infrastructure
ad hoc group
Revised by Rolf Goedecke
August 18, 2000
WAEA On-Board Infrastructure ah hoc group
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Background
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Growing Airline/Passenger demand for information and communication services on
board an A/c
Allow competition based on standardized platforms
Services including in-flight email, Intranet/Internet Web content
Technology enablers are available or will be available soon
 Preparation of a common system architecture capable of supporting multiple
applications
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On-board infrastructure generic block diagram: basis for discussion
Required a/c infrastructure to allow new functions, such as
- crew e-mail,
- crew airline intranet access,
- passenger access to intranet,
- passenger access to e-mail...
- NSU ( Network Server Unit, host for A/c intranet pages, e-mail proxy... )
- Gatelink ( Wireless a/c – to - ground-network communication link in near airport on-ground terminal environment )
- Cabin W-LAN ( wireless link inside the cabin between NSU and e.g. laptops, Credit card readers ... )
- Interfaces to Cabin equipment and Satcom
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Component Overview
High Speed Data
Link
Satcom
Cabin W-LAN
Gatelink
CTU
CDS
NSU
WAEA On-Board Infrastructure ah hoc group
SWITCH
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CWLU
TWLU
SDU
ARINC 763
ARINC 763
High speed
SAT
receiver
ARINC 741
A429,
10bT
Data 3
10bT
100bT
10bT
NSU
ARINC 763
100bT
100bT
MIU
Printer,
Data loader,
Cabin/Cockpit port,
etc.
Ethernet switch
100bT
E1
On-board components
Off-board infrastructure
PED Connectivity
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E1
CTU
ARINC 746
E1
CDS
ARINC 628
PED
Connectivity
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Player
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Cabin Distribution System (CDS)
•Matsushita Avionics System Corp. (no web site)
•Rockwell Collins (www.collins.rockwell.com)
•Thomson CSF Sextant Inflight Systems (www.thomson-csf.com and www.sextant-ifs.com)
•KID-Systeme (www.kid-systeme.com)
•Primex Aerospace (www.red.prmx.com)
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Cabin Telecommunication Unit (CTU)
•Matsushita Avionics System Corp. (no web site)
•BAE Systems (www.baesystems.com)
•AT&T (www.att.com)
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Network Server Unit (NSU), Cabin/Terminal Wireless LAN
•Honeywell (www.cas.honeywell.com)
•Rockwell Collins (www.collins.rockwell.com)
•Miltope (OEM) (www.miltope.com)
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Player
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Ethernet Switch Unit (ESU)
•Honeywell (www.cas.honeywell.com)
•Rockwell Collins ? (www.collins.rockwell.com)
•Teldix ? (www.teldix.com)
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Satellite Data Unit (SDU)
•Honeywell (www.cas.honeywell.com)
•Rockwell Collins (www.collins.rockwell.com)
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Software/Applications
•Honeywell (www.cas.honeywell.com)
•Rockwell Collins (www.collins.rockwell.com)
•Tenzing (www.tenzing.com)
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General Information
•Wireless Ethernet (www.wirelessethernet.org)
•ARINC Specifications (www.arinc.com)
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Considerations
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High-speed communication und data exchange via wired and wireless LAN
Server technology as platforms for several applications
Allow for High-Speed Satellite Communication
Modular system architecture suitable for S/A and L/R aircraft
Possibility for easy extension in a modular way
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Functionalities
The proposed system functionality may include as an example,
but not be limited to, the following:
• E-mail services
• Intranet Access
• Internet Access
• Airline specific access to the Airline intranet (such as Booking Systems, Airline
Logistics, Mobile Credit Card Reader, Flight Connection Information etc.)
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Concept
The concept for the On-Board Infrastructure
is a system consisting of the following major parts:
• Network Server Unit (NSU)
• Terminal Wireless LAN
• Cabin Wireless LAN
• Ethernet Switch Unit
• High-Speed Satellite Data Transceiver
• Interfaces to communication Systems
• Interfaces to other systems
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Network Server Unit (NSU)
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Closely linked with the highly customized cabin and passenger-related functions (e.g.
E-Mail and Intranet/Internet, cabin crew applications)
Provides system processing and network communication services for customized S/W
applications
Form, fit and functions of NSU shall be closely linked to the architecture of the In-Flight
Entertainment System
(may be according to ARINC 763)
Form factor : 4 / 6 MCU
To be installed in E-Bay or close to the IFE system
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Terminal Wireless LAN
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The Terminal Wireless LAN is used to bridge a wireless connection between the onboard LAN and a ground-based LAN typically at an airport
The Terminal Wireless LAN includes the Terminal Wireless LAN Unit and the Antenna
Potential applications are Software Updates (Core, News, Web Pages) and access to
aircraft status data
Interfaces to the NSU
Based on ARINC 763
Form factor according to ARINC 763, location is fuselage (external antenna)
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Cabin Wireless LAN
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The Cabin Wireless LAN provides a wireless network connection between devices
within the aircraft structure and those systems connected to the wired Ethernet LAN
The Cabin Wireless LAN includes the Cabin Wireless LAN Unit and the Antenna(s)
Potential applications are crew access to electronic docs and maintenance data,
wireless credit card reader, …
Interfaces to the NSU
Based on ARINC 763
Form factor according to ARINC 763, location is aircraft dependant on
measurement/coverage tests
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Ethernet Switch Unit
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The Ethernet Switch Unit provides a wired network connection between the connected
systems based on IEEE 802.3 Ethernet
Form factor : 2 MCU (tbc), location may be E-Bay
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High-Speed Satellite System
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The High-Speed Satellite System provides the broadband communication link between
the aircraft and the ground
via geo-stationary / orbiting satellites
Access to satellite-based high-speed data communications
Consists of antenna(s) and the transceiver(s) part
Items to investigate :
What antenna(s) types and what reception system may be used ? With what
dimensions and weights ?
Where might the antenna(s) be installed on the a/c ?
(at top of the fuselage or within the vertical stabiliser structure)
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Relevant Standards and Items
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IEEE 802.3 Ethernet 10BaseT and 100BaseT
(10 Mbps and100 Mbps)
Wireless LAN based on IEEE 802.11 / 802.11b
ARINC 628 (Cabin Equipment Interfaces)
ARINC 664 (Aircraft Data Network)
ARINC 746 (Cabin Communication Systems)
ARINC 761 (Aviation Satellite Communications System)
ARINC 763 (Network Server System)
Cable, Connectors and Interface Connectors for production breaks (Ethernet)
Network Technology, Operating Systems and Partitioning
(S/W and H/W)
Firewalls and Virus Protection
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Ethernet performance IEEE 802.3
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Ethernet 10BaseT :
•Netto bit rate approx. 7 Mbit/sec or 900 KByte/sec
•Twisted pair cable
Ethernet 100BaseT :
•Netto bit rate approx. 70 Mbit/sec or 9 MByte/sec
•Quad cable (tbc)
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Ethernet performance IEEE 802.11 and 11b
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Wireless Ethernet IEEE 802.11 :
•Frequency hopping
•Bit rate 2Mbit/sec
•Netto bit rate approx. 1 Mbit/sec or 125 KByte/sec
•Direct Sequence :
•Bit rate 2Mbit/sec
•Netto bit rate approx. 1 Mbit/sec or 125 Kbyte/sec
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Wireless Ethernet IEEE 802.11b :
•Direct Sequence :
•Bit rate 11Mbit/sec
•Netto bit rate approx. 5,5 Mbit/sec or 700 Kbyte/sec
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