DeCrane Aircraft has announced the introduction of it`s new e-CABIN.Connect system which matches the high speed of most ground-based internet connections and provides true office productivity while airborne.
The new system is being developed to accommodate the unique connectivity requirements of corporate aircraft, and utilises proven, in-use technologies adapted for airborne installations. A demo of the system is available for viewing at Bombardier`s Global Express Static Display at the Paris Air Show.
The e-CABIN.Connect system is lighter, faster, and more compatible with existing airborne communication systems than any other airborne internet technology on the market. The airborne Integrated Cabin Server/Satellite Receiver (ICSR) weighs just 18 pounds and the entire installed system is estimated to weigh no more than 35 pounds, and in certain applications where an existing box is replaced, the system will add as little as 23 pounds. High-speed Ku-band content can be delivered to the aircraft at up to 2 megabytes per second (mbps). The aircraft-to-ground downlink uses existing narrowband phone technology, but with the use of DeCrane`s ICSR, the user will experience virtually no waiting time.
The e-CABIN.Connect system is the only fully-integrated, onboard internet solution for the corporate jet market. It brings all three critical airborne internet components together: the Internet Service Provider (ISP) and network service provider; the aircraft communications segment; and the aircraft cabin management system (CMS). The integrated and expandable e-CABIN Connect system interfaces with any CMS, manages and controls the various existing and new aircraft communications links, and will accommodate future broadband technologies such as the Immarsat HSD and Ka-band satellites when they become available.
The e-CABIN.Connect system utilises time-tested technology such as Ku-band transponders, existing aircraft telephone systems, and proven antenna and radome installations. The e-CABIN.Connect team already has agreements in place with multiple regional satellite service providers to enable nearly worldwide coverage as demand requires. Narrowband links are available in areas without current Ku coverage.
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