Integrating Air/Ground Aircraft Connectivity

Pete Wright

ARINC

pwright@arinc.com

Agenda• ARINC’s Air/Ground network offerings for passengers

• Why Integrate different Air/Ground networks?

• Example Applications

• ARINC AeroSync

• Maintenance and Troubleshooting

Air/Ground Data Links• Classic Satcom

– Supports current applications in service today: – Cockpit voice and ACARS– Cabin voice and text applications (SMS, Live Text News and

GLOBALinkMail)

• Swift64– Cabin-only (non safety services)– Provides additional bandwidth allowing passengers to send e-mails

and use Instant messenger (IM) via their personal laptop

• SwiftBroadband (available mid-2008)– Cabin-only (non safety services)– Significantly increases bandwidth – will drive additional internet-

based services

Air/Ground Data Links (continued)• KuBand

– Cabin-only (non safety services)– ARINC “SKYLink” services provided to the business jet

market today– Supporting Panasonic’s KuBand initiatives

• Iridium– Historically Cabin-only (non safety services)– ARINC providing flight deck voice and data solutions

today– May be considered for limited passenger data

applications

AeroMobile - Service Offering• All Services are possible via AeroMobile

– Blackberry, Email and Internet, Voice, Text

• Working together with Panasonic to provide a turn key solution:– Uniquely leverages existing SATCOM avionic and IFE investments– Single point of contact

• Available this year through “Classic” capabilities – Installations commenced in 2006

• 180 aircraft commitments from 3 airlines– B777 and B767 installations mature

• End-user pricing is set by the passenger’s mobile phone subscription – End-user pricing will be aligned with normal international roaming rates

• Use your phone just as you do on the ground:– Same phone, same bill, same habits!

The End-to-End Perspective

IFE Data Sources/Servers

Aircraft-GroundCommunication

Networks

On boardApplications

IFE Content

Aircraft-Ground Communication Requirements

• IFE Content Uploads– Delivery on to-board servers– Streaming content

• Frequent uplink/downlink messaging

• Routine Software/System Maintenance exchanges

• System Downloads

Criteria for Selecting a Communication Path

• Bandwidth/Throughput

• Geographic Availability

• Cost of Service/Equipment

• Compatibility with different systems/applications

• Integration requires:– Routing policy based on airline/application preferences

Example: Buy-OnboardPoint-of-Sale Support• Communications requirements:

– Inventory logging/confirmation– Credit Card verification

• Currently this communication occurs after the aircraft has landed– OK for inventory logging– Some airlines desire more immediate credit card verification

• Integrated communications solution– Credit card transactions for large purchases transmitted

inflight over satcom– Non-time-critical communications stored for delivery over

Gatelink on the ground

Example: InFlight News

• Current Service– Live Text Messages delivered to seatback

monitors over Inmarsat data-3 link

• Near-term Enhancements– Short video clips format delivered real-time

using MPDS over Inmarsat SwiftBroadband

– Full news updates delivered between flights multiple times per day over Gatelink

Staying ConnectedGateFusion

Daily internet cache Short video files

SwiftBroadbandEmail, SMS, IM,

short video updatesRealtime inflight comms

Ground based Communication Management ServerRestrict access to streaming sitesRestrict access to sites which user has not paid forCan provide priority to certain users – business classEnsures all aircraft receive latest updates and identifies problem aircraft

Ground based Content Management ServerReceives content from multiple providersFormats data for onboard portal and sends to Gatelink or SBB for deliveryRecords updates and tracks content

Data Management

ARINC AeroSyncDelivering the Information

• Single Communications

Interface for Airline

• Airline-Defined, Policy-Based Data Routing

GateFusionCentral Delivery

Server

LocalDelivery Server

LocalDelivery Server

“AeroSync”Communications

Management

VHF/Satcom

USB Storage/LAN Access/

New Technologies

AeroSync: Integrated Communications Management

• Where to connect?– Connecting to multiple networks increases system complexity– Single interface with user-definable routing policy simplifies this

challenge

• On the Aircraft– Data Loader Systems– On-Board Application/Network Servers

• On the Ground– Content Servers– Communication Provider

Maintenance/Troubleshooting• An integrated communications requires

visibility to multiple networks for effective troubleshooting

• Step-by-step approach is necessary to diagnose communication issues– Is the aircraft connecting?– Is any data getting through?– Is data being transmitted completely?

Summary• ARINC provides fully integrated voice and

data solutions for all aircraft today– Strategically placed for future enhancements

• ARINC can provide data solutions for both seatback IFE and passenger laptop

• ARINC is looking for unique programs for flight crews which will provide immediate measurable benefits