Airbus demonstrates first multipurpose wireless cabin network at WAEA in Hamburg

Airbus demonstrates the world’s first multipurpose wireless cabin network at the 26th Conference and Exhibition of the World Airline Entertainment Association (WAEA) from 20 to 23 September in Hamburg.

Airbus' wireless cabin network will introduce a completely new way of integrating wireless applications into an aircraft’s electronic architecture. By using a single standardized connection point for all wireless devices and just one antenna inside the cabin for data distribution, airlines will benefit significantly from the new Airbus cabin network:

- Significantly lower costs of integrating new information, communication or In

- Flight Entertainment applications through just a single connection point.

- Future oriented network as the system and the antenna is able to transmit and receive a wide band of data.

- Higher reliability of the network as only one antenna in the cabin is transmitting and receiving data.

- Highest degree of flexibility for airlines in adapting their cabin layouts as no wires or cables have to be installed or changed.

- Significantly lower maintenance costs, as only the cabin application has to be maintained, and no wires or cables have to be checked or changed.

Passengers who already enjoy wider seats and wider aisles in Airbus aircraft will profit from the latest standards in In-Flight Entertainment, higher reliability and easy wireless access through Laptops and Personal Digital Assistants (PDA) to Internet connections throughout the cabin as well as being able to use mobile phones on board in all classes.

The leading aircraft manufacturer will demonstrate the potential of the new wireless cabin network during the exhibition with a local GSM network for mobile phone use, web services via Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) and wireless video streaming.

Wireless cabin applications will be available on Airbus aircraft as of the second half of 2006, when A320 Family aircraft will be equipped with OnAir connectivity solutions to use mobile phones on board. The first cabin network for wireless applications will be introduced on board the A380 in the second half of 2006.

In addition to the cabin services, Airbus will also show the Blade-Centrix network server, which supports the wireless airline network architecture. Aircraft management tools used for electronic maintenance services and also applications such as duty free, cabin management services, cabin crew management or aircraft logistics can be controlled by this server unit.

Another innovation presented by Airbus during the WAEA is the "Flexible Raceway", a seat rail, which allows a quicker and easier layout change for aircraft cabins. The "Flexible Raceway" offers connecting points to supply seats with electrical power and the potential to transmit data from the In-flight-entertainment system directly into the seats system. Operators only have to disconnect the seat, move it along the raceway and re-connect the seat, without moving any wires.

Guests are welcome to visit Airbus at Hall 10, Stand 1339 at the Hamburg Messe and Congress Centrum (CCH).

Airbus is an EADS joint company with BAE Systems.

More...