Connectivity 101 WAEA Technology Committee Single Focus Workshop 25 March 2010

1. Connectivity 101WAEA Technology CommitteeSingle Focus Workshop25 March 2010

2. Passenger connectivity: a false dawn? Another world first for Instone Air Lines……… First ground to air telephone call (1920) : radio takes off On August 19, 1920, Sir Samuel Instone, chairman of the Instone Air Line was able to have a telephone conversation by wireless radio between his home in London and a passenger on board on of his Vickers aeroplanes en route to Paris. This is thought to have been the first radio telephone call to an aircraft in flight.

3. A Brief History of Passenger Connectivity Before mid 1980s there was none. The Connectivity market has evolved entirely in last 25 years: 1984 – first telephone system 1987 – first satellite telephone calls 1992 – first news and sports ticker 1993 – first fax 1996 – first live television 2001 – first e-mail 2002 – first broadband connectivity 2003 – first cabin wi-fi implementation 2005 – first GSM voice and SMS system 2006 – first GPRS mobile data system

4. What do passengers want? Need? Cabin/passenger connectivity applications Internet – Web, webmail, IM, social networking Corporate intranet/VPN Real-time TV, audio/video streaming IFE content, information updates – web, audio, video, TV Cellphone/smartphone connectivity – voice/SMS/data Destination information Buy on board, cashless cabin Telemedicine/remote health diagnosis BITE, maintenance reports; usage data Service recovery Frequent Flyer Program Plus flight deck operational and safety services (ATC)

5. Cabin access and distribution Access devices Embedded or handheld IFE system/device (e.g. in-seat IFE monitor and controller) Crew work station, duty free EPOS terminal/device Passengers’ own laptop pc, pda or cell/smart phone Wireless: Cellular (GSM/CDMA/UMTS) or WiFi pda or datacard Ethernet (RJ-45) Cabin Distribution IFE system Hardwired ethernet – RJ45 at seat Wireless WiFi – network cabin access points, typically 802.11a/b/g Cellular – pico cell system, typically GSM/GPRS

6. Portable Electronic Devices The first! …Utopia?

7. Mobile (cell) phones 4.3 Billion cellphones…. And counting

8. Aircraft system components Antenna(s) Radios (modems, transceivers) Servers, routers Pico cells, access points Applications Plus ground components Receiving stations, billing systems back office systems

9. Multitude of communications systems Ku-band GEO satellite Iridium L-band LEO Satellite Inmarsat L-band GEO satellite Satellite Technologies Radio Technologies Terrestrial (eg Aircell, Wi-SKY) Gatelink (Terminal WLAN) VHF/HF ACARS Datalink and voice Technologies (flight deck and ATC only)

10. Radio and Satellite Transmission Satellite Satellite Transmission Forward link Return link Radio Transmission Up link Down link All elements of each system may vary: frequencies used, data rates, type of satellite, orbit, range of transmission, aircraft equipment etc., etc. Satellite (Ground) Station Radio (Base) Station

11. In-flight communications options DBS/DVB TV (Mbit/s) Ku band Satellite More Real time TV Air-to-ground/Terrestrial Internet Bandwidth L-band higher rates Cellphone L-band Low and mid rates Less Safety Services (Kbit/s) Geographical availability Regional Global

12. What are the real differences? Geographical coverage Bandwidth/data rate Ability to support what applications? IFE and flight deck, operations etc Cost, size and weight of aircraft hardware Cost of airtime Whole life costs Business model Does it do what I want it to do, when and where I want it and can I, and my passengers, afford it?

13. Horses for courses

14. Terrestrial communications Connectivity 101

15. ATG System Overview Three Sub-Networks Wi-Fi Enabled Devices Aircell Cabin Telecommunications Router • The Airborne Network • The Air-to-Ground Network • The Ground Network Airborne Aircraft Antenna EVDO Modem Air-to-Ground Mobile Broadband Service activates at 10,000 ft EVDO Cell Site Data Center Ground Network Internet

16. Satellite Communications Connectivity 101

17. Satellite communications

18. Geostationary satellite coverage

19. Example: Inmarsat-3 (L-band) satellite constellation • 4 operational Inmarsat-3 • satellites • Spot and global beams • Ground Earth Stations • (GES) within footprint • of each satellite

20. Inmarsat-4 SwiftBroadband Spot Beams (L-band)

21. Ku-band coverage example

22. Iridium LEO satellite system 66 satellites Orbit 780kms (Low Earth Orbit, LEO) Uniquely uses inter-satellite links, plus call hand-over between satellites – fewer ground stations

23. CABIN SYSTEMS Connectivity 101: Using it: Cabin Networks, Devices and Applications

24. Cellular pico cell Lexicon: RF radiating co-axial antenna cable = ‘Leaky Feeder” Example Wide body Aircraft Economy Class

25. Wi-fi cabin network

26. Cabin networks: operation Wi-fi networks Credit card billing Roaming? Pico cells Roaming model Regulatory approvals Incoming calls, SMS, data

27. Food for thoughT Connectivity 101

28. The in-flight environment…

29. Connectivity Be clear on requirements Form cross-functional teams Be realistic Ask the dumb questions as well as the smart ones…. Promote and support