Wireless cabin network by Airbus introduced at WAEA 2005

Airbus will demonstrate the world's first multi-purpose wireless cabin network at the 26th Conference and Exhibition of the World Airline Entertainment Association (WAEA) to be held from Sept 20 to 23 in Hamburg, Germany.

By using a single standardised connection point for all wireless devices and just one antenna inside the cabin for data distribution, airlines will benefit significantly from the new cabin network, Airbus said.

... It will significantly lower costs of integrating new information, communication or in-flight entertainment applications through just a single connection point.

Airbus demonstrated the world's first multipurpose wireless cabin network at this year's WAEA Conference and Exhibition in Hamburg.

The network uses a single standardised connection point for all wireless devices and just one antenna (the 'Leaky Line') inside the cabin for data distribution.

The company says that the use of a single connection point lowers costs of integrating new information, communication or in-flight entertainment applications; offers better network reliability, as only one antenna in the cabin is receiving and transmitting data; offers a higher degree of flexibility for adapting cabin layouts, with no installation of wires or cables; and lowers maintenance costs, as only the cabin application has to be maintained and no wires or cables have to be checked or changed.

The network will allow passengers to access the internet wirelessly using laptops and PDAs, as well as enabling them to use mobile telephones on board and view in-flight entertainment.

¶ 10:33 AM