TDR and Fiber Optic IFE!
Ok readers, time to get your technical groove on because this week we deal with an old technology within a new application – Time Domain Reflectrometry (TDR). Firstly, the TDR technology is the science of sending pulses of electrical energy down lines to “see” the condition of the lines themselves by looking at the “reflected” energy pulses that are returned from conditions like line-breaks, shorted wires, and the characteristics of “stuff” that is electrically hung on the end of the lines themselves. In this game, returned pulse shape is everything, and the speed of the return locates the potential discontinuity, ...
Meetings, Meetings, & Rumors Too!
Our lead story is a reminder to all you IFE aficionados to sign-up for the WAEA Technical Committee Meeting & Single Focus Workshop (March 24 - 25, 2010) in Southern California. Day One features the WAEA Technology Committee’s Digital Content Management Working Group (DCMWG) Meeting, there will be three panels. The first will consider the proposed changes/additions made in the MPEG-4 settings covered by WAEA 0403. A panel of industry experts including hardware providers, content providers, and representatives from the post-production community will participate. The second panel will consider the possibility of adding an HD specification to WAEA 0403. A ...
5BARz Product Evaluation – As Advertised!
We all know, Inflight Entertainment is quickly becoming an experience that is supplemented on the ground (and many times in the air) by an assortment of devices, the most notable of which, is the iPhone. A lot of road warriors rely on smart phones for entertainment, telephony, and data. The telephony part is the focus of this Hot Topic and the seemingly lack of consistent voice connectivity is the problem we set out to solve. Enter 5BARz from CelLynx, the mobile/fixed, cell phone solution. Simply put, the 5BARz Road Warrior (product image)pumped-up any and every telephone signal to 5 bars ...
Is Massive Airline Co-Branding The Next Source Of Revenues?
While multi-branding is not new to airliners (Alaska, Southwest, and others), we stumbled across this story on the net that is certainly one of the few to feature snack foods. The advertising agency that developed the concept, Luckie Strategic PR, told us that the aircraft branding and the Little Debbie Great American Getaway contest (on AirTran) were a natural. They even thought of giving away tiny Little Debbie cupcakes to passengers. The message here is: Be prepared for more logo/image dilution as airlines seek to generate more on the bottom line. For years, the airline has fiercely protected their airline ...
Boeing 747-800 Flies!
At 12:10 PST on Monday, Boeing launched the first flight of the newest Boeing derivative, forty one years to the date of the original 747-100 first flight. The program, although one year late, is expected to be complete this year and will continue delivering aircraft for at least the next 20 years. While passenger demand has slowed (32 pax sold and cargo sold), cargo potential is driving up sales. While the 250 foot long plane consumes 16% less fuel than earlier models, its size fits between the Airbus A380 and the Airbus A350-1000 in overall length and ...
Hot Topics
TDR and Fiber Optic IFE!
Ok readers, time to get your technical groove on because this week we deal with an old technology within a new application – Time Domain Reflectrometry (TDR). Firstly, the TDR technology is the science of sending pulses of electrical energy down lines to “see” the condition of the lines themselves by looking at the “reflected” energy... [Read more]
Meetings, Meetings, & Rumors Too!
Our lead story is a reminder to all you IFE aficionados to sign-up for the WAEA Technical Committee Meeting & Single Focus Workshop (March 24 – 25, 2010) in Southern California. Day One features the WAEA Technology Committee’s Digital Content Management Working Group (DCMWG) Meeting, there will be three panels. The first will... [Read more]
5BARz Product Evaluation – As Advertised!
We all know, Inflight Entertainment is quickly becoming an experience that is supplemented on the ground (and many times in the air) by an assortment of devices, the most notable of which, is the iPhone. A lot of road warriors rely on smart phones for entertainment, telephony, and data. The telephony part is the focus of this Hot Topic and... [Read more]
Is Massive Airline Co-Branding The Next Source Of Revenues?
While multi-branding is not new to airliners (Alaska, Southwest, and others), we stumbled across this story on the net that is certainly one of the few to feature snack foods. The advertising agency that developed the concept, Luckie Strategic PR, told us that the aircraft branding and the Little Debbie Great American Getaway contest (on... [Read more]
Boeing 747-800 Flies!
At 12:10 PST on Monday, Boeing launched the first flight of the newest Boeing derivative, forty one years to the date of the original 747-100 first flight. The program, although one year late, is expected to be complete this year and will continue delivering aircraft for at least the next 20 years. While passenger demand has slowed (32 pax... [Read more]
WAP’s, News, and the Supply Chain!
Earlier this week someone asked us if an 802.11N aircraft router was in existence. Yep, and VT Miltope has one newly developed, approved, and ready for service…it is called the nMAP. Contact Bob Guidetti if you need more information (rguidetti@miltope.com). Check out the PDF data sheet below. Airbus told us that they are going to raise... [Read more]
AIRFAX Redux!
This IFExpress sure looks like an old fax newsletter we used to publish…however, we left out the “Rumors, Rumors, Rumors” bit, sorta. Sources have told us that Aircell, recently announced the completion of the private placement of equity securities totaling $176m to new and existing investors. The financing will be used to provide funding... [Read more]
At Home At 35,000 Feet
When we saw the Aircraft Cabin Systems 52” LCD display, the only thought that came to mind was a saying attributed to US President, Calvin Cooledge, when he was asked to fund an air force – “Why don’t we buy one airplane and let the pilots take turns flying it.” Along the same train of thought, we asked why more airlines don’t... [Read more]
Due to the economic downturn, as well as the advances in technology, new IFE revenue opportunities are available to airlines at a reduced cost. Challenging times tend to lead the way to innovative solutions and will ultimately benefit airlines and passengers alike. The next year or two should be very exciting!”
