Connexion by BoeingSM Broadband Internet Based Services to Passengers and Crew on Board Aircraft Copyright ? 2003 The Boeing Company

摘要

The Connexion by BoeingSM (CbB) global network will provide broadband information services to aircraft passengers andrncrews. Through this Ku-band (14 GHz (uplink) and 11/12 GHz (downlink)) satellite-based system, aircraft passengers andrncrew will no longer be limited to pre-packaged services, but instead will be able to access the full range of broadbandrnservices from their seats using their laptop, PDA or the on-board IFE console.rnThe kind of services offered to passengers are based on the internet/intranet access via their own laptops and PDA (usingrnEthernet wired cable, or wireless 802.11b access), while those offered to the crew can range between various crewrnapplication (such as weather updates and travel information) and aircraft health monitoring.rnThe CbB system is divided into four basic layers of infrastructure:rn(1) an airborne segment, i.e. the Aircraft Earth Station (AES) consisting of proprietary high gain antenna,rntransceivers and other on-board subsystems providing a nominal return link data rate of 1 Mbps and arnforward link data rates up to 20 Mbps;rn(2) a space segment consisting of leased satellite transponders on existing in-orbit Geostationaryrnsatellites;rn(3) a ground segment consisting of one or more leased satellite land earth stations (LESs) and redundantrninterconnection facilities; and;rn(4) a network operations centre (NOC) segment.rnDuring 2003, trials with Lufthansa (DLH) and British Airways (BA) have proved very successful. This has resulted in thernrecent signing of an agreement with Lufthansa which calls for the Connexion by BoeingSM service to be installed onrnLufthansa’s fleet of approximately 80 long-haul aircraft, including Boeing 747-400 and Airbus A330 and A340 aircraft,rnbeginning in early 2004. BA is expected to follow soon. In addition to the successful recent service demonstrations, bothrnJapan Airlines (JAL) and Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS) have announced their intent to install the revolutionaryrnservice on their long-range aircraft.