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Sci Tech
Revolutionising flying, the Internet way
EVEN WHILE airlines globally are vying with one another to provide `customer delight' with several freebies the U.S.-based aircraft manufacturing giant, Boeing Company, has come out with what could be a ``futuristic jetliner'', opening up new vistas in the world of communication.
Christened as ``Connexion'', the Boeing-737 jet is a mobile service provider aimed to revolutionise the way corporate gurus on the move communicate and entertain themselves by providing high- speed, two way connectivity to aircraft in flight.
Through the service, broadband (or high data rate) connectivity is delivered seamlessly to airline seats, offering passengers personalised and secure access to the Internet, intranets, two-way e-mail (including attachments) and streaming television and audio content.
Connexion by Boeing's unique broadband service provides an e-enablement framework for commercial aircraft, transforming them into a value-added node on airline's global information network, allowing in-flight crews to talk to the airline operation centre and move data simultaneously over multiple channels.. By taking advantage of Connexion's unmatched bandwidth, airline personnel can send and receive information that would enhance operational efficiencies on the ground and in the cabin environment.
Targeted to serve commercial airlines and executive services clientele, the first airline service trial is expected to begin late 2002 or early 2003. The service is now available in the continental US for the business market, including operators of large private and government jets.
Scott E Carson, Boeing Company's Senior Vice-President, and President of Connexion, told The Hindu at the recently concluded Farnborough air show in London, that customer airplanes would be equipped with the Boeing proprietary phased array receive and transmit antenna -- a key enabler for two-way broadband connectivity.
The phased array antenna would provide enhance response to directional changes by steering signals electronically, permitting instantaneous and continuous connections between satellites and customer aircraft.
The next generation antenna will incorporate a single aperture design that will provide enhanced satellite-to-aircraft scan angles and also use leading edge beam pointing technology with enhanced electronics capabilities to precisely detect and track satellites from the aircraft during flight.
As part of its upgradation strategy in providing passenger comfort, the European carrier, British Airways, will soon install Connexion by Boeing in its First, Club World, and World Traveller Plus cabins for a trial period of three months.
By T.S. Shankar
Recently in Farnborough, London
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