DeCrane Unveils Airborne Internet Solution

DeCrane Aircraft is testing its eCabin.connect airborne Internet system aboard a Gulfstream IV-SP, and has assembled a team of partners to market and support it. DeCrane and Teledyne Controls announced here that they have signed a memorandum of understanding under which Teledyne will provide customer support and other services for the project.

The eCabin.connect system uses a Rantec Ku-band satellite antenna to provide high-speed uplink to the airplane. It is designed as a plug-in replacement for the direct broadcast system (DBS) antennas already installed on many large corporate jets. ViaSat provides the receiver and manages the uplink, leasing satellite transponders as necessary. DeCrane provides the Integrated e-server/receiver, which connects the satellite antenna to the local area network on board the aircraft.

The eCabin.connect system is asymmetrical: downloading data from the aircraft to the ground is slower, using air-to-ground telephone links. However, this makes the system easier to install; and for the time being, communications regulators do not allow high-rate satellite transmissions from a moving aircraft. The system, costing almost $500,000 installed, is primarily intended for large business aircraft like Falcons, Challengers and Gulfstreams.