Lufthansa Technik and Cisco to Offer High-Speed CMU, Wireless LAN

The airborne office is taking a leap into the future-at least on extra, extra-large aircraft. Lufthansa Technik (LHT) (Booth 2341) and Cisco Systems are developing a high-speed, wireless LAN that will be linked to a multi-user, multi-channel communications management unit. On aircraft fitted with an Ethernet capability, a Cisco device will determine which communications link best suits the needs of the user, depending upon speed, aircraft location, link availability and cost factors. The system will be able use to GSM cell phone, GPRS, WLAN, NATS and/or satcom communications links.

The wireless LAN supports the IEEE 802.11b comm. standard, enabling transfer speeds up to 11 Mbaud. LHT pioneered FAA/JAA-approved, wireless LANs aboard large cabin aircraft, including B747-400, BBJ and BBJ2 XXL aircraft. Indeed, once all the high-speed datalink satellites are operational in December of this year, LHT/Cisco-equipped aircraft will provide airplane passengers with T1-like transfer speeds from any seat in the cabin.

Starting in January 2003, Lufthansa will begin in-service trials of just such a system, featuring a Boeing Connexion high-speed satcom link, aboard one of its B747-400 aircraft operating daily between Frankfurt and Washington-Dulles. As an alternative, LHT can install INMARSAT Swift64 satcom datalink equipment in lieu of the Connexion package.

By Fred George