AirCell Successfully Tests Airborne Broadband; Company Validates Its Technical Approach, Progresses in Network Development.LOUISVILLE, Colo. -- AirCell this week successfully completed the initial phase of flight testing for its next-generation airborne telecommunications link. Average user speeds were demonstrated at 300 to 500 kilobits per second (unit) kilobits per second - (kbps, kb/s) A unit of data rate where 1 kb/s = 1000 bits per second. This contrasts with units of storage where 1 Kb = 1024 bits (note upper case K). , with peak rates up to 2.4 megabits per second (unit) megabits per second - (Mbps, Mb/s) Millions of bits per second. A unit of data rate. 1 Mb/s = 1,000,000 bits per second (not 1,048,576). E.g. Ethernet can carry 10 Mbps. . These data transfer rates are comparable to the speeds seen in the latest generation of ground-based mobile phones, and are 80-160 times faster than today's typical airborne telecommunication systems. The technical validation of AirCell's airborne telecommunications link marks a significant milestone in the company's development of a broadband system that will allow passengers to use their next-generation personal cellular telephones and other wireless devices aboard aircraft in flight. Using its proprietary intellectual property and aeronautical aer·o·nau·tic also aer·o·nau·ti·cal adj. Of or relating to aeronautics. aer  o·nau network experience, AirCell plans to deploy a nationwide network in the continental U.S. in the next 18-24 months. The initial phase of flight testing was successfully completed in the Rocky Mountain West using a specially equipped business jet and a modified, ground-based cellular station. The testing was conducted on air-to-ground frequencies under Special Temporary Authorization (STA) from the Federal Communications Commission Federal Communications Commission (FCC), independent executive agency of the U.S. government established in 1934 to regulate interstate and foreign communications in the public interest. (FCC (1) (Federal Communications Commission, Washington, DC, www.fcc.gov) The U.S. government agency that regulates interstate and international communications including wire, cable, radio, TV and satellite. The FCC was created under the U.S. ). Data uploads and downloads were demonstrated, and the results were confirmed with the aircraft operating at a variety of altitudes, airspeeds, and configurations. AirCell and a number of major U.S. airlines maintain ongoing dialogue regarding these services and plans for commercial deployment. Initial testing of AirCell's system aboard scheduled airlines is targeted to begin early next summer. About AirCell AirCell designs, manufactures, markets and supports a full product line of airborne telecommunication systems for the Business Aviation, General Aviation, Government and Air Transport markets. More than 1,500 aircraft are equipped with AirCell products, which provide voice, fax, e-mail, data, and Internet connectivity services, including NEXRAD NEXRAD Next Generation Weather Radar weather radar imagery to the cockpit. The company's products operate on the global Iridium iridium (ĭrĭd`ēəm), metallic chemical element; symbol Ir; at. no. 77; at. wt. 192.22; m.p. about 2,410°C;; b.p. about 4,130°C;; sp. gr. 22.55 at 20°C;; valence +3 or +4. Satellite System, as well as on AirCell's exclusive nationwide cellular network -- the only airborne cellular network ever authorized by the FCC. AirCell is currently leveraging its existing proprietary technology to develop a number of next-generation products for the airline and business aviation markets. The privately held company privately held company A firm whose shares are held within a relatively small circle of owners and are not traded publicly. is headquartered in Louisville, Colorado, USA. |
|
||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion