Hot Topics
Hot Topics
Check in with us each month to learn about what we have to say about hot topics in the industry.
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In-flight Wireless Media Streaming to Passenger Tablets & Personal Computers
Thales is developing a total solution which will enable In-flight Media Streaming in the cabin. Our partnership with Siemens Communications, Media and Technologies is the first step which brings together a proven mix of applications and system technologies. This partnership underscores the Thales philosophy: to work with best-in-class companies.
Media Streaming to passenger devices adds to the scalability of the TopSeries system bringing passengers even more to their in-flight experience. The growing number of travelers with smart handheld devices provides an excellent opportunity for Thales to add an exciting and highly competitive solution to its product portfolio. Passengers will be able to view high quality video and audio content as well as applications using a variety of laptop, smart phone and tablet devices. This is balanced by the tremendous ergonomic and design benefit of using the TopSeries system which is built around passenger comfort and the delivery of a very high quality entertainment and connectivity experience through the in-seat screen.
In early 2012, the Thales and Siemens solution will be tested aboard a flight trial with an undisclosed airline to validate a wide variety of Media4Sky features. Media4Sky is a Siemens application that will be integrated into the TopSeries system digital server. The application will allow passenger to receive streaming media to their many different types of mobile devices.
The Importance of Seat-Centric Design
We see there are benefits to a seat-centric design, but a fully decentralized approach that is independent from any network has significant limitations in terms of passenger program choice, data and information exchange, maintenance handling and reliability.
For Thales, our TopSeries AVANT platform combines the best elements of a fully loaded seat-centric architecture with a robust server-based system. It incorporates both popular content and personal electronic device interface capabilities at the seat; while at the same time maintains a system network connection that delivers the widest variety of programs and applications an airline could ever dream of offering their passengers.
The ultimate benefit of our approach is reliability. The configuration provides another layer of redundancy which minimizes the chance of losing all passenger services. Our Smart Video Display Units (SVDUs) store up to 256GB of content that is accessible without any dependency on the system's digital servers or Ethernet network. This design feature gives passengers an excellent library of program options and underscores our commitment to manufacturing a high quality, reliable system.
B/E Aerospace Seat Integration showing 12" SVDU
