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| Kontron Cab-n-Connect 28VDC designed for use in business jets and regional aircraft. Photo: Kontron |
[Avionics Today 09-16-2014] Kontron is looking to help airlines and other aircraft customers test out In-Flight Connectivity (IFC) through its avionics Systems Integration Lab (SIL) located at its North American headquarters in Poway, Calif. Built with the purpose of drastically reducing customer time to system deployment, Kontron’s SIL provides its customers with a testing facility for new avionics In-Flight Entertainment (IFE) and wireless connectivity technologies.
The SIL, which opened in July and is already in use, simulates the aircraft cabin wireless network environment to allow characterization of IFE and connectivity applications prior to actual system installation. Many personal electronic devices are available in the SIL to facilitate performance testing and validation of customer applications, including in-flight Wi-Fi, 3G/4G cellular and satellite broadband, among others.
“Technology changes so rapidly that it is more important than ever to help our customers minimize deployment risk and efficiently roll out of their systems on the aircraft. Kontron’s SIL is a valuable test bed for new technologies as well as providing an accurate simulation of the Wi-Fi cabin environment and applicable aircraft interfaces,” said Andy Mason, head of systems and program management at Kontron.