Expanding In-Flight Connectivity The
ground-based world relies on high-speed data
communications through the internet and other broadband networks to conduct its business. Now, the same is possible in the air thanks to companies such as Flightcell International, which builds and sells aircraft communication systems that operate on the Iridium satellite and 4G cellular networks.
“Voice communications and aircraft tracking have been available for a while now,” says James Mace, director of Flightcell International. “The more recent advances involve the provision of data connectivity to the helicopter over cellular or satellite, which in turn facilitate new capabilities on the helicopter. This includes streaming video and other data, and sending and receiving mission or medical data. These new services are valuable not so much for the pilots, but rather for the mission crew, whether the mission be law enforcement, search and rescue, or air ambulance.”
Photo: AEM Plugging into P25 Ground Comms
The development of interoperable Project 25 (P25) land mobile radios (LMRs), which was spurred on by first responder communications problems during 9/11, has provided police, fire and EMS agencies with a common radio platform that allows everyone to hear and talk to each other.
These days P25 interoperability is finding its way onto helicopters. James Huddock, director of federal/military/OEM sales and programs with Technisonic Industries Ltd. says, “Mission-based airborne communications in the helicopter world are mainly driven by the needs of commercial and federal operators. In both cases, P25 LMR technologies are the core requirement, as a federal radio requirement mandates the need to support P25 interoperability in the aircraft; that has become a baseline for just about all operators across the spectrum.”
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The need to support P25 and other communications protocols into helicopters is motivating comms manufacturers to develop the airborne equipment to meet this demand. “For Technisonic, this resulted in the release of our Multi-Communication Port (MCP),” Huddock says. “The MCP allows for the onboard integration of simple devices such as handhelds or portables, to more advanced communication devices such as satellite or other non-aviation radios sets, directly into the existing comms platform.”
Meanwhile, in the interests of reducing the size, weight, and complexity of cable bundles, Technisonic recently introduced a digital interconnection system for its TDAP-650 audio panel. “This interconnect allows for a simple two-wire digital connection between the radio and the audio panel, eliminating the heavy, bulky wire bundles running throughout the aircraft to support comms,” says Huddock.
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