Goal 

Passenger entertainment equipment is subject to frequent upgrades on the airplane. The goal of this AEEC activity is to develop cost effective equipment and valuable network infrastructure for the airlines to cope with the rapid and evolving electronics/entertainment industry that will exceed passenger expectations. This includes interface standards to allow airlines to implement preferred systems for their passengers. Cabin communications, connectivity, wireless distribution, cabin interface protocols, and connector standardization are all intricate components of this activity.

Scope 

The scope of this project is to develop next generation standard cabin interfaces that will provide airlines with freedom of choice in the installation and expansion of cabin equipment. IFE, communications, interface protocols, seat integration issues, and connectors and cables standardization are also a part of this activity.

Benefit 

Cabin systems provide entertainment and service improvements to the passenger. To keep up with passenger’s desire for better accommodations, systems are becoming more sophisticated and complex. Home entertainment and office type computing systems and peripherals are finding applications in the cabin to facilitate data handling and data link to the ground. The growing complexities and scope of cabin equipment has resulted in the expansion of ARINC 628. New series of specifications are added as new concepts and next generation systems and networks are developed. The benefits of the cabin standards are numerous. They provide the airlines freedom of choice, unit price reduction through increased volume, interchangeable spares, more upgradeable options, and creation of more sub- markets for integrators and software/hardware suppliers. These benefits are being realized on the new aircraft programs, possibly regional and business jets, and retrofit aircraft programs.

Work Program

The main focus will be development of Project Paper 648, ARINC 800, Project Paper 820, ARINC 836, ARINC 664 Part 2, and ARINC 628. The work will include:

• A supplement to ARINC Specification 628, Part 1 to define CWAP mobility requirements.
• A supplement to ARINC Specification 664, Part 2 to include the physical and data layer for 10 Gb Ethernet interface for commercial aircraft.
• ARINC 800 – documenting cabin connectors and wiring currently being specified in other ARINC Standards.
• Project Paper 820 to define cabin wireless distribution network architectures and provisions.
• ARINC Project Paper 648 to provide guidance for passenger seat production testing.
• ARINC Project Paper 836A to define small modular enclosures for cabin equipment.