Development and test of an innovative 10Gbps high-speed wireless data-link

The overall objective is to develop and test an innovative 10Gbps high-speed wireless data-link using Free Space Optical technology for use in the avionics industry. The project is responding to the growing demand for wireless data-transmission of e.g. co ckpit flight data or entertainment system content. Data transfer is limited by both practical and safety concerns when the airplane is airborne so the bulk of data transmission must take place during the short on-ground window and thus requires extremely high transfer speeds. Polewall AS has therefore come together with our EU partners, Airbus Industrie (France), AcreoAB (Sweden) and Altechna Group (Lithuania). Finally, we have teamed up with Panasonic Avionics from the USA who will participate as an asso ciated partner and route-to-market. Current wireless solutions, e.g. 4G, can transfer data at rates of approximately 100Mbps, which is 100 times slower than the proposed 10Gbps technology and the utilisation of the fast 10Gbps transmission rate will, in real terms, reduced the transfer time of a high-definition movie from 2½ minutes to 1.6 seconds. Using updating of the IFES content as an example of high-volume data transfers, the 10Gbps technology will permit the transfer of the entire IFES in a few min utes in contrast to the current, slower 100Mbps technology, which only allows updating of a fractions of the IFES during the short, typically 30-45 minutes, on-ground window. The aim of the proposed project is to develop, demonstrate and produce a new 10 Gbps technology platform for reliable, secure and ultra-fast data-link that will meet the on-ground data transfer needs of both small and large airlines and for a wide range of aircraft sizes, types and data transfer needs.