Airborne Wireless Network Seeks FAA Approval For First-Of-Its-Kind Aircraft-Based Broadband System
By Jof Enriquez,
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Airborne Wireless Network (AWN) says it has filed its application with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for initial certification of a first-of-its-kind, civilian, airborne broadband network using commercial aircraft.
According to a news release, the application's cover letter states, "Airborne Wireless Network is making application for a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for a broadband transceiver system to be installed in Boeing 757-200 aircraft. This new patented broadband system will provide light weight, low power, low cost, microwave relay stations on equipped aircraft. The new system provides a chain of airborne repeaters providing communications along the entire flight paths. The purpose of the new project is to replace low-earth orbit (LEO) communication satellites with broadband wireless communications networks linking aircraft to aircraft and ground stations."
The technology underpinning AWN is based on a patent of a transoceanic broadband wireless data communication system solution granted on Sept. 4, 2001. At that time, "prohibitively expensive advanced military communication-equipment" was the only option to develop the system. At present, wireless radio technology has been made widely available, and AWN says its equipment just needs to be made "purpose-specific" to FAA regulations for the airborne network to be realized.
Unlike traditional single-path systems, consisting of ground-based cellular towers and orbiting satellites that are susceptible to "single points of failure" due to mechanical factors or weather disturbances (e.g., heavy rain), AWN's proposed "meshed" network has redundant, multiple links, offering nearly 100 percent real-time signal communication. If a signal is interrupted somewhere in the network, the signal is redirected to the next participating aircraft, ship, or earth-station in the chain, which is always within range, according to AWN.
Using fleets of commercial aircraft as "mini-satellites," AWN intends to build a wholesale carrier network to sell network capacity to other data and telecom service providers worldwide.
The deployment of this new network using commercial aircraft means that there are no limitations on flights over populated areas, making it a practical and affordable way to achieve seamless connectivity. If operated successfully, this network could lower the need to launch satellites, which has exacerbated the problem of proliferating space junk that pose threats to commercial and military communication satellites in orbit.
For its "proof of network concept" and FAA certification testing, AWN has contracted with Jet Midwest for the latter to equip three Boeing 757-223 Jetliners with AWN's equipment. These aircraft will fly historic first flights of a meshed commercial airliner-based network from Roswell, N.M. to Kansas City, Mo., as part of initial FAA certification. AWN plans to expand on this certification to multiple aircraft types flown by major global airlines.
Assisting AWN with its FAA certification bid is Aero Certification and Engineering LLC, an FAA Designated Engineering Representative and Designated Airworthiness Representative services company. Aero will help ensure that all documents, system components, and aircraft design related to AWN's application all conform to FAA specifications.