Hughes Aircraft Company

Rockwell International Corporation

Rockwell Collins, Inc.

Hughes Electronics Corporation

Richard E Sklar

Ralph P Phillipp

Irving Rabowsky

Lawrence E Girard

Tracy L Decuir

Lawrence Girard

Kenneth A Brady, Jr

Jim C Williams

Dickey J Berry

David C Frankenbach

Mark R Zimmerman

Robert U Walzer

Doulgas C Infiesto

Richard J Berry

A demonstration telecommunication system can be utilized with a public switched telephone network (PSTN) operating in a first format. The demonstration telecommunication system allows a telecommunication network operating in a second format to communicate with the PSTN. The first format is different than the second format. The demonstration communication system includes a null bearer system including a PSTN interface for the PSTN and a telecommunication network interface for the telecommunication network. The null bearer system can be utilized with an avionic telephone system.

Null bearer system and method of connecting E1 data to the public switched telephone network

A satellite television system that provides live television programming to passengers by integrating direct broadcast satellite services into an in-flight aircraft entertainment system. The system has an antenna disposed on the aircraft that is pointed at a plurality of satellites that are part of a direct broadcast satellite system. The antenna is controlled by an antenna controller and antenna interface unit that send control signals and process status signals to steer the antenna. The antenna is steered to lock it onto RF signals transmitted by the satellites. The antenna interface unit downconverts the received encoded RF signals to provide encoded left hand circularly polarized RF signals and right hand circularly polarized RF signals that contain different sets of television channels. The downconverted encoded RF signals are processed by a receiver to provide encoded video and audio signals of different television channels. The receiver does not decode or D/A convert the downconverted signals. The encoded video and audio signals containing the plurality of channels are modulated in a modulator, which also is used as a combiner to modulate signals derived from other video and audio sources. The modulated and encoded video and audio signals are routed to a video and audio distribution system which distributes the encoded video and audio signals to each passenger's seat. Seat electronics circuitry is located at each passenger's seat that contains a demodulator, decoder, digital to analog converters, and an optional tuner. The seat electronics circuitry demodulates, decodes and D/A converts the modulated and encoded video and audio signals into signals that may be viewed and heard by the passenger at that seat.

Distribution of a large number of live television programs to individual passengers in an aircraft

A lightning protection element is incorporated into the portion of an aircraft signal distribution system which connects an antenna to flight critical equipment. The lightning protection element rejects surge currents associated with direct lightning strikes on the antenna, or its surrounding radome, while passing communication signals without significant interference with those signals. In a preferred embodiment, the lightning protection element comprises an optical fiber isolator element. A segment of optical fiber in the isolator prevents surge currents associated with the lightning strikes from reaching the equipment while passing communications signals transmitted on the signal distribution system.

Method and apparatus for protecting aircraft electronics from lightning

The disclosure describes a moving receiver station capable of receiving broadcast entertainment signals from a first geostationary satellite associated with a first program provider, or from a second geostationary satellite associated with a second program provider. The receiver station is part of an aircraft and includes a tracking antenna and switching and control system that locks the tracking antenna on either the first or second satellite. The switching and control system receives position information, program attribute information and satellite coverage area information to determine when the aircraft is leaving one coverage area and entering another. The switching and control system switches the antenna to the second satellite when the aircraft enters the second coverage area, and limits the availability of received programming based on whether the aircraft is leaving the first coverage area or entering the second coverage area.

Method and apparatus for receiving broadcast entertainment transmissions

An aircraft entertainment system employing a hybrid video distribution system that permits distribution of direct broadcast satellite television programming to passengers of the aircraft. The aircraft entertainment system has a video control center 11, a plurality of groups of seat display units 40, and a plurality of audio and video processors 20 that control routing of programming to each seat display unit. A plurality of seat junction boxes 30 may be interposed between the audio and video processors 20 and the groups of seat display units 40. An antenna 12 is receives programming from a satellite, and a splitter 13 generates a plurality of channels of programming received by the antenna 12. A decoder 14 decodes the channels to provide video and audio signals, and an RF modulator 16 modulates the decoded audio and video signals for distribution. Each seat display unit 40 has a keypad 44 for selecting channels and controlling audio volume, a logic circuit 45 for outputting channel addresses of the selected channels, an address decoder 47 for decoding the channel addresses, and a channel display 46 for displaying the number of the selected channel. A video display 53 displays the television programming, and an audio output device reproduces the audio signals. The audio and video processors 20 convert the modulated RF video signals to baseband video for distribution to the seat display units 40. Each processor comprises a plurality of tuners 25, and non-blocking audio crosspoint switches 26, 27 having a predetermined number of audio and video outputs that are a selected multiple of the number of inputs. A processor 28 is coupled to the audio and video crosspoint switches and to the address decoder of each seat display unit for processing the decoded channel addresses and selecting which channels are output to each seat display unit.

Low cost hybrid video distribution system for aircraft in-flight

A single-wire telephone distribution system is directed to use in passenger aircraft. It includes a set of twisted pair cables, electronics distribution boxes and repeaters. A single-wire transmission path is defined to enter and leave each distribution box at least once. The path is arranged so that its portions between distribution boxes occur in pairs and each path pair is formed by one of the twisted pair cables. A repeater is inserted into the transmission path prior to each of its exits from the distribution boxes. The repeaters regenerate the data signals to remove noise and jitter. Additionally, the regenerated signals have controlled rising and falling slopes to control signal emissions from the distribution system. A limited number of twisted pair cable sets are typically available in passenger aircraft cabins for passenger services. By using only a single set, the distribution system of the invention facilitates the incorporation of additional services into the aircraft cabin.

Single-wire data distribution system and method

An intercom system that allows a flight attendant and passengers to communicate to each other to order and fill service requests, and allows the passengers to view the flight attendant at the same time by way of a display located at the passenger's seat. The flight attendant receives passenger service requests and communicates by way of a flight attendant control unit and handset that is typically located in a service galley. Passengers communicate by way of passenger control unit and handsets located at each seat. A camera mounted in the galley allows passengers to view the flight attendant while making the service request. Using the aircraft audio and video intercom system saves a flight attendant extra trips to seats to receive each service request. Using the present invention, the flight attendant can receive the request in the galley and immediately deliver the item to the passenger, thus providing faster service and response time and eliminating unnecessary trips.

Aircraft audio/video intercom system

Systems that distribute live television programs to passengers of an aircraft by way of satellites of a direct broadcast satellite (DBS) system when the aircraft is in range of the satellites and distributes time-delayed television programs when the aircraft is out of range of the satellites. The present invention provides for real-time reception and storage of live television programs in a storage medium (in compressed digital format) and presentation to passengers during that time when the aircraft is within the coverage area of satellites. The stored programming is distributed to the passengers later in the flight, when the aircraft is out of range of the satellites. The stored programming includes all channels transmitted by the satellites. Thus, a large number of programs are made available to the passengers on a time-delay basis. A low-cost system is disclosed that distributes a single television channel to overhead monitors and headphones. A method of providing delayed distribution of television programs from satellites of a direct broadcast satellite system to passengers on an aircraft is also disclosed.

Distribution of satellite television programs to passengers in an

A system that provides live television programming to passengers by integrating direct broadcast satellite services into an in-flight aircraft entertainment system. The present invention is a satellite television system that has an antenna disposed on the aircraft that is pointed at a plurality of satellites that are part of a direct broadcast satellite system. The antenna is controlled by an antenna controller and antenna interface unit that send control signals and process status signals to steer the antenna. The antenna is steered to lock it onto RF signals transmitted by the satellites. The antenna interface unit downconverts the received RF signals to provide left hand circularly polarized RF signals and right hand circularly polarized RF signals that contain different sets of television channels. The downconverted RF signals are processed by a receiver/decoder that decodes them to provide video signals corresponding to different television channels. The video signals for the different channels are routed to an video and audio distribution system on the aircraft which distributes live television programming to the passengers. A low-cost single channel receiver/decoder version of the system is also disclosed that provides a single channel of television programming to overhead monitors in an aircraft.

Aircraft satellite television system for distributing television

Distribution of a large number of live television programs to individual

A passenger aircraft video distribution system distributes modulated RF carrier signals from a central signal source (10) to be used at each passenger seat (S1, S2, S3). The carriers are modulated to contain both audio and video data (12,14) and also other digital data, such as graphics, slide shows and the like. Analog video signals (14) from the video source are modulated (100) on individually discrete carriers in the range of 54 to 300 megahertz. Audio information, including audio sound channels and the video audio, are digitized (80,84) and combined with digital data in a combined serial bit stream that is multiplexed (82), and then modulated (96) on an RF carrier having a frequency sufficiently above the frequency band of the video signals so that the resulting spectrum of the modulated audio RF carrier does not interfere with the modulated video carriers. The RF carrier signals are combined (104) and distributed to individual seats. The modulated audio carrier (112) is separated from the video carriers (110) at each seat or each group of seats and then demodulated (116) and demultiplexed (120) for selection at each individual seat of a chosen audio channel.

Combined data, audio and video distribution system in passenger aircraft

A passenger aircraft video distribution system distributes modulated RF signals provided from a central signal source to be used at each passenger seat. The RF signals are distributed by means of various RF components, including amplifiers (90, 14a, 164, 24a, 24b, 34a), taps (180, 210) and splitters (108, 182, 214). In order to ensure proper RF levels for best tuner operation, each of a number of stations in the distribution system is provided with a variable gain amplifier (90, 14a, 164, 24a, 24b, 34a) controllable by a microprocessor (92, 50a, 220, 52a, 56a, 216). A separate service line (222, 224, 226, 228, 230, 232, 234) enables a central microprocessor to monitor RF levels at different stations to automatically provide, via the same service line, appropriate gain control signals to obtain proper RF levels. The monitored RF levels are also employed for diagnostic purposes.

Automatic RF leveling in passenger aircraft video distribution system

A passenger aircraft video distribution system distributes modulated RF signals (lines 16,26) provided from a central signal source to be used at each passenger seat (208-1 through 208-15). The RF signals are distributed by means of various RF components, including amplifiers (14, 24, 34), taps and splitters (22, 30), positioned at different mutually distant stations (12, 18, 28), with at least some stations being interconnected by relatively long lengths of coaxial cable (16,26). In order to ensure proper RF levels for best tuner (36) operation and to compensate for different cable losses at different frequencies, one or more of the stations (18) in the distribution system is provided with a variable equalizer (23) controllable by a microprocessor (52). A separate service line (64,66) enables a central microprocessor (50) to monitor RF levels at different frequencies at at least one station (28) to automatically provide, via the same service line, appropriate equalization control signals to obtain proper compensation for the different cable losses at different frequencies. The monitored RF signals are also employed for diagnostic purposes.

Automatic RF equalization in passenger aircraft video distribution system

Each unit of a daisy chain of separate and independent multiplexing units (10,12,14) is arranged to accept a group of local audio inputs (Audio 1-Audio 8) and an additional input (18,20,22) from a prior unit in the chain to time division multiplex the additional input with the local units. Each unit provides a single serial bit stream output (20,22,24) which comprises the additional input to the next identical multiplexer unit in the chain. The next multiplexer unit time division multiplexes all of its inputs to provide a single output which includes a serial presentation of its own local inputs and the local inputs of the preceding multiplexer unit of the chain. This single serial output of the next multiplexer next forms the additional input of a still further multiplexer unit of the chain, which itself may have its own local inputs. The third multiplexer unit provides a single output that is a serial presentation of the local inputs of all three multiplexers. Additional multiplexer units can be added to the chain as may be necessary or desirable to accommodate reconfiguration of systems with which the multiplexers are used.

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Huntington Beach, CA, United States of America

Richard E Sklar