A trio of Saudi-based corporate jets will soon carry LiFi-connected screens on board. Alpha Star Aviation signed a letter of agreement at the Dubai Air Show this week to add the equipment to three Airbus Corporate Jets it manages.
A dozen “ACJ Smart LiFi Monitors,” developed in partnership with Latécoère, will be installed on the aircraft, replacing the existing screens on board. Alpha Star is the launch customer for the product.
Airbus initially announced product availability in May of this year. Details on the retrofit timing were not available. Alpha Star declined to comment on the new partnership.
The Smart LiFi Monitor uses light to transmit data between the screen and servers on board the aircraft. LED lights in the cabin can deliver the “last mile” connection, in addition to the regular light on board.
It also integrates analog and digital audio output, USB-C ports, 3G-SDI input as well as HDMI connections. Features include Audio Video On Demand (AVOD), casting, mirroring, web browser, live TV, moving map and its own integrated video conferencing.
The 4K monitor also offers Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.
Latécoère previously announced a deal with lighting company Signify and aerospace supplier Huneed Technologies to scale up LiFi systems manufacture to commercial levels. The Signify Trulifi system combines energy-efficient LED lighting with a reliable, secure and high-speed two-way wireless connection. The system boasts speeds up to 250 Mbps for both downlink and the uplink.
The first in-flight LiFi solution from Latécoère operated on board an Air France commercial flight in October 2019, bringing a new means for high speed data transmission into service. During that flight a subset of seats on board had IFE screens installed to support a e-gaming tournament in the sky.
More news from the 2021 Dubai Air Show
- Iraqi Airways chooses Panasonic Avionics for IFE/C future
- Saudia selects Inmarsat GX for A321neo connectivity
- Airbus snags another massive A321neo/A321XLR deal from Indigo Partners
- Panasonic Avionics picked for Saudia IFE play
- Airbus scores a LiFi win for a trio of corporate jets
- Scratch another IFC player from the commercial market
- Emirates (re)commits big to Premium Economy
- Vaayu secures A320 P2F deal, expects early 2022 EIS
- Inmarsat, Stellar Blu certify Falcon 300 terminal for GX Aviation network
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