Teledyne's AirLAN system enables high-speed, wired and wireless network connectivity on and off your airplane

Teledyne Controls' Aircraft Local Area Network system (AirLAN) is a compact, lightweight and costeffective networking solution. The AirLAN unit seamlessly networks the aircraft's various onboard systems, while providing managed wireless connectivity between the airplane and the airline's ground networks, therefore interconnecting the entire operation. As an instrumental component of Teledyne's 'Connected Aircraft' solution, AirLAN enables the aircraft fleet to be fully accessible from anywhere in the world, which simplifies the distribution of software parts, supports Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) operations, and facilitates the collection and distribution of a vast amount of critical aircraft data for operations, maintenance and flight safety analysis.

Enhanced Onboard Networking
Designed to connect previously isolated onboard systems and sub-networks with various wired and wireless interfaces, the AirLAN unit enables systems to exchange data more efficiently, and provides increased accessibility to a wider range of applications. The unit simultaneously acquires, processes, stores and distributes data as required, to meet the communication needs of multiple systems and applications. This functionality permits systems such as Ethernet-based EFBs and data loaders, ARINC 429 avionics equipment, 802.11 WiFi-capable notebook computers and Portable Electronic Devices (PEDs), to share information freely.

Aircraft/Ground Wireless Connectivity
The AirLAN system facilitates bi-directional wireless connectivity between the airplane's onboard systems and the operator's ground-based networks through access to a range of wireless communication links. In flight, the AirLAN unit can utilize common airborne data links, such as ARINC 429 based or modern TCP/IP-based Iridium and broadband satellite communication systems. When on the ground, if a network signal is available, the AirLAN takes advantage of lower-cost and higherbandwidth "gatelink" communications through its integrated wireless 802.11a/b/g Terminal Wireless LAN Unit (TWLU) connectivity. For more global coverage, the AirLAN system also offers a wireless cellular option, allowing operators to get connected economically and virtually from anywhere in the world, at 3G broadband speeds.

System Integrity and Reliability
As an aircraft qualified device, the AirLAN system provides the necessary safeguards to maintain the integrity of critical flight systems when networked with non-certified devices, such as EFBs and PEDs, and delivers the long-term dispatch reliability that operators expect from avionics class equipment.

Supported Operational Areas Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) Integration
The AirLAN system supports EFB integration both onboard the aircraft and between the aircraft and the operator's ground network. Onboard, AirLAN provides a wired / wireless LAN solution to link together the various EFB hardware components and connect them to other Ethernet-based devices, such as airborne printers. Off board, the AirLAN unit provides bi-directional connectivity between the EFBs and the airline's operations, enabling the flight deck to stay in communication with servers, workstations, data links, and benefit-driven applications. For example, the AirLAN's wireless connection can allow emails with file attachments, such as flight plans, to be sent automatically to the EFBs for electronic viewing. This process eliminates conventional paper-based material and ensures faster and more reliable updating.

Data Loading and Distribution
The AirLAN's wireless links interface with Teledyne's ground-based data distribution software, LoadStar® Server Enterprise (LSE), which facilitates electronic software distribution and loading to the aircraft. This network connection enables wireless transfer of Loadable Software Parts (LSPs) from LSE's web-based interface to the AirLAN system, which then distributes the parts to an onboard Ethernet-based data loader, such as Teledyne's eADL (enhanced Airborne Data Loader). Using AirLAN, LSPs can be distributed and loaded across the fleet with a single press of a button, resulting in the virtual elimination of manual multi-disk data loading methods while reducing costs.