=Paper=
{{Paper
|id=Vol-1853/p09
|storemode=property
|title=Project PISCES: developing an in-flight
entertainment system for smart devices
|pdfUrl=https://ceur-ws.org/Vol-1853/p09.pdf
|volume=Vol-1853
|authors=Gokhan Erdemir,Osman Selvi,Gökhan Eşgi
|dblpUrl=https://dblp.org/rec/conf/system/ErdemirSE17
}}
==Project PISCES: developing an in-flight
entertainment system for smart devices==
https://ceur-ws.org/Vol-1853/p09.pdf
Project PISCES: Developing an in-flight
entertainment system for smart devices
Gokhan Erdemir1, Osman Selvi2, Veysi Ertekin2 and Gökhan Eşgi2
1
Electrical and Electronics Eng. Dept., Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University, Turkey
e-mail: gokhan.erdemir@izu.edu.tr)
2
Department of Computer Engineering, Istanbul Aydin University, Istanbul, Turkey
Email: {osmanselvi, veysiertekin, gokhanesgi}@stu.aydin.edu.tr
Abstract—In-Flight-Entertainment (IFE) systems are the most (RJU). Handset also can contains adjust the reading lights and
important services which are provided by airline companies to call cabin crew. Current IFE systems, mostly use cabling
improve the quality of travel experiences especially in technology for data transmission between client and media
intercontinental and long distance flights. Besides, IFE systems server [3]. Additionally, cabling system has surcharge on
are one of the most important marketing tools for airline installation and maintenance.
companies. However, airline companies don't prefer to use IFE
systems for all flights due to increasing cost of aircraft, cost of Cabling and/or wired IFE increase the cost of entire IFE
flight, total weight of aircraft, fault based delay time, system. Aims of airline companies can be summarized as
maintenance duration and decreasing payload capacity of serving quality services, reducing flight costs and increasing
aircraft, etc. In general, IFE systems are preferred for long revenue. If wired systems can be converted to wireless systems,
distance flights because of all mentioned reasons. This situation these aims can be achieved. That’s why; there is a necessity of
is a cause of revenue loss for airline companies when total using wireless technologies [4].
number of short distance flights and number of passengers are
considered. In this study, mobile application which is called In this paper, we proposed an IFE system based on wireless
PISCES has been developed to present features of the IFE access to a remote multimedia server by using passenger’s own
system. By using PISCES, passengers can use their smart devices smart devices. Physically, this work might be able to decrease
during flight without any additional equipment to access IFE a big amount of weight. And only requires wireless access
which is provided by airline companies during not only points and an internet connection to access remote server.
intercontinental and long distance flights but also short distance Periodically, server side of software can be upgraded remotely
flights. Thus, current IFE system which is approximately 4 kg without additional cost and effort. The other advantage of
per seat with cabling, will be removed. Because of this reason, proposed application is that can have access from all platforms
total weight of aircraft, flight cost, operational cost, maintenance includes Aircraft IFE devices. On the other hand, passengers
duration and carbon emission will be reduced per flight. On the can access the IFE via their personal devices. This situation
other hand, one of the most effective marketing tools of airline provides a lot of advantages as hygiene, comfort, etc.
companies will be available for all flights. It means that
developed application can provide direct and indirect advantages
II. OVERVIEW OF THE CURRENT IFE SYSTEMS
for not only airline companies but also passengers.
Currently used IFE systems present pre-recorded music,
films, games, chat tools, e-books, flight information, shopping,
I. INTRODUCTION TV channels [5]. IFE system can be activated by cabin crew
Flight experience has side effects on passengers; fear, for a long time (approximately 14 minutes) before aircraft
stress, claustrophobia etc. In-Flight Entertainment Systems taking off. Activated IFE system receives some information via
(IFE) are main tools to decrease these effects during flight. It Aircraft Interface from other aircraft systems. Each passenger
improves the quality of travel experiences and makes it more has a monitor which is embedded the rear of seats, headset and
enjoyable [1, 2]. IFE provides on demand services like pre- handset which are on seat armrest.
recorded music and film streaming, playing games, Passengers can do shopping, playing games, listening
communicating with the other passengers, reading e-books, recorded music or music channels, reading e-books or
flight information, shopping, watching TV channels, etc. newspapers, calling cabin crew, etc. via handset or touched
Passengers can adjust the volume of music or videos, and select screen. Cabin crew or pilots can broadcast announcements and
music, video, e-book, shopping etc. via handset. The volume recorded messages via internal cabin speakers. Passengers
of music or videos can be adjusted via Passenger Control Unit listen via Remote Jack Unit (RJU). Seat Electronic Box (SEB)
(PCU) and so on. Voices can be heard by Remote Jack Unit provides communication between handset and monitor and
Copyright © 2017 held by the authors
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gets data (video/movie/announcement) through HDD Onboard
Media Loader (OML). System continues to work in this circle
[6]. Current IFE systems used following protocols:
Ethernet: Ethernet protocols used for communication
between system controllers and aircraft/cabin
equipment.
RS-232/RS-485: RS-232/RS-485 is used for data
transmission and control.
ARINC 429: ARINC-429 is used for aircraft data
interface protocol.
The first example of IFE system can be observed at 1969
by PAN AM (Pan American World Airways) so that announce
to passengers via voice. In the historical process was integrated
telephone, fax, satellite communication features. At 1989, first
in-seat video broadcast feature added [7]. Today, IFE Systems
can be inspected under two part: hardware & software
architecture. Today hardware architectures formed with copper Figure 1. Screen views of some IFE Systems, (a) Virgin Atlantic, (b) Avant
or fiber wires, control units, seat electronic boxes, floor and (c) Panasonic.
disconnect boxes, terminating plugs, LCD monitors, LAN
hubs, Fiber Channel Hubs, HDD Onboard Media Loaders
(OMLs), multiplexers etc. For example, all these parts cost III. SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE
about 5 tons in the Airbus A340 type Aircrafts [8]. Also in the
A. Technical Specifications
all flying systems require the permission of the all
manufactures. These IFE systems need maintenance and IFE systems can be activated by cabin crew. Activated IFE
repairing periodically. Software generally is designed for system receives some basic information via Aircraft Interface
specific hardware. Passengers cannot access to IFE via their (AI) from other aircraft systems. Passenger can navigate in the
personal devices. menu via handset or touch screens, and music/sounds can be
listened via Unit Remote Jack (URJ) input. Seat Electronic Box
Although, putting new equipment on aircrafts for data (SEB) helps digital communication between handset and main
transmission is more complicated. Instead of adding new board, it basically reaches to HDD via Onboard Media Loader
equipment there are some other existed applications like using (OML) and retrieves source files (videos, films,
seat rails for data communication [9]. Besides, client-server announcements etc.) [6]. Generally, IFE systems are too heavy
architecture uses too much traffic and requires expensive for aircrafts. For instance; Airbus 340’s IFE system has
equipment. In some workings suggest P2P (Peer to Peer) 11097.43 pound (4993.84kg) of weight [8]. Current IFE
architecture which eliminates the centralization of system on a systems use two types of cables: copper and fiber optical.
single server to distribute load to peers [10]. Copper cable systems, cheaper but heavier than others, and
Visible light communication is another way for data need lots of multiplexers. Fiber optical systems, are lighter and
communication [2], [11]. In this technology, basically, simple than others but more expensive. Copper cabled system
passenger plugs PDA (Passenger data adapter) to passengers’ and fiber optic cable system connects media server with end
personal device. This device communicates with light source points are shown in the Fig. 2.
takes place at the top of passenger seat.
Software capabilities of them generally have those features;
live TV, map which shows current position of aircraft, games,
music/radio, shopping, cabin-crew announcement, internet,
phone etc. Those major system producer companies can be
listed such as Lufthansa, Panasonic, Virgin America, Avant,
Lumexis, Matsushita, and Thales (Fig.1.).
Figure 2. Structure of current IFE system with (a) copper cabled system and
(b) fiber optic system
B. Software Properties
General features of IFE systems can be listed as followings:
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Voice; according to passenger's preferences, it can be podcast, B. Remote Web Server
radio or music. Passengers can turn sound down or up at any In this study, we recommend a remote server which works
time and switch between broadcasts. on cloud environment (Fig.4.). This design technique allows
Video; passengers can have access to recorded visual elements IFE Systems to manage remotely.
such as movies or series. Passengers can change visual quality
of the video or voice, additionally subtitles can be added.
Game; games which are designed for adults or children, can be
played free or paid (by credit card). Also, games can be played
online or offline, depending on the software's features.
Chat; passengers can have internal conversation with the other
passengers. Social media platforms and other chat software can
be used external communication.
Reading; adult or children passengers can benefit from free or
paid services such as newspaper, books, magazines etc.
Order; passengers can use application panels located within the Figure 4. Structure of proposed mobile IFE system
IFE software for drinks, foods and other orders. Passengers can connect IFE System with their personal
Flight track; if passengers want to see where is the current devices or in-flight rental devices alternatively. Each device
location and/or speed of aircraft, they can have access can access to IFE System via company issued mobile
immediately with 2D or 3D visualization interface. application. Present wireless technologies provide sufficient
bandwidths [3], [6], [12-13].
Advertisement; upon the request of various advertising content
by aircraft company can be displayed in different moments to
passenger via IFE application or built in seat panels. C. Software
Shopping; passenger can find a chance to shop during their Developed IFE system has login, Music, Radio, Movie,
flight from shopping service of airline companies. TV, Game, Shopping features which are shown in Fig.5.-
Fig.10. PHP, Composer, ORM, Twig Template Engine,
C. Maintenance and Repair of Present IFE Systems MySQL, Apache Web Server are used in the development of
Software Side; software upgrading and maintenance software (Fig.5.- Fig.10.). Official trailers of movies and trial
schedule usually are performed monthly. versions of games are used for demonstration from Fig.5 to
Fig.10.
Hardware Side; maintenance or repair events are
performed such as at the maintenance time or the expiration of
its life of the used components or for any reason damaged
components.
IV. FEATURES OF DEVELOPED IFE SYSTEM
Proposed approach consists of three main parts which are
media server, remote web server and client software,
respectively. Developed IFE system's software and the
physical properties are described below.
A. Media Server
In presented system, we integrate media server to generic
inflight Wi-Fi system which is illustrated in Fig.3. Passengers
Figure 5. Movie / TV selection screen
can access easily via their personal devices (PED) which are
already connected to Wi-Fi system.
Figure 3. Integration schema of developed mobile IFE system to current
structure.
Figure 5. Movie list
50
V. COMPARISON WITH THE CURRENT IFE SYSTEMS
The advantages of developed IFE System are mainly listed
in Table 1. and disadvantages of current IFE system in Table
2.
TABLE I. ADVANTAGES OF DEVELOPED IFE SYSTEM.
Properties Developed IFE System
Fuel consumption is decreased because of total
Saving flight cost
weight loss.
Cabling Extra cabling is not necessary.
Weight Aircraft’s weight is decreased due to no cabling.
Saving equipment Passengers can use their own devices and
costs equipment.
Productivity Cabin crew’s workload is decreased.
Figure 7. Sample movie Hygiene Passengers can use their own equipment.
Flexibility and New tools can be installed easily without
maintenance docking.
TABLE II. DISADVANTAGES OF CURRENT IFE SYSTEM.
Properties Current IFE System
Saving flight
There is no change in fuel consumption of aircraft.
cost
Cabling Cabling is necessary.
Aircraft's weight is additionally increased 4 kg per
Weight
seat.
Saving Passengers use head phone equipment which is
equipment costs supported by the airline company.
Figure 8. Music categories Cabin crew is responsible for delivering and
Productivity
collecting head phones and other equipment.
Hygiene Passengers use commonly used equipment.
Flexibility and New tools’ installation needs docking and take
maintenance more time.
All features that we mentioned in Table 1. save lots of
effort and money. Disadvantages of developed IFE system are
in Table 3.
TABLE III. DISADVANTAGES OF DEVELOPED IFE SYSTEM.
Properties Developed IFE System
Can only be done through the control panel
Passenger Demands
at the top of the head.
Passenger Flight
Figure 9. Music samples Is not available.
Information System's
Device PEDs or rental devices
Audio Is not available.
Boarding Music Is not available.
VI. CONCLUSION
In this study, design and development of an IFE system for
smart devices which is called PISCES has been studied and
discussed its impact from both productivity and applicability
points of view. Proposed approach offers some direct
advantages as saving flight cost, no extra cabling for IFE per
seat, reduction of the total weight of aircraft, saving equipment
costs, to decrease cabin crew’s workload, hygiene, flexibility,
Figure 10. Games maintenance, etc. Moreover, PISCES is nature friendly
project. Carbon emission will be reduced per flight because of
reduction of total weight of aircraft and fuel consumption. The
developed IFE system can be integrated to current systems.
However, current systems should be dropped out to increase
51
productivity. Following features can be added to developed
system as future works:
Instant flight information can be served via PFIS.
Online product selling (goods and services)
Interrupt audio output anytime for announcements.
Online data may allow aircraft companies to offer
campaigns to passengers.
Passenger’s specific flight data can be collected for
future flight offers.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The project was supported by a scientific research grant
(KLUBAP-045) of the Kirklareli University.
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