Cabin Systems
Subcommittee
Last Update:
January 30, 2012
Chairman: Dale Freeman - Delta Air Lines
APIM: 06-008: 4th Generation Cabin Network as an Enhancement to 3GCN
APIM: 07-002: Wireless Distribution
APIM 10-005A: Cabin Equipment and Communications Interfaces (pdf, 116K)
APIM 10-006: Cabin Communication Systems (CCS) (pdf, 51K)
APIM 10-017: Seat Equipment Grounding Procedures and BITE Reporting (pdf, 34K)
APIM 11-006: Cabin Wireless Access Point (CWAP) definition in Supplement 6 to ARINC 628, Part 1 (pdf, 85K)
Goal: Passenger entertainment equipment is subject to frequent upgrades on the airplane. The goal of this AEEC activity is to develop cost effective and valuable network infrastructure for the airlines to cope with the rapid and evolving electronics/infotainment industry that will meet or exceed passenger expectations. This includes interface standards to allow airlines to implement preferred systems for their passengers. Cabin communications, broadband satellite connectivity, wireless distribution, cabin interface protocols, and connector standardization are all intricate components of this activity.
Project: Document 2nd, 3rd and 4th generation cabin equipment interfaces.
Scope: The scope of this project is to develop 3rd and 4th generation standard interfaces that will provide airlines with freedom of choice in the installation and expansion of cabin equipment. Cabin telecommunications, mobile phones, interface protocols, and connector standardization are also a part of this activity. Standards being developed by the Cabin Systems Subcommittee (CSS) are embodied in the following areas, listed by tasks.
- ARINC Specification 628 Part 0 provides an introduction and overview of the ARINC 628 series of Specifications (updated periodically).
- A supplement to ARINC Specification 628 Part 1 will provide digital camera and Remote Control Center interfaces.
- Supplements to 628 Part 2 improves seat interfaces and integration standards.
- Supplements to 628 Part 4A includes a standard in-seat power network definition and add a standard IFE system to Master Control Unit (MCU) interfaces definition.
- ARINC Specification 628 Part 5 defines cabin equipment and wiring installation guidelines.
- ARINC Specification 485 Part 2 complements Part 1 by adding standard electrical characteristics and protocol and data content for a data bus used with seat end electronics.
- ARINC Specification 808 defines a standard 3rd generation aircraft backbone wiring system to support plug and play installations of IFE systems.
- Project Paper 809 defines a standard 3rd generation aircraft backbone wiring system seat associated equipment. A standard ARINC 809 connector definition is provided as an attachment.
Benefit: Cabin systems provide entertainment and service improvements to the passenger. To keep up with passenger’s desire for better accommodations, systems are becoming more sophisticated and complex. Home entertainment and office type computing systems and peripherals are finding applications in the cabin to facilitate data handling and data link to the ground. These growing complexities and scope of cabin equipment has resulted in the expansion of ARINC 628 to eight parts. New series of specifications are added as new concepts and next generation systems and networks are developed. The benefits of the cabin standards are numerous. They provide the airlines freedom of choice, unit price reduction through increased volume, interchangeable spares, more upgradeable options, and creation of more sub- markets for integrators and software/hardware suppliers. These benefits are being realized on the A380, B787, A350, possibly regional and business jets, and retrofit aircraft programs.
Work Program:
The main focus will be development of Project Papers 800, 832, 833, and on updating ARINC 628 Parts 1, 3, 5, 7, 8 and 9. The work will include:
- Project Paper 800 – documenting cabin connectors and wiring currently being specified in other ARINC Standards.
- Project Paper 832 - 4th Generation Cabin Distribution System (4GCN) that combines the advantages of a wired and wireless IFE Cabin Network with emphasis on robustness, reliability, and reconfigurability. Airlines expressed the importance of not adding more weight onboard the aircraft to achieve 4GCN objectives.
- Project Paper 833 - a wireless distribution system that can be used by multiple broadband systems to provide wireless services, such as WiFi, mobile phone, etc. within the aircraft cabin.
- ARINC 628 and ARINC 809 will updated the areas of IFE equipment interface definition, cable bend radius, use of grommet strip material, methods of in-seat wiring, cabin equipment cooling, system performance and health monitoring. Standardization of cabin systems control with a common Graphical User Interfaces (GUI) will be initiated. Cabin box form factors including electrical and mechanical interfaces will also be initiated.
Current Drafts:
Draft 7 of Supplement 6 to ARINC Specification 628: Cabin Equipment Interfaces (CEI), Part 1, Cabin Management and Entertainment System - Peripherals
Draft 1 of Project Paper 800: Cabin Connectors and Cables, Part 1, Description and Overview
Draft 6 of Project Paper 800: Cabin Connectors and Cables, Part 2: Specification of Connectors, Contacts, and Backshells
Draft 5 of Project Paper 832: Cabin Equipment Interfaces, 4GCN Cabin Management and Entertainment System, Cabin Distribution System
Draft 6 of Project Paper 836: Cabin Standard Enclosures - Modular Rack Principle (MRP)
Next Meeting Announcement:
Cabin Systems Subcommittee (CSS) (pdf, 225K)
February 7-10, 2012; in Cocoa Beach, Florida
Register On Line
Connector Working Group (CWG) (pdf, 222K)
February 7-9, 2012; in Cocoa Beach, Florida
Register On Line
Working Papers:
- A628P1 – CWAP Strawman 2 (pdf, 1M)
- A628P5 – Boeing reference for sharp edge definition (pdf, 41K)
- A628P5 – Thales proposal for sharp edge definition (pdf, 40K)
- A628P7 – Boeing Proposed APIM (pdf, 106K)
- PP800P2 – Thales proposed commentary for fluid test (pdf, 47K)
- PP800P3 – Revised FO Hybrid Cable Requirements Matrix (xls, 227K)
- A809 – Strawman 2 for Supplement 3 (pdf, 57K)
- A809 – Boeing Input for Seat Addressing (pdf, 171K)
- PP832 – Thales comments on Table 5-2 (pdf, 37K)
- PP836 – Airbus proposed revision of Table 5-2 (pdf, 22K)
- A628P2 – Airbus Strawman for Ground Reference (pdf, 152K)
- A485P2 – Airbus/Thales Strawman for ground Reference (pdf, 31K)
Last Meeting Report:
Cabin
Systems Subcommittee (CSS)
November 8-11, 2011; in Tucson, Arizona
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