Every kilogram saved on board an aircraft means more efficiency, lower fuel consumption and fewer emissions. Wireless Avionics Intra-Communications (WAIC) and LiFi make it possible to replace the heavy and expensive cabling in aircrafts with wireless systems.
Modern aircraft come with highly complex communication systems, which transmit commands to different operating systems and are used to network numerous sensors, for example to monitor the engines or the undercarriage.
However, these traditional communication systems require complex electrical cabling and a complex harness assembly; this is not only expensive, but also greatly increases the total weight.
30 per cent fewer cables thanks to wireless systems in aircrafts
The idea is obvious – replace at least some of these cables with wireless technologies. This is something that aircraft manufacturers and scientists are actually working on.
For example, during the 2015 World Radio Conference, a 200 MHz-wide spectrum from 4.2 to 4.4 GHz was released globally for secondary use by sensor networks in aircraft.
This is the so-called Wireless Avionics Intra-Communications (WAIC). WAIC consists of short-range wireless communication covering a range of under 100 metres, and is used to network components on or in the aircraft.
Possible applications include sensors for smoke detection or for monitoring cabin air pressure, the fuel-tank fill level, humidity and corrosion. The aim is not to completely replace existing cable connections, but rather supplement them.
After all, many systems within aircraft are designed with multiple redundancies; for example if one cable connection to a sensor fails, a second or even a third one will be on standby to take its place.
With WAIC, at least one of these redundant cables could be replaced by a wireless connection. In contrast, non-critical systems such as lighting or temperature regulation could also be entirely controlled using the wireless system.
Aircraft manufacturers hope that wireless technologies will be able to reduce cabling within aircraft by 30 per cent, which will make the aircraft much more efficient.
Another advantage for the aircraft operator is flexibility: whenever it becomes necessary to refurbish the cabin or other installations, reconfiguration is noticeably easier with wireless systems.
That being said, the security of these types of WAIC systems is an issue. For one thing, they could be hacked from outside the aircraft.
Additionally, they could build interference with other systems that work within the radio frequency or disturb radar systems – or be disturbed by them.
Data transmission by means of light in the cabin and cockpit
As a result, European aircraft manufacturer Airbus is also investigating the extent to which LiFi could be implemented in an aircraft.
With LiFi, data is transmitted at high rates by modulating “normal” lighting LEDs (refer also to the interview from page 6 onwards). For example, every reading light in an aircraft cabin could be equipped with LiFi technology and turned into a hotspot with no issues.
Passengers could then also have a sufficient data volume for video streaming or Internet browsing. Development engineers at Airbus are currently working on solutions for integrating this technology on board. The aircraft manufacturer is also investigating solutions for implementing LiFi in the cockpit.
Unlike other wireless technologies, LiFi does not penetrate walls, which means data transfer in the cockpit over LiFi could not be influenced or hacked from the outside.
Moreover, LiFi would allow separate data networks to be easily created, e.g. for pilots, cabin crew and passengers, which would be secure within each designated area, such as the cockpit.
The European Commission has launched a project, which is currently running, intended to confirm the suitability of implementing LiFi in aircraft.
To add to this, French company Factem is developing different LiFi devices – for example a pilot’s headset and tablets – which are intended to prove that LiFi technology can be just as efficient and reliable as a wired network. Completion of initial prototypes is scheduled for January 2019.