Kontron introduces the industry’s most capable 802.11ac CWAP enabling airlines to take advantage of higher performance wireless networks

At the Paris Air Show, Kontron demonstrates how it simplifies wireless IFE development making a new generation of connected aircraft possible

Augsburg, June 15, 2015 – Kontron, a global market leader for embedded computing technology (ECT), today introduced its Cab-n-Connect A100 cabin wireless access point (CWAP) based on the latest IEEE 802.11ac specification that delivers significantly increased data throughput compared to earlier 802.11n solutions. Designed to be the most capable 802.11ac CWAP available in the market, the Kontron CWAP delivers multiple technology advancements that include 3X3 Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) performance utilizing dual integrated Wi-Fi radios (2.4GHz and 5GHz) to support three spatial data streams per radio. This performance enhancement allows airlines to realize sizeable improvements to bandwidth efficiency and operation. The integrated antenna solution reduces the overall size and installation complexity. Kontron’s beamforming enhancements provide the most efficient path for data transmission between an access point and a client device, reducing the amount of time the device is on the network to improve client device battery usage and overall network performance. To protect against network attacks, the Kontron Cab-n-Connect A100 features state-of-the-art enterprise level wireless security based on the WiNG 5 software. This integrated software provides a highly robust distributed architecture that extends QoS, security and mobility services on the aircraft enabling highly-secure direct routing and network resilience.
 
Offering the ability to operate as a Cabin Wireless LAN Unit (CWLU) and Terminal Wireless LAN Unit (TWLU) and qualified to DO-160G (pending), the Cab-n-Connect A100 is backwards compatible to 802.11 a/b/g/n standards and previously deployed Cab-n-Connect systems.  It features onboard WiNG software that supports fast roaming between access points on the aircraft while eliminating sticky clients. Its SMART-RF intelligently adapts to the aircraft environment enabling optimal client performance by automatically adjusting power and channel as needed. Further improving overall network performance, the Cab-n-Connect A100 uses smart load balancing to distribute clients evenly across aircraft access points and bands. Additional advanced features such as a daisy-chain interconnect with fail-over and IP address strapping are provided along with an integrated internal antenna that  eliminates the need for externally-mounted antennas thereby simplifying installation and increasing the CWAP’s overall reliability.
 
Kontron conducted multiple vendor client device tests in the company’s System Integration Lab (SIL) and concluded that its new CWAP supports four times as much data throughput based on commonly used 802.11ac tablets verses 802.11n tablets.  Specific details of the various test results will be available in a new Kontron white paper entitled, “Wireless Connectivity for Airborne IFE and Services Advances”, which will be available online soon.
 
Helping developers achieve a new generation of connected aircraft based on the Internet of Things (IoT), Kontron’s complete line of highly-integrated system components enable secure, reliable connectivity that facilitates the future of In-flight Entertainment and Communication (IFE&C) deployments.  Kontron solutions give airlines the ability to access critical data in real-time and augmented by new software solutions that improve the passenger experience while reducing operational costs.  At the same time, Kontron’s integrated systems make new revenue-generating onboard services possible -- from online shopping and reservations, to destination information, real-time travel information and seat-to-seat chat capabilities and enhance the passenger experience in the process.  Wireless technology solutions from Kontron facilitate additional cost savings by eliminating extensive aircraft cabin wiring effectively reducing overall weight and the associated deployment challenges and recurring maintenance costs of the IFE system.
 
Kontron will showcase the Cab-N-Connect A100 at the Paris Air Show, June 15 – 21, 2015 in its booth in Cluster PEGASE Hall 4, B54, B78. To learn more and to see detailed specifications, please go to the Cab-n-Connect A100 product page.
 
 
 
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About Kontron
Kontron, a global leader in embedded computing technology and trusted advisor in IoT, works closely with its customers, allowing them to focus on their core competencies by offering a complete and integrated portfolio of hardware, software and services designed to help them make the most of their applications.
With a significant percentage of employees in research and development, Kontron creates many of the standards that drive the world’s embedded computing platforms; bringing to life numerous technologies and applications that touch millions of lives. The result is an accelerated time-to-market, reduced total-cost-of-ownership, product longevity and the best possible overall application with leading-edge, highest reliability embedded technology.             
Kontron is a listed company. Its shares are traded in the Prime Standard segment of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and on other exchanges under the symbol “KBC”.
For more information, please visit: www.kontron.com