PEI-Genesis Q&A | Connectors for In-Flight Entertainment

If you’ve been on a long-distance commercial flight recently, chances are there was a touch screen loaded up with on-demand entertainment options embedded in the chair in front of you.

Once a luxury feature reserved exclusively for First Class, these screens now are all but standard on most long-distance flights. This got us thinking about how these entertainment systems are connected to power and networked on jetliners where space and weight are at a premium. To learn more about how connectors make these extensive entertainment networks possible on both new and existing aircraft, we reached out to our friends at PEI-Genesis as part of our ongoing Q&A series (you can find our other Q&As here and here).

With in-flight entertainment options quickly becoming more robust and sophisticated, what are the connector requirements that make these options possible?

PEI-Genesis: Connectors in this market need to be small form factor and routable throughout the cabin. With that in mind, any product offered would need to be able to accommodate high-speed signals while being low weight and having a minimal product footprint.

When a lot of these jetliners were designed, wi-fi and device charging were not common. How have these entertainment features been retrofitted into these older aircraft?

PEI-Genesis: Aircraft modification and upgrades are an industry reality. Technology advancements require that long life cycle assets, such as aircraft, have the capability to evolve and meet new needs. Each aircraft has miles of wires that are routed under floorboards and behind service panels. New systems will integrate their wiring in this same manner as signal and power flow from point to point.

Has the increase in seating on commercial flights had any impact on how airlines approach connectivity for their entertainment?

PEI-Genesis: Yes, each computer network is unique and will be tailored to meet the needs of their end users. In this case, the network capabilities will have to be increased to accommodate the larger demand for data.

What are some of the unique challenges that engineers face when designing connected networks for entertainment on jetliners?

PEI-Genesis: The unique geometry of specific aircraft types and seating needs to be considered each time a new system is to be integrated into the cabin. This requires that these inflight systems have the ability to be configured to meet the demands of each aircraft cabin in which they reside.

Can these systems be designed with future entertainment technology in mind? Can connectors help future proof these designs and how?

PEI-Genesis: Expansion of capabilities is always a concern. However, the desire for reduced size and weight may trump the possibility of accommodating future upgrades. System integrators could choose to employ connector systems that have additional unused contact cavities denoted for future advancements. But this unused space means less space for passengers and diminished cargo capabilities. Overall, a system designer needs to consider his customer’s requirements and what features are must-haves vs attractive auxiliary features.

We'd like to thank PEI-Genesis for taking the time to chat with us about how connectors make in-flight entertainment possible! Check out our other Q&A’s with PEI-Genesis here and here. If you have a connector related question (or any question, really) you’d like to see answered, send it our way!

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