Broadband 57–64-GHz WLAN Communication System Integrated Into an Aircraft Cabin

This paper describes the specific development of a high-data-rate 57–64-GHz point-to-multipoint wireless local-area network communication system and the worldwide first installation of such a system into an aircraft cabin mock-up. All of the system components, from the RF-chip-set, the low-temperature cofired ceramic integrated antennas, and RF modules to the baseband processor, the medium access control, and the application software were purpose-designed for a wireless backbone for in-cabin communication. The integration aspects of these system components into a passenger aircraft cabin mock-up (ceiling and passenger seat-integration) as well as successful system performance tests were carried out and are reported here.