1. Define and describe what technologies are currently in use for Wifi on airpla

Question

1. Define and describe what technologies are currently in use for Wifi on airplanes. There are currently two methods in use. Describe how each accomplish the same task using different communication techniques.

2. Until recently, it has been very expensive to make phone calls while on an airplane. However, we've discussed that voice and data are really the same thing. Some airlines have started to allow VoIP conversations using airplane WiFi. One can quickly see that 200 people making phone calls can become a significant disturbance, especially when you are trapped in an aluminum can. Give your opinion on whether telephone conversations should be allowed on airplanes and suggest possible compromises.

Explanation / Answer

Wi-Fi is available on a range of domestic U.S. flights, allowing access to the Internet while you fly. Transmitters on the plane communicate with a ground station, either using radio waves similar to a cellphone or through a satellite link, depending on the provider. A Wi-Fi access point located inside the cabin of the plane allows your laptop to connect using standard 802.11 wireless protocols, giving you a full Internet connection at 30,000 feet.

Airplane Wi-Fi

Many airlines offer Wi-Fi service on a number of domestic flights, which is available as an optional extra and allows Internet access during the flight for a small fee. Customers can connect to the wireless access point from their laptops or PDAs in the same way as they would at a coffee shop. Some providers offer a completely unrestricted service, whereas others operate a walled garden approach, allowing access to certain services only. Communication between the plane and ground station is managed through a satellite connection or through radio waves received by towers on the ground.

Satellite Communications

In a satellite communications system, a satellite antenna on top of the plane communicates with a satellite in orbit above the earth. The satellite also communicates with a ground earth station, which has a direct connection to the Internet. When a passenger requests a Web page on her laptop from the plane's Wi-Fi access point, the plane's electronics transmit the request to the satellite, which then relays it to the ground station. The ground station then transmits the requested page to the satellite, which in turn relays the data to the plane. The wireless access point then sends the data to the passenger

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