Transcript Delta WAC RFP - Decision Point #3

AT&T Wireless Services
Aviation Communications Division
Air to Ground Data Communications
ePlane Service
WAEA Technical Committee
February 16, 2000
AT&T Proprietary and Confidential
Email Overview
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Internet E-mail
– Transport - SMTP
– Access
• Proprietary
• POP3
• IMAP4
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E-mail In the Airborne Environment
– Transport and Access
– Limitations
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Bandwidth
Security
Operational Realities
ePlane Service in North America - AT&T’s Approach
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E-mail Basics - The Big Picture
AT&T Proprietary and Confidential
Internet E-mail
• Transport
– SMTP - Simple Mail Transfer Protocol
– The Internet standard that governs how e-mail
messages are sent from site to site.
– Requests For Comment (RFCs) cover:
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Message Size Declarations
Delivery Status Notifications
Authentication and Error Codes
Other Rules & Conventions Governing SMTP
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E-mail Basics
Access - Models
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Internet E-mail
• Access
– Proprietary access will include POP3 & IMAP4
protocols but may use other messaging
technologies besides IP (Eudora, MS Outlook).
– POP3 - Post Office Protocol, provides an offline access model.
– IMAP4 - Internet Message Access Protocol,
provides online & disconnect access model
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PROs and CONs
PROTOCOL
PRO
CON
Proprietary
Added features
 Archiving
 Hierarchical
 Address books
Locked into a vendor
POP3
Mature technology
Widely supported
Ubiquitous
Off-line mode
No address books
IMAP4
Online mode
No address books
Widely implemented
Allows files sync
Efficient messaging
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E-mail Basics
Access - Protocols
Protocol
Access Mode
Function Provided
POP-3
Offline
IMAP-4
Disconnected
Selective download of messages from message store to user’s
computer
Selective message delete from message store inbox
Basic synchronization between inbox and user’s computer
Hierarchical mail boxes on message store
Access several mail boxes simultaneously
Fetch message body and attachments (MIME integration)
Fetch message status, header and structure
Store, copy and move messages on message store
Change message status on message store
Search mail boxes for particular message headings
Same as IMAP-4
Address books, including mailing lists
Message notification
Online
Proprietary
All three
Internet Support
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All ISP
Some ISP
Requires gateway
Email In the Airborne Environment
• Transport
– Always Will Involve an RF Off-Aircraft Link
– Will Require Gateways to Airborne Servers via Satcom, Terrestrial
and Gatelink Methodologies
– Will Use Ground-Based IP Network
• Access
– Passengers May Use Airborne Telephony, IFE or Other Cabin
Distribution Systems.
– Access Likely to Support “Core” Standard Interfaces (Physical Layer
& Logical Layer)
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Limitations of Email In the Airborne
Environment
• Bandwidth
– Legacy IFE Architectures May Have Limited Throughput
– Off-Aircraft Link May Limit Large Attachments (May Not Be a
Strong Limitation with Future Satcom Technologies)
• Security
– Corporate “Firewall” Is A Policy Problem - Security Protocols
(IPSEC & SSL) Not Universally Adopted
• Operational Realities
– The “Flight Level 100” Problem
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Potential Aircraft Email & Internet Applications
Operations
Cabin Mgmt
Customer Service / IFE
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Electronic Logbook
Weather
FOQA
Weight Data
Departure Reports
A/C Position
OOOI Reports
615 Data Loader
– FMS
– ACMS
Fault Reports
Gate Assignment
Engine Data
Crew Scheduling
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Connecting Gates
Cabin Logbook
Frequent Flyer /
Customer Profile
On-Board Inventory
Systems Info &
Troubleshooting
Departure Reports
Briefings
Customer Service
FA Comm System
Financial Rpts
Cabin Discrepancy
Log (CDL)
Catering Reports
Baggage/Asset
Tracking
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Transaction Processing
Sports Scores
Connecting Gates
Service Selections
RES Access
Reservations
On-Board Info Service
Real-Time Info Service
Messaging Service
Marketing Tracking
Surveys / Comments
Shopping
Games / Gaming
Advertising
www.com
AT&T’s Approach
ePLANE Service in North America
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Airborne Data Server Architecture
On-Board Distribution System
Pilot Station
Maintenance Terminal
Cabin Mgt Station
Ethernet
A429
ACARS
Ethernet/Token Ring/RS485
Aircraft Systems
FMC
ACMS
DFDAU/QAR
IRS/INS/GPS
CMC
Ethernet
IFE Ctrl/
Server
Gatelink
BRI/CEPT
A429
CTU/496
Airborne Data Server (ADS)
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CDS
NATS Network Architecture
ADS Gatelink Possibilities
Wireless
LAN
CDPD
Airborne Data Server (ADS)
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Tether Ethernet,
FDDI
Airline Data Center Concept
Airborne Communications Manager (ACM)
Client Server Environment
Legacy Systems
Remote Dial
Up Access
POTS
LAN
802.11
Int ernet
ACM
Gatelink
X.2 5/ Frame Relay
AT&T Data Hub
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Internal
TCP/IP
ACM Functionality:
Communications
Security
Data Routing
Network Management
Communications Management Functions
Airborne & Ground-Based Capabilities
Stack layers provide the following functionality:
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Router API - provides application access to communications channels.
Includes:
– service request validation
– File System interface
– call statistics collection
– call detail records (CDR)
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Data Router - provides data routing (application-to-application, both onboard aircraft and off-aircraft). Includes:
– request queuing (by priority and arrival time)
– link selection (terrestrial/satellite/on-board)
– addressing
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Communications Management Functions
Airborne & Ground-Based Capabilities
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Convergence - provides protocol conversion, when required. Also provides:
– data encryption/decryption
– data compression (and decompression)
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PAD - provides basic packet service for off-aircraft communications. Includes:
– data fragmentation and re-assembly
– TCP packet assembling and dissembling
– X.25 packet assembling and disassembling
– packet routing
– call control
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Remember…..
• Email Is A Complex & Widely Used Technology
– “End-to-End” Solutions Are Preferred - Solutions Must Be
Found For the Airborne and Ground Segments
– Standards-Based Solutions Are Recommended
– Useful For Airlines Operations As Well As A Passenger
Amenity
– Users Must Understand The Limitations
– Technology Alone Will Not Provide The Complete Solution
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