Press Releases
AP Labs Awarded Production Contract from Row 44 for In-flight Satellite Broadband System
San Diego, Calif. - 04 September, 2008 – AP Labs, Inc. AP Avionx, a business unit of AP Labs, Inc. and premier supplier of in-flight entertainment & communications interface solutions, has been awarded the initial production contract from Row 44, Inc. of Westlake Village, CA to provide sub-systems for their satellite-based broadband connectivity solution.
The Server Management Unit (SMU) and Modem Data Unit (MDU) are key elements of Row 44’s satellite-based broadband system that provides in-flight Internet connectivity, entertainment, and airline operational data services for commercial airlines passengers. Unlike competing air-to-ground services, Row 44's satellite-based system is designed to function over land, water and across international borders, enabling service to both domestic and international carriers.
The Row 44 system leverages an existing high capacity Ku-Band satellite system, already operational worldwide. Customers connect to the system through wireless hotspots inside the aircraft cabin. A light-weight radome mounted on top of the aircraft houses an antenna, which receives and transmits signals through the Ku-band satellite system.
AP Labs was selected by Row 44 in late 2006 to design and manufacture these sub-systems based on similar experience in the commercial and military aerospace business. After successful completion of the test phase and FAA airworthiness certification in early 2008, Row 44 is now able to bring a first-rate and cost efficient in-flight broadband solution to market.
“Having recently completed FAA flight worthiness testing on the Row 44 LRU’s, this contract represents the natural next step and a commitment to partner in the rollout of this important onboard service for the airline industry”, said Eric Tarter, Director of Commercial Products for AP Avionx.
About AP Labs, Inc. AP Labs is a premier supplier of rugged enclosures, real-time and integrated system solutions for the defense, aerospace and commercial markets. AP Labs provides a single point of contact for design, test and support of complex turnkey solutions and specializes in the development and manufacture of rugged systems for embedded computer applications that require a COTS approach.
Founded in 1985, AP Labs has developed a reputation for successfully providing customers with products and capabilities designed to reduce project schedule, risk and cost. AP Labs systems and enclosures are deployed on submarines, surface ships, aircraft (manned & unmanned) and ground mobile platforms. Headquartered in San Diego, California, and can be found on the web at
www.aplabs.com.
AP Avionx is a business unit of AP Labs, Inc. and specializes in integrated hardware systems for the commercial aerospace industry, in particular, the In-Flight Entertainment & Communication (IFE&C) market. The company’s products include critical system components to enable in-flight broadband services including: Internet, VPN access, email, multimedia capabilities, video-on-demand, games and additional entertainment choices in a fully-integrated wireless cabin over a broadband air-to-ground or air-to-satellite link. With a thorough understanding of engineering high-performance, mission critical computers, AP Avionx provides long-life solutions designed to survive in harsh environments.
www.apavionx.com
Justine Johnson, Marketing Communications, AP Labs, 10864 Thornmint Road, San Diego, CA 92127. Tel: 858-674-2850 x105, Fax: 858-674-2869, Email: justine@aplabs.com
