More wireless in airplanes stuff

"Matt Whiting" wrote

Exactly. Wire is pretty darn simple. A wireless router is a rather
complex assembly of hardware and software. A few runs of wire have been
known to function for more than 50 years. I wouldn't bet much on a
typical router being function 50 years down the road.

While what you say is true, I don't agree with the premise. Wireless
routers are no more complex than hard wired routers.

You will be carrying around the wire for 50 years, with the weight penalty
for that whole time. Servicing the plane will be more complex, working
around the extra wire. Less functionality, due to passengers having
constraints of being tied down by a wire, in whatever arrangement you put
them in, is a fact of life. It also means something more to trip over, not
being able to move from seat to seat easily with your computer or other
wireless device, and wires tip over drinks and things. If you want to have
wireless devices other than computers, like headphones for music or movies
added, you don't have to add another whole set of wires. The flexibility is
worth the extra complexity, no matter what the possible small difference in
reliability could be, if there even is a difference.

Given, wireless routers fail. So do hard wired routers. So do airborne
high speed data links. If data is that important, you carry a backup data
link. Carry an extra wireless router too, and still be ahead on the weight.
You would have to have a backup hard wired router, anyway.

Things are changing in digital communications so fast, I would say your
chance of using the same wire in 50 years is about nil. There will be
different standards and needs by then. At upgrade time, you will have to
tear out the wire, and do it all again. More unnecessary expensive
installation. Drop a new wireless router in, and be up to speed, with zero
down time. Another bonus.

I don't have a dog in this fight, since I don't have a Falcon, or Jetstream,
or even a Bo. I just wanted to air my views.

Good'day. :-)
--
Jim in NC

Another app... for homebuilt/GA aircraft.

http://www.frogpad.com/information/bluefroginfo.asp

Imagine a Bluetooth keypad strapped to your knee... it can be configured
to change radio channels, set your transponder, etc.

Frank