ACARS over IP
 

Is anyone using ACARS over cell IP?

Trying to figure out the limitations.

Thanks in advance.

do you mean LDACS?

No, just using the cell network instead of VHF.

In theory, the concept is good as it allows for iPad and other smart device integration.

Recently, Cobham achieved a major Airbus contract win. The company was selected as a supplier of its Aviator 200 S and 700 S technology for the A320 and A330, confirming the viability of ACARS over IP as a widespread commercial aviation concept going forward.

This is a relative new concept where the requirement is for a IP connection at all times, which in turn is a technology many airlines do not have installed. Some areas in the world are not as well covered by the satellite constellations as others, depending on supplier, airlines operating in these theatres may not benefit as much as those operating in the well-connected world.

Depending on the location and theatre of operation, this technology can work very well reducing the usage cost and congestion on the VHF. Looking forward to implementation

Thanks...I guess Hawaiian has been using the system for over a year.

I does seem very interesting, and the potential to build all sorts of tools into the system.

That could be good. It could also be bad. If the system is implemented with a private address space (not connected to the Internet at large), the issues of security and denial of service could be minimized. In addition, using the IP protocol allows for flexibility in integrating with future communications systems that support it. An onboard router could easily select the best available link (IP over VHF, satcom, or air to ground) and switch the link without the using systems having to handle the switch.

But it's that security thing that could bite. An iPad could connect to an isolated onboard network and interrogate ACARS. But not fetch or send e-mail (for example) unless it was logged off and connected to a general purpose Internet link. Even isolated, a compromised device could still interfere with the secure system even if it can't connect to a botnet command and control server (see StuxNet). And I have the feeling that once monies are spent on air to ground IP connectivity, the temptation will be to sell a part of that bandwidth to the passengers for web surfing in flight. And some hand-waving will be done to promise appropriate safety in the system (see 787 FAA special conditions for combined passenger/avionics network busses).