Rockwell Collins
Product Catalog - Air Transport

TES
Total Entertainment System



KEY OWNER/USER BENEFITS
  • Captures the Airlines "Look and Feel" through Creative Graphical Interfaces
  • True digital Audio Video on Demand (AVOD) with Entertainment Control Functions at Each Seat
    • Vast content capacity for thousands of audio CDs and hundreds of film titles
  • Interactivity including PC-type Games, Surveys, Statistics, Audio Jukebox, and Intranet Capability
  • Interface with Auxiliary Audio and Video Sources such as Moving Map, Landscape Camera, Live TV and ARU
  • Synchronized Distributed Analog Video and Audio Entertainment
  • Variety of Preferred Game Providers
  • Integrated Telephone
  • Support for Noise Canceling Headsets
  • Supports a Variety of Core Systems Interfaces
  • User Friendly Passenger Controls
  • Independent Overhead Video
  • Compliant with ARINC 628

OVERVIEW

Rockwell Collins Total Entertainment System (TES) is an industry leading in-flight entertainment (IFE) and cabin management system. The system provides for a range of passenger entertainment and passenger/cabin services functions. TES can provide passengers with either broadcast or on-demand audio and video entertainment, video games, and other interactive services in addition to passenger service controls such as reading lights and flight attendant call enunciator. The ability to interface with the cabin Passenger Address (PA) systems on a variety of different aircraft types is provided as well. As an option, TES may be configured with an integrated telephone system that enables passengers to make telephone calls from their seats. TES can also present video entertainment via overhead displays and projectors, and/or in-seat Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs). TES supports various types of video entertainment sources including Video Tape Reproducers (VTRs), moving maps (such as Airshow) and landscape cameras.


DESCRIPTION

A unique characteristic of the system is that it allows for easy upgrade of the features and configuration without extensive hardware and cable changes. The airline has the flexibility to upgrade of downgrade features as they wish. For instance, airlines previously flying TES fleets with analog sources in either broadcast or inseat applications are now choosing to economically upgrade to digital functionalities, maximizing their investments in TES while enhancing their competitive positioning.

From a flight attendants perspective, TES furnishes cabin management services, which facilitate flight attendant needs for overall control and operation of the system. Maintenance services are easily accomplished as well. State of the art system fault detection, isolation and troubleshooting functions have been incorporated into TES™, reducing service times dramatically. The operator control and interface to the system is through the PAT.

The PAT is a personal computer with a 10.4" LCD touch screen and keyboard for operation. The Graphical User Interface (GUI) for the PAT provides an easy and simple method of entering commands through the touch screen display. The keyboard is stowed in the PAT. It may also be used to enter commands from the operator.

The PAT provides the interface for flight attendants to perform cabin management functions. The following is a sample list of functions available for the PAT:

  1. Entertainment Controls
    1. Video Player Control
    2. Movie Cycle
    3. Airshow Control
    4. Camera Control
  2. Seat Controls
    1. Attendant Call and Read Light
    2. Entertainment Lock-out
    3. Seat Reset
  3. Overhead Video Controls
    1. On/Off Monitors
    2. Player control
    3. View video
  4. Video Announcement Control
    1. Zonal VA
    2. Non-zonal VA
  5. Flight Information
  6. Status
  7. Utilities
    1. Maintenance
  8. Help
  9. Logout

PASSENGER FEATURES

TES offers configurable Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) at the passenger's seat display. Intuitive and user-friendly interfaces allow passengers to easily access desired functions. Depending upon which PCU is installed, the passenger will have control of Passenger Service functions for reading and call lights, channels selection, volume adjustment, and screen navigation. The Enhanced PCU (EPCU) provides an additional video game control, credit card reader, and an integrated cord reel. The Universal Passenger Control Unit (UPCU) provides an additional integrated telephone handset.

TES offers an unique and unprecedented style in the presentation for the Graphical User Interface (GUI) at the passengers seat display. Its intuitive and user-friendly method allows the passenger to easily operate their desired functions. The following is a sample list of functions available for the passenger:

  • Main Menu listing the available functions
  • Video Selections
  • Audio Selections (including Audio Jukebox)
  • Video Games
  • Screen Language Selection
  • Surveys
  • Airline Information Screens
  • Help Screens
  • Display Controls

System Architecture
The TES system utilizes a network distribution similar to today's reliable cable TV network to distribute both digital and analog signals.

As shown in the diagram below, the head-end equipment consists of the PAT, Cabin File Server, video tape players, audio tape players, the Passenger Entertainment System Controller (PESC), Video Modulator (VMOD), Media File Server, Ethernet Hub, and printer. Interfaces to other Line Replaceable Units (LRUs) such as AIRSHOW and cameras are provided in the head-end.

The PAT is the operator control and interface to the system. Using the simple and informative GUIs, the flight attendant or maintenance personnel may operate the system. The Cabin File Server stores and distributes system data and software. The Video Modulator (VMOD) accepts and processes video signals from the content sources such as the Video Tape player, Media File Server, Landscape Cameras, and Airshow video. These video signals are distributed to the Area Distribution Box.

The PESC accepts audio and processes audio signals to be distributed to the system. The audio sources may come from Audio Entertainment Player (AEP) and the Video Tape Player. The PESC provides many of the interfaces to the aircraft such as the Passenger Address (PA) audio and keylines, Cabin Interphone Distribution System (CIDS) Parallel Interface (ARINC 429), and various information discrete signals.

The Digital Media Server (DMS) is used for AVOD and other digital applications. It stores and distributes the digital Motion Picture Entertainment Group (MPEG) content to the system. In addition, the DMS provides a fibre channel content loading port for updating content efficiently.

Most of the LRUs in the head-end are located in a Video Control Center (VCC). The VCC may be located in the closet, galley, purser station, under stairway, or any location that is feasible. A few of the LRUs may be located in the EE-Bay of the aircraft.

The Area Distribution Box (ADB) distributes the video and audio signals, command and control data, and power to the seat equipment connected as columns from five ADB ports. Up to eight (8) ADBs may be installed in the aircraft. An ADB is located to provide a balanced distribution of the signals and power.

The seat equipment includes the Audio Video Unit (AVU), displays, Passenger Control Unit, and an audio jack. One (1) AVU is installed for each dual or triple seat group. A display, PCU, and audio jack is installed at each seat. The airline customer may choose from a range of display sizes. The displays are high quality and high resolution Red, Green, Blue (RGB) LCD displays and come with or without touch screen controls. The PCU choice is dependent on the desired functionality. The basic Digital Passenger Control Unit (DPCU) is a fixed mounted PCU with Channel selection, volume controls, PSS controls, screen navigation controls, and the LED display. The Enhanced Passenger Control Unit (EPCU) provides the basic functions of the DPCU with added games control buttons, a Credit Card Reader, and an integrated cord reel.

The TES overhead video system consists of the Video Distribution Unit (VDU), Monitors, and Projectors. The PAT controls the functions of the overhead video system. The PESC provides the 485 interface to the VDU. The video signal comes from the Video Modulator. The VDU provides power, ON/OFF commands, and video to the monitors and projectors.

System configuration is aircraft specific. Please contact Rockwell Collins to discuss specific requirements.