Story ID: 705_PGAEBACE2015PreprintAIN.doc
PGA Upgrades Cabin Mood Lighting
By: Thierry Dubois
Caption: French IFE manufacturer working on giant 75-inch display
Word Count: 373
PGA Avionics (Astronics group, booth U131) is here exhibiting its upgraded mood lighting system for bizliners and large-cabin business jets. Using the company’s Be-Bop’tic optical fibers, it can be programmed with scenarios such as wake-up, sunset, and others. The Châteauroux, France-based company claims to have found a way for an optical fiber to provide homogeneous light from one end to the other.

Nicolas Duchéron, in-flight entertainment, connectivity and cabin management system (IFEC CMS) product manager, told AIN that with the upgraded system, the light’s coloring can be seen on a tablet or attendant touchscreen in another room. The flight attendant can thus control mood lighting while preserving passenger privacy. An iPad with PGA’s Smart Touch Cabin application can serve as the controller.

In addition, PGA is introducing a new app here at EBACE, Smart Cabin Player. It provides access to all the content available in the aircraft. The app controls video on-demand, HDMI sources, live streaming content–such as a moving map or external cameras–and games. It allows passengers to watch and listen to all types of media stored in PGA’s full-IP IFEC and CMS. Thanks to agreements with Hollywood Paramount Pictures and Universal studios, PGA offers “DRM Early Content Approved AVOD.”

PGA’s engineers are working on the 4K standard (four times more pixels than full HD resolution) for the media center. “It will be available in September. We have prototypes,” Duchéron said. The difference with today’s HD standard can be seen with 55-inch and larger displays, he explained. PGA will be offering a 75-inch display next year, suitable for bizliners the size of an A330 and up.

Other research and development work is taking place on Google glass, eye-tracking control and voice command. Duchéron added that, despite customer demand for Wi-Fi IFE equipment, a wired connection is preferred because it is more stable. PGA’s products use an ethernet network, which allows easy updates and upgrades.

PGA supplies equipment to various completions centers for between four and 10 bizliners per year. PGA is also providing Dassault with push-buttons (such as audio controls etc.) for the Falcon 5X’s cabin.