Abstract: A multimedia distribution network, useful on board a passenger aircraft, includes a first network node configured as a head controller, a plurality of second network nodes configured as intermediate controllers connected to the first network node, and a plurality of third network nodes configured as end device controllers, each connected to one of the second network nodes. The head controller is configured to transmit a multicast stream of multimedia control signal packets to control the end device controllers to the intermediate controllers. The intermediate controllers are configured to periodically transmit unicast delay queries to the head controller, to process the received multimedia control signal packets to the end device controllers and to distribute processed multimedia control signal packets with a controllable delay based on the content of unicast delay indicator signals sent by the head controller to the intermediate controllers in response to the unicast delay queries.

Abstract: A multimedia distribution network, useful on board a passenger aircraft, includes a first network node configured as a head controller, a plurality of second network nodes configured as intermediate controllers connected to the first network node, and a plurality of third network nodes configured as end device controllers, each connected to one of the second network nodes. The head controller is configured to transmit a multicast stream of multimedia control signal packets to control the end device controllers to the intermediate controllers. The intermediate controllers are configured to periodically transmit unicast delay queries to the head controller, to process the received multimedia control signal packets to the end device controllers and to distribute processed multimedia control signal packets with a controllable delay based on the content of unicast delay indicator signals sent by the head controller to the intermediate controllers in response to the unicast delay queries.

Abstract: A method for testing an audio signal system having multiple audio component connection sockets, each socket having at least one audio signal interface connected to a ground interface of the socket via a series circuit including a resistor and a capacitor, including feeding, via a signal processing device, a time domain reflectometry test signal into a wired network of the audio signal system, in which the sockets are connected to the signal processing device via differently lengthed electrical lines, detecting in a temporally resolved manner, via the signal processing device, test return signals reflected at the multiple sockets, comparing the detected test return signals with a temporally resolved reference pattern for test return signals, which reference pattern was created under predefined boundary conditions, and determining a faulty connection of a socket if comparing the detected test return signals with the reference pattern reveals a deviation above a predefined threshold value.

Abstract: A method for testing an audio signal system having multiple audio component connection sockets, each socket having at least one audio signal interface connected to a ground interface of the socket via a series circuit including a resistor and a capacitor, including feeding, via a signal processing device, a time domain reflectometry test signal into a wired network of the audio signal system, in which the sockets are connected to the signal processing device via differently lengthed electrical lines, detecting in a temporally resolved manner, via the signal processing device, test return signals reflected at the multiple sockets, comparing the detected test return signals with a temporally resolved reference pattern for test return signals, which reference pattern was created under predefined boundary conditions, and determining a faulty connection of a socket if comparing the detected test return signals with the reference pattern reveals a deviation above a predefined threshold value.

Abstract: A power supply circuit generates an alternating driving voltage for switching a pane or panel between a transparent state and a substantially opaque state. The pane or panel is, for example, a window with a variable transparency in an aircraft cabin divider. The circuit converts a D.C. voltage that is available, for example, from the aircraft's on-board power supply, into a positive and negative D.C. voltage. These voltages pass through a push-pull output amplifier that is under the control of a clock signal generator to produce the alternating driving voltage at the output of the push-pull amplifier connected to transparent electrodes of the pane or panel that contains liquid crystals. Status sensors may influence the operation of the clock signal generator and/or of the push-pull amplifier.