Abstract: An IEEE 1394 cable includes two individually shielded twisted data pairs of wires, carrying differential signals TPA and TPB, and two power conductors, carrying power signals VP and VG. The two twisted data pairs of wires are each individually shielded by a braided shield. The cable also includes an overall braided shield and a no smoke, no halogen, flame retardant jacket. Preferably, the cable has a length of 4.5 meters and includes 26 gauge wire for the two twisted data pairs. Longer, alternate embodiments of the cable incorporate heavier gauge wire for the two twisted data pairs. Preferably, the gauge wire used for the two power conductors is constant for the different lengths of cable. An active disconnect is used to provide an active repeater between IEEE 1394 cables. The active disconnect provides ports, into which cables are connected, and a physical connection including electronics necessary to form an active node on the IEEE 1394 serial bus.

Abstract: A system and method of distributing telephone and passenger service signals from a zone interface unit to a plurality of seat electronic units in an in-flight entertainment system is described. The method uses a master/slave arrangement in which multiplexed telephone and passenger service signals are transmitted over a bus to the receiving seat electronic units.

Abstract: A system for assigning unique addresses to a series of electronic units in an in-flight entertainment system. The electronic units are connected via an interconnect bus and a keyline wire. During initialization of the system, each electronic unit is enabled via the keyline. After an electronic unit is enabled, the interconnect bus transfers a unique address to the electronic unit and instructs it to ignore future address write signals. This procedure is repeated for each electronic unit in the series of electronic units. The procedure terminates when the last electronic unit requiring an address has been assigned an address.

Abstract: A passenger entertainment system of an aircraft utilized to distribute audio and/or video in a digital format throughout a vehicle. The passenger entertainment system includes an Asynchronous Transfer Mode ("ATM") network interconnected to a high speed, serial distribution network propagating information in a predetermined format. Collectively, these digital networks support the broadcast of audio and/or video in real-time as well as actual "video on demand" services.

Abstract: An IEEE 1394 cable includes two individually shielded twisted data pairs of wires, carrying differential signals TPA and TPB, and two power conductors, carrying power signals VP and VG. The two twisted data pairs of wires are each individually shielded by a braided shield. The cable also includes an overall braided shield and a no smoke, no halogen, flame retardant jacket. Preferably, the cable has a length of 4.5 meters and includes 26 gauge wire for the two twisted data pairs. Longer, alternate embodiments of the cable incorporate heavier gauge wire for the two twisted data pairs. Preferably, the gauge wire used for the two power conductors is constant for the different lengths of cable. An active disconnect is used to provide an active repeater between IEEE 1394 cables. The active disconnect provides ports, into which cables are connected, and a physical connection including electronics necessary to form an active node on the IEEE 1394 serial bus.