Abstract: A method for installing and operating an aircraft in-flight entertainment system preferably includes installing an entertainment source on the aircraft; installing spaced apart signal distribution devices, each generating audio signals for at least one passenger in an audio-only mode, and generating audio and video signals to at least one passenger in an audio/video mode; installing a cable network connecting the entertainment source to the signal distribution devices; and operating the aircraft in-flight entertainment system with at least one predetermined signal distribution device in the audio-only mode. In addition, the method preferably includes later upgrading the aircraft in-flight entertainment system by connecting at least one passenger video display to the at least one predetermined signal distribution device to operate in the audio/video mode and while leaving the cable network unchanged.

Abstract: An aircraft in-flight entertainment system preferably includes, in one embodiment, a satellite TV receiver, at least one passenger video display connected to the receiver, and a processor connected to the receiver for determining an undesired condition and for generating a substitute image on the passenger video display rather than permit display of an undesired image which would otherwise be produced. The undesired condition may relate to a weak signal or component malfunction. Accordingly, the undesired image may be an undesired default text message or a degraded picture image. Other embodiments of the in-flight entertainment system are directed to providing a moving map image flight information channel integrated with the programming channels of the system.

Abstract: A method of making semiconductor quantum wires employs a semiconductor wafer (14) as starting material. The wafer (14) is weakly doped p type with a shallow heavily doped p layer therein for current flow uniformity purposes. The wafer (14) is anodised in 20% aqueous hydrofluoric acid to produce a layer (5) microns thick with 70% porosity and good crystallinity. The layer is subsequently etched in concentrated hydrofluoric acid, which provides a slow etch rate. The etch increases porosity to a level in the region of 80% or above. At such a level, pores overlap and isolated quantum wires are expected to form with diameters less than or equal to 3 nm. The etched layer exhibits photoluminescence emission at photon energies well above the silicon bandgap (1.1 eV) and extending into the red region (1.6-2.0 eV) of the visible spectrum.

Abstract: An aircraft in-flight entertainment system includes an antenna, a satellite TV receiver connected to the antenna, at least one video display connected to the satellite TV receiver, and wherein the antenna is steered using received signals from the relatively wide bandwidth from at least one satellite TV transponder, such as a direct broadcast satellite (DBS) transponder. The system may include an antenna steering positioner connected to the antenna, and an antenna steering controller comprising the received signal detector for generating a received signal strength feedback signal based upon signals from the at least one satellite TV transponder. A processor may be connected to the detector for controlling the antenna steering positioner during aircraft flight and based upon the received signal strength feedback signal. The antenna steering controller may further comprise at least one inertial rate sensor, and the processor may calibrate the sensor based upon the received signal strength feedback signal.