This Mysterious Airplane Accessory Has A Vital Role You Never Knew About!
October 1, 2024
Photo Credit: Mary Kirby
Did you ever wonder how you can watch your favorite series or send an important email while flying in the airplane? When it comes to keeping in touch while flying, it seems like a true blessing and almost unbelievable that everyone in this industry is using technology most people never even knew existed. But the one factor that makes all this possible is the WiFi antenna that is onboard the aircrafts.
Chances are, if you have recently flown on a commercial airplane, you probably noticed a small, inconspicuous device on the window that is shown on the picture above. This small but effective antenna is one of many required elements that enable communication with individuals so far off the ground. But how does this really work? I now thought it would be interesting to look more into how in-flight WiFi works to keep you connected while flying.
Though the one inside the airplane window looks small its a very important component in providing internet on the plane. This kind of external antenna is intended for receiving signal from satellites or ground control towers. Depending on its height and position, the aircraft connects with geostationary satellites or ground stations for transmission and receipt of data to allow creation of high speed connection for the passengers on board.
In-flight WiFi works by having the passenger connect to the in-flight network and the data being transferred to a router in the plane. From there it is transmitted to the antenna that transmits it to other satellites or ground stations. These processes enables you to surf the internet, view social sites or even watch movies as you would if you were on the ground.
This is familiar with and poses a challenge when trying to provide dependable in-flight WiFi because of the aircraft’s mobility. Due to speed and fluctuations in altitude in the case of airplane, the designed antenna must be able to sustain the connection. The recent developed antenna are autoclaving enough to follow the satellites or move between ground towers to maintain the link live.
There are also aircraft with multiple installed antennas located at different locations on the aircraft. Both these antennas ensure that there is coverage throughout the cabin meaning any passenger can be connected to the internet in whatever cabin they may be sitting in.
Now, passengers should be able to get connectivity that allows them to stream videos, use video conferencing apps, and a lot more – all on long international flights. This is because the carriers are working hard to satisfy the ever growing desire by their passengers for connectivity; the modern carriers employ brand new antennas and routers in their aircraft that may actually compare favorably with the internet connections on the ground.
The next time you take a flight and get to use WiFi while in the plane remember that it is such advanced technology that is working in the background. That little antenna, sitting on the window sill or behind the curtain, is a part of the complex mechanism to help you to be in touch with all occurring in the world you are flying above at the height of thousand of feet. From replying to emails, to watching a movie on-net, the antenna is indeed the string holding you to the ground even as you soar high in the sky.