Safran Passenger Innovations (SPI) has launched RAVE Cloud Services, a set of new cloud-based services to drive its next-generation in-flight entertainment and connectivity (IFEC) platform.
RAVE Cloud Services will have two main elements, namely Distribution Services and Edge Cloud Computing Services. The cloud infrastructure deployed both on the ground and on the aircraft, to create a scalable, reliable and flexible service-based infrastructure, is designed to move large volumes of data to and from aircraft, as well as process and store large volumes of data onboard the aircraft.
Distribution Services
RAVE Cloud Sync is a content distribution service that uses multiple concurrent pathways to update IFE or airline content to aircraft fleets quickly and remotely. Content is transferred using satellite connectivity, cellular modem, aircraft wi-fi networks and even physical media if needed. SPI says that this mix of different, concurrent pathways allows large volumes of content to be delivered in a short timeframe. This service will ultimately allow airlines to constantly integrate new content onto their fleet, rather than go through a monthly IFE content update cycle.
RAVE Cloud Deploy is a distribution service with a focus on software installation and activation. This service also utilises multiple distribution pathways, with the key difference being how software deployments are managed. RAVE Cloud Deploy uses a centralised tool to easily manage this process across large fleets, with a reporting mechanism providing Realtime status.
Edge Cloud Computing Services
Edge Cloud Computing technologies will be the foundation of the next generation of SPI’s RAVE platform. SPI is combining two technologies that are commonly used on the ground: Edge Computing and Cloud Computing. Deploying these technologies onboard aircraft is a novel and innovative method that provides more capability and capacity.
Edge Computing runs workloads at the ‘edge’, closer to devices and end users, whereas Cloud Computing is a broad term that includes running all types of workloads in a cloud service provider’s data centre. In the context of this product, the aircraft would be considered the ‘edge’, and SPI is creating a ‘cloud’ data centre on each aircraft by leveraging the computing and storage resources already installed onboard. Based on existing capability, SPI is designing its next-generation platform without the need for a physical head-end server at all, adding significant capability to every aircraft without additional cost or weight.
Ben Asmar, VP of products and strategy at Safran Passenger Innovations, said of the launch: “We see RAVE Cloud Services as one of the next disruptors of the IFEC industry. It will completely change the way we look at possibilities on board the aircraft, opening new opportunities that are not possible today, and doing this by leveraging existing installed equipment. This means we will be able activate RAVE Cloud Services for our customers with a software update. No expensive and heavy new hardware required, or complicated retrofits. We are leveraging the value of our customers previous investments and unlocking the power of the latest RAVE Platform.”
