WSJ -- Qualcomm Set to Unveil System That Broadcasts Live From Jets
October 29, 2001
Qualcomm Set to Unveil System
That Broadcasts Live From Jets
By ANDY PASZTOR
Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
Qualcomm Inc., seeking to jump on the
aviation-security bandwagon, is working on a
satellite-based system able to broadcast live jetliner
cockpit conversations, flight data and even video of
passenger activity inside the cabin to controllers on the
ground.
The system, to be unveiled in San Diego Monday, is
intended to combine Qualcomm's digital technology
with Globalstar Telecomunications LP's low-earth orbit
satellite constellation to provide a new array of
high-speed security links for commercial aircraft. Such
capabilities have been much discussed since last
month's terrorist attacks, though so far neither the
government nor major airlines have committed to
installing any specific equipment to move in that
direction.
Qualcomm's initiative comes as Boeing Co. and Iridium Satellite LLC, another low-orbit satellite network, are
pursuing similar concepts to instantaneously warn controllers if planes veer off their assigned flight paths
because of a possible hijacking, or crews face other types of onboard security threats. The Air Line Pilots
Association, for example, has discussed using Iridium as the linchpin of a possible warning system that flight
attendants could use to issue alarms about the presence of unruly or dangerous passengers.
"We've talked to them about the potential for an effective warning capability, one that couldn't be detected by
hijackers," said Stephen Luckey, chairman of the pilot union's national-security committee. "With cockpit
doors securely closed, it's one way to give people back in the cabin more help" in case of an emergency, he
said.
Iridium Chief Executive Dan Colussy has said a real-time cockpit voice and flight-data monitoring system
based on unconventional uses of satellite assets could give ground personnel "unrestricted access" to
developments on the aircraft. Iridium is based in Leesburg, Va.
Qualcomm Chairman Irvin Jacobs is scheduled to make Monday's announcement, but industry officials
familiar with the matter said detailed design and operational parameters for the proposed network have yet to
be developed. Qualcomm is based in San Diego and Globalstar is based in San Jose, Calif. Qualcomm
declined to talk about its plans prior to Monday's unveiling.
Likewise, executives of Chicago-based Boeing have talked mostly in general terms about transforming their
Connexion project, originally intended as an Internet- on-board system for passengers, into an
airborne-security net. Transmitting video from the cabin "certainly is one of the [possibilities] that is very
interesting," Boeing Chairman Phil Condit said. He reiterated that such broadband applications could be an
important tool to provide airline dispatchers with "instant information" about the status of aircraft systems.
So far, the Federal Aviation Administration and the Transportation Department have stopped short of
mandating or explicitly urging development of systems to supplement the so-called black boxes that
automatically record flight-crew conversations and aircraft performance.
Write to Andy Pasztor at andy.pasztor@wsj.com
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