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Technology Stocks : Globalstar Memorial Day Massacre -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Dennis Roth who wrote (504)	10/29/2001 8:33:22 AM
From: Jon Koplik	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 543

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 Copyright © 2001 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved.