North Carolina-based SmartSky Networks is keeping inflight data secure from end to end using a patented air-to-ground (ATG) network.

The SmartSky PI private intranet routing is powered by the Skytelligence services platform. The PI is deployed using an aircraft interface device (AID) and routes data traffic privately to and from the aircraft using SmartSky’s patented beamforming technology that assigns a separate connection to each aircraft with no bandwidth sharing as is found on other airborne networks.

Once the data traffic reaches the SmartSky ground network, it is securely routed through one of the company’s three private data centres directly to the user’s corporate enterprise network giving aircraft owners and operators the option for their inflight data traffic to bypass the internet completely and to determine how and when it is routed externally. PI lets the aircraft function as a true node on the corporate enterprise network instead of as an exception.

PI is made possible by the company’s proprietary Skytelligence services layer that connects the AID to the SmartSky ATG network and moves the data traffic according to the user’s specifications. This combination of a secured IFC network, AID and direct custom routing of data traffic to a corporate network represents what is said to be the first-ever, end-to-end private inflight wifi connection. A VPN is unnecessary when using the airborne network and it secures not only the transfer of data to and from the cabin, but also all other aircraft data transferred while in flight.

The PI service enables aviation users with SmartSky equipped aircraft to add a level of security to their inflight data beyond the cabin wifi, now including electronic flight bags (EFBs) and aircraft health monitoring.

Accessing 60MHz of spectrum in the unlicensed band, the inflight connectivity network uses 20 times the bandwidth of legacy ATG systems. This means plenty of capacity and sustained performance for aircraft operations as well as real-time transfer of critical maintenance and performance data. The cockpit can now be more responsive to changes in flight conditions, improving safety and flight efficiency.

Vital flight data can be offloaded inflight to allow ground crews to be prepared for maintenance needs upon landing, reducing the time the aircraft is on the ground.

“The capability for private internet showcases several dimensions of the way SmartSky is changing inflight connectivity beyond the cabin, enabling new levels of privacy, security and performance for the entire aircraft and the industry,” said Sean Reilly SmartSky vice president. “PI is enabling the connected aircraft, today. It gives an organisation’s IT department complete oversight and control of inflight data transmissions of users onboard, greatly enhancing information security and data sovereignty versus what is available with legacy ATG and satellite systems in use today. In a world where cyber threats are becoming more sophisticated and complex, SmartSky’s private intranet helps aircraft operators have confidence that their inflight communications and data are secured, simplifying compliance with aircraft network security programmes. Skytelligence helps us move the right data to the right place at the right time with a secure connection, whether they’re data from the aircraft with an AID, data from FAA Swim, or data from any of our partners.”

SmartSky Networks was founded to transform aviation through communications technologies, services and tools. The network takes advantage of patented spectrum reuse, beamforming technologies and 60MHz of spectrum for enhanced connectivity.