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The simplest possible device can be an entirely self-contained GPS and sat modem, just needs a power supply. When you can buy IFE units for $1500 per seat, it

The simplest possible device can be an entirely self-contained GPS and sat modem, just needs a power supply. When you can buy IFE units for $1500 per seat, it should be possible to build and certify such a device for much less than $120k. http://airfax.com/blog/index.php/2015/04/09/lumexis-ipax-and-aix-ifec-booths-not-to-be-missed/ http://airfax.com/blog/index.php/2015/04/09/lumexis-ipax-and... That said, $120k is not an outrageous amount of money in aviation. A 777 costs $8700/hour in fuel and oil alone to operate. http://www.what2fly.com/manufacturer/operating_cost/Boeing/777/1697 http://www.what2fly.com/manufacturer/operating_cost/Boeing/7...

woliveirajr 11y ago
Even that has to be tested that it won't burn, explode, cause some electrical problem to the power supply, the sat modem will not interfere with all other electronic devices (in some unplanned manner, at least), that it can report to be working or not, that it can be turned off in case somethings goes wrong (leaving the problem that it is less usefull if it can be turned off), and how hard it will be to repair it (if it brakes too often and takes time to fix, it costs a lot to the companies)...
- mseebach 11y ago
  And all of that is equally true of the IFE units, thus the comparison.
  - akiselev 11y ago
    No, it's not. The true cost of IFEs is hidden by other subsystems in the airplane that the IFEs run on, including the fully isolated power they use which costs a hell of a lot more than 1500 per passenger. IFEs are not safety critical, unlike all of the systems that keep those in seat units running including the engine generator hook up and the miles of wiring. Compared to a transceiver which is a high power EM radiator hooked up to main power, IFEs are a regulatory and design afterthought made cheap by the expense put into all of the other parts.

woliveirajr 11y ago

Even that has to be tested that it won't burn, explode, cause some electrical problem to the power supply, the sat modem will not interfere with all other electronic devices (in some unplanned manner, at least), that it can report to be working or not, that it can be turned off in case somethings goes wrong (leaving the problem that it is less usefull if it can be turned off), and how hard it will be to repair it (if it brakes too often and takes time to fix, it costs a lot to the companies)...

mseebach 11y ago
And all of that is equally true of the IFE units, thus the comparison.
- akiselev 11y ago
  No, it's not. The true cost of IFEs is hidden by other subsystems in the airplane that the IFEs run on, including the fully isolated power they use which costs a hell of a lot more than 1500 per passenger. IFEs are not safety critical, unlike all of the systems that keep those in seat units running including the engine generator hook up and the miles of wiring. Compared to a transceiver which is a high power EM radiator hooked up to main power, IFEs are a regulatory and design afterthought made cheap by the expense put into all of the other parts.