IFC Airline Forum
Chairperson: Anna Sieber (JetBlue)
The IFC Airline Forum is an assembly of all Seamless member-airline IFC representatives. Every Seamless working group meets periodically with the Airline Forum to discuss their group’s project accomplishments and goals. The Seamless Certification Program is managed by the Airline Forum, working closely with the IFC Technical Forum to approve changes and new features.
Architecture and Interoperability
Chairpersons: Chris Schaupmann (Airbus) and Bryan Wiltse (Boeing)
The Architecture and Interoperability Expert Working Group is creating requirements and exploring the opportunity for onboard equipment interoperability and interchangeability. The group is composing a “Beginner’s Guide to IFC” that addresses the many aspects relating to IFC equipment, service and installation. A standard for a satellite modem card form factor, edge connector, signaling, and considerations for equipment qualification is nearing completion.
Hosted Platforms
Chairperson: Yves Beaumont (Kontron) and Joe Palovick (Astronics)
The Hosted Platform Expert Working Group is building the framework for general purpose IFC computing with open-standard, software-defined functionality. A virtualized avionics environment moves from the single-use appliance model to multipurpose hardware and a standard application programming interface.
Modem
Chairperson: Rami Al Wazani (Kontron)
The Modem Expert Working Group has developed a first generation modem card standard including form factor, edge connector, electrical interfaces, thermal factors. A second generation modem card standard that leverages an antenna interface using digital baseband over fiber optic over intermediate frequency (IF) over coaxial cable. New modems using a software defined radio and a standard NTN modem are being studied.
Networking – Test Laboratory
Chairperson: Thomas Locke (GlobalReach Technologies)
The Networking Expert Working Group develops tools to facilitate testing IFC end-end services through the Seamless IFC Laboratory. This group leverages a deep understanding of AAA (Authentication, Approval, Accounting) processes used in IFC session transactions, with a special focus on Passpoint. As well, the group provides expertise in how operating systems and browsers interact in areas such as the captive portal.
Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN)
Chairpersons: Olivier Hauw (Airbus) and Ruben Diaz (Vodafone)
The Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) Expert Working Group is developing use cases for NTN. The working group is considering the concepts under development by 3GPP in 5G NTN, Release 17 and Release 18.
Personalization
Chairperson: Mark Cheyney (IAG)
The Personalization Expert Working Group focuses on how personalization can securely leverage IFC technology. Personalization involves identifying an individual and associating a personality that enables more relevant ancillary revenue opportunities and reinforces the sponsoring and associated brands. Objectives include relating identities across identity providers and managing multiple individual’s personalities.
Standards
Chairperson: Mark Nash (Panasonic)
The Standards Working Group provides an external channel to related standards organizations. The Standards group is working with GSMA members to develop simple roaming agreements between airlines and mobile network operators (MNO) – cell phone service providers using IFC.
IFC Technical Forum
Chairpersons: Arnaud Tonnerre (Thales) and Brian Kirby (Telesat)
The IFC Technical Forum is an assembly of members focused on IFC technical functionality and performance. The Technical Forum develops the specific measurements and associated scoring thresholds for the Seamless Certification Program.
