Rockwell Collins has announced that its eXchange broadband data and live TV solution will debut on Samsung Techwin's two Bombardier Express XRS business jets, as well as on a Global 5000 demonstrator aircraft. A third undisclosed customer has also selected eXchange for its Global Express XRS.

"With eXchange, passengers will experience a home- and office-like environment in the aircraft with live TV and real-time high speed connectivity so they can be more productive, well informed and entertained during flight," said Denny Helgeson, vice president and general manager, business and regional systems for Rockwell Collins.

The capabilities of the system are made possible through an agreement with Connexion by Boeing. It combines the antennae technology and signal processing capabilities of Rockwell Collins' Tailwind 500 multi-region Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) TV system, with the broadband internet, data and entertainment connectivity service offered by Connexion by Boeing.

The eXchange system will integrate with the company's Airshow 21 IFE system. Passengers can use it to access the internet and fire-wall protected corporate intranets; send outgoing email or open large attachments from incoming email; watch the news, weather or view destination information; or view live DBS television programming.

Over 400 channels of DBS TV are available and the system also provides data connectivity at speeds of up to five Mbps to the aircraft and 256 Kbps from the aircraft.