{"id":8658,"date":"2025-12-18T12:13:09","date_gmt":"2025-12-18T11:13:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zal.aero\/?post_type=news&#038;p=8658"},"modified":"2026-01-13T10:51:03","modified_gmt":"2026-01-13T09:51:03","slug":"smart-psu","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/zal.aero\/en\/news\/smart-psu\/","title":{"rendered":"Smart PSU shortlisted for the 2026 Crystal Cabin Award"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><p>[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<em>The classic Passenger Service Unit (PSU) receives a digital upgrade: with touch displays, intelligent control, and efficient networking via 10BASE-T1S, the Smart Connected PSU makes the flight experience more comfortable for passengers and simplifies cabin operations for the crew. Developed as part of Eduard Lomtadze\u2019s bachelor thesis at HAW Hamburg and ZAL, it is now on the shortlist for the Crystal Cabin Award 2026.<\/em><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"212\" data-end=\"651\">The Passenger Service Unit \u2013 known in the aircraft as the PSU \u2013 is something everyone has seen and used. It provides functions such as reading lights, ventilation, or summoning the cabin crew. Anyone who has flown ten, twenty, or even thirty years ago will have noticed one thing: the PSU has remained surprisingly unchanged. Since the early days of modern aviation, its functionality has hardly evolved.<\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=&#8221;8683&#8243; img_size=&#8221;large&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221; el_class=&#8221;zal-image-large&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"653\" data-end=\"855\">At the same time, our everyday lives have changed dramatically: touchscreens, digital services, and personalized content are now commonplace \u2013 yet onboard reality often looks very different.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"857\" data-end=\"1221\">This could soon change, as digitalization and networking are gradually making their way into the aircraft cabin. One building block of the cabin of the future is a modernized, intelligent PSU. It offers great potential to enhance the passenger experience and support the crew in coordinating cabin operations.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1223\" data-end=\"1714\">Within the framework of the research consortium <strong data-start=\"1257\" data-end=\"1267\">DaKliF*<\/strong> (Data Platform for Climate-Neutral Flying), the <strong data-start=\"1329\" data-end=\"1352\">Smart Connected PSU<\/strong> was developed at ZAL. It extends the classic aircraft component with numerous new functions provided via touch displays and internal intelligence. This enables an improved flight experience for passengers, easier communication for the crew, and new revenue opportunities for airlines \u2013 all in a single, compact device.<\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=&#8221;8684&#8243; img_size=&#8221;large&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221; el_class=&#8221;zal-image-large&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2001\" data-end=\"2028\"><strong>What the new PSU offers<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"2030\" data-end=\"2791\">\n<li data-start=\"2030\" data-end=\"2137\">\n<p data-start=\"2032\" data-end=\"2137\"><strong data-start=\"2032\" data-end=\"2068\">Touchscreens for every passenger<\/strong><br data-start=\"2068\" data-end=\"2071\" \/>\u2192 Intuitive control of lighting, crew call, and other functions<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2139\" data-end=\"2296\">\n<p data-start=\"2141\" data-end=\"2296\"><strong data-start=\"2141\" data-end=\"2183\">New information and service offerings<\/strong><br data-start=\"2183\" data-end=\"2186\" \/>\u2192 Remaining flight time, altitude, connecting flight information, exchange rates, weather forecasts, and more<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2298\" data-end=\"2410\">\n<p data-start=\"2300\" data-end=\"2410\"><strong data-start=\"2300\" data-end=\"2331\">Direct connection to the crew<\/strong><br data-start=\"2331\" data-end=\"2334\" \/>\u2192 Passengers can more easily submit messages or communicate their needs<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2412\" data-end=\"2594\">\n<p data-start=\"2414\" data-end=\"2594\"><strong data-start=\"2414\" data-end=\"2440\">Enhanced safety<\/strong><br data-start=\"2440\" data-end=\"2443\" \/>\u2192 Individual alerts such as \u201cPlease fasten your seatbelt\u201d<br data-start=\"2508\" data-end=\"2511\" \/>\u2192 Support in emergencies, e.g., by displaying the nearest emergency exit<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2596\" data-end=\"2791\">\n<p data-start=\"2598\" data-end=\"2791\"><strong data-start=\"2598\" data-end=\"2613\">Maintenance<\/strong><br data-start=\"2613\" data-end=\"2616\" \/>\u2192 Passengers can report defects directly from their seat<br data-start=\"2677\" data-end=\"2680\" \/>\u2192 Thanks to internal intelligence, the PSU can perform self-diagnosis and detect faulty components<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2798\" data-end=\"2847\"><strong>Lean network, low energy consumption<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2849\" data-end=\"3382\">Additional devices mean more data traffic in the cabin network, more cables, and higher power consumption. Cabin networks are already complex today: they consist of many different, often proprietary communication standards. Every piece of information \u2013 from movies to temperature sensors \u2013 must be translated into different \u201cnetwork languages\u201d via so-called protocol converters. These interfaces can create data bottlenecks, slowing down the network and making the implementation of new functions more labor-intensive.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3384\" data-end=\"3742\">Within the DaKliF project, a <strong data-start=\"3417\" data-end=\"3474\">continuous, standardized Ethernet cabin network<\/strong> is being developed. The Smart Connected PSU uses <strong data-start=\"3525\" data-end=\"3539\">10BASE-T1S<\/strong>, a single-pair Ethernet technology with a multidrop topology. It allows multiple devices to be connected via a single line, reducing cabling effort and system complexity.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3744\" data-end=\"3787\"><strong data-start=\"3744\" data-end=\"3785\">Advantages of 10BASE-T1S at a glance:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"3788\" data-end=\"4111\">\n<li data-start=\"3788\" data-end=\"3927\">\n<p data-start=\"3790\" data-end=\"3927\">Multidrop topology: Multiple end devices (e.g., Smart PSU) can be connected to a single line like a string of lights<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3928\" data-end=\"3958\">\n<p data-start=\"3930\" data-end=\"3958\">Low energy consumption<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3959\" data-end=\"3992\">\n<p data-start=\"3961\" data-end=\"3992\">Efficient bandwidth usage<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3993\" data-end=\"4048\">\n<p data-start=\"3995\" data-end=\"4048\">Deterministic communication with low latency<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4049\" data-end=\"4111\">\n<p data-start=\"4051\" data-end=\"4111\">Seamless integration into a continuous Ethernet network<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"4113\" data-end=\"4156\"><strong data-start=\"4113\" data-end=\"4154\">Meaning of the designation 10BASE-T1S:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"4157\" data-end=\"4401\">\n<li data-start=\"4157\" data-end=\"4193\">\n<p data-start=\"4159\" data-end=\"4193\"><strong data-start=\"4159\" data-end=\"4165\">10<\/strong> \u2192 Data rate of 10 Mbit\/s<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4194\" data-end=\"4254\">\n<p data-start=\"4196\" data-end=\"4254\"><strong data-start=\"4196\" data-end=\"4204\">BASE<\/strong> \u2192 Baseband transmission (no frequency multiplexing)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4255\" data-end=\"4308\">\n<p data-start=\"4257\" data-end=\"4308\"><strong data-start=\"4257\" data-end=\"4262\">T<\/strong> \u2192 Twisted pair copper wires<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4309\" data-end=\"4357\">\n<p data-start=\"4311\" data-end=\"4357\"><strong data-start=\"4311\" data-end=\"4316\">1<\/strong> \u2192 One pair of wires (Single Pair Ethernet)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4358\" data-end=\"4401\">\n<p data-start=\"4360\" data-end=\"4401\"><strong data-start=\"4360\" data-end=\"4365\">S<\/strong> \u2192 Short Reach<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=&#8221;8685&#8243; img_size=&#8221;large&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221; el_class=&#8221;zal-image-large&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4625\" data-end=\"4658\"><strong>Energy-efficient intelligence<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4660\" data-end=\"4945\">The PSU is controlled via the <strong data-start=\"4699\" data-end=\"4719\">ZAL Endpoint ECO<\/strong>, an energy-efficient microcontroller from the <a href=\"https:\/\/zal.aero\/news\/digitalisierung-in-der-kabine-nicht-ohne-die-zal-endpoint-familie\/\">ZAL Endpoint family<\/a>. It was specifically developed for use in Ethernet-based cabin networks and enables low-power operation in a compact form factor.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4947\" data-end=\"5151\">The Smart Connected PSU demonstrates how existing cabin components can be digitally expanded step by step and integrated into future network concepts: <strong data-start=\"5104\" data-end=\"5149\">digital, connected, modular, and efficient.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>*DaKliF is supported by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy.<\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_basic_grid post_type=&#8221;person&#8221; max_items=&#8221;1&#8243; element_width=&#8221;12&#8243; gap=&#8221;0&#8243; item=&#8221;1993&#8243; css=&#8221;&#8221; grid_id=&#8221;vc_gid:1766057370122-e5316040-efeb-5&#8243; taxonomies=&#8221;343&#8243; el_class=&#8221;mitarbeiter-staff-personen&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The classic Passenger Service Unit (PSU) receives a digital upgrade: with touch displays, intelligent control, and efficient networking via 10BASE-T1S, the Smart Connected PSU makes the flight experience more comfortable for passengers and simplifies cabin operations for the crew. Developed as part of Eduard Lomtadze\u2019s bachelor thesis at HAW Hamburg and ZAL, it is now shortlisted for the Crystal Cabin Award 2026.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"template":"","class_list":["post-8658","news","type-news","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/zal.aero\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news\/8658","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/zal.aero\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/zal.aero\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/news"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/zal.aero\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news\/8658\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8692,"href":"https:\/\/zal.aero\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news\/8658\/revisions\/8692"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/zal.aero\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8658"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}