Plextek technology used in MoD Grand Challenge winning SATURN urban warfare reconnaissance solution

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Press Release

Plextek technology used in MoD Grand Challenge winning SATURN urban warfare reconnaissance solution

Issued 26/01/2009

SELEX Galileo incorporates Plextek's EPAC module within its CISP comms technology

Plextek, the Cambridge-based electronics and communications design consultancy today announced that SELEX Galileo is using Plextek's EPAC embedded processing and communications platform in its CISP communications technology. CISP technology was a key element in the SATURN (Sensing & Autonomous Tactical Urban Reconnaissance Network) solution which recently won the MoD Grand Challenge* after successfully identifying threats planted at the MoD's Urban warfare training facility at Copehill Down on Salisbury Plain.

SATURN employs unmanned aerial and ground vehicles each fitted with sensors to report findings back to a remote processing station using novel algorithms to process data and direct the vehicles' behaviour. SELEX Galileo was responsible for the unique self forming communications network and single user interface allowing an operator to monitor the multiple vehicle system. The CISP communications technology, incorporating Plextek's EPAC platform, was used to seamlessly network all the system elements together. CISP is also used within SELEX Galileo's HYDRA family of sensor products which are in service with the Finnish Armed Forces.

Plextek's EPAC is a compact embedded processing and communications platform with power consumption typically less than 4W. The modular system integrates a common processing platform, 802.11a/b/g WLAN radio and an optional personality module to allow standard or bespoke interfaces to be added including JPEG2000 video encoding, analogue sampling and GPRS/GSM quad band communication. The flexibility of the EPAC platform means hardware and software features can be adapted to meet the specific needs of users.

Tim Phipps, Sales & Marketing Director, Plextek comments: "We originally developed an EPAC module for SELEX Galileo back in 2006 as a versatile battery powered electronics pack with combined data gathering, analysis and communications capability, for use in its advanced unattended ground sensors (UGS). EPAC allowed a distributed network of nodes to manage local video, audio, PIR and seismic sensors and perform complex processing of incoming data, with the distributed nodes forming an ad hoc 802.11 network to allow sharing and relaying of processed data."

He continues: "We're delighted that SELEX Galileo has seen the value and flexibility of our technology and re-applied it in other areas of its business, as demonstrated by its CISP technology and the innovative SATURN solution. The powerful combination of integrated functionality, processing capability, expandability and low-power consumption means EPAC lends itself to a huge range of usage applications in defence and homeland security."

For more information on EPAC please visit: http://www.plextek.com/epac.htm

Notes to editors:

* The MoD Grand Challenge was a competition open to the defence industry and academia to develop an autonomous system to detect, identify and locate a range of threats in an urban environment. SELEX Galileo was part of the wining Stellar Team which also comprised of Stellar Research Services, Cranfield University, Bluebear Systems Research, Marshall SDG and TRW Conekt.