News

GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms Announces IPS5000 Image Processing Subsystem

Designed to deliver superior situational awareness

Vehicle-deployable
Combines multiple sensor inputs into single image
Provides enhanced operator decision-making
Flexible, robust

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA September 11th, 2007
Leveraging the company's market leading expertise in video tracking to enable substantially superior situational awareness solutions to be developed, GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms today announced the IPS5000 image processing subsystem. Designed to interface with a wide range of physical sensors, IPS5000 is available for both fixed security installations and for military in-vehicle deployment.

IPS5000 has been developed in response to growing recognition of the difficulties posed by information overload in situational awareness, where multiple disparate information feeds - in which the inter-relationships between sensors is not always obvious - are delivered to banks of monitors. This creates the possibility of information overload, confusion and suboptimal reaction times on the part of operators who are often fatigued or stressed.

"With over three hundred man years of expertise and experience in the design and development of real time image processing systems behind it, IPS5000 truly represents a significant step forward in situational awareness solutions that better support decision-making in life or death situations," said Clarence Peckham, General Manager, Military & Aerospace Systems at GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms. "It is robust, highly flexible and can make a vital contribution when deployed in platforms such as armored vehicles, aircraft, remote unmanned platforms or in any environment where optimum surveillance and security are requirements."

Key to the performance of the IPS5000 system is its data extraction process, which provides user selectable options. IPS5000 can use scene change detection, moving target detection or contrast detection, and this is enhanced by a 'classification' process which is dependant on operating scenario, the sensors employed and system elements. Unlike existing situational awareness systems which rely on the operator to detect and classify an event, the IPS5000 system automatically brings events to the attention of the operator.

A typical 'contact' notification includes a graphic symbol around the contact; a graphic symbol flashed to the operator indicating the direction in which the contact should be visually followed; an audible alarm; the current image of the contact in a picture-in-picture window; and a recorded image of the contact displayed in a supplementary window.

IPS5000 also provides a solution to the problem in which information from multiple sources is delivered to several screens, requiring the operator to correlate and interpret the various images. With IPS5000, video signals from multiple sensors are seamlessly merged into a real-time interactive panoramic image which can be displayed on a single monitor - making the task of interpreting information significantly easier, while also reducing the total space and weight required. By integrating multiple sensor inputs, IPS5000 also allows real time monitoring of an area much larger than is possible with a single sensor.

The operator is able to interact with the panoramic image through a range of interface options including touch screen, joystick and game controller. These devices facilitate scrolling through the panorama and zooming in and out on selected images through a technique known as 'virtual camera'. Used in this way the panorama is very intuitive to use and interpret. The panorama can also be integrated with a head-mounted display to form a "virtual control room" effect.

IPS5000 is designed to interface with any 'video' sensor, including thermal imagers. Currently available with analogue video (CCIR/RS170) interfaces in the future the full range of digital video interfaces, including Gbit Ethernet, will be available.

More information on IPS5000

About GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms

GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms is a leading global provider of embedded computing solutions for a wide range of industries and applications. Featuring a comprehensive offering that includes Intel® and PowerPC®-based single board computers, sensor processing, networking products, avionics interfaces, rugged flat panel monitors and complete computer systems, GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms can support the full range of embedded computing needs. GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms is part of GE Fanuc, a joint venture between General Electric (NYSE: GE) and FANUC LTD of Japan. For more information, visit www.gefanucembedded.com.

Contact:
Ian McMurray, GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms
+44 (0) 1327 322821
ian.mcmurray@radstone.co.uk

GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms Announces Creation of Naval Systems Engineering Group

Offers range of value-added services to navies, shipbuilders, combat systems integrators

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA September 11th, 2007
Responding to the growing requirement from customers in the military and aerospace markets for sophisticated support capabilities, GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms today announced the creation of its Naval Systems Engineering group, with a brief to deliver a range of engineering services and products to navies, shipbuilders and combat systems integrators worldwide. The new group's initial offering will include naval systems engineering, ballistic prediction and system interfaces, and assessment.

"This is an exciting milestone in our strategic development as we position ourselves as a partner capable of bringing significant added value to our customers," said Clarence Peckham, General Manager, Military & Aerospace Systems at GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms. "The new group leverages over two hundred man years experience in the design, integration and proving of complex naval systems that resides within the organization as a result of our acquisition of Radstone Technology and its subsidiary, Octec, and further enhances our growing systems capability."

The Naval Systems Engineering group brings with it expertise in electro-optical systems and sensors; servo platforms; ballistic prediction; control-, command and control systems; man-machine interfaces; and systems alignment. The group would typically expect to provide a range of services including system effectiveness studies and performance update recommendations; system alignment policy and procedures; safety case studies; and operating procedure optimization.

Specific capabilities include:

Ballistic Prediction and System Interfaces

The LEAP range of ballistic predictors features full ballistic prediction with comprehensive compensation for all parameters to provide high first round hit probability. Versions are available for all types and caliber of gun and ammunition, and a range of interfaces available to simplify systems integration

The supporting system interface module features include interfaces configurations for both in-service and new generation systems; discrete interfaces to meet safety requirements; and a range of system interfaces

Ballistic Systems Assessment

This service sees the Naval Weapon Systems Engineering group conduct ballistic trials, generate appropriate reports and assist in the resolution of performance issues. Key tools include the DGAAS Dynamic Gun Alignment and Analysis System (automated video-based equipment for the assessment of weapon system alignment); the VTMS surface ballistics assessment system (video-based towed target system for the assessment of naval surface firing); and the LCASS NGS assessment system (an acoustic buoy-based system for the assessment of NGS), all of which can be supplied on a permanent basis or on lease.

More information on the Naval Systems Engineering Group

About GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms

Contact:
Ian McMurray, GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms
+44 (0) 1327 322821
ian.mcmurray@radstone.co.uk

Advanced Imaging's 2007 Solutions of the year

Octec is one of the two winners in the Defence and Security category in the Solution of the Year Award presented by Advanced Imaging Magazine.

This award is for our work on the DARPA autonomous air to air refueling program.

The following is a copy of the introduction to the awards written by Advanced Imaging Magazine's editorial team.

For the eleventh year, Advanced Imaging presents its Solutions of the Year. And what a good year 2006 was for solving involved problems using sophisticated imaging technology.

In a switch, we are not organizing this year's submissions into 'winners' and 'runners-up,' since it is extremely difficult to quantify such a diverse range of solutions relative to each other and determine a winner. What we did, was select the outstanding entrants in the key categories of medical; scientific; defense, security & law enforcement; machine vision; consumer & commercial; and entertainment & broadcast.

Each submitter was asked to identify the challenge, outline the solution, list the tools used to achieve the solution and then describe the difference that the solution made. The last point was the most critical in the selection criteria.

Full article on the Advanced Imaging Magazine website

Octec Demonstrates Leadership Innovation In Image Processing

AARD represents "remarkable realization of long-desired capability"

AARD Billerica, MA: Date 2006: Demonstrating once again the advanced capabilities that have marked the company as a leader in its field, Octec Image Processing - part of Radstone Embedded Computing - today announced that its optical tracker solution had been selected by Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) to be part of the Autonomous Airborne Refueling Demonstration (AARD) System that performed the first ever autonomous probe and drogue airborne refueling engagement on August 30th at Edwards Air Force Base, California. Utilizing a NASA F/A-18B and an Omega Air Refueling Services 707 tanker, the NASA Dryden flight test crew flew the F/A-18B to the designated pre-engagement position, activated the AARD system, and then "rode along" hands-off through a series of refueling engagements.

"This is something that has never been done before, and is the remarkable realization of a long-desired capability for all air vehicles," said Larry Schaffer, Vice President, Business Development for Octec. "AARD is the result of a solid partnership, courageously taking on an extremely difficult challenge. SNC's blended relative GPS/INS solution and flight control technologies, working in concert with Octec's advanced image processing technology, have made in-flight refueling without the need for human intervention a reality. It is one of the most advanced applications of leading edge image processing ever demonstrated and would simply not have been possible without Octec's innovation and extensive experience. We're proud to claim the AARD system as evidence of our ability to develop imaginative solutions, and of our leadership in the field - and proud to have been selected by SNC to play a vital role in the demonstration."

Octec worked closely with SNC, DARPA and NASA over a 15 month period to perfect the optimized image processing algorithms which were implemented on a COTS Octec image processor card and provided the high accuracy, low latency final closure phase flight control input to the SNC flight control processor. The image processing algorithms were derived from Octec's wealth of experience in applications such as spacecraft launch tracking, airborne reconnaissance, EO fire control and surveillance systems, and provided near-flawless detection, clutter rejection and rigorous tracking of the refueling drogue in three dimensions.

Dubbed "a significant milestone" by DARPA and "unbelievably stable and smooth" by the NASA test pilot, the successful autonomous plugs were the culmination of a 15-month DARPA-funded technology demonstration program. SNC developed the AARD navigation, guidance and control hardware and software for both the F-18 and the Omega Air 707 tanker and integrated Octec's optical tracker solution to ensure a precise and safe probe and drogue engagement. Program partner NASA integrated the AARD system onto the F-18 and orchestrated all aspects of flight operations and safety. Omega Air Refueling Services provided the Boeing 707-300 tanker. No modifications were made to the tanker's existing refueling systems.

The system as demonstrated also featured a Radstone 1ATR chassis equipped with a Radstone PPC7A single board computer fitted with a Radstone PMCF2 Flash memory mezzanine card.

"AARD is an excellent example not only of the way in which Octec's state of the art solutions engineering can be used to develop responses to the most challenging problems, but also of the synergy between the different divisions within Radstone Embedded Computing," said Peter Cavill, President of Radstone Embedded Computing. "As our customers start to develop increasingly complex, sophisticated systems, we are able to respond with the industry's broadest product line and a systems and applications integration capability that is second to none."

Octec introduce rugged, real-time image fusion module.

Octec announce the introduction of a 6U VME, real-time, image fusion module. Based on the successful, in-service ADEPT60 6U VME image processing engine and a new PMC module the image fusion product will be available in the first quarter 2005.

The module will accept video (RS170/CCIR format) from a wide range of sensors and after registering them, to overcome image errors due to different optics, will carry out either additive or adaptive fusion. More detail on the fusion product will be found in the image processors section of the website.

Octec Launch ADEPT104 Compact Image Processing Engine

Octec will be promoting their latest image-processing product the ADEPT104 at the Aerosense 2003 exhibition in Orlando, Florida (22nd to 24th April 2003). Conforming to the PC104 standard the new product offers operation of the full range of Octec's video tracking and image processing algorithms in a rugged, ultra compact configuration. Capable of supporting a wide range of video input formats (by the use of interchangeable mezzanine modules) the ADEPT104 is now available for delivery.