EPAC platform utilised in CISP technology

CISP technology was a key element in the Saturn (Sensing and Autonomous Tactical Urban Reconnaissance Network) solution, which recently won the Ministry of Defence's (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 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 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.