Cobham Tactical Communications and Surveillance has announced the development of a powerful, flexible, new software-defined radio platform (designated SOLO8SDR) as the cornerstone of its next generation of wireless surveillance products. A device running on the platform can run multiple apps, much like a smartphone and, in effect, run whatever transmission applications the user requires at the time.
With this first product launch, law enforcement, security and broadcast professionals now have access to a new surveillance 'frontend' transmitter capable of offering a wide range of capabilities to help combat crime. Cobham has developed 2 variants; an ultra-miniature OEM module that can be easily integrated with a wide range of devices such as a PTZ camera or covert housing and a standard transmitter variant for remote deployment.
The ability to perform multiple tasks from such a device will substantially reduce the amount of equipment needed to be carried into the field, as well as the inventory typically held by intelligence agencies and police forces. Also new product development lead times can be significantly reduced and we can incorporate customer sponsored developments much quicker than we have done in the past.
The core of the new platform is a Linux OS Dual ARM core and programmable logic, offering the capability in a flexible software defined radio. They envisage the platform running apps like a smartphone and depending on the code running in the core, the unit switches personality. With twin HD SDI camera inputs, on-board recording, power management managed by integral video analytics, an embedded data radio for remote control and Ethernet encoding and connectivity, this will the most powerful devices we have ever produced and there is more to come.
