For release: February 1, 2006

Government Communications Firm Focuses on New Generation of Wireless Networking

The following article first appeared in the February, 2006 issue of the Brevard Technical Journal.

BY ANNE STRAUB

The roots of Melbourne-based Aeronix, fixed in government communications, are bearing fruit in an expansion into wireless consumer products.

The systems engineering and custom electronics development company diversified in recent years into wireless consumer products. Meanwhile, Aeronix continues its work in other communications and data acquisition technologies.

Over the past 20 years, the company has grown from a staff of five to reach 75, capitalizing on its talent for taking commercial products and developing them for the military, and adapting military technology for commercial uses.

Aeronix was founded in 1985 by a group of four Harris Corp. engineers and George Adaniya, a space pioneer who worked in the Naval Research Laboratory developing satellites. The group conducted study work on spacecraft power systems and communication for the NRL.

In 1989, the company won a contract to develop hardware for the Multimission Advanced Tactical Terminal. The task: To develop a satellite receiver small enough to fit on aircraft. Previously, satellite receivers were large, rack-mounted pieces of equipment suited only for ship or ground use.

Cementing a market in tactical communications, Aeronix worked on several follow-up projects. And that led to a what Steve Iezzi, vice president of research and development, calls a classic case of a military contract morphing into a commercial opportunity.

The military’s problem was in trying to coordinate radios from different branches that didn’t talk to each other. Typically, for example, Air Force radios can’t communicate with Army radios, and often for good reasons. But at times, easier communication is needed.

The solution was in the development of software-defined radio. By creating one device that could operate like each military service’s radio – thanks to software – the military would have a functional piece of equipment without so much hardware that it became cumbersome.

Major implications for the commercial market lie in cell phones. By using SDR, manufacturers could make cell phone base stations that could deliver a signal to any company’s cell phone. Savings to the cell phone companies would be in the millions.

Or, SDR installed in car radios could let the driver pick up Sirius, XM, or other signals without buying a separate radio for each.

SDR continues to be a core part of business for Aeronix, said Iezzi, a systems engineer. A major focus for the coming year, however, is in the new generation of wireless networking.

Six years ago, the company began working with wireless networking, and more recently got started on WiMAX. The technology serves as an alternative to cable and DSL, providing fixed and eventually mobile wireless broadband access.

In addition to having military applications, the technology presents commercial uses. Freed from the need to hook up to a cable or phone line, Internet access could be available on a car dashboard, for example, or on a boat.

As part of its effort to bolster the commercial side of its business, Aeronix acquired a business venture of 20 people in Greenville, S.C., who had experience in computer multimedia products. The company now has a several MP3 players to its credit, as well as a wireless instant messaging device.

Called Zipit, the device operates over WiFi at no charge to the user, and features a standard keyboard in an easily portable size. The product is available online and at some Radio Shack and Target stores.

The product is targeted toward teens to use at home or at free hotspots so they can instant-message their friends.

That market has potential, particularly if Aeronix targets the younger end of the teen crowd, said Steve Koenig, senior manager of industry analysis for the Consumer Electronics Association. Older teens are more likely to carry a laptop or use a cell phone to communicate.

The Zipit has some consumer electronics history to overcome. “Purpose-built devices like this in the past have not had much success due to the fact that computers have become so affordable,” Koenig said. He recounted the difficulty encountered by the Internet access devices marketed during 1999 and 2000. The gadget promised to allow users to check their email, but couldn’t do much else. The market never materialized because PC prices plummeted, making the computer a more efficient choice, Koenig said.

Still, for the younger teen set, “there is an opportunity here,” he said. Instant messaging is gaining in popularity, and parents are concerned about the content and security of computers when young teens are involved.

“This device would allow them to keep their child safe without having to make a large investment in a laptop,” Koenig said. There could also be potential for uses in segments such as education. Administrators could issue Zipits to teachers to help them communicate easily during the school day, he said.

Other business interests at Aeronix include electronic support measures and classified data processing.

For more information, visit www.aeronix.com.