Steatite Newsletter, Winter 2022
Our latest newsletter is out with details of what we’ve been up to including contract wins, community and charity events, new team members and more. Read it here.
Dec
15
Nov
17
Steatite signs the Armed Forces Covenant
We’re proud to confirm our commitment to honour and support the Armed Forces by signing the Armed Forces Covenant.
This means that we will endeavour in our business dealings to uphold the key principles of the Armed Forces Covenant including supporting the employment of veterans, recognising military skills and qualifications in our recruitment and selection process, and working with the Career Transition Partnership (CTP) to support the employment of Service leavers.
Read more to see what it means to us and our partners.
Nov
1
Steatite awarded a multi-million dollar contract by NATO Support and Procurement Agency
Steatite has been awarded a multi-million dollar contract by the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) to supply customers with MANET radio systems through the NATO Logistics Stock Exchange (NLSE). The NLSE is a secure web-based application linking Armed Forces and Suppliers via a single electronic marketplace. The NSPA’s e-business application provides online & paperless procurement to satisfy consolidated requirements from participating NATO nations and partners
See our full range of communications technology for challenging environments.
Aug
12
Solid State Plc completes acquisition of Custom Power
Solid State is pleased to announce that it has completed the acquisition of Custom Power LLC., the battery systems and energy solutions provider based near Los Angeles in the United States, details of which were announced on 12 July 2022.
Gary Marsh, Chief Executive of Solid State, said:
“We are delighted to have completed the transformational acquisition of Custom Power, which represents a step-change in our power business.
“The newfound scale and increasingly international offering open up opportunities in specialist and growth markets driven by decarbonisation and the drive for cordless power.
“We look forward to integrating Custom Power and welcoming our new colleagues to the Solid State Group.”
Jul
25
Solid State Plc enters agreement to acquire battery pack manufacturer Custom Power LLC.
Solid State Plc, our parent company, has entered into a conditional agreement to acquire Custom Power LLC for a maximum consideration of $45.0m.
Custom Power is a battery systems manufacturer and energy solutions provider based near Los Angeles in the United States of America.
Commenting on the acquisition, Solid State Plc CEO Gary Marsh said: “After lengthy negotiations, we are delighted to be able to announce this very exciting news. This will be Solid State’s largest acquisition to date and brings huge benefits to the group as well as to Custom Power.”
Solid State’s strategy for expansion, through both organic growth and highly targeted acquisitions, is providing increased scale to the group’s capabilities in addition to providing access to lucrative markets that have historically had high barriers to entry.
The acquisition of Custom Power further builds upon this by bringing many benefits that are highly complementary to the group and in-line with the group’s strategic aims to internationalise the business, further develop its “our brand” product portfolio, broaden its complimentary product portfolio, and invest in developing its talent. In particular, the move will bring new and increased capabilities to the group’s power business, specifically within the defence, medical and industrial markets.
Mel Weis, CEO of Custom Power, commented: “This is an exciting move that will combine the battery power capabilities of Custom Power with those of Solid State Plc. allowing our customers access to highly customised power solutions on an international level. Both businesses are leaders in this field and together they will benefit from increased reach, resource and expertise. We are very much looking forward to joining the Solid State family and the opportunities that the increased scale will bring.”
Jun
20
Steatite announces involvement in substantial project for London Underground
Solid State plc (AIM: SOLI), the specialist value added component supplier and design-in manufacturer of computing, power, and communications products, is delighted to announce that it has been awarded a contract to help deliver a new One Person Operation CCTV system for Transport for London, as part of the Piccadilly Line Upgrade on the London Underground Network.
The new digital system will be utilised on the Piccadilly line, which will benefit from 94 new state-of-the-art Tube trains from 2025. It will allow real time IP video images of the platform edge (the “mind the gap” area) to be transmitted to, and displayed, on in-cab screens for driver awareness.
Steatite will be providing custom-designed computers for use on the trains and within the wider station-based system. Carrier boards with specialist display outputs are being designed by Steatite’s Imaging business, Active Silicon, to be utilised at the heart of the onboard system. The finished systems will be tested to various rail-standards using Steatite’s in-house EMC testing chamber and environmental test facility, allowing de-risking of the project prior to carrying out official certification at an independent test house.
Matthew Richards, Managing Director of the Systems division, said: “We are very excited to be involved in this project. By drawing on Steatite and Active Silicon’s technical prowess, this is a superb example of our ability to utilise multiple skill sets within the business to overcome complex challenges, and to design, test and implement a world-class solution.”
Feb
3
BAE announcement
Solid State plc (AIM: SOLI), the specialist value added component supplier and design-in manufacturer of computing, power, and communications products, announces that following a pre-qualification stage and a competitive tender process, BAE Systems has awarded Steatite Ltd, the manufacturing arm of Solid State Plc, a multi-million pound contract to design, develop and qualify computer consoles for maritime platforms. The multi-function use of the console will need to comply with many industry and MOD specific standards. This challenging set of requirements required an approach that offered innovation, value and agility.
A BAE Systems’ representative, said: “This is a critical path programme and our expectations are high. Steatite provided us with the assurance that they have the technical skills, resources and commitment to deliver against challenging timescales and meeting commercial constraints. We are looking forward to working with the team on the project.”
Matthew Richards, Managing Director at Steatite, added: “We have worked with BAE Systems for many years on maritime and land based systems. I am delighted that our recent investments in test and security infrastructure and personnel combined with our existing engineering expertise has been recognised by BAE Systems. We have hit the ground running on the project and look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship with BAE Systems.”
The project will be led from the Redditch site utilising the new EMC facility installed in 2021 whilst drawing on technical skills from the Solid State Group.
Dec
22
UAV Whitepaper
What are the most important factors when designing a UAV? Our white paper looks at the latest developments, what’s available to engineers and how to go about selecting the right components for each project in order to optimise surveillance, remote monitoring and even delivery technology.
Click here to download our UAV whitepaper.
Sep
29
Compact autofocus-zoom camera with 4K resolution
Active Silicon’s latest addition to the Harrier camera range brings 4K resolution to imaging systems and vision applications.
With its small size and high resolution, the block camera is ideal for applications where broadcast-quality UHD vision is required such as high-speed industrial inspection, security & surveillance and medical imaging.
The Harrier 18x AF-Zoom HDMI 4K Camera is a compact autofocus-zoom camera with real-time 4K video output and 18x optical zoom. Fitted with a 8.4MP Sony CMOS sensor, the camera provides HDMI video at a maximum of 3840x2160p 30/25 fps and simultaneous CVBS analog output.
The camera also offers sophisticated camera features including Real-time True Wide Dynamic Range (WDR), Day & Night mode – Infrared Cut filter Removal (ICR), Digital Noise Reduction (2D + 3D DNR) and Digital Image Stabilization. VISCA or Pelco–D/P Control Protocol over serial communication or USB (virtual COM port) are available for camera control.
The Harrier 4K camera adds the option for razor-sharp stills and crystal clear video options to the Harrier autofocus-zoom camera range. Other HD Harrier modules deliver 3G/HD-SDI, HDMI, USB3 and IP H.264 Ethernet with optical zooms of 10x to 40x.
With a camera for every application and budget, you can see the full range online and contact Active Silicon to see which camera option will best enhance your vision system.
Sep
21
DS-1300: Computing for a demanding world.
We’ve just added the new Cincoze DS-1300 series to our range of high-performance fanless computers, enabling us to meet the most challenging operational requirements.
The units are based on latest 10th generation Intel Core and Xeon processors, and can be easily configured to meet the exact requirements of military, transport and industrial applications.
The computers are ultra-reliable, rugged and flexible and are well suited to the extreme environmental conditions associated with mobile/vehicular use, or the durability needed to operate in a 24/7 manufacturing setting.
The DS-1300 series is designed with a wide operating temperature, wide range DC power input (from 9V to 48V), high tolerance to shock and vibration, and high-standard industrial protection.
It’s also certified to stringent industry standards, including MIL-STD-810G military standard and EN50155 (EN 50121-3-2 only) for rolling stock environments.
Benefits include:
Expansion – Multiple PCI Express, PCI & Mini PCIe options, plus CMI slots for additional Ethernet, COM & DIO.
Temperature – The DS-1300 range is designed for use in extreme operating environments, with support for an external fan to enhance cooling in the harshest environments.
Performance – High performance embedded PCs supporting latest generation Core i9 10-core and Xeon server-grade processors.
Longevity – Due to be in production for around 10 years, the DS-1300 fanless PC is ideal for long-term projects
Specification – The DS-1300 series is fully modular and can be configured to meet the exact requirements of the application.
Reliability – Built using the highest quality industrial-grade components, the Cincoze DS-1300 fanless PC is designed to last.
For more information regarding the DS-1300, please click here: https://www.steatite-embedded.co.uk/products/high-performance-fanless-pcs/cincoze-ds-1300/
