Spectrum Signal Processing Inc.
Burnaby, BC
Company Overview
Spectrum Signal Processing Inc. (TSX: SSY, NASDAQ: SSPI) is a leading provider of software reconfigurable and software defined radio (SDR) platforms. As a platform provider, Spectrum offers all of the hardware and software building blocks for development and deployment of signal processing subsystems. Spectrum has the capability through its applications engineering team to provide application software and systems engineering for turnkey solutions.
Spectrum's customers include various departments of defense and government contractors engaged in military communications and intelligence programs that require support for multi-mission profiles that could change on-the-fly, as well as commercial companies developing more cost-effective and flexible communications infrastructure. These customers turn to Spectrum to lower the risk profile of their project through the use of standards-based COTS (Commercial-Off-The-Shelf) and Modified COTS (MCOTS) hardware and software. Spectrum's solutions are specifically designed and packaged to enable rapid prototyping and deployment in a wide range of environments. Solutions can also be future proofed through technology insertion, which is aided by code portability from one platform to another through standards-based interfaces.
While Spectrum's innovative and integrated technology is often a key differentiator at the start, it is Spectrum's exceptional technical support and customer care services that keep its customers loyal.
TECHNOLOGY
Spectrum provides advanced technology based on the latest processor architectures and software standards for the purpose of processing wireless signals, whether they are commercial air interface protocols like CDMA or military waveforms like the Wideband Networking Waveform.
Spectrum has created a layered software operating environment that allows customers to program at their desired level of hardware abstraction. This environment also encompasses the Software Communications Architecture (SCA) mandated for all military communications programs going forward. As a result, Spectrum is a recognized industry leader in the development of processing engines supporting software defined radios.
PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
Spectrums flexComm portfolio of products consists of all the building blocks necessary for a software reconfigurable or SDR platform, including heterogeneous processing hardware, hardware abstraction layers for board-level communications, middleware, an operating system and an application framework, all integrated in a chassis. Spectrums portfolio approach to using mix and match hardware and software modules provides its customers with the ability to tailor a platform to meet their stringent requirements while still allowing for the flexibility to upgrade or modify the platform in the future, and protect the bulk of their application software code base.
The flexComm product line is supported and extended by technical support and training services. By offering different package options, customers can select the level of technical support they require to meet their project and deployment needs. The services program also includes extended warranty on Spectrums hardware offerings, and various product training packages. Additionally, Spectrums applications engineering team can dramatically accelerate customers development initiatives by providing expert application development and systems integration assistance.
PARTNERS AND CUSTOMERS
Spectrum focuses on providing solutions to the C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) and commercial communications markets. Applications include signals intelligence, military communications, wireless infrastructure, radar and sonar, and other signal processing applications.
Spectrum services the military communications (MILCOM) and signals intelligence (SIGINT) market segments, its primary of the C4ISR markets, with integrated SDR platforms for ease of development and deployment. Spectrums software reconfigurable platforms are also well suited for the ISR sensors segment, which includes radar and sonar systems.
In MILCOM, Spectrum continues its high profile support of the JTRS Technology Laboratory (JTeL). The flexComm SDR-3000 is the only commercially available JTRS representative hardware set. JTRS is a multi-billion dollar US military program that represents the largest radio program in history. In 2004, the SDR-3000 will be used as a JTRS test and certification platform for Software Communications Architecture (SCA) compliance of SDRs and waveforms. The JTRS model of SDR is spreading rapidly to Europe and Asia, where companies like Elektrobit in Finland and DSO in Singapore are researching SDR and interoperability with JTRS using the SDR-3000.
In 2003, Spectrum partnered with Harris Corporation and Wind River Systems, Inc to introduce the industry's first SCA-enabled Software Defined Radio IRAD (Internal Research and Development) Package, lowering the cost barrier for SDR research.
Spectrum is ISO: 9001 certified.
Company Information
Physical Address
300-2700 Production Way
Burnaby, BC V5A 4X1
CA
Mailing Address
300-2700 Production Way
Burnaby, BC V5A 4X1
CA
Additional Details
Legal Name: Spectrum Signal Processing Inc.
Number of Employees: 85
CA
Spectrum provides advanced technology based on the latest processor architectures and software standards for the purpose of processing wireless signals, whether they are commercial air interface protocols like CDMA or military waveforms like the Wideband Networking Waveform.
Fundamentally, Spectrums products are built around the principle of choice providing optimal processing platform configuration for customers' specific development and deployment requirements. Customers can choose the type of processing element selected for each stage of their algorithm, the number of processors per stage, the configuration and types of dataflows between processors and stages, the level of hardware abstraction or programmability, and even the software development tools.
Spectrum was one of the first companies to recognize the changing paradigm of high performance to embedded computing platforms from homogeneous processing (i. e., the use of a single type of processor) to heterogeneous processing (i. e., the use of multiple types of processors). Allowing different combinations of general purpose processors (GPPs), Digital Signal Processors (DSPs), and Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) provides solutions based on customers requirements for performance, programmability, power consumption and cost.
Spectrum also recognized the movement from dedicated resources, where an entire processor or processors are dedicated to a specific algorithm or waveform, to shared resources, where processors in the system may be supporting multiple algorithms or waveforms at the same time, resulting in a more cost effective and efficient system. Spectrum can support both models with its technology, an advantage that will pay off in 2004 and beyond as more communications systems move to a shared resources model.
Spectrum has created a layered software operating environment that allows customers to program at their desired level of hardware abstraction. This environment also encompasses the Software Communications Architecture (SCA) mandated for all military communications programs going forward. As a result, Spectrum is a recognized industry leader in the development of processing engines supporting software defined radios.
Despite the innovation and many advantages displayed in Spectrums range of solutions, Spectrum is committed to the furthering of technology via industry standards, as demonstrated by its active leadership and participation in the SDR Forum, RapidIO Trade Association, VMEbus International Trade Association (VITA) and PCI Industrial Computer Manufacturers Group (PICMG). Examples of direct Spectrum contribution include specifications for RapidIO, a next generation high speed switch fabric; VITA 42, RapidIO beween a mezzanine module and carrier board; and PICMG 2.18, RapidIO over the CompactPCI backplane. These leadership positions allow Spectrum to provide the voice of the customers to the industry and influence the standards efforts for the benefit of their customers.
The U. S. Department of Defense Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) Joint Program Office (JPO) selected Spectrum's flexComm SDR-3000 platform as the only Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) representative JTR hardware set. The JTRS JPOs test and certification element, the JTRS Technology Laboratory (JTeL) will be used for independent verification and validation of JTRS waveforms for the following purposes:
Software Communications Architecture (SCA) acceptance and compliance testing of JTRS waveforms Supporting the advancement of the Software Communications Architecture Providing growth capabilities for the acceptance and compliance testing of future JTRS waveforms.
In 2003, Spectrum introduced the industrys first Software Communications Architecture (SCA) -enabled Software Defined Radio IRAD (Internal Research And Development) Package, in conjunction with partners Harris Corporation and Wind River Systems, Inc. This innovative package lowered the development cost barrier for SDR research and was well received by the SDR community.
- Hughes Network Systems
- Agilent Technologies
- Lockheed Martin
- US Department of Defense
- JTRS Technology Laboratory (JTeL)
- Northrop Grumman
- Thales
- NASA
- Elektrobit
- General Electric
- Ford Motor Company
- Hewlett Packard
- IBM
- Nortel
- NEC Corp
- Siemens Medical Systems, Inc.
- The Boeing Company
Contacts
Pascal Spothelfer
Title: Chief Executive Officer
Area of Responsibility: Management Executive
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Brent Flichel
Title: Chief Financial Officer
Area of Responsibility: Finance/Accounting
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Mark Briggs
Title: Director
Area of Responsibility: Domestic Sales & Marketing, Export Sales & Marketing
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Dan Simard
Title: Director
Area of Responsibility: Export Sales & Marketing
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Keith Larose
Title: Representative
Area of Responsibility: Domestic Sales & Marketing
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Mike Farley
Title: Vice President
Area of Responsibility: Domestic Sales & Marketing
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Services
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Application Engineering Services
Reduce time-to-deployment and mitigating schedule & development risks associated with complex projects. Able to work on ITAR-controlled projects and US Department of Defense controlled projects combined with expertise in software defined radio can assist with developments in wireless system design, algorithm development, real time application development, user interface/command and control development, and Software Communication Architecture (SCA).
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Systems Integration Services
Capabilities include: assistance with initial specification of systems, including 3rd party components, easy procurement (single part number ordering), installation of both Spectrum and 3rd party hardware and software in a chassis, integration and testing including customized system test software. Can also customize software frameworks for upfront verification of your application dataflow, and customize system documentation.
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Technical Training And Support
Customized training and support packages suited to customers' requirements for their project and deployment needs. In depth training include workshops on Software Communications Architecture (SCA) and/or product training, available on customers' site or at Spectrum head office in Canada.
Products
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Flexcomm Sdr-3000 Software Defined Radio Platform
Only COTS Software Defined Radio Platform selected by the US Department of Defense as Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) representative hardware set. Applications include Military Communications (MILCOM) (e. g. JTRS, ACN, WIN-T, FCS Comms, FAB-T, Advanced EHF SatCom, JSF Communications), wireless intelligence and surveillance, electronic warfare, commercial wireless (e. g. satellite gateways, 3G cellular base stations), wireless test and measurement, wireless prototyping, beam forming, smart antenna.
- Flexcomm Software Defined Radio Platforms
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High-density Signal Processing Platforms
COTS Software Defined Radio and Software Reconfigurable Platforms (cPCI and VME form factors) for wireless signal processing applications including military communications, signals intelligence, radar/sonar and electronic warfare.
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Signal Processing Equipment
High data rate and high processing density solutions. standards-based CompactPCI and VME software reconfigurable platforms and COTS processing engines are ideal for the following signal processing applications: Test and Measurement, Industrial Control, Semiconductor Inspection, Image Processing, and Quality Inspection.
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Software Reconfigurable Platform For Radar Sonar
Process large volumes of data at high data rates or scale sensor systems using Spectrum's software reconfigurable platforms. Conformal coating and PCB stiffening of products available for harsh operating environments. Applications include multimode radar, phased array radar, and sonar.
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Software Reconfigurable Platforms For Sigint
Software Reconfigurable Platforms provide high data rate communications, dynamic configuration, and scalability for Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) solutions. Applications include wideband spectral analysis, spectral monitoring with multi-channel direction finding, electronic counter measures (jamming), channelized receivers and beamforming.
NAICS Categories
- 334220 Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing
- 541510 Computer Systems Design and Related Services
Additional Information
334220, 541510
ISO 9001
5998-Electrical and Electronic Assemblies; Boards, Cards, and Associated Hardware, 7021-ADP Central Processing Unit (CPU, Computer), Digital, D000-Information Processing and Related Telecommunications Services
Algeria, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Iran, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, South, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Kingdom, United States, Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
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