C-E Solutions Recognised by Hunter Manufacturers
Taylors Beach systems engineering company Communications-Electronics Solutions Pty Ltd was recognised at the prestigious 2009 Hunter Manufacturing Excellence Awards held recently. C-E Solutions received the “Excellence in Innovation” award and the “Excellence in Technology” award.
Boris Novak, Mario Grima and Mike McMahon show off C-E Solutions' latest awards
This brings the company’s count of awards for 2009 to a total of three, since C-E Solutions also received the “Business Achievement” award at the Hunter Business Awards.
In accepting the awards, General Manager Boris Novak remarked “Winning these awards is very humbling, especially when one considers that winners are determined by a peer review within the manufacturing industry. I am extremely proud of all of our staff’s efforts, and very happy and proud to be a part of the Hunter region, well-recognised for its pedigree in engineering and manufacturing. The products for which we earned these awards are fitting examples that the Hunter region can, and are doing things better and smarter, regionally, domestically, and globally.”
C-E Solutions received the “Excellence in Innovation” for its development of Horus, a system that analyses air traffic radar and other sensor data to 'learn' the patterns of aircraft behaviour across very large volumes of airspace. Once 'trained' the system can automatically identify flights that exhibit unusual or suspicious behaviour (for example, the sort of unusual behaviour that presaged the “9/11” terrorist strikes) and provide an alert to air traffic, or air defence, operators.
In order to construct a system able to carry out the enormous technical challenge of air traffic data analysis, pattern recognition and matching and in real time, C-E Solutions took a highly innovative approach by building a supercomputer-class processing node comprising a cluster of specially-configured Sony Playstation 3s. As well, games console technology and development knowhow was also applied to the problem, especially given that many of the underlying problems had strong parallels with technologies already deployed within team console games and console games delivering 3D playing environments.
C-E Solutions received the “Excellence in Technology” for its development of a Mobile Ordnance Impact Scoring System, a “trailerised” variant of another C-E Solutions’ system that provides highly accurate scoring support to defence forces' live firing exercises. Designed to be easily and quickly deployed to remote areas, the system utilises geo-referenced video capture to spot and score ordnance (such as bombs, artillery rounds, rockets or missiles) impacts. This unique system provides vital support to warfighter training.
Because of the short development cycle available, C-E Solutions had to apply practices similar to the Boehm-Spiral method for software development as the short time available (four weeks) did not provide the “luxury” of a linear development path. The process was inclusive of all personnel involved in sourcing sub-system components and participating in the actual manufacturing of the product.
Reflecting upon the awards, Boris concludes that much of the company’s success centres on its location of Port Stephens, “The lack of background noise, transport problems and other psychological intrusions inherent in industrial or CBD areas of capital cities doesn’t cramp our creativity. Our office environment is peaceful and productive. We all love living and working in Port Stephens.”
C-E Solutions subsequently received a congratulatory letter from The Hon Jodi McKay MP, amongst other portfolios, the NSW Minister for the Hunter.
| C-E Solutions Board receive Excellence in Innovation Award | C-E Solutions Board receive Excellence in Technology Award |
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