L-3 Communications combines MEMS and GPS technology
Space and Navigation Micro Sciras Group Joins L-3 Communications/Interstate Electronics Corporation to Facilitate Full Integration of MEMS, IMU and GPS Design
ANAHEIM, CA (February 01, 2001) - Interstate Electronics Corporation (IEC), a wholly owned subsidiary of L-3 Communications Corporation, announced that L-3’s Micro Sciras group formerly a division of Space and Navigation has been assigned to IEC .The transfer is a strategic move to integrate state-of-the-art MEMS (Micro Electro-Mechanical System) technology with current and future GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver designs that are being developed at IEC. The benefits of merging these technologies includes substantially improved anti-jam performance, higher navigation accuracy, and significant reduction in cost, size and power due to elimination of redundant components.
The Micro Sciras group, located in Redmond Washington and formerly a business unit of L-3’s Space and Navigation division, is a complete MEMS design center. The group designs precision MEMS sensors, analog electronics, digital electronics, software, rugged packaging and precision testing equipment and products. Its principle product is an Inertial Measurement Unit for guidance systems utilizing MEMS called Micro Sciras, which is currently being utilized on the U.S. Army’s Excalibur program.
"Our engineering team in Redmond represents some of the most prominently recognized individuals in the field of MEMS technology," stated IEC President, Richard E Tierney. "This move will allow IEC to respond more effectively to the market need of integrated MEMS/GPS technology."
In combining these complementary product lines, L-3 will facilitate the creation of a highly integrated GPS/IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) package for the fast-growing smart munitions market. Currently IEC interfaces its GPS systems with third party IMUs through a serial bus interface. The next stage of evolution is a design, which involves a tightly coupled, highly integrated GPS/IMU architecture. This requires the GPS and IMU hardware to become smaller and integrated into a single package.
Based in Anaheim, CA, Interstate Electronics Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of L-3 Communications Corporation, has been a long-term supplier of critical test instrumentation and missile tracking systems for the U.S. Navy's Fleet Ballistic Missile (FBM) weapons systems, including the Trident submarine. The Division is ranked as an industry leader in GPS receiver and translator-based products, which are currently in use on multiple aircraft, cruise missiles and precision guided bombs. IEC produces ruggedized displays for both military and industrial applications. IEC also provides secure communications on a quick reaction basis for deployed forces in Eastern Europe.
L-3 Communications is a leading supplier of secure communications systems and products, avionics and ocean navigation systems, training systems, microwave components and telemetry, instrumentation, space and wireless products. Its customer base includes the Department of Defense (DoD), U.S. government intelligence agencies, aerospace and defense prime contractors and commercial telecommunications and cellular customers. To learn more about L-3 Communications, please visit http://www.l-3com.com/ and IEC at http://www.iechome.com/.