AIRG medal awarded to EM Solutions

The Australasian Industrial Research Group’s (AIRG) 2012 Medal for Innovation in Australasian SMEs was awarded to Peter Bradley, chief engineer at EM Solutions.

The AIRG medal is awarded to a current industrial research manager, researcher or group of researchers who make an outstanding Australasian industrial research management and/or industrial research contribution during the previous year.

The award was given at the AIRG summer meeting in Victoria in February.

Bradley received the award for the development of novel circuits and systems integrated into a compact satellite tracking terminal that can find, lock onto and track 20/30 GHz satellites to deliver high-capacity data (>2 Mbps), even while the terminal is mobile whether on a land vehicle, ship or aircraft.

Known as a satellite-on-the-move (SOTM) terminal, the system is currently being delivered to the Australian Defence Force Capability Development Group for operational field evaluation trials and US Military certification.

AIRG president Leonie Walsh said, “Winning this medal requires industrial research that is not only demonstrated but implemented at full scale. The AIRG is privileged to see a lot of ideas and possibilities, which look like they have potential. However, too many of these may never actually eventuate.

Walsh commented that “the EM Solutions’ submission unequivocally qualified. Peter Bradley took effective research and development through to demonstration and then through to successful commercialisation. It is not every day that this sort of success is demonstrated.”

EM Solutions CEO Dr Rowan Gilmore said, “The award from AIRG is further evidence that innovation can help Australian small businesses succeed, and it proves that the development of new intellectual property through original R&D is a viable strategy for achieving competitive advantage.

“With over 30 years of ongoing electronic engineering excellence, Peter Bradley’s contribution to the Australian wireless industry and EM Solutions is well recognised through this award of the AIRG Medal.”