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Adelaide microchip to boost defence systems

Monday, 13 December 1999

A microchip that promises to boost ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥'s defence surveillance systems has won a prestigious award for Adelaide ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ researcher Andrew Beaumont-Smith.

Mr Beaumont-Smith, a postgraduate student in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, has been named winner of the 1999 Electronics Industry Association of South ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ Individual Award for Excellence in Engineering.

The award recognises his achievement in designing and producing a unique high-speed interval counter chip for use by ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥'s defence forces in detecting radar systems.

Mr Beaumont-Smith, who works for the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥'s ChiPTec research centre, undertook the research on behalf of Avalon Systems Pty. Ltd., a defence research and development company based at Technology Park, South ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥.

Detecting and analysing incoming radar pulses is a key part of identifying radar systems. One aspect of the detection process can involve measuring the time intervals between pulses arriving at a number of antennae. Mr Beaumont-Smith's microchip brings a significant improvement in the level of measuring precision, and its small size will permit use on a wide range of ground, sea and air vehicles.

The chip is now the subject of a patent application. An initial production run has been delivered to Avalon Systems Pty. Ltd. for use in its R&D program for the Department of Defence.

Mr Beaumont-Smith is due to take up a position with Compaq Computer Corporation in Boston, USA, next year.

His award from the Electronics Industry Association was one of four the Association made to organisations or individuals with a direct link to the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥'s Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering.

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