(July 2006) Softronics installs a new Tormach CNC vertical milling machine to support the many design contracts requiring precision machined parts. The new mill replaces an older unit, and is capable of large three dimensional swings and 0.0005 inch accuracy.
(July 2006) Softronics awarded a Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) $599,825 contract by the United States Navy Space and Naval Warfare Command (SPAWAR/San Diego) for design, build and flight test of a miniature signal intelligence payload for miniature Unmanned Aeronautical Vehicles (UAVs). The two year contract will implement a disposable, miniature, broadband sensor and datalink payload. The payload will be comprised of three separately usable subsystems designed by Softronics: a miniature 0-2.5 GHz receiver and signal processing system; a miniature 30 MHz-2.5 GHz tunable transponder subsystem; and a subminiature, Ku-band, high-speed TCDL datalink for returning intelligence data to existing surface terminals. Softronics foresees many spin- off applications of the individual subsystems, according to President Robert H. Sternowski.
(June 2006) Softronics shipped a custom 6000 watt UHF transmitter to a proprietary customer. The one-of-a-kind rack mounted system features variable frequency and continuous CW operation at full power, using air cooling and single phase AC power.
(May 2006) Softronics awarded a Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) $88,970 contract by the United States Air Force Electronic Systems Command for preliminary design of a low-cost propagation instrumentation node for ionospheric research. The eight month study will analyze, test, and recommend technology approaches to achieving both a cost-effective hardware solution and an innovative DSP software solution to "mining" propagation performance parameters from a host of beacon sources. The study will conclude with a breadboard demonstration of capabilities.
(May 2006) Softronics expanded its Marion office and shop facilities with lease of an additional 1000 square feet of space, bringing the total space to 3200 square feet. The new area will support Softronics' machine shop, system integration, and storage, allowing expansion of the office area to accommodate additional staff and equipment. It is also equipped with 14 foot high garage doors to allow entry of large vehicles for integration and test.
(April 2006) Softronics awarded a Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) $69,115 contract by the United States Navy Naval Air Warfare Center for preliminary design of a microwave PXI modular frequency synthesizer and converter system. The six month study will analyze, test, and recommend technology approaches to achieving state-of-the-art noise, precision, and fast tune speed across a 1-26.5 GHz span while fitting into the miniature PXI module form factor.
(December 2005) Softronics awarded a Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) $559,256 contract by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for design and build of an S-band telemetry transmitter to be used on a future Venus plantetary rover. The special design previously developed by Softronics Ltd. on the Phase I SBIR contract will provide long-term, unprotected, uncooled operation in a 460° Celsius, 90 atmosphere pressure, sulfuric acid atmosphere. The mission of the unit is to transmit digital exploration data directly back to Earth via the NASA Deep Space Network.
(April 2005) Softronics awarded a Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) $69,333 contract by the United States Navy Space and Naval Warfare Command (SPAWAR/San Diego) for preliminary design of a miniature signal intelligence payload for miniature Unmanned Aeronautical Vehicles (UAVs). The six month study will analyze and recommend design approaches and techniques for implementation of a disposable, miniature, broadband sensor and datalink payload.
(November 2004) Softronics awarded a Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) $69,580 contract by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for development of an S-band telemetry transmitter to be used on a future Venus plantetary rover. The special design proposed by Softronics Ltd. will provide long-term, unprotected operation in a 460° Celsius, 90 atmosphere pressure, sulfuric acid atmosphere.
(October 2004) Softronics awarded a Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) $78,424 contract by the United States Navy for cosite interference analysis of the EA-18 jamming aircraft. The six month study will analyze and recommend interference mitigation strategies among the various communication and jamming equipment.
(August 2004) Softronics has expanded its test equipment suite to support microwave work to 18 GHz and beyond. The additions include an HP 8410 vector network analyzer, two HP 8672A signal generators, an HP 8673B 2-26.5 GHz signal generator, an HP 8563A 2-22 GHz spectrum analyzer, and a 2-18 GHz double ridged horn antenna.
(June 2004) Softronics has expanded its equipment and capabilities base with addition of a Thermotron S-4H-LN2 temperature chamber. The computer controlled chamber can automatically cycle equipment in its 8 cubic foot volume between -77 and +177 degrees Celsius, using liquid carbon dioxide or liquid nitrogen for cooling cycles and electric heating elements for high temperature cycles.
(April 2004) Softronics awarded a Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) $68,540 contract by the United States Naval Surface Weapons Center in Carderock MD for design of a Passive Fireproofing System for Composite Structures. The 6 month design and test contract will focus on modifying and applying Dr. Benjamin Mosier's patented ENCAP(tm) fireproof foam plastic to the protection of composite structures used on next-generation ships. Dr. Mosier, a world-reknown plastics expert and Texas A&M professor emeritus, has had a long time collaboration with Softronics and President Bob Sternowski.
(April 2004) Softronics awarded a Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) $98,921 contract by the United States Air Force for design of a very wideband silicon carbide radio amplifier for smart weapons. The 9 month study effort will analyze requirements, and synthesize candidate designs for competitive bidding toward a Phase II SBIR demonstration phase.
(December 2003) Softronics and Iowa State University awarded a NASA grant to study the design of a geostationary low altitude, low cost platform for a wide range of sensing, communication, and optical applications. Students from the Aerospace Engineering department at ISU are performing the design and experimentally validating it. The project runs through December 2004.
(August 2003) Softronics awarded a Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) $221,000 contract from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for development of a 1 Gigasample/second 12-bit LIDAR digitizer. Prototype deliveries are scheduled for early calendar 2005.
