Visual Intelligence Solution

Visual Intelligence Solution

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VITEC – among the participants at the Autonomous Unmanned Systems & Robotics Expo – earlier today, November 26 2014

Illustration
Illustration

In the framework of modern combat, intelligence that can reach “beyond the hill” has a key role. Special units engaged in complex operations and tough fighting environments, akin to the ones we have seen in Iraq and Afghanistan, in Syria against ISIS, or recently, during “Operation Protective Edge”, rely on Visual Intelligence (VISINT) – which often constitutes the key to success, or, as the tragic case may regrettably be, lacking thereof leads to putting people, not only soldier’s in harm’s way.

The demand for real time video from unmanned systems is always growing. There is an ever increasing need to provide quality intelligence to forces on the ground, for example to coordinate artillery or aerial fire, to foil snipers or ambushes, engaging in urban, populated areas or mountain terrain.

The success of military action, as well as search and rescue operations following natural disasters, primarily depends on being familiar with the terrain and the challenges it poses transport and maneuverability, safety and troop movement. Various video sources, whether portable by unmanned vehicles, posted high up on masts or carried by combat soldiers, are routed and integrated into one command post or intelligence officers or collates all the preliminary data required for the operation and its execution.

Nevertheless, the days of the single video camera in the service of an entire division have passed long ago: the modern battlefield is rife with video relays, ample and diverse GIS (Geographic information system) data, and feedback from various sensors from diverse airborne, ground and naval sources. In addition, the modern battlefield is also rife with incoming relays in various formats which are not regularly and orderly timed.

Unmanned systems conference 2014 – Israel

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Additional, no less important features video recording systems must have, include indexing, retrieval and so on.

The solution to these and many other challenges comes from VITEC, an international company whose development center for video streaming and delivery products is in Israel. VITEC has developed a video management system installed in a credit-card-sized lightweight box. The devise is resistant to RF and EMI disruptions, has various interfaces, is energy efficient, emits little heat and meets the stringent civil and military aviation standards.

VITEC Encoder

VITEC’s video management system supports various video camera links, which streams various and numerous formants of video data, data compression and preliminary processing to enable viewing. In addition, the video management system converts the data to IP communication so that it may be relayed using a transmitter (which is external and is not part of VITEC’s solution).

In the course of processing the video material for intelligence purposes, and sometimes during filming, the video management system adds annotations or data which comes in from various avionics sensors, concerning flight altitude, speed, flight angle and filming angle, along with the accurate time of filming. In the course of preparations ahead of the operations or subsequent debriefing, it is very important, sometimes critical, to retrieve specific data quickly and feature it. VITEC’s video management system supports this feature.

As a Broadcast company, VITEC’s ability to leverage relevant technology goes almost without say, as does the emphasis in the framework of product development on video quality, including low pause (the best in the world under 16 milliseconds) and the generic ability to view and transmit from any location to any device.

VITEC’s Israeli center in Herzlia has 50 employees of the company’s global labor force of 90. Thirty of the Israeli employees are research and development engineers, and rest are production and sales professionals.

VITEC – among the participants at the Autonomous Unmanned Systems & Robotics Expo – earlier today, November 26 2014