Established in 2005, Ploughshare Innovations is the technology transfer organisation for the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and looks to provide businesses with access to defence and security technology developed by Government laboratories including the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), the Home Office Centre for Applied Science and Technology (CAST), and the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE plc), among others.
“Since 2005, Ploughshare has licensed 120 technologies and attracted over £140million of investment,” says James Kirby, CEO. “As the technology transfer office for the MoD, we work closely with Government laboratories to identify innovations and technology that has a commercial application.”
“DSTL, for example, has a formal method for capturing ideas and we are in the privileged position of gaining early sight of them. We get to talk to the inventor and bring a commercial perspective,” explains Gerry Scott, Ploughshare’s Commercialisation Manager. “We have to go through quite a stringent process of selection, much of the research we see is derived from defence and security applications and, in some cases, it will not be possible to commercialise it. But much of the technology we see will have applications far beyond that for which it was developed.”
Ploughshare has recently announced what it claims is the world’s fastest 3D microphone array simulation software.
“This software is based on technology that was originally developed for the Home Office,” says Kirby.” The A3S gives developers the ability to dramatically reduce audio array simulation times, improve the fidelity of results, and increase performance using fewer components.”
According to Scott, it significantly decreases simulation times during product development from, “eight hours to 30 seconds (a reduction of 99.9 per cent). It calculates in near real-time the physical configuration of the audio array to achieve optimum performance.”
In addition, the A3S is able to simulate hundreds of frequencies, significantly more than the eight frequencies managed by conventional methods.
As a result, manufacturers will be able to exploit the full potential of audio arrays, and deliver microphone/speaker-based products which will not only require fewer audio components, helping to reduce device size, but will need less product development time simulating and prototyping arrays.
“The ability to model more frequencies will help to remove the need for costly redesigns,” Scott suggests.
“Products can now be optimised to cope with changing environments, as near real-time characterisation allows beamforming to be conducted on-the-fly to dynamically focus microphones and cancel out noise, and less processing power is required by fewer microphones.”
According to Kirby, “There are numerous ways A3S could be used to improve audio product performance.” These include, speech and voice recognition systems that use microphone arrays to pick up a range of sounds to differentiate voice commands from background noise. Systems with a wide detection field will be able to significantly improve the user experience by sensing less directional speech, especially at longer ranges and in noisy environments.
With smartphones, other applications will become possible with the addition of just a few microphones. These could be used to help improve voice call quality at close range, as well as open up the possibility of new applications, such as voice conferencing.
“Within the automotive space where command from specific vehicle occupants need to be clearly identified above other noise sources, arrays optimised by the A3S will enable focused detection of voices to improve the clarity for in-car voice command and telephony systems,” Scott suggests.
“Government is keen to see the money being spent on research generating a return, and for the laboratories concerned, the commercialisation of their research is a valuable source of additional income,” Kirby explains.
“Licensing technology through Ploughshare, businesses gain access not only to IP but also commercial support and industry contacts. It’s also possible to work with us to establish a ‘spin-out’ company.”
