YGEN.L Regulatory News (YGEN)

5 Jan 2007 07:53

ViaLogy PLC05 January 2007 Date: 5 January 2007On behalf of: ViaLogy plc ("ViaLogy" or "the Company")Embargoed until: 0700hrs ViaLogy plc Technology Update ViaLogy achieves significant improvement in $5 billion MEMS technology growtharea LONDON, January 5, 2007 -- ViaLogy plc (AIM: VIY), is pleased to announced thata major improvement in the performance of a vital piece of equipment used in theaerospace and military industries has been achieved in a collaboration betweenViaLogy, Boeing and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, CA. Scientists at ViaLogy, a leading innovator of real-time network-centric signalprocessing platforms for sensor applications in defense, aerospace, homelandsecurity and the life sciences, have achieved a 10X improvement in the stabilityand performance of the JPL/Boeing miniature vibratory gyroscope. Gyros are an integral part of all space control systems, determining thealtitude and rotational rates for navigation. They are used to sense and measurerotational motion, often in harsh environments, and must be sufficiently robustto reliably deliver real time information continuously for several years. Forspace applications, gyros are made using microelectromechanical systems (MEMS)sensors which combine electrical and mechanical components on the same siliconsubstrate. The design of the miniature device allows for a smaller, lighter andmore durable low power system. ViaLogy CEO Michael Kelly explains: "We have developed proprietary signalprocessing software to short-circuit complex device engineering and deliver MEMSsensors which are on a par with the performance of much bulkier and entrenchedversions. Costs are also greatly reduced." The development work has been tested on the JPL/Boeing miniature vibratorygyroscope. Dr Karl Yee, JPL manager on the project, comments: "Vialogy'sembedded multi-scale estimator shows a significant real-time improvement ofsensor performance. We were able to observe at first hand a 10X improvementusing data from our Post Resonator Gyroscope. Indications are that MEMS gyroperformance can now match that of traditional ring laser and fiber opticgyroscopes. This offers exciting prospects for MEMS in general and I believe thesolution can rapidly scale to numerous military and civilian space applications." The successful development of the gyro enhancement software opens up animportant new market for ViaLogy. The same approach is broadly applicable toother MEMS sensors, including accelerometers, clock, GPS and resonator devices.MEMS is one of the fastest growing technology areas, with annual sales of around$5 billion and growing at a rate of approximately 20% per annum. The MEMS gyromarket alone is expected to reach around $800 million by 2010. The growth alsocomes from high-volume commodity applications in automotive, medical, commercialand consumer products. Global commercial players include Honeywell, Switech,Bosch, Analog Devices, HGS IMIT, THALES and Panasonic. One of the constraints on expansion of MEMS inertial sensors has been biasdrift, gain fluctuation and mechanical variation. ViaLogy has developed a novelactive error suppression technique, for which it has a patent pending. ViaLogy's Director of Product Development, Dr. Tom George, who previously headedthe MEMS technology group at NASA/JPL, says: "We are delighted with the successof the work we have done with JPL and Boeing. We have achieved a milestone thathas broad implications. The need for frequent resetting of the self-calibratingMEMS sensors will be greatly reduced and their performance will be consistentthroughout their design lifetime. Also, our gyro enhancement solution footprintis compact and designed to be included in silicon modules that can be easilyincorporated within the existing manufacturing processes used in commercial MEMSfoundries. "We have taken the lead in applying computational technologies to overcome thesignal-to-noise challenge in MEMS." For further information please contact: ViaLogyMichael Kelly, CEO - US +1 626 296 6337Terry Bond, Chairman - UK & Europe +44 (0)20 7869 7014 Redleaf CommunicationsEmma Kane / Samantha Robbins +44 (0)20 7822 0200 About ViaLogy: Network Centric Signal Processing ViaLogy is a leading innovator of network-centric, real-time signal processingplatforms for sensor applications. ViaLogy is currently deploying and designingcomputational systems, powered by its patented technologies, for applications inlife sciences, public safety and security, surveillance, defense andgeoseismology. Vialogy focuses on market driven problems where automation,timeliness, quality and reliability of information processing are essential.ViaLogy's core competency incorporates rapidly and accurately detecting weaksignals buried in high noise background and clutter. This technology can beemployed to solve problems involving sensor integration and information overloadchallenges involving video, telephony and control sensors, as well as forenhancement of numerous signal processing applications. For more information,visit our website at www.vialogy.com. Except for statements of historical fact, the information presented hereinconstitutes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the PrivateSecurities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statementsinvolve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may causethe actual results, performance or achievements of the company to be materiallydifferent from any future results, performance or achievements expressed orimplied. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange