News

ANDRO is a proud silver sponsor of the 2023 GNU Radio Conference (GRCon), the annual conference for the GNU Radio project and community, established as one of the premier industry events for Software Radio. It is a week-long conference that includes high-quality technical content and valuable networking opportunities. GRCon is a venue that highlights design, implementation, and theory that has been practically applied in a useful way. GRCon attendees come from a large variety of backgrounds, including industry, academia, government, and hobbyists.  Offering an annual program with broad appeal, GRCon attracts a variety of participants: people new to software radio who are interested in learning more, seasoned developers ready to show off their latest work, and experts who want to keep their finger on the pulse and direction of the industry.

For more information, visit: GNU Radio Conference 2023 (5-September 9, 2023): Overview · GNU Radio Events (Indico)

View the full list of the sponsors here

Meet the CEO: Dr. Andy Drozd explains the science and skills behind success of ANDRO Computational Solutions after nearly 30 years in Rome.

Dr. Jithin Jagannath, Chief Scientist of Technology, and Director of the Marconi-Rosenblatt AI/ML Innovation Lab at ANDRO Computational Solutions, LLC, will be a keynote presenter at the International Conference on Machine Learning Deep Learning Computational intelligence for Wireless Communication (MDCWC) 2023.

The presentation, Radio Frequency Machine Learning for Edge Deployment: How to Design AI/ML Models for NextG Wireless Applications will take place on Thursday, June 23, 2023. The event is organized by the Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering National Insitute of Technology Tiruchirappalli.

Due to the availability of high-speed computing system, there is the huge scope to still raise the standard of wireless communication in
terms of massive connectivity, capacity enhancement, ultra-high reliability, low latency using Machine learning (ML), Deep learning (DL)
and Computational intelligence (CI) algorithms. The conference aims in bringing out the wireless research community and machine learning
research community to submit their findings integrating ML, DL and CI for wireless communication. About 50 top quality papers are
expected to be presented in the Hybrid mode and is planned to publish the presented papers as the book in the series of Signals and
communication technology (published by springer). The papers are grouped under one of the four category namely (a)Tutorial papers
(b)Survey papers (c) Research articles (d) Data publications on MDCWC.

Learn more and download the brochure here: http://silver.nitt.edu/~esgopi/MDCWC2023/brochure_4.pdf

ROME — The team of ANDRO Computational Solutions, LLC―a scientific research and development company, in collaboration with the Mohawk Valley EDGE―a nonprofit economic development organization, was recently awarded a $50,000 prize under FuzeHub’s Manufacturing Grants Program and its Jeff Lawrence Innovation Fund. The grant will be used to conduct a pilot of “2ndNet”―a wireless rapid alert and intelligent emergency management system for mitigating active threats in schools and public spaces.

FuzeHub, a not-for-profit organization headquartered in Albany, annually sponsors multiple grant opportunities providing resources for startup, small, and mid-size manufacturers and technology companies in New York State. Their funding programs and resources are targeted at the manufacturing and technology sectors to accelerate manufacturing competitiveness and technology commercialization. FuzeHub’s funding partners include Empire State Development’s Division of Science, Technology and Innovation.

The Jeff Lawrence Innovation Fund provides over $1 million in annual allocations of direct assistance for manufacturing, research and development, technology and entrepreneurial endeavors that support activities designed to spur technology development and commercialization across the state. A total of 10 business teams were awarded $50,000 grants during a recent first round conducted earlier this year. Each collaborative team consists of a small-to-medium industry manufacturer, not-for-profit partner, and may include participation by other startups and medium-sized companies.

DR. ANDREW DROZD, PRESIDENT OF ANDRO STATED, “THE GRANT REPRESENTS A STRATEGIC LEAD INVESTMENT BY NEW YORK STATE IN SMALL BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPED HERE IN THE MOHAWK VALLEY, DERIVED FROM FEDERAL/DEFENSE DEPARTMENT RESEARCH; THIS INVESTMENT OPENS THE DOOR TO PRIVATE INVESTOR MATCHING TO BRING THE PROTOTYPE TO FULL MANUFACTURING AND COMMERCIALIZATION READINESS.”

ANDRO productizes software defined radios and embedded software products. The company concentrates on prototype product development for pre-production readiness. ANDRO has access to a network of industry partners to help test, validate, and field protype capabilities for a variety of military and commercial customers.

When asked about the “2ndNet” name, Drozd said, “We already have a nationwide broadband emergency management system called FirstNet operated by AT&T. The 2ndNet provides a secondary safety net, an extra layer of protection. With the exponential rise in school violence and active shooter threats, an urgent need exists for reliable personal communication devices that provide real-time situational awareness during crisis situations.”

Drozd further explained, “Any delay in responding to an active threat in our schools is a threat to the lives of our children and safety of teachers because of a lack of two-way communications and real-time situational awareness. It starts with the rapid detection of an emerging threat and its precise location all the way up to alerting school officials, law enforcement and first responders of the situation without delay. We exploit military technology to fill the gap―a logical step of repurposing a military solution in reply to a ‘demand signal’ to meet a civilian sector need.”

Per Drozd and according to educators who contacted ANDRO during the latter part of 2022, most solutions on the market lack desirable features for rapid alert, communications and coordination. The educators became aware of ANDRO’s wireless Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) technologies and wanted to explore whether such solutions could provide improved rapid alert and robust communications for delivering situational awareness when and where needed.

ANDRO’s mesh networking expertise was identified as the key enabler in the roadmap for a 2ndNet deployment in schools and draws on their patented SPEARLink® radio technology. SPEARLink® was developed for the U.S. Army by ANDRO’s Marconi-Rosenblatt AI/ML Innovation Lab led by director Dr. Jithin Jagannath and co-director Anu Jagannath. SPEARLink® devices establish an adaptable mesh network to assure broadband coverage, connectivity, and availability even if traditional broadband access (Wi-Fi, Internet, cell) is sparse or disabled. “The idea is to ensure broad coverage 24/7, when and where it is needed, to rapidly alert all parties concerned, and assure sustainable communications to rapidly and reliably negate the threat,” said Drozd.

ANDRO operates a SPEARLink® fulfillment center to process customer orders and seeks to expand its operations to serve the future 2ndNet market with the help of the FuzeHub grant.

Per Drozd, the 2ndNet is anticipated to demonstrate an unparalleled breakthrough in rapid alert/response to save lives. He envisions one or more pilot projects under the grant program over the next 9-10 months to install, test, and demonstrate the 2ndNet system in participating schools to gather performance metrics and incrementally improve performance towards achieving market readiness.

DROZD NOTED THAT THE COLLABORATION WITH THE MOHAWK VALLEY EDGE PROVIDES A KEY DIFFERENTIATOR AND STRATEGIC BENEFIT FOR THE PROJECT. TIM FITZGERALD, EDGE VICE PRESIDENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, IS ANDRO’S NOT-FOR-PROFIT COUNTERPART ON THE PROJECT COLLABORATING TO HELP DEVELOP A SUSTAINABLE COMMERCIALIZATION PLAN FOCUSED ON MANUFACTURING READINESS AND ROLLING OUT STRATEGIES TO REALIZE ECONOMIC BENEFITS. FITZGERALD ADDS, “WE HOPE TO GUIDE THE STEPS TOWARD MANUFACTURABILITY AND PROFITABILITY, INCLUDING MATCHMAKING SUPPORT TO ENSURE A SUCCESSFUL PROJECT OUTCOME.”

Visit https://fuzehub.com/ for more information on all of the first-round grants awarded.

CONTACT: Amy Singletary, Community Relations & Communications, ANDRO Computational Solutions, LLC | Phone: (315) 527-6030 | Email: asingletary@androcs.com

View the full newsletter here: FuzeHub Awards Grant to ANDRO and MV EDGE Team – MOHAWK VALLEY EDGE

ROME — ANDRO Computational Solutions of Rome is among five nationwide businesses accelerating innovation at the helm of the Army Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) CATALYST pilot ­— a novel program that uses matching capital from transition partners and major weapons systems integrators to drive contracts up to $75 million to tackle Army customer needs.

Announced at the October 2022 Association of the United States Army Annual Meeting and Exposition by the Under Secretary of the Army, Hon. Gabe Camarillo, the Army SBIR CATALYST Program is one of five initiatives incentivizing the Army’s collaborative efforts with industry. Launched in February, the Army SBIR CATALYST pilot requests select small businesses to submit proposals for participation.

While the pilot accepted several small business technology proposals capable of supporting the Army of 2030, it focused on solutions within specific technology ecosystems where small businesses lead in innovation. To ensure the U.S. can overcome any adversary, the Army SBIR CATALYST pilot prioritizes ecosystems including artificial intelligence and machine learning, climate and clean tech, autonomy, and supply-chain logistics in the Indo-Pacific region.

Utilizing greater capital to enhance research and development investments, the Army SBIR Program will award five small businesses base contracts up to $1 million each for a six-to-12-month period of performance. The Army SBIR CATALYST pilot requires each awardee to have previously received an Army SBIR/STTR (Small-business Tech Transfer Research)
award within the past four fiscal years, while not having yet received a second SBIR/STTR Phase II under the same project.

The Army SBIR CATALYST Program pilot awardees include ANDRO Computational Solutions, Compound Eye Inc., EM Photonics Inc., R-Dex Systems Inc., and Solvus Global.

The focus of ANDRO’s work under its Marconi-Rosenblatt AI/ML Innovation Lab team will be on DeepSPEC: Artificial Intelligence-Powered Blind Signal Detector and Classifier, in cooperation with potential Army transition partner PEO Intelligence, Electronic Warfare and Sensors (PL Tactical Space Superiority).

Propelling emerging capabilities to transition and commercialization, the Army SBIR CATALYST contract award has potential for multi-phase funding opportunities. After the initial $1 million base award and six-to-12-month period of performance (PoP), recipients could receive Army SBIR CATALYST Phase II Enhancement contracts of up to $7 million of Army SBIR Program funds, up to $3.5 million in funding from the Army transition partner and up to $3.5 million from the technology integrator.

The result is a total funding potential of up to $15 million for each small business, based on a fund ratio of 2:1:1 over an additional 12-to-24-month PoP beyond the base period — for a contract pool of up to $75 million total across all five companies in the Army SBIR CATALYST pilot. Through these investments, the Army SBIR Program leverages capital to buy down risk for the Army’s larger, more scalable acquisition profile.

Via the pilot, the program will overcome untapped potential to transition Army technology challenges into major weapon systems programs by strongly synchronizing small business innovators with Army transition partners and integrators.

As a result, it will provide resources for advanced prototype development testing and transition.

Visit the Army Applied SBIR website for information about the awards.

Read the full Daily Sentinel article here

WASHINGTON – Five businesses accelerating innovation are at the helm of the Army SBIR CATALYST pilot – a novel program that uses matching capital from transition partners and major weapons systems integrators to drive contracts up to $75 million to tackle Army customer needs.

Announced at the October 2022 Association of the United States Army Annual Meeting and Exposition by the Under Secretary of the Army, Hon. Gabe Camarillo, the Army SBIR CATALYST Program is one of five initiatives incentivizing the Army’s collaborative efforts with industry. Launched in February 2023, the Army SBIR CATALYST pilot requests select small businesses to submit proposals for participation.

While the pilot accepted several small business technology proposals capable of supporting the Army of 2030, it focused on solutions within specific technology ecosystems where small businesses lead in innovation. To ensure the U.S. can overcome any adversary, the Army SBIR CATALYST pilot prioritizes ecosystems including artificial intelligence and machine learning, climate and clean tech, autonomy, and supply-chain logistics in the Indo-Pacific region.

“This is the first time an SBIR program has launched an initiative focused on overcoming untapped potential by investing so heavily and building a shared risk structure between small businesses, Army transition partners and technology integrators,” said Dr. Matt Willis, director of Army Prize Competitions and the Army Applied SBIR Program, in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology. “With this pilot – and significant increase in Army funding – we can drive down risk while providing greater resources to advance prototype development, testing and transition.”

Utilizing greater capital to enhance R&D investments, the Army SBIR Program will award five small businesses base contracts up to $1 million each for a six-to-12-month period of performance. The Army SBIR CATALYST pilot requires each awardee to have previously received an Army SBIR|STTR award within the past four fiscal years, while not having yet received a second SBIR|STTR Phase II under the same project.

Army SBIR CATALYST Program pilot awardees:

ANDRO Computational LLC, “DeepSPEC: Artificial Intelligence-Powered Blind Signal Detector and Classifier”

·        Technology ecosystem: AI/ML

·        Potential transition partner: PEO Intelligence, Electronic Warfare and Sensors (PL Tactical Space Superiority)

Compound Eye Inc., “VIDAS-SLAM: Undetectable, GPS Denied Mapping and Positioning”

·        Technology ecosystem: Autonomy

·        Potential transition partner: PEO Ground Combat Systems

EM Photonics Inc., “Image Analysis Approach for Wind Management”

·        Technology ecosystem: Sensors

·        Potential transition partner: PEO IEW&S (PdM Information Warfare)

R-Dex Systems, Inc., “Blue Jay: Strengthening SIGINT Classifiers and Identifying Adversarial Attacks”

·        Technology ecosystem: Immersive and Wearables

·        Potential transition partner: PEO IEW&S (PD Sensors-Aerial Intelligence)

Solvus Global LLC, “Cold Spray Repair & Restoration of Long-Range Precision Fires”

·        Technology ecosystem: Contested Logistics and Sustainment

·        Potential transition partners: DEVCOM Armaments Center, DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory, and PEO Ground Combat Systems (PM Main Battle Tank Systems)

Propelling emerging capabilities to transition and commercialization, the Army SBIR CATALYST contract award has potential for multi-phase funding opportunities. After the initial $1 million base award and six-to-12-month PoP, recipients could receive Army SBIR CATALYST Phase II Enhancement contracts of up to $7 million of Army SBIR Program funds, up to $3.5 million in funding from the Army transition partner and up to $3.5 million from the technology integrator.

The result is a total funding potential of up to $15 million for each small business, based on a fund ratio of 2:1:1 over an additional 12-to-24-month PoP beyond the base period — for a contract pool of up to $75 million total across all five companies in the Army SBIR CATALYST pilot. Through these R&D investments, the Army SBIR Program leverages capital to buy down risk for the Army’s larger, more scalable acquisition profile.

Via the pilot, the program will overcome untapped potential to transition Army technology challenges into major weapon systems programs by strongly synchronizing small business innovators with Army transition partners and integrators. As a result, it will provide resources for advanced prototype development testing and transition.

Traditionally, the Army Applied SBIR Program provides Phase I contracts to small businesses and nontraditional vendors with solutions that show technical merit, feasibility and commercial potential. The program also offers funds to companies that can earn further federal support in Phase II. The Direct to Phase II award is for already-mature technologies ready for demonstration.

Additionally, the Army Applied SBIR Program allows businesses to collaborate with technical, acquisition and operational subject matter experts. These specialists offer insight into the Army’s technological opportunities while guiding companies through the Army research and development ecosystem.

The Army Applied SBIR Program continues to release contract opportunities on a rolling basis to respond to current and future warfighting technology needs. The Army SBIR CATALYST program’s structure complements these existing efforts and drives awards up to eight times larger than typical SBIR contracts.

For eligibility information and a list of open solicitations, please visit the Army SBIR|STTR website. To learn more about the Army CATALYST Program, please visit the Army SBIR CATALYST Program page.

The office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology provides the American Soldier a decisive advantage in any mission by developing, acquiring and sustaining the world’s finest equipment and services. It also leverages technologies and capabilities to meet current and future Army needs. For more information, please visit the Army ASA(ALT) website.

Read the full story here

ROME, N.Y. (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY) – FuzeHub is a not-for-profit organization providing manufacturers – from startups to medium-sized companies – with access to a network of industry experts and resources.

And they also just recently awarded grant funding to 10 collaborative projects through its ‘Jeff Lawrence Innovation Fund.’

One of those recipients is Mohawk Valley Edge and ANDRO Computational Solutions – who received $50,000.

With this funding, ANDRO Computational Solutions, of Rome, in collaboration with Mohawk Valley Edge, is introducing ‘SecondNet’ – a new concept in intelligent, coordinated emergency management for rapid alert and response to mitigate active threats.

“When you talk about delays, latency, people not getting there in time, it’s usually attributed to the lack of communications infrastructure,” explained Dr. Andrew Drozd, President & Chief Researcher, ANDRO Computational Solutions.

“That seems to be the common denominator, so that’s something that we can fill, and again, it’s repurposing military technology for a civilian environment.”

As Dr. Drozd said, this technology was originally utilized by the military, but when speaking with teacher friends, realized it could also, potentially, be used in school systems – to protect against in school threats.

“With the rise in school threats, that was sort of a logical question,” said Dr. Drozd.

“So, we started thinking about that last year and said, you know, we actually could because there’s a particular technology that we have called SPEARLink.”

The SPEARLink radio provides broadband coverage – where you need it, when you need it.

“The idea is that you want to have broad coverage 24/7, basically whenever you need it, so that when an emergency arises, you can communicate two ways – where the emergency is taking place, and also informing the administrators, the school principal and the law enforcement and first responders on the outside,” he said.

“If you can create this kind of a network with widespread connectivity, this provides that rapid response capability that’s often been lacking.”

Existing networks currently have to depend on cell towers, internet and Wi-Fi to function.

“If that infrastructure goes down or becomes unavailable, our system is available to you,” explained Dr. Drozd.

“And especially if you’re in a remote area where you have sparse broadband coverage – that’s exactly what our SPEARLink technology does.”

And as for the grant funding, ANDRO and MV Edge will be using it to implement a “pilot program” – to actually test this technology in schools.

“We want to bring our gear in, install it, come up with the use cases that we want to show and tell and demonstrate, and then actually fire it up and show it to people,” he said.

“Basically, collect metrics, collect information about how fast this works, the efficacy of the overall tech technology and where it might be approved.”

Read the full story here