What we do
Connecting the physical world to the information domain
We design systems that connect the physical world to the information domain. From the sensors that measure and interact with physical phenomena, to the wireless networks which transport the information securely. We have decades of experience in traditional sensing technologies such as acoustics and radar; we’re also at the forefront of radiofrequency design, radio propagation, communications waveforms, FPGAs, antennas and arrays. And in the communications field, our expertise includes both over-the-air transmissions and wired networks.
Our sensors and communications expertise
We design systems that connect the physical world to the information domain. From the sensors that measure and interact with physical phenomena, to the wireless networks which transport the information securely. Our core capabilities exist in the following areas:
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Radiofrequency design
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Radio propagation
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Communications waveforms
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High performance signal processing
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Antennas and arrays
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Acoustics
Sensors and Communications in action

PERCEIVE: Integrated wideband sensor
PERCEIVE MR® is a Small Form Factor Antenna Head, developed for use at the cutting edge of Electronic Surveillance.
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LOCATE
LOCATE components are in operational use at numerous sites around the world, including both new installations and mid-life upgrades to existing ones.
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LOCATE-T: Advanced mobile Electronic Support
Find out how we created a mobile extension of our LOCATE system which can be deployed quickly in order to support the operational needs of commanders and their units in complex environments.
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RESOLVE-Tactical Solution
Providing close target reconnaissance and individual force protection through the use of a bespoke lightweight dismounted close quarter Electronic Surveillance manpack.
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VIPER: Electronic warfare planning and data triage
Reducing operator and training burden, improving pre-mission planning and expediting mission execution and post mission analysis.
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High Mobility Electronic Warfare Capability (HMEWC)
Developing an integrated command and control system to allow immediate threat warning and building block intelligence collection.
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Strategic HF monitoring & direction finding
Providing the ability to monitor, segregate and geo-locate long range strategic targets combined with tactical battlefield HF communications.
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Dismounted situational awareness systems
Providing dismounted soldiers with access to real-time information to make decisions quicker with increased situational awareness.
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Acoustic drone detection
As drone technology improves, security threats are rapidly evolving. Locating these devices is critical, but different geographic and electromagnetic environments often require very different approaches to detection, and active methods like radar are not always viable. To counter this, passive techniques, like acoustic monitoring, must be developed.
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Wireless utilities management device for decentralised energy
Helping Guru Systems develop an award-winning utilities management device to save energy, time and the environment.
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Protecting personnel from IEDs
Protecting against Radio Frequency initiated Remotely-Controlled Improvised Explosive Devices on the battlefield.
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Automating complex inspection tasks for Rolls-Royce
Turbine engines must be regularly inspected to detect key maintenance requirements given the quality, cost and safety critical nature of the product. Find out how we worked with Rolls-Royce on its INSPECT system to design and develop algorithms that identify defects in compressor blades in videos of engines spinning down after use.
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Assuring availability and quality for an Emergency Services Network
Over 300,000 first responders across Great Britain need a dedicated emergency services network they can rely on to save lives and help keep communities safe. Roke was tasked with providing independent design assurance of an Air-to-Ground (A2G) network.
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Scanning heavy goods vehicles in motion
Searching heavy goods vehicles at border control can be time consuming and places challenges on how to best deploy patrol officers and resources. Roke developed a robustly designed system to save time, ease operator burden & improve search accuracy by imaging non-metallic goods vehicles.
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Defence against spoofing
In February 2015, the space domain was designated as UK Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) by the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure (CPNI). Space satellites underpin our national security and defence efforts.
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Wireless data links for oil and gas well monitoring
Developing wireless data links to operate in extreme environments.
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Providing hearing solutions through simulation
Assisting with the development of the radios and antennas in an award winning advanced hearing solution.
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High-speed variant MRA
Working closely with customers to develop a new high-speed Miniature Radar Altimeter (MRA) variant.
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Supporting Field Army Survivability through Electronic Warfare experimentation
Collaborating with key stakeholders and open source research to conduct a threat assessment to determine the likely capabilities of peer adversary Electronic Warfare (EW) equipment.
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Accurate location and navigation without GPS
Developing a self-contained location and navigation system for locations where GPS is not available.
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Roke on Mars: The technology behind the Beagle 2 Mars Lander
Key parts of our Miniature Radar Altimeters (MRAs) have been thoroughly tested on a 200 million kilometre flight through space to Mars, as part of the Beagle 2 Mars Lander.
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DAB: Ushering in the digital era
We worked with Hitachi and Ensigma to develop the first single chip DAB radio frequency front end.
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