Stock Exchange & Press Releases 2015

November 12, 2015

Bittium starts the productization of the radio waveform developed in the ESSOR program

Press release

Bittium starts the productization of the radio waveform developed in the ESSOR program 

Oulu, Finland, November 12, 2015 - Bittium has received a purchase order from the Finnish Defence Forces to start the productization of the European high data rate radio waveform developed in the ESSOR (European Secure Software-defined Radio) program. According to the purchase order the productization will begin with a study and the porting of the ESSOR waveform to the software-defined radio based Bittium Tactical Wireless IP Network (TAC WIN) system in use in the Finnish Defence Forces.

Bittium has been part of the ESSOR program since it started in January 2009. The aim of the program is to develop the European software-defined radio technology in order to improve the capabilities for cooperation in joint inter-country operations. The now ordered porting of the waveform to the national software-defined radio based system adheres to the goal of the ESSOR program in enabling the interoperability of the systems in joint European operations. 

The first phase of the European Defence Agency's ESSOR program has now successfully ended. In addition to the European high data rate radio waveform the program has produced the definition for the European software-defined radio architecture. It is based on the Software Communication Architecture (SCA) developed originally in the United States in the Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) program. The SCA is expected to be the standard for radio systems used by authorities in joint international operations and crisis management. The goal of the ESSOR program is also to have the ESSOR waveform accepted as the standard for NATO's high data rate waveform. Besides Bittium the other parties in the first phase of the ESSOR program were Indra from Spain, Radmor from Poland, Saab from Sweden, Selex ES from Italy, and Thales Communications & Security from France. The parties are currently in negotiations about the second phase of the program. The most important goal of the second phase is to achieve operational performance for the ESSOR system.

Bittium Tactical Wireless IP Network (TAC WIN), which is in use in the Finnish Defence Forces and acts as the platform for the ESSOR waveform, is a wireless broadband network system intended for military and public safety use. With the system MANET (mobile ad hoc network), link, and connection networks can be formed into one logical IP network quickly, no matter what the location is. It is compatible with existing fixed and wireless network infrastructures. The core of the system is a software-defined radio based tactical router, which is versatile, easily adaptable to different needs and can be easily updated with software for future needs. With the tactical router users can freely form both wired and wireless broadband data transfer connections. The system comprises also three types of radio heads, and each radio head covers its own frequency band area and can be used for flexible formation of different network topologies for different communication needs. All the products of the system are designed for harsh conditions, and thanks to the system's automated functions the implementation of the system can be done quickly. The Finnish Defence Forces started the procurement for the system by signing a delivery contract with Bittium in September 2011, and it continued with related product deliveries that started in December 2012 and continued after an additional purchase order received in July 2014.

The value of the received purchase order is EUR 2.85 million (excl. VAT). The order has no significant impact on Bittium's net sales, operating result or financial standing, and it has also no effect on Bittium's financial outlook for the year 2015, published on November 5, 2015 in Bittium's Interim Report January-September 2015.

Further information:

Jari Sankala
Senior Vice President, Sales
Tel. +358 40 344 3507
Email: defense(a)bittium.com

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Bittium

Bittium specializes in the development of reliable, secure communications and connectivity solutions, leveraging its 30 year legacy of expertise in advanced radio communication technologies. Bittium provides innovative products and customized solutions based on its product platforms and R&D services. Complementing its communications and connectivity solutions, Bittium offers proven information security solutions for mobile devices and portable computers. In 2014, Bittium's net sales of continuing operations, was EUR 52.7 million and its operating profit was EUR 0.8 million. Bittium is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki Exchange. www.bittium.com