(Embargoed 15.00 GMT TODAY) Fruit Flies Inspire Next- Generation Battlefield...

Fruit flies inspire next-generation battlefield communications network Taking a lead from nature, BTexact Tecuhnologies, BT's advanced research and technology business, QinetiQ, one of Europe's largest science and technology solutions providers, and the UK Ministry of Defence are working together to adapt a revolutionary approach to managing communications networks for use in the next generation of battlefield communications controllers. Efficient use of the radio spectrum is key to maintaining effective communications for many civil and military radio systems. Techniques for managing the use of the radio spectrum have been investigated over many years where diverse approaches based, for example, on genetics and on the crystallisation process have been used. As part of QinetiQ's research on efficient and effective radio spectrum management, BTexact Technologies is adapting an algorithm based on the development of fruit flies that was initially developed for mobile phone networks. Incorporation of this algorithm with other novel approaches designed by QinetiQ will enable enhanced and more flexible, future battlefield communications systems. The algorithm was invented in BTexact's intelligent systems laboratory at Adastral Park, Ipswich. It allows the base-stations in a mobile phone network to negotiate with each other to decide how the available radio frequencies will be divided up to meet the demand for calls without causing unacceptable interference. The patent-pending invention was inspired by the behaviour of cells in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, which has been the subject of intensive academic research for nearly 100 years. During the fly's development, some cells must decide whether to make bristles - the sensory hairs of the adult fly. They do this by sending signals to the neighbouring cells, and 'listening' for signals from those neighbours. As a result the fly gets the right pattern of bristles without any central control. Researchers at BTexact realised that this principle of self-organisation could be highly advantageous in modern mobile phone networks. It would allow the network to continuously adapt to changes in demand for calls, and to 'heal' in the event of a base-station failure. There would no longer be the need for a central organiser to track events in the network and re-plan frequency use to accommodate faults and changes in demand. At the same time, researchers at QinetiQ's Malvern R&D facility had been looking into novel designs for a future battlefield spectrum management architecture using dynamic and distributed frequency assignment. In a battlefield environment networks must continue to function in the face of serious disruption such as unplanned movements and accidental or deliberate interference from other radio transmitters. Central planning becomes very challenging in these conditions, and plans that are optimal under initial ideal conditions may quickly be overtaken by events. It is particularly desirable to obtain not only efficient assignment of the spectrum, but rapid response to changes in the deployment situation. Research work at QinetiQ has shown that the key to this problem is to distribute the assignment process throughout the battlefield, rather than relying on a centralised process. It was realised that the self- organising features of the BTexact algorithm could be exploited and integrated within the proposed QinetiQ architecture. Research work with BTexact has been initiated, with a view to adapting the algorithm to operate within a battlefield spectrum management system. The approach of taking inspiration from nature to solve an analogous engineering problem has been widely explored within BTexact and QinetiQ and has produced many similarly innovative technologies. Mike Carr, director of enterprise venturing at BTexact Technologies, said: "Our algorithm could play a key part in making future battlefield communications much more reliable and effective. While it may seem unusual for an innovation like this to develop from a study of the behaviour of cells in fruit flies, it's just one of the nature-inspired solutions we have produced. By combining imagination, technical expertise and understanding of real-world requirements, we're able to generate valuable new ideas." "We have completed a number of projects with QinetiQ in the past and look forward to working with them on this project. It is our intention to sustain a long and mutually beneficial relationship with QinetiQ." Paul Wells, group leader of secure wireless solutions at QinetiQ, said: "We are always keen to explore novel solutions that add value for our clients - whether it be deployable intranets, secure mobile commerce solutions or high altitude platform relays. Nature has an excellent 'track record' of providing good ideas for solutions that span many spheres of modern science." "The QinetiQ novel spectrum management architectures will be further enhanced by this algorithm development work with BTexact and we look forward to continuing our established relationship. This will aid our objective of providing client solutions for better use of the highly congested radio spectrum." ENDS About BTexact Technologies BTexact Technologies, BT's advanced research and technology business, offers expertise and experience in communications technology and e- business, backed by a team of more than 3000 technologists and one of the world's largest communications research and development facilities. As the centre of technical expertise for the BT Group, BTexact established a record of world-first achievement and of successful delivery of projects, large and small. It has also created an intellectual property portfolio of some 14,000 patents based on almost 2000 inventions. BTexact is also responsible for corporate incubator, Brightstar. BTexact Technologies also provides services to companies within, and outside, the BT Group. It is headquartered at Adastral Park, at one end of the Cambridge-2-Ipswich Hi Tech Corridor, and is a founder member of the Cambridge Network. BTexact has people based worldwide - including locations across the UK and in Asia, continental Europe, and North America. BTexact's employees include many who are world leaders in their specialist fields, working at the forefront of standards development and new technologies in areas including multimedia, IP and data networks, mobile communications, network design and management, and business applications. For more information about BTexact Technologies, please go to www.btexact.com About QinetiQ QinetiQ (pronounced ki' ne tik as in 'kinetic energy') is one of Europe's largest science and technology solutions providers. It was formed in July 2001 from the larger part of DERA (Defence Evaluation and Research Agency) that incorporates the bulk of the MoD's non-nuclear research, technology and test and evaluation establishments in its heritage. Among its staff it employs many leading scientists and internationally acclaimed experts. It offers a unique range of services, consultancy advice and test facilities. These include indoor and outdoor ranges for air, land and sea launched weapon effectiveness trials, wind tunnels, underwater target ranges and marine testing facilities, automotive test tracks and climatic testing laboratories. In March 2002, the MoD announced that it would be seeking to find a strategic partner to invest in QinetiQ as a stepping stone to an eventual flotation. This decision takes into account the poor market conditions which makes an Initial Public Offering (IPO) unattractive this year, while also recognising the need to avoid the damage that a loss in momentum and a lack of investment would incur. As DERA its pioneering research and development last century included the invention of liquid crystal displays (LCDs), carbon fibre, the technology for flat panel speakers, infra-red sensors and microwave radar, as well as Chobham armour, and shaped charges. For further information, contact: Douglas Millard, QinetiQ Press Office on Tel: +44 (0) 1252 394611 email: Dmillard@QinetiQ.com David Pincott, Pirate Communications, T: 0207 760 7052, Mob: 07866 261198 or email: david@piratecomms.com Justine Manché, Pirate Communications, T: 0207 760 7053, Mob: 07811 164724 or email: justine@piratecomms.com Joanna Hill, Pirate Communications, T: 0207 760 7057, Mob: 07812 348222 or email: jo@piratecomms.com ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2002/06/12/20020612BIT00260/wkr0001.doc http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2002/06/12/20020612BIT00260/wkr0002.pdf