The Systems Technology Group
In 2013 we established the Systems Technology Group (STG) to function as a separate business unit to design, develop, and prototype systems-level products. Our multi-disciplinary team, with expertise in mechanical, electronic, and software design and modeling, is integrating these technologies with G&H’s expertise in photonics. The STG accelerates G&H’s move up the value chain by providing a strong pipeline of component and sub-systems.
STG now offers our customers a complete system design, development, and manufacturing service.
The STG utilizes government funding as a mechanism for establishing commercial partnerships with large companies we might otherwise not serve. We strategically select and manage our funded programs to create lasting value. Programs need to lead to application targeted technology development and viable products.
The STG is managing multiple funded collaborative research programs working closely with leading industrial laser suppliers to develop the next generation of systems for their applications:
- Fiber optic and semiconductor laser technology
- Micro-electronics manufacture and remote sensing
Defense and Avionic markets are one of G&H’s largest business sectors and have been important drivers for our investment in operational quality and program management. As the defense sector focuses on value and sustaining its wide array of platforms, we see strong opportunities for photonics as a superior replacement for many existing technologies.
We are strongly engaged with developing and qualifying fiber optic and semiconductor laser technology originally developed for telecomm for defense applications where the benefits of reliability, small size and lower cost of ownership are compelling.
The STG is actively developing erbium-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA) systems for next generation satellite deployment to enable broadband satellite connectivity.
Offering lower mass and power consumption together with critical performance boosts, photonics technology will find application in broadcast media, telecommunications, navigation and science.
Building on its successful use in science missions, photonics is in the process of being qualified for widespread applications for both satellite to satellite communication and on-board satellite data processing and routing.
G&H’s strategy is to position itself as a lead supplier of space photonics solutions by continuing to work with major government agencies and contractors on ground-breaking scientific demonstrations.
In parallel, G&H enables technology transfer for commercializing space-qualified components and sub-systems.
The STG is focusing on:
- Photonic components and sub-systems for next generation satellite payloads and spacecrafts
- Laser communications for satellite to ground and satellite-to-satellite networks (inter-satellite links)
- Optically-interconnected on-board processors within next generation terabit communications satellites
Ultimately, we believe that the high-reliability design and production of components and systems for satellites under the stringent requirements of space flight environment has general applicability to a wide range of other defense and commercial avionic markets.
We also believe life sciences applications, with their world-wide markets and strong benefits to society, offer the largest potential for G&H’s expansion. G&H is the established leader in fiber optical subsystems for optical coherence tomography (OCT). OCT has now become a standard ophthalmic diagnostic tool and is being deployed into multiple other applications such as cardio and cancer imaging.
G&H is investing in targeted bio-medical applications, developing new products and capabilities.