Delta Digital Video’s video encoders are flying on the most prominent manned/unmanned platforms in the US inventory. The company’s commitment is delivering the latest video compression technology in low SWaP, MIL-qualified packages. Their mission is to continuously improve the delivery of high-quality, low latency, FMV to the warfighter.
Easy Engineering: What’s the news for 2021 about new products?
Delta Digital Video: We can’t talk about 2021 News without talking about our New Model 7840R video encoder, a 4-Channel unit supporting H.265 compression of HD and SD video for real-time transmission and analysis of mission-critical full motion video (FMV).
“H.265 compression can match the performance of its predecessor, H.264, while using only half the bandwidth,” George Nelson VP & GM of DDV. “This allows for transmission of additional channels in existing data links or opens previously-constrained links for FMV transmission.”
The system has received two years of development and is currently in production, integrating several the latest FPGA and SoC processors. These devices are the latest in high-speed parallel processing providing the engine for the computationally intensive H.265 video compression algorithm. This is accomplished in a relatively small power & mechanical footprint.
George also revealed,” The best part of development was the initial testing on a UAV that had previously been limited to a single HD downlink; the operators were able to rapidly develop entire new operational techniques and concepts when supplied with simultaneous EO and IR feeds.” The 7840R can be seamlessly integrated into any FMV system accompanied by an easy-to-use web-GUI.
E.E: What are the ranges of products?
Delta Digital Video: DDV has highly reliable Rugged Video Encoders designed for airborne, ground-mobile, and shipboard environments. Built on the same architecture, our commercial/industrial Video Encoders ensure continuous operation in even the most difficult environments.
As a companion to our Encoders, our Decoders are designed specifically for low latency applications. These products display decoded video for man-in-the-loop applications.
For a more flexible approach, Video Codecs can be used for encoding, decoding, or both functions. They can use MPEG-2, MPEG-4, or H.264 video compression algorithms.
9600 Series Video Distribution System (VDS) is a modular product that provides scalability for video distribution applications. The 9600 Series and its companion modules are designed to provide a durable, cost-effective solution for encoding, transmitting, and decoding diverse video formats such as those found in ground stations, operations centers, and classrooms.
Scan Converter technology allows for the conversion between video signal formats to facilitate display or recording.
Finally, we have our SSC family of Stroke-to-Raster Scan Converters. These provide for the display, recording, and transmission of stroke video on standard COTS equipment. These products are compatible with most XYZ vector outputs generated by random deflection devices, such as radar, sonar, HUD or spectrum analyzer.
E.E: At what stage is the market where you are currently active?
Delta Digital Video: Our main markets are military ISR, flight test data & telemetry, homeland security & border protection, Original Equipment Manufacturing (OEM), and even education. These are mature markets but always providing opportunity to extend the state of the art.
The military ISR market requires the transmission of high-quality Full Motion Video (FMV) within the constraints of disadvantaged datalinks. Bandwidth and error rates wreak havoc with the transmission of compressed video data. Delta is unique in our experience and success in delivering systems that operate within the tough restrictions our customers see. We’ve also been a long-time participant in the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency’s (NGA) Motion Imagery Standards Board which develops the standards for FMV.
When it comes to flight test & telemetry, our products are used throughout the whole process – on the air, on the ground & everywhere in between. Along with our sister divisions, Ampex, GDP and Acroamatics Telemetry Systems, it is safe to say that we are experts in the supply of flight test telemetry systems that include video capture, transmission and recording.
DDV has been supporting homeland security and law enforcement for years. We supply reliable video encoders and decoders for surveillance operations, providing agencies including the FBI with the tools they needed for several high-profile cases.
We’ve produced OEM modules in both standard and custom form factors, allowing the best integration options for customers having severe SWAP restrictions. OEM modules can be configured with the exact interfaces, board outline and functionality required to bring excellent video quality and outstanding performance to any system requiring video compression or decompression.
E.E: What can you tell us about market trends?
Delta Digital Video: Government & prime shutdown/lockdown has hindered testing & integration of new technologies meaning 2021 will see a greater acceptance of H.265 as we emerge from the pandemic. Moving towards H.265 will facilitate the ever-increasing number of video channels being deployed for defense & security applications.
E.E: What are the most innovative products marketed?
Delta Digital Video: You can see the reoccurring theme of H.265 throughout this interview – our new 7000 series H.265 products are leading the way into the future of real-time video transmission.
