Plextek

Plextek Services Limited, trading as Plextek, is a consultancy specialising in technology, electronic design, product design, new product development and innovation. It has clients in both the private and public sector, including local and international Governments and the defence sector. The company is located on the outskirts of Cambridge, UK and operates across four market sectors, defence, security, healthcare and the Internet of things.

Founded in 1989, the company has a strong focus on creating solutions to overcome complex engineering challenges.

In 2016, Nicholas Hill, Director of Defence & Security at the time, was appointed as CEO to re-organise and re-focus the company's technical capabilities. This effort led to dedicated special interest groups of engineers working across areas such as signal processing, communications systems, sensor systems and data exploitation.

Areas of Technical Expertise

 * Antennas & Propagation
 * Data Exploitation
 * Embedded Systems
 * Manufacturing
 * Product Design
 * Sensor Systems
 * Communication Systems
 * Signal Processing
 * Strategic Consulting
 * Technical Services
 * Innovation Consulting

Technology and Innovation
Innovations developed at Plextek over the past 20 years include: an immersive virtual reality training simulation for military and air force, delivering adaptive FPGA-based System on a chip (SoC) Imaging, a tinnitus and hearing loss early warning detection system  and a millimetre wave micro-radar system to enable autonomous emergency resupply by unmanned air systems.

Tinnitus Detection System
In April 2017, Plextek announced a concept technology that can detect and alert users to the early warning signs of hearing loss and conditions such as Tinnitus. The system has been designed to be integrated into consumer headphones. The solution works by monitoring subtle changes to auditory evoked potentials (AEP), a signal sent from the brain by an acoustical stimulus that measures an individual's auditory ability level.

Foreign Object Detection Radar
In Counter Terror Business Magazine, Issue 36, Plextek's Head of Security Business, Nick Koiza announced that Plextek had recently delivered an mm-wave radar for foreign object detection for Korean-based RF signal technology company, Wave Tech. Foreign Object Debris (often known as FOD in aviation) is a danger on runways and taxiways, as debris can make its way into engines of aircraft, causing damage and even fatal accidents. A well-known case of FOD damage causing fatalities was the Paris Concorde accident in 2000, in which, 113 people were killed by FOD making its way into the engines during takeoff. Of Plextek's delivery of the mm-wave radar for foreign object detection, a Wave Tech spokesperson commented: "The radar technology was key for Wave Tech to execute this project successfully and Plextek have the know-how as well as a leading position in this field which makes them an excellent partner for us."

Vital Signs Monitoring Device and Telephone
The MonitorMe vital signs monitoring device, invented by Mike Pearson of healthcare care device company, Sanandco was developed in collaboration with Plextek. The telephone handset included integrated sensors to capture vital signs including temperature, heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen saturation. Patient vital signs can be collected during a short telephone conversation with their care provider.

Partnerships and Accreditations
Plextek works with a number of government and defence agencies, including Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Ministry of Defence and Centre for Defence Enterprise.

In 2014, Plextek partnered with the healthcare IT and cybersecurity consultancy, AbedGraham Healthcare Strategies to provide clinical and technical expertise to customers looking to introduce innovative products into the medical technology space.

In March 2017, Plextek received Cyber Essentials Plus Accreditation from IASME - an industry recognised and audited cyber security certification. In October 2017, Plextek joined TCCA, the global representative organisation for critical communications, to work towards a standards-based approach to developing mission critical push-to-talk solutions.

In May 2018, Plextek consultant for Antennas & Propagation, James Henderson was selected by technology publication, Electronics Weekly as a member of 2018's "EW Brightsparks ", an award ceremony, in partnership with RS Components, that recognises the work of young engineers and technologists in the UK making contributions in the industry today.

In January 2019, Plextek receives Crédit d’Impôt Recherche (CID) Accreditation. CID accreditation was approved by the French Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation and is a tax credit initiative for companies based in France.

In March 2019, Plextek became Founder Members of the UK Hearing Conservation Association (UKHCA), an organisation focused on providing an independent source of information to common noise and hearing problems inside and outside the workplace.