- Italy | 31 July 2018
Can you provide us with a comprehensive overview of the history and milestones of IDS Ingegneria Dei Sistemi up to the present day?
IDS Ingegneria Dei Sistemi was founded in 1980 and has since become a renowned company employing approximately 500 people worldwide. The company started with expertise in electromagnetic applications and signals, focusing initially on the naval and aeronautical sectors, and later expanding into the space industry. IDS developed radar cross-section technology and is currently one of the global leaders in electromagnetic applications, with its systems being used internationally in various countries such as the United Kingdom, the U.S., Turkey and South Korea.
In the space sector, IDS has worked on many projects and developed different software for the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Italian Space Agency (ASI). IDS specializes in satellite signals, especially in navigation, for identifying the best routes for take off and landing while maintaining the quality of the onboard signal. IDS is one of the leading companies in this application globally.
Although the Italian market represents only 20% of its turnover, IDS is exploring opportunities in new markets, such as working on improving satellite communication on yachts and developing new satellite products for aircraft that use a large satellite constellation. Recently, IDS has also started some communications projects in South Korea and Italy.
Can you explain the key differences in demands that you receive in the civil and defense markets within the aerospace and aeronautics industry?
In the military sector, there is a need for immediate information in real-time on particular areas via satellite, so information needs to be gathered and interpreted quickly. IDS uses in-house software for developing systems but also collaborates with the Italian Ministry of Defense to support the military staff in the interpretation of the received data and its distribution in other parts of the world where Italian military forces are active.
For a technology company like IDS, innovation is critical. Can you expand on your relationship with surrounding universities and research centers?
IDS has established offices near universities in Naples, Catanzaro, and La Spezia to be closer to various research centers. The company collaborates with several Italian universities in the regions of Friuli, Apulia, Calabria, and Abruzzo, as well as with research centers in Australia, particularly in the research of agricultural applications, which is financed by the Australian government. Cooperating with universities worldwide is crucial for research and development (R&D) to find new and effective solutions, especially in niche markets, and helps IDS to modify and adapt its programs continuously to meet its customers’ needs.
What are IDS’s current projects and areas of focus?
IDS’s eleven internal research facilities specialize in various fields such as basic electromagnetic knowledge, antenna production for satellite applications, and the interpretation of signals for earth observation. IDS also develops various different radars, particularly for the defense market, including anti-mortar, anti-sniper, and volcanic activity monitoring radars. IDS produced approximately 200 radars for use at railway crossings to ensure that no cars or objects are on the tracks. IDS is also involved in developing an unmanned 18-meter boat for environmental monitoring of the Tuscan archipelago, which is its first application created for environmental purposes. Another project is a system that connects satellite information to unmanned aircraft, which is particularly useful in the observation of vineyards. IDS is focusing on cyber security, and the company is seeking companies that can support them in developing these technologies.