London: Exhibitors at DSEI, the world’s largest gathering of the defence and security community, can thank ViaLite Communications and FalTech GPS for routing GPS/GNSS signals into the heart of ExCeL London’s exhibition halls.

The signals were a Ministry of Defence (MOD) requirement for connecting aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems to live GPS signals to enable exhibitors to demonstrate the full capabilities of their equipment.

Working in close collaboration with the ExCeL team, ViaLite quickly installed GPS/GNSS fiber modules and a 100 m fiber optic cable. The cable connected the rooftop location to a GPS repeater inside, which was supplied by FalTech GPS, in order to provide coverage indoors. The fiber had to be run alongside mains cables through the building’s infrastructure to reach the rooftop location where the GPS/GNSS antenna was situated.

Through using the ViaLite GPS fiber transmitter and receiver units, the system allows the GPS/GNSS signals to be re-transmitted inside of the building without any loss or interference.

“We had our RF over fiber solution installed and working within just three days of receiving the request,” said ViaLite Business Development Manager, Amair Khan.

Coincidentally, one of ViaLite’s sister businesses, PPM Systems, is an exhibitor at DSEI on stand H2-562. ExCeL London is the capital’s premier exhibition centre and is situated on the site of the old Royal Victoria Dock in east London.