As a market specialist in hardware engineering, avionics design and development, telecom solutions, and services, automotive, and medical and healthcare, Alpha-Numero is a global brand operating in India, Canada, Germany, and the USA. Their top-notch deliverables in VLSI design, semiconductor testing, FPGA design, and embedded systems expertise are quality-assured. Team Alpha-Numero is well-renowned for providing high-quality services in SAP, IT software, BI & Analytics, and Mechanical Engineering & Design to a wide range of industries.
Rashi Bajpai, Sub-Editor at ELE Times had an opportunity to interact with Mr. Sukanta Mitra, Co-Founder of Alpha-Numero Technology Solutions Inc. and the Founder of MetricsNumero – a specialized brand under the Alpha-Numero Group. The conversation highlights the organization’s core competencies and expertise in several booming technologies and industries.
This is an excerpt from the interview.
ELE Times: What services does Alpha-Numero provide to the Aerospace & Defence, Automotive, and Electronics Industries?
Mr Mitra: We specialise in providing comprehensive product design services for the Aerospace & Defence, Automotive, and Electronics Industries. In the domain of automotive, aerospace, and avionics, our focus lies in embedded hardware and software design. This encompasses a wide range of services, including ASIC design, chip design, FPGA design, board design, hardware design, and embedded software design. Simply put, our expertise covers the entire product design process, starting from specification development to chip or silicon creation, hardware and software design, and system-level integration. We also excel in design verification and validation, ensuring the quality and reliability of the final product.
For instance, in the avionics domain, we undertake critical design work for systems such as flight control systems and cockpit display systems in commercial aircraft. Our involvement spans from the initial chip or ASIC design to FPGA-level implementation. We collaborate not only with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) like Boeing or Airbus but also with key Tier 1 companies in the aerospace sector, including Collins Aerospace, BAE Systems, and Honeywell. Moreover, our engagement extends to regulatory bodies such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)– a crucial entity for certifying products for use in aircraft. This comprehensive approach underscores our commitment to delivering high-quality and certified solutions in the aerospace and automotive industries. Additionally, our commitment extends to regulatory compliance and certification processes. We engage with organisations like the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), a crucial U.S. government agency responsible for certifying aviation products.
Similarly in the automotive domain, our services extend across the entire product design spectrum. We focus on components such as steering control systems and brake control systems. We also specialise in embedded software and hardware design, development, and the verification and validation processes for multiple OEMs. Likewise, when it comes to consumer electronics, our collaboration extends to chip design and semiconductor solutions. We also collaborate with leading companies such as Intel and AMD in the semiconductor and VLSI domains. So, overall, Alpha-Numero’s expertise lies in end-to-end design services, ranging from initial specifications to the development of embedded hardware and software for a diverse range of products in these industries.
ELE Times: What in your view is the role of cybersecurity in the Defence and Aerospace sector?
Mr Mitra: Cybersecurity’s role in the defence and aerospace sector is immensely crucial. Globally, there is a concerning trend where hackers breach systems and demand ransom for the compromised data. A similar incident occurred a few months ago, where a prominent company collaborating with the US military and defence had its entire system hacked, which resulted in heavy financial losses. Another example of a cyberattack in the public domain is Johnson Control, where a ransomware attack compromised highly sensitive data. The attackers also demanded a substantial amount of money, potentially in the millions or billions. Such attacks have become increasingly frequent, which highlights the need for organisations, especially those involved in defence and aerospace, to have robust cybersecurity measures in place. Neglecting cybersecurity could render any system vulnerable, as demonstrated by these instances. Moreover, without proper cybersecurity measures, there’s a risk that advanced technologies, including cloud-based systems, could be exploited. Also, with advancing technology, the risk of unauthorised external control, especially in aviation, could endanger the lives of hundreds on board. This vulnerability poses a severe threat, as external entities might potentially gain control over vital systems such as aircraft, putting the lives of hundreds of people at risk. Thus, it is imperative to embrace cybersecurity to prevent such scenarios.
Considering these challenges, Alpha-Numero is actively contributing to cybersecurity in the defence and aerospace sectors. We are assembling a team comprising industry veterans, cybersecurity experts, and promising newcomers. Our team-building approach involves recruiting experienced individuals from the industry and under them, we provide our workforce with comprehensive training in cybersecurity. collaboration with technology training providers, particularly focusing on defence-related aspects in both the US and India. In this process, we collaborate with multiple companies specialising in technology training, aligning with both defence sectors in the US and non-defense industries in India.
We expect to have a fully functional team within the next two quarters. However, it’s important to note that the cybersecurity services and related activities will not be directly managed by Alpha-Numero. Instead, these responsibilities will be overseen by MetricsNumero – another entity within our organisation.
ELE Times: Brief us on your work in Asset Tracking, Smart Mining, and Smart Building, in the IoT segment, technology implications, and application areas.
Mr Mitra: Alpha-Numero has ventured into the expansive domain of IoT, specifically focusing on Asset Tracking, Smart Mining, and Smart Building solutions. Our initial foray includes executing programs in the southern part of India, particularly in mines. We are designing these smart mining solutions to track the movement and activities of labourers within the mines. The system not only monitors their movements but also captures additional parameters to ensure their safety and well-being. This program has been designed to enhance the overall operational efficiency and safety measures within the mining industry.
Asset Tracking is another area of focus for us. We are in the early stages of developing sensor-based solutions for tracking assets. This aligns with our expertise in product design services, which has traditionally been centred around the avionics and automotive industries. The foray into sensor-based IoT solutions for asset tracking represents a strategic expansion for Alpha-Numero.
However, our foray into sensor-based IoT solutions, particularly in asset tracking, is still in its early stages. The implementation of IoT in these domains requires careful consideration of technological implications and the unique requirements of each application area, and thus, we are proceeding cautiously. Alpha-Numero primarily specialises in product design services for avionics and automotive industries. The exploration of sensor-based IoT solutions for asset tracking and industries such as mining represents a gradual expansion of our capabilities within these domains. As we delve deeper into sensor-based solutions, we anticipate further advancements and broader applications in the domains of asset tracking and beyond.
ELE Times: What kind of solutions does Alpha-Numero provide in the Medical and Healthcare field?
Mr Mitra: Alpha-Numero specialises in providing solutions within the medical and healthcare field, particularly in collaboration with major US OEMs. The focus lies in establishing an R&D centre in India to work closely with these giants on various fronts. Alpha-Numero is actively involved in providing solutions in the medical and healthcare sector, particularly focusing on stringent processes. We create medical devices such as stents and catheters, adhering to the rigorous regulatory standards set by organisations like the FDA.
Secondly, we are exploring opportunities in the development of iOS and Android applications for advanced medical devices. For instance, we are actively involved in creating modern medical devices, such as contactless pacemakers. These advanced devices eliminate the need for physical attachment to the body and can be monitored remotely. The monitoring involves the use of electric signals to assess both the patient’s health and the functionality of the device. This involves the development of IOS and Android-based applications for remote monitoring of patients’ health and device functionality. Updates and upgrades to software are also part of our service offerings in this domain.
We are also in the process of establishing an R&D team that will collaborate with leading companies in the medical and healthcare sector to provide engineering and software services. Moreover, to meet the regulatory requirements of the FDA, we are identifying engineers within its team for specialised training. What’s more, we have initiated basic training and plans to progress to more advanced levels to ensure FDA compliance. However, the FDA-related aspects will be handled by our group company, MetricsNumero.
ELE Times: Help us understand your expertise in semiconductor testing, embedded systems and VLSI design.
Mr Mitra: Alpha-Numero specialises in the core competencies of semiconductor testing, embedded systems, and VLSI (Very Large-Scale Integration) design. The avionics industry has witnessed a shift from ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit) design due to its high cost and potential risks. Instead, the industry has embraced FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) design. Our expertise extends not only to FPGA design but also to system-level design, verification, and validation.
We also have contributed to multiple Boeing programs since our inception, besides demonstrating a strong track record of success. Furthermore, our focus on VLSI verification, validation, and semiconductor expertise is fundamental to our core capabilities. In addition, we collaborate with larger industry players that lack similar expertise in VLSI, Verilog, and the semiconductor domain. Through such collaborative efforts, we aim to work with these companies, and leverage their proficiency to provide our services to their customers with specific needs in the semiconductor domain. This collaborative approach serves as a mutually beneficial arrangement, besides creating a win-win situation for all parties involved.
