GAITHERSBURG, Md., June 25 -- Optelecom Inc. has received contracts for services performed by its Electro-Optic Systems Group and for high-speed RGB technology developed for the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System (STARS) program.
    IXSEA, a French manufacturer of optical fiber gyro navigation systems, placed an initial $300,000 order for Interferometric Fiber Optic Gyro (IFOG) coils. IFOG coils are all solid state rotation sensing devices with significant advantages relative to mechanical and laser gyro sensors.
    "This contract is an indication of confidence in our consistently high quality optical fiber gyro precision coil winding capability," said Ron Smith, director of the Optelecom Electro-Optic Systems Group. "We look forward to a positive, long-term relationship with IXSEA."
    The company also announced it has received a $345,000 add-on order from Raytheon co. for high-speed RGB video equipment under the STARS program. Deliveries will occur in the second and third quarter of this year. Optelecom's Model 5654A and 3654A fiber optic units transmit RGB video to multiple air traffic control monitors in airport control towers. The transmitters and receivers provide analog video bandwidths up to 180 MHz per color with various sync configurations and automatic color balance. Each system distributes video to as many as five monitors in each tower, providing identical displays to air traffic controllers, backup personnel and supervisors. This video provides identification of each aircraft and precise information on its speed, direction and position.