“Grunt” PDA is in the Army Now

Throughout the ages, high-tech has always played an important role in military planning and strategy. During the Gulf War, overwhelming focus was placed on the capabilities, and sometimes tragic limitations, of our state-of-the-art weapons.

Perhaps first and foremost in any military campaign is information, in terms of access, processing, and communication. While many soldiers already carry some form of computer, military planners are always looking for ways to lighten a soldier’s load—which today can be over 100 lbs. (45 kg)—while increasing the capability and effectiveness.

As part of this goal, the U.S. Department of Defense supplied Texas Microsystems with a $500,000 contract to develop a ruggedized handheld computer for the U.S. Army’s Communications & Electronics Command (CECOM).

The contract, awarded under the Defense Department’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, is available to companies capable of demonstrating not only military application, but also commercial potential as well.

“The Grunt”

The combat-ready device, dubbed “The Grunt” by its developers, is a 3.5 lb. (1.6 kg) computer which uses an SL-enhanced Intel 486 SX processor. The SL design incorporates low-power technology in the processor, which is augmented by a special 486 chipset from Pico Power that enables the device to run for up to eight hours on a single charge.

The Grunt’s display is a six-inch diagonal, transflective VGA monochrome LCD manufactured by Sharp Electronics. The transflective technology, coupled with a backlight, enables soldiers to work with the machine in all conditions. Soldiers can input data using the touch of their finger or a pen, by means of a touch-screen supplied by MicroTouch Systems.

While the device has an external port for a keyboard, the basic unit is designed to be used without it. The computer uses Windows for Pen Computing, making it one of a few PDA-class machines to use this environment.

The machine also includes two PCMCIA slots enabling quick expansion and reconfiguration on the battlefield. The Type II and Type III slots can, for example, be used to add hard disk storage, a global positioning system (GPS) card, or a fax/modem, among other options.

Other external ports enable add-ons such as a “heads-up” display or external monitor, in addition to external input devices such as a data glove to be integrated. The heads-up display, for example, can be mounted in a soldier’s helmet to reduce the distraction of using the device on the battlefield.

Looking to the Future

Though Texas Microsystems delivered only working prototypes to the U.S. Army, they are already thinking about ways to enhance the device. The most obvious, and most difficult, will be to include voice-command technology enabling a soldier to interact with the unit in a true hands-free manner.

Stressing a universal concern of military planners everywhere, Texas Microsystems President Michael Stewart said, “New technology will help our troops stay better informed at critical moments on the battlefield, providing a major strategic advantage over enemy personnel, and reducing the confusion that can lead to casualties from friendly-fire.”

Commercializing the Grunt

While Texas Microsystems is concentrating on satisfying the requirements and expectations of the U.S. Army, they are also looking for markets to commercialize the technology. Clearly, not all industries require a military specification device, especially so-called white collar workers such as salespeople. However, Texas Microsystems believes that a range of field workers could benefit from the research that went into the device.

“The Grunt” represents Texas Microsystems’ first entry in the handheld PDA market. The company, which had revenues of $45 million last year, specializes in rack-mount PC compatible computers.

Texas Microsystems, Inc.
5959 Corporate Drive
Houston, TX 77036
(713) 541-8200
(713) 541-8226 (fax)