Armstrong Electronics Ltd has a long-standing track record of research and development, including projects funded under various European Space Agency and European Union contracts. The on-going programme of R and D has led to the development of various product and service innovations. Some 85 percent of AEL's current turnover is in product and service markets which did not exist eight years ago, reflecting not only the pace of technology and industry change, but AEL's ability to adapt to changing market requirements.

AEL's name is synonymous with transmission systems in Ireland, and more recently in Central and Eastern Europe through its Polish subsidiary. This industry is rapidly changing and AEL makes every effort to keep abreast of developing technologies. This entails constant contact with customers, technical requirements and industry experts. AEL is actively involved in the digital era which is transforming telecommunications and the delivery of interactive entertainment to customers' homes, thereby creating a whole new electronic marketplace.

Digital echnology encompasses a huge spectrum from computers to video disks and electronic shopping and applications such as the Internet. AEL is currently developing state-of-the-art satellite-based communications technologies which will significantly enhance and expand direct consumer access to emerging electronic shopping markets and to interactive multimedia via the Internet, all via typical domestic satellite dishes (ie. two-way via user's home dish).

The company has designed and developed a high-speed, low cost, two-way interactive return link system via satellite for Internet access and applications such as electronic shopping and betting. The customer would have a small KU band dish typically 60 - 90 centimetres in diameter which receives either high-speed data in MPEG-2 or analogue video and transmits back data requests via the same dish and satellite. This avoids the slow terrestrial network and also allows the service provider complete control over all aspects of the network. The commercial version of this system will be followed within a short period of time by a domestic version. This project is part funded by the European Space Agency.

As a long established company, AEL continues both effectively and profitably to expand its operations in Ireland, the UK and around Europe. AEL is continually investing in new technology and considers itself to be one of the most technologically advanced companies in satellite-related technology in Europe. Through the years AEL has built up strong industry credibility and the company expects to continue its collaborative work with major institutions such as the European Space Agency.