Development Expenses
Development expenses decreased $0.4 million, or 8.4%, from $5.2 million in the year ended December 31, 2011 to $4.8 million in the year ended December 31, 2012.
There was a decrease of $0.9 million related to expenses incurred for the year ended December 31, 2011 for demonstrations at the US Army base in Fort Bliss, Texas, tower sites needed for our Fort Lauderdale network and costs incurred for demonstrations in Lewisville, Arkansas. This was offset by an increase in payroll, facility, and miscellaneous development expenses of $0.5 million.
The average headcount in development decreased slightly from 47 in the year ended December 31, 2011 and 46 in the year ended December 31, 2012.
Over time, we expect our development costs to increase as we continue making significant investments in developing new products and developing new versions of our existing products.
Stock Based Compensation
Stock based compensation decreased $0.5 million, or 45.7%, from $1.0 million in the year ended December 31, 2011 to $0.5 million in the year ended December 31, 2012. The decrease arose from the decrease in the number of employees who received option grants in fiscal 2012.
We had approximately $1.6 million of unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to unvested stock options, net of estimated forfeitures, as of December 31, 2012, which we expect to be recognized over the next three years.
Pursuant to an agreement upon inception of engagement of a non-employee, a warrant to purchase 43,446 of our common shares had been granted to the non-employee, with vesting to be based upon the performance of services. By mutual agreement with us, on March 22, 2012, the non-employee agreed these warrants will not be exercised and they have been cancelled. The cumulative compensation expense of $194,000 recognized through December 31, 2011 was reversed during 2012 upon cancelation.
During the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, we recognized stock based compensation expense attributable to this warrant of $96,000 and $98,000 respectively for a total of $194,000 of cumulative compensation expense.
Amortization and Depreciation
Amortization and depreciation expenses increased $0.3 million, or 14.2%, from $1.8 million in the year ended December 31, 2011 to $2.1 million in the year ended December 31, 2012. The increase is attributed to a full year of amortization on products sold in 2011 and available for sale in 2012 as compared to a partial year of amortization in 2011.
Other Income (Expense)
Other expense was comprised of net interest expense and impairment charges. Net interest expense fell from $1.8 million in the year ended December 31, 2011 to $0.5 million in the year ended December 31, 2012.
While the indebtedness under our convertible shareholder loans with MBTH increased from $6.8 million at December 31, 2011 to $17.2 million at December 31, 2012, interest expense decreased $1.3 million due to minimum interest charges incurred in refinancing previous loans with MBTH in 2011 along with $0.5 million attributed to accretion of a debt discount on the $10 million loan with MBTH.
Impairment charges included $0.3 million in the year ended December 31, 2011 related to inventory. For the year ended December 31, 2012, $18,000 was related to intangible assets and $268,000 for property & equipment.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our operations primarily have been funded through cash generated by financing. Cash comprises cash in hand and demand deposits. Our cash balances were $271,000 and $133,000 at the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 respectively.
As of April 1, 2013, the Company had drawn down $6.2 million under the Bridge Loan.