COTS Joural

May 2018, Volume 20 – Number 5 • cotsjournalonline.com

JOURNAL

The Journal of Military Electronics & Computing

Interconnectivity is Theme for UAV and UGV Tech Advances

Meet MIL Specifications While Solving SWaP-C with 270V Input Applications

Creating Software Separation for Mixed Criticality Systems

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The Journal of Military Electronics & Computing JOURNAL

COTS (kots), n. 1. Commercial off-the-shelf.

Terminology popularized in 1994 within U.S. DoD by SECDEF Wm. Perry’s “Perry Memo” that changed military industry purchasing and design guidelines, making Mil-Specs acceptable only by waiver. COTS is generally defined for technology, goods and services as: a) using commercial business practices and specifications, b) not developed under government funding, c) offered for sale to the general market, d) still must meet the program ORD. 2. Commercial business practices include the accepted practice of customer-paid minor modification to standard COTS products to meet the customer’s unique requirements.

—Ant. When applied to the procurement of electronics for he U.S. Military, COTS is a procurement philosophy and does not imply commercial, office environment or any other durability grade. E.g., rad-hard components designed and offered for sale to the general market are COTS if they were developed by the company and not under government funding.

READER’S CHOICE 14

Interconnectivity is Theme for UAV and UGV Tech Advances

DEPARTMENTS 06 Publisher’s Note

Commercial technologies keep knocking!

John Reardon, Publisher, COTS Journal

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The Inside Track

SPECIAL FEATURE 18

Meet MIL Specifications While Solving SWaP-C Challenges with 270V Input Applications Kai Johnstad, Senior Product Marketing Manager, Vicor Corporation

SYSTEM DEVLOPMENT 22

Creating Software Separation for Mixed Criticality Systems Arvind Raghuraman, Senior Architect, Embedded Platform Solutions

COT’S PICKS 28

Editor’s Choice for May

COTS Journal | May 2018

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The Journal of Military Electronics & Computing

JOURNAL EDITORIAL INTERIM EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Glenn ImObersteg, glenn@convergencepromotions.com SENIOR EDITOR Rob Hoffman, rob.hoffman@highassure.com MANAGING EDITOR Bryan Ruiz, bryandruiz22@gmail.com

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COTS Journal | May 2018

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PUBLISHER’S NOTE

John Reardon, Publisher

Commercial technologies keep knocking!

Advances in compute technology have changed the landscape in many areas. Physicists are making advancement in understanding the world around us at rate never before seen.

Facebook and others are changing the way we look at 19” racks with Open Compute Platform. The concept Composable Computing will better allocate resources in datacenters for an optimized load balancing only dreamt about. Security and networks will advance to a point of seamlessness between humans and the world of sensors. But will these and other technologies bring value to the military?

When it was concluded that Moore’s Law was dead and that the drive towards technologies derived from the handheld market only got the military’s needs so far; it became clear a new path was needed. The need for highly sensitive sensors arrays, high performance communication channels and battlefield deployed systems closely aligned with the innovations

that are taking place in the commercial sector. This alignment could not have come at a better time.

The historical comfort that an alignment of this type gave us was witnessed in the march of rugged systems adopting desktop technologies. From bus architecture to chip design, there was a comfort in knowing that these tried and true systems were the architectural corner stones of those systems that drove the military. The demise of the desktop computer with the advent of the cell phone scramble the road map and left us at a technological dead end. Yes, the cell phone gave us power management like never seen before, but when it came to the trade off of power verses performance – the choice for the military was clear.

Today architectures and topologies are being adopted from performance leaders using FPGA’s and GPU’s. The ability to get rugged, reliable GPU based servers from companies such as Systel has renewed the idea of using commercial technologies. There are many ideas regarding edge computing, security and allocation of resources and as leaders in the industry develop this vision, the future seems bright in meeting the needs of the modern warrior.

Powered by the latest rugged NVIDIA Tesla GPU cards, Systel’s rugged High-Performance Computing (HPC) GPU servers offer tremendous power and high performance. Systel’s HPC solutions are designed and optimized for deployment in Military and mission-critical applications in the harshest environments.

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COTS Journal | May 2018

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Lockheed Martin receives $828 million U.S. Army contract for Guided MLRS Rocket Product Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) received an $828 million not-to-exceed contract from the U.S. Army for Lot 13 production of Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) rockets and associated equipment.

The contract calls for the production of GMLRS Alternative Warhead (AW) rockets, GMLRS Unitary rockets, Reduced-Range Practice Rockets (RRPRs) and integrated logistics support for the U.S. Army as well as GMLRS rounds for a number of international customers. Work will be performed at the Lockheed Martin facilities in Dallas and at the company’s Precision Fires Center of Excellence in Camden, Ark. “The GMLRS round continues to perform exceptionally well for our customers,” said Gaylia Campbell, vice president of Precision Fires and Combat Maneuver Systems at Lockheed Martin. “And we are always executing continuous improvement initiatives to enhance performance, range and affordability of these critical rounds to assure they remain the preferred precision-strike option for our warfighters.”

GMLRS is an all-weather rocket designed for fast deployment that delivers precision

Curtiss-Wright Awarded $85 millon contract to support U.S. Navy’s Ford-Class Aitcraft Carrier Program Curtiss-Wright Corporation (NYSE: CW) announced that it has been awarded a contract valued in excess of $85 million to provide main propulsion steam turbines and auxiliary equipment for the U.S. Navy’s Ford-class aircraft carrier Enterprise (CVN 80). The award was received from Huntington Ingalls, Newport News Shipbuilding (HII-NNS) to support planned ship construction.

“We are pleased to have been awarded this important naval defense contract, underscoring Curtiss-Wright’s long-standing relationship with the U.S. Navy and continued support of their critical platforms which continue to receive strong Congressional support,” said David C. Adams, Chairman and CEO of Curtiss-Wright Corporation. “This contract reflects the first award 8

COTS Journal | May 2018

GMLRS Alternative Warhead (AW) rockets

strike beyond the reach of most conventional weapons. The GMLRS AW was the first munition developed to service area targets without the effects of unexploded ordinance, complying with the DoD cluster munitions policy. GMLRS Unitary rockets greatly exceed the required combat reliability rate and have established a reputation for affordability. The RRPR allows users to train with realistic, full-motored rockets with limited flight range, making them ideal for smaller testing ranges.

In combat operations, each GMLRS rocket is packaged in a MLRS launch pod and is fired from the Lockheed Martin HIMARS or M270 family of launchers. For more than 40 years, Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control has been the leading designer and manufacturer of long-range, surface-to-surface precision strike solutions, providing highly reliable, combat-proven systems like MLRS, HIMARS, ATACMS and GMLRS to domestic and international customers.

received by our Dresser-Rand government business acquired on April 2, 2018, and ensures that we will continue to provide the most advanced and reliable steam turbine technologies to Newport News Shipbuilding and the U.S. Navy.

Further, our innovative products and reliable solutions continue to support the U.S. Navy’s cost and delivery targets, and reinforce the fleet readiness commitments for the aircraft carrier platform.”

and manufacturing will commence in 2018 and will continue through at least 2022. The products will be shipped to Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia.

Curtiss-Wright is performing the work within its EMS division in the Power USS Carl Vinson segment. Engineering

The USAF awards $23.9 million contract for ongoing development of comm systems counterthreat tech The U.S. Air Force has granted a contract worth $23.9 million to small engineering firm PreTalen (Dayton, Ohio) for continued development of an automated platform that analyzes wireless communication systems and warns of potential vulnerabilities.

PreTalen is in the process of updating its Position, Navigation, and Time (PNT) Autonomous Negotiator Applying Cognitive Effects-Based Analysis system, which it calls PANACEA. PreTalen originally developed the PANACEA system in 2015 under the auspic-

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es of the Air Force Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer Program.

The PANACEA system provides a research asset and algorithms to quickly, quantitatively, and confidently assess the vulnerabilities of PNT systems, which serve to accurately and precisely determine one’s location and orientation; determine current and desired position and to apply a course, orientation, or speed to reach a position; and maintain accurate and precise time from a standard anywhere in the world. By applying automation algorithms and cognitive analysis, PANACEA uses commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) simulators to unveil a PNT system’s strengths and weaknesses; both military and commercial entities can use PANA-

CEA. The system includes a database for input, output, and analysis of data so users can easily query results from vast tables of test data to quickly assemble sound conclusions and make actionable decisions.

Bruce Hart, PreTalen’s chief technology officer, said of the recent contraact: “We are excited to continue our work with the Air Force Research Laboratory in developing innovative cyber radio-frequency solutions for the warfighter, Navigation and wirelesssystems are becoming increasingly vulnerable to cyber-based attacks. Working with the team at AFRL to develop solutions to these emerging threats will help ensure our military remains at the forefront of this battlespace.”

Intel Applauds Bipartisan Congressional Effort to Accelerate Quantum Computing Research What’s New: This week, the U.S. Senate is reviewing its version of the National Quantum Initiative Act (S. 3143), a bipartisan bill to create a 10-year coordinated federal program to accelerate quantum research and development for the economic and national security of the United States. The bill aims to ensure U.S. leadership in quantum information science by supporting research and development, improving interagency planning and coordination, promoting public-private partnerships, and promoting the development of international standards.

“When it comes to quantum computing research, we’re at mile one of a marathon. The U.S. has long been at the cutting edge of technology; a fact that has propelled our progress for decades. As nations around the world race to lead in quantum information science, the U.S. will require collaboration of industry, academia and the federal government to keep pace.

The National Quantum Initiative Act is a great step forward, and Intel applauds the bipartisan leadership in Congress on their progress.” –Jim Clarke, director of quantum hardware, Intel.

Why It’s Important: The National Quantum Initiative Act will ensure the United States remains competitive in a global race to build quantum technologies.

Quantum computing is an exciting new

Intel’s director of quantum hardware, Jim Clarke, holds a 17-qubit superconducting test chip.

(Credit: Intel Corporation)

computing paradigm with unique problems to be solved and new physics to be discovered. Academia, governments and companies are racing to advance quantum science given its potential to solve problems beyond the reach of conventional computers. For example, quantum computers may simulate nature to advance research in chemistry, materials science and molecular modeling.

Intel’s Context: In 2015, Intel initiated a significant investment in quantum research.

Today, Intel is making fast progress toward developing commercially viable quantum computing systems, including the introduction of a 49-qubit superconducting test chip called “Tangle Lake.”

COTS Journal | May 2018

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Army awards $391.8 million contract to L-3 to build ENVG-B night vision electro-optical binoculars

U.S. Army night vision experts needed advanced binocular infrared and image-intensification electro-optical binoculars to enable U.S. and allied warfighters to operate effectively at night. They found their solution from L-3 Insight in Londonderry, N.H. Officials of the Army Contracting Command at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., announced a $391.8 million three-year contract to L-3 Insight on Wednesday for the Enhanced Night Vision Goggle-Binocular (ENVG-B).

The ENVG-B project, which has unfolded this year, has been a somewhat secretive initiative with few details publicly released about its technologies and specifications because of the program’s sensitive nature.

The distinction of ENVG III from previous ENVGs is the added rapid target acquisition technology when used with the FWS-I, which is to be a weapon-mounted long-wave infrared sensor used for surveillance and aiming weapons during daylight, darkness, adverse weather, and dirty battlefield conditions, Army officials say.

L-3 Insight is one of four U.S. electro-optics companies building versions of the ENVG. The others are Harris Corp. ( formerly Exelis) in Roanoke, Va.; BAE Systems Electronic Systems segment in Nashua, N.H.; and the DRS Technologies Imaging and Targeting Solutions (ITS) segment in Dallas. Army officials say L-3 Insight was the only bidder for the ENVG-B program.

The ENVG family represents helmet-mounted night-vision goggles that blend image intensification and longwave infrared sensors for combat at night, in bad weather, and in smoke and dust.

Image intensification amplifies available light from stars or other low-light sources, and while long-wave infrared detects temperature differences in objects to make humans, vehicles, and machinery stand out from their cooler backgrounds. Blending the two technologies in a multispectral imaging approach helps each sensor compensate for the weaknesses of the other.

Harris and L-3 Insight are building ENVG II, while BAE Systems and DRS are building ENVG III. Compared with previous versions of the ENVG, the ENVG III weapon sights also has improved resolution and a wider field of view.

The ENVG III is a follow-on contract to previous ENVG I and ENVG II procurements.

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COTS Journal | May 2018

auto or user initiated single point correction; and offers user-adjustable image-intensification gain and thermal brightness.

The AN/PSQ-20B ENVG is based on the L-3 Insight AN/PVS-31 Binocular Night Vision Device (BNVD) Fusion Goggle System (FGS), which offers green and white phosphor versions.

The AN/PVS-31 BNVD is a compact, lightweight, Gen III dual-tube goggle with an ergonomic low-profile design to provide better situational awareness than a single-tube goggle. Its twin-tube design provides protection in the field against failure or damage versus a single-tube device.

L-3 Insight lightweight Enhanced Night Vision Goggle-Binocular (ENVG-B)

L-3 Insight provides the AN/PSQ-20B ENVG helmet-mounted dual waveband monocular, which enables the user to view images through one eye, but not through two eyes as a binocular device can. The AN/PSQ-20B ENVG provided improved targeting and identification by fusing image intensification technology with thermal imagery to bring out the best in both sensors.

The system provides has standard 18-millimeter MX-11769 image-intensification tubes; objective focus adjustment from 18 inches to infinity; diopter adjustment from +1 to -2 diopters; meets MIL-STD-810G; has an internal shutter for

It can be used as a monocular when necessary to allow for the dominant and non-dominant eye by rotating either the left or right optic into the stowed position. L-3 Insight designed the AN/PVS31 BNVD to increase system resolution, reduce head-borne weight, improve system center of gravity, and improve situational awareness.

The AN/PVS-31 BNVD offers manual system gain and focus adjustments; a rotating binocular design for use with a low-profile against helmet when in stowed position; auto off when stowed; LED battery indicator in left and right monocular; replaceable image-intensification tubes; and availability for BNVIS or Aviator’s Night Vision Imaging System (ANVIS) mounts.

On the ENVG-B program, L-3 Insight will do the work in locations and funding will be determined with each order, and should be finished by May 2021.

The Celestica Completes Acquisition of Atrenne Integrated Solutions Celestica, Inc. (NYSE:CLS) (TSX: CLS), a leader in design, manufacturing and supply chain solutions for the world’s most innovative companies, today announced that it has completed its previously announced acquisition of Atrenne Integrated Solutions, Inc. The acquisition supports Celestica’s strategy to expand its portfolio of end-to-end product lifecycle solutions to deliver added value to customers. Through this acquisition, Celestica is gaining deep expertise in the design and manufacture of ruggedized electromechanical solutions primarily for military and commercial aerospace applications.

About Celestica Celestica enables the world’s best brands.

Through our recognized customer-centric approach, we partner with leading companies in aerospace and defense, communications, enterprise, healthtech, industrial, semiconductor capital equipment, and smart energy to deliver solutions for their most complex challenges.

A leader in design, manufacturing, hardware platform and supply chain solutions, Celestica brings global expertise and insight at every stage of product development - from the drawing board to full-scale production and after-market services. With talented teams across North America, Europe and Asia, we imagine, develop and deliver a better future with our customers.

About Atrenne Integrated Solutions, Inc. Atrenne Integrated Solutions is an advanced, vertically-integrated, component and system provider serving aerospace, defense, computing, communications, and other technology-driven industries. Atrenne delivers integrated components, electronic packaging, fabricated metal, electronic assemblies and value-add build-to-print manufacturing services to industrial markets across the globe. With more than 40 years of experience, Atrenne provides innovatively engineered products and services throughout the program lifecycle, from concept to manufacturing to obsolescence management. Atrenne is proud to provide customers with fully-tested, reliable, electromechanical solutions on-time and with world-class quality. Atrenne is headquartered in the United States.

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Northrop Grumman Incorporates Data Collected from AQS-24B to SeeTrack System to Create Enhanced Minehunting Capability LONDON – June 28, 2018 - Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC) and SeeByte are collaborating to incorporate AQS-24B mine hunting sensor data into the SeeTrack system to enhance its Autonomous Target Recognition (ATR) capability.

The AQS-24B scans the ocean floor at a speed of 18 knots, which is nearly twice as much as any other operational towed minehunting device in the world. It utilizes a high-resolution, side scan sonar for real time detection, localization, and classification of mines at high coverage rates and a laser line scanner to provide precision optical identification. The AQS series minehunter is used globally and has logged thousands of hours of operation.

“The merging of the unmanned surface vessel-based AQS-24B with the SeeByte ATR will provide international navies with a better probability of detection and classification of bottom mines than is currently possible with an operator-only system,” said Alan Lytle, vice president, undersea systems, Northrop Grumman.

Northrop Grumman and SeeByte began their collaboration over a year ago and will be ready to demonstrate an initial release of this new capability during the Australian Navy’s planned Autonomous Warrior 18 exercise in Jervis Bay, Sydney, NSW in November.

“This will be the first ATR in existence directly supporting the highest-speed synthetic aperture sonar in the world, and marks a true advancement in the state of the art for such capabilities,” said Bob Black, CEO of SeeByte.

The product of this collaboration will be available for upcoming new mine countermeasures ship and payload programs across Europe, the Middle East and Pacific Rim. SeeByte provides clients in the military and oil and gas sectors with advanced software to enhance the capabilities of their underwater sensors, vehicles, and systems. SeeByte partners with leading hardware manufacturers to provide enhanced capabilities for its sensors and systems to provide cues to enhance the warfighter’s ability to find undersea explosives.

Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in autonomous systems, cyber, C4ISR, strike, and logistics and modernization to customers worldwide.

The AQS24-B minehunter and console.

COTS Journal | May 2018

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Army awards $391.8 million contract to L-3 to build ENVG-B night vision electro-optical binoculars

U.S. Army night vision experts needed advanced binocular infrared and image-intensification electro-optical binoculars to enable U.S. and allied warfighters to operate effectively at night. They found their solution from L-3 Insight in Londonderry, N.H. Officials of the Army Contracting Command at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., announced a $391.8 million three-year contract to L-3 Insight on Wednesday for the Enhanced Night Vision Goggle-Binocular (ENVG-B).

The ENVG-B project, which has unfolded this year, has been a somewhat secretive initiative with few details publicly released about its technologies and specifications because of the program’s sensitive nature.

L-3 Insight is one of four U.S. electro-optics companies building versions of the ENVG. The others are Harris Corp. ( formerly Exelis) in Roanoke, Va.; BAE Systems Electronic Systems segment in Nashua, N.H.; and the DRS Technologies Imaging and Targeting Solutions (ITS) segment in Dallas. Army officials say L-3 Insight was the only bidder for the ENVG-B program.

The ENVG family represents helmet-mounted night-vision goggles that blend image intensification and longwave infrared sensors for combat at night, in bad weather, and in smoke and dust.

Image intensification amplifies available light from stars or other low-light sources, and while long-wave infrared detects temperature differences in objects to make humans, vehicles, and machinery stand out from their cooler backgrounds. Blending the two technologies in a multispectral imaging approach helps each sensor compensate for the weaknesses of the other.

Harris and L-3 Insight are building ENVG II, while BAE Systems and DRS are building ENVG III. Compared with previous versions of the ENVG, the ENVG III weapon sights also has improved resolution and a wider field of view.

The ENVG III is a follow-on contract to previous ENVG I and ENVG II procurements.

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COTS Journal | May 2018

US Army awards Raytheon $130 million for TOW missiles Weapon system provides overmatch advantage for ground troops The TOW weapon system—with the multi-mission TOW 2A , TOW 2B and TOW Bunker Buster missiles—is a long-range precision, heavy anti-tank and assault weapon system that defeats all known armor systems in the world.

“TOW’s precision and firepower give U.S. and allied ground troops a significant advantage on the battlefield,” said Kim Ernzen, Raytheon Land Warfare Systems vice president.

“Worldwide demand for TOW continues to be strong, and we expect to produce and deliver it for many years to come.”

The anti-armor, anti-fortification weapon system combats battlefield threats and gives ground forces an overmatch advantage against armored and wheeled systems, regardless of the environment or conditions.

The TOW weapon system is deployed with more than 20 international armed forces, and integrated on vehicles and helicopters worldwide. Raytheon has delivered more than 690,000 TOW missiles to the Army, U.S. Marine Corps and allied militaries. The system will be in service with the U.S. military through 2050.

Raytheon’s TOW® weapon system has transitioned to wireless guidance and is being produced for the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps and all international customers. (Photo: U.S. Army)

GET Engineering Corp awarded IDIQ N64498-17-D-0015 GET Engineering Corp.,* El Cajon, California, is being awarded a $13,044,417 firm-fixedprice, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the procurement of combat systems interface and steering control systems data conversion devices. Work will be performed in El Cajon, California, and is expected to be completed

by September 2022. Fiscal 2017 other procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $107,830 will be obligated at contract award via the first delivery order and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract award contains a five year ordering period. This contract was not competitively procured. In accordance with 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1) – only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. GET Engineering Corp. was the only company that met or ex-

ceeded all of the technical requirements for the combat systems interface and steering control systems data conversion devices. The Naval Surface Warfare Center Philadelphia Division, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity (N64498-17-D-0015).

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READER’S CHOICE In case you missed it: COTs presents our most popular articles from past issues.

Interconnectivity is Theme for UAV and UGV Tech Advances Unmanned systems both air- and ground-based continue to depend on powerful processing technology. The latest trend is toward communications and network advances among systems.

John Reardon, Publisher, COTS Journal

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COTS Journal | May 2018

It’s clear that both unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) have evolved to become indispensable tools for today’s modern warfighter. Their technology trends have likewise following a parallel path. Both UAVs and UGV system designs are moving toward more autonomous capabilities and ever more sophisticated ISR collecting. All that requires increased embedded compute density. To keep pace, the embedded computing industry is responding with highly integrated, small form factor solutions serving the needs of UAVs and UGVs.

sharing video data to adding radio functionality.

Radio Comms for UGVs In an example along those lines, last summer Endeavor Robotics ( formerly iRobot) and Persistent Systems teamed up to integrate the MPU5, a communication system, into Endeavor Robotics’ family of battle-proven ground robots (Figure 1). The integration of the Wave Relay network helps warfighters by significantly in-

provides them personnel views of real-time video and telemetry feeds from all robots within the MANET.

Modular UGV Platform In January QinetiQ North America (QNA) likewise forged a deal Persistent Systems to ingrate MANET radios into its TALON and Dragon Runner ground robots. The MANET relay radio can connect QNA’s ground robot family with a reliable, high throughput, and long range MANET communication system that is self-forming, self-healing, and scalable. QNA has begun accepting orders for MPU5equipped Talon V systems.

On UAV side, development in recent years has trended toward upgrades of existing UAV platforms When it comes and payloads while to new UGV designs, limiting development among QinetiQ North of new ones. TechAmerica’s latest offernology vendors have ings is the Titan develresponded with new oped with partner Milintegrated box-level rem and introduced at systems with the the 2016 Association proper size, weight of the United States and power (SWaP) Army (AUSA) show for UAV requirelast fall. The UGV that ments. For medium Figure 1: The 310 SUGV from Endeavor Robotics is a man-portable robot intended for gathering data for situacombines Milrem’s and large UAVs, most tional awareness in critical conditions.

THeMIS (Tracked Hysystem upgrades brid Modular Infantry are aimed at either System) with QinetiQ adding more payload functionality in the same creasing the distance of unmanned ground op- North America’s robotic control technology. space or at adding more separate payloads on erations and enabling operators to control or THeMIS is the first fully modular hybrid unthe same platform. The consolidation of mul- observe multiple robot assets through a com- manned ground vehicle made for military aptiple systems into few boxes is impacting the mon controller interface over the Wave Relay plications. QNA’s control technology includes radar, imaging processing and communications MANET. the Tactical Robot Controller (TRC) and Rocapabilities of next-gen UAVs. botic Appliqué Kit (RAK). According to QNA, According to Endeavor Robotics, the this joint both meets and exceeds, the rigorous For UGVs, system platforms have matured first generation of tactical robots used lim- SMET program requirements. The multi-missignificantly since operations in Iraq and Af- ited range point-to-point radios constrained sion Titan can perform complex and hazardous ghanistan began. Over that period, the DoD by frequency, transmit power and nominal tasks on the battlefield that are currently perhas acquired and deployed thousands of UGVs mesh capabilities. Today both robot systems formed by soldiers. and support equipment. The systems support and radio technology have evolved to enable a diverse range of duties, everything from sus- greater capabilities and more secure and Datalink Gear for Predator B pected object identification and route clearance expandable communications between sinShifting gears to UAV technology, comto locating and defusing improvised explosive gle systems or networks of down range sys- munications and connectivity are also leading devices (IEDs). Over the last 12 months, a lot of tems. With the integration of advanced radio themes. Along those lines, General Atomics the advances in both UGVs and UAVs has cen- solutions such as Persistent Systems’ Wave Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA ASI) last sumtered on communication between unmanned Relay MANET technology lets operators of mer completed a successful demo of its Netplatforms and warfighters and between the sys- Endeavor robots establish and relay com- work Centric Communications Pod (NCCP) tems themselves. This includes everything from munications between multiple robots. It also communicating via data link between UAV COTS Journal | May 2018

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READER’S CHOICE

nologies and systems enabling aircraft to launch volleys of low-cost, reusable Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and safely and reliably retrieve them in mid-air. Such systems, or “gremlins,” would be deployed with a mixture of mission payloads capable of generating a variety of effects in a distributed and coordinated manner, providing U.S. forces with improved operational flexibility at a lower cost than is possible with conventional platforms.

Figure 2: The Network Centric Communications Pod (NCCP) is shown here was integrated aboard a GA-ASIowned Predator B Block 5. It provides Adaptive Networking Wideband Waveform (ANW2) retransmissions.

and U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) ground and air forces. The demo was performed during an exercise held at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center (MCAGCC), Twentynine Palms, Calif.

The NCCP was integrated aboard a GAASI-owned Predator B Block 5 (Figure 2) and operated by a company-owned Block 30 Ground Control Station (GCS), NCCP provided Adaptive Networking Wideband Waveform (ANW2) retransmissions and Tactical Targeting Network Technology (TTNT) availability while simultaneously providing C-band Remote Operational Video Enhanced Receiver (ROVER) Full-motion Video (FMV) to advantaged users who possessed highly sophisticated connectivity and communications equipment, as well as disadvantaged users on the battlefield who were equipped with Kinetic Integrated Low-cost Software Integrated Tactical Combat Handheld (KILSWITCH) tablets.

During the demonstration, warfighters access enhanced situational awareness through the expansion of their ANW2 and TTNT networks. This greatly improved their ability to communicate and share information in a network that included both an airborne node and ground users. Predator B also provided live FMV to warfighters’ ROVER, and the NCCP demonstrated the ability to stream FMV via ANW2 to USMC KILSWITCH tablets. This data, along with imagery captured by GA-ASI’s Lynx MultiMode Radar, was transmitted to Camp Pend16

COTS Journal | May 2018

leton’s Battle Simulation Center and displayed on GA-ASI’s Claw 3 Integrated Sensor Payload Control and Analysis Software system, as well as GA-ASI’s System for Tactical Archival, Retrieval, and Exploitation (STARE) workstations.

Swarms of Gremlin UAVs In another communications-related UAV developed, GA-ASI last month announced that DARPA has continued to contract the company for Phase 2 of the Gremlins program. The Gremlins program seeks to develop innovative tech-

GA-ASI was awarded a contract for Phase 1 of the program in March 2016. While Phase 1 was conceptual in nature, Phase 2 aims to mature the design and perform in-flight risk reduction testing for the C-130-based recovery system. Activities will include Preliminary Design Review (PDR) for the aircraft and recovery system, ground testing to validate key technologies, and flight test to demonstrate safety and recovery system performance. The program is expected to culminate in an air launch and recovery demonstration in 2019. The Gremlin aircraft is one in a line of new Small UAS (SUAS) being developed by GA-ASI. The vehicle is capable of one-hour time-on-station at a range of 300 nautical miles while carrying a modular 60-pound payload.

MQ-4C Triton Achieves Milestone C Moving up to Large UAV platforms, the U.S. Navy’s “new” MQ-4C Triton UAV last fall obtained positive Milestone C low-rate initial production approval. The decision marked the beginning

Figure 3: A MQ-4C Triton UAV test proved it can transfer full motion video to a P-8A Poseidon in flight, proving its enhanced ability to detect, track, classify and identify maritime threats.

A47_COTS_2_25x9_875.qxp_A45.qxd 1/30/18 1:46 P

of the production and deployment phase of the DoD acquisition process. The test team analyzed and validated sensor imagery and performance at different altitudes and ranges. The aircraft system’s ability to classify targets and disseminate critical data was also examined as part of the

Figure 4: The Avionics ROCK-2A features interoperable processing, graphics and I/O building blocks to provide all the functions required for modern C4ISR and avionics applications.

OA testing. Successful evaluation of Triton’s time on station confirmed that it will meet flight duration requirements. Triton also transferred full motion video to a P-8A Poseidon in flight, proving a key capability to significantly enhance its ability to detect, track, classify and identify maritime threats (Figure 3).

For its part, the RQ-4 Global Hawk also made news last fall when Northrop Grumman successfully flew an Optical Bar Camera broad-area synoptic sensor on an RQ-4 Global Hawk. That marked the first time the legacy U.S. Air Force camera has been flown on a high altitude unmanned aircraft. The Optical Bar Camera has provided panoramic and unalterable imagery. Existing models of

the U.S Air Force Global Hawk are capable of carrying an Enhanced Integrated Sensor Suite (EISS), Airborne Signals Intelligence Payload (ASIP) and Multi-Platform Radar Technology Insertion Program (MP-RTIP).

Avionics-

Centric Box-Level Solution

The trend toward COTS boxlevel systems being integrated onto to UAVs isn’t new. The twist over the last few years is towards box-level systems with function-specific features tailored to airborne applications— like UAVs. Exemplifying this trend is Mercury’s Avionics ROCK-2A—a development platform for conduction-cooled boards used in the ROCK-2 series of pre-integrated processing subsystems (Figure 4). The development platform’s front-panel is populated with commercial connectors for easy accessibility from test and development benches. Both the hardware and software are identical across the ROCK-2 development (ROCK-2A) and rugged air-borne (ROCK-2B/C) platforms, enabling UAV system developers to migrate from one platform to the other without modification.

The ROCK-2 series uses Mercury’s Avionics Series of interoperable processing, graphics and I/O building blocks to provide all the functions required for modern C4ISR and avionics applications. Avionics ROCK-2A includes a software package with all the development tools required to build an application right out of the box. The board support package integrates all the drivers required for VxWorks 653. Other operating systems, with Linux and VxWorks available soon.

The system’s front-panel and underlying I/O board are designed for customization enabling application specific I/O interconnects to be quickly implemented. Interfaces are provided for ARINC 429 Tx/Rx for high and low speed; Dual redundant MIL-STD-1553; RS232/422/485 configurable serial channels; Fast Ethernet, Gbit Ethernet, USB, Discrete I/O along with digital and/or analog video inputs.

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COTS Journal | May 2018

17

SPECIAL FEATURE

Meet MIL Specifications While Solving SWaP-C Challenges with 270V Input Applications Kai Johnstad, Senior Product Marketing Manager, Vicor Corporation

Introduction Defense applications with 270VDC input must meet stringent EMI, environmental, and power related standards such as MIL-STD-461, MIL-STD-810, and MIL-STD-704. The design process is further complicated by SWaP-C requirements. Vicor’s enhanced MIL-COTs products (including the 270V MFM™ filter and M-Grade VIA DCMs™) were built specifically to conform to these standards, simplifying the process of achieving compliance. The efficient packaging, high frequency Zero-Voltage Switching (ZVS) topology and flexible thermal management options deliver thermal and density benefits. They also have a small footprint and are lightweight for applications with demanding SWaP-C demands.

Standards Overview Environmental Standards - MIL-STD-810 MIL-STD-810 1 is the primary standard that addresses environmental conditions for defense and aerospace applications. This standard specifies test methods that replicate the effects of environments on the equipment. The latest revision of this standard MIL-STD-810G addresses numerous environmental conditions, including: • Mechanical shock and vibration • Humidity • Acceleration • Fungus • Sand and Dust The modular construction of the DCM (DCDC Converter Module) and MFM (MIL-COTS Filter Module) is ideal for ruggedized DC-DC power systems used in compact enclosures, where these conditions can be severe. Modules provide improved reliability, and decreased the time needed for design and test, since icor has already proven the systems within the modules.

18

COTS Journal | May 2018

EMI Requirement: MIL-STD-461 MIL-STD-4612 addresses conducted emissions, conducted susceptibility, radiated emissions, and radiated susceptibility for electronics used in defense and aerospace applications (the latest version of the standard is G). At a high level, emission refers to the electromagnetic ‘noise’ a device generates as it impacts the source to which it is connected and susceptibility is the vulnerability of a system to incoming noise.

MIL-STD-461 covers four key aspects of electromagnetic interference: • Conducted Emissions (CE) – what the power supply feeds back to the power grid • Conducted Susceptibility (CS) – the effect that various noise and distortion elements in the power grid have on the power supply • Radiated Emissions (RE) – the radiated noise generated by the power supply • Radiated Susceptibility (RS) – is the supply performance disturbed by external voltage and magnetic fields

Table 1: EMI requirement applicability to platform Legend: A: Applicable L: Limited as specified in the individual sections of this standard S: Procuring activity must specify in procurement documentation

Typically, only CE and CS requirements apply to power converters, while RE and RS apply to the system as a whole. For COTS power supplies, the most problematic parts of MILSTD-461 are CE101 and CE102, which are generally met by a combination of low-noise design and external filtering. The applicability of the various requirements to the end application types is outlined in Table 1.

CE101 is the test procedure that is used to verify that electromagnetic emissions from the equipment under test (EUT) do not exceed the specified requirements for power input leads, including returns, over the 30Hz to 10kHz range. It is required for power systems used in submarines, Army aircraft (including flight line) and Navy aircraft with anti-submarine warfare equipment.

CE102 verifies that electromagnetic emissions from the EUT do not exceed the specified requirements for power input leads including returns over the 10kHz to 10MHz range, and is

required for a wide range of systems including: submarines, Army aircraft (including flight line), Navy aircraft, Air Force aircraft, space systems, ground Army, ground Navy, ground Air Force and surface ships.

The conducted susceptibility tests whether the EUT will continue to function properly if various parts of the system are injected with electrical or magnetic disturbances.

Transient Immunity – MIL-STD-704 MIL-STD-704 3 refers to aircraft-based systems that describe the anticipated power quality of those systems, and the levels a device must meet or exceed in order to perform satisfactorily in the anticipated application. Generally, in regards to power supplies, MIL-STD-704 dictates the magnitude and duration of input transients that the unit under test will experience. In addition, the tests for MIL-STD-704 are actually dictated by the more exhaustive MIL-HDBK-704, which specifies various under- and overvoltage tests that devices should be subjected to. Below are excerpts from MILHDBK-704 that illustrate the various normal and abnormal tests for MIL-STD-704E and F (F is the most recent iteration of the standard).

Normal Voltage Transients Overvoltage and undervoltage are voltage conditions that exceed the limits of normal operation as defined by MIL-STD-704 (See Table 2 and Table 3 on next two pages, which are excerpts from MIL-HDBK-704). With other solutions, protective devices are often needed to prevent damage to sensitive electronic circuitry. The DCM™ and MFM™ comply with many of these voltage ranges, eliminating the need for protective circuitry and resolving several issues for designers concerned with SWaP-C demands.

Abnormal Voltage Transients Abnormal voltage transients (see Table 3) are voltage conditions that exceed the limits of abnormal operation as defined by MIL-STD-704.

Like the normal overvoltage and undervoltage transients discussed above, protective devices are often needed in power supply circuits that don’t use the DCM and MFM as a front-end circuit.

EMI Filtering Note that the power system is more than just the DC-DC converters. The EMI filter is also part of the power system (See Figure 1 see next page). The input filtering deserves careful scrutiny during the system design review process. Ideally the filter or filter system will

Table 2: Test conditions for MIL-STD-704E and F normal voltage transients

suppress HF/VHF/RF noise locally, dissipating much of the extraneous noise generated as a consequence of the power switching occurring inside the DCMs™. This prevents switching noise artifacts being transported from the DCMs’ input port(s) back to the input power source, through the power bussing and its spreading to other parts of the system. Suppressing conducted noise eliminates spurious emissions that will otherwise end up being radiated. A good CE filter will prevent noise from cross-coupling into other sensitive circuits in the system. In the field of RF radar reception, noise is measured against a background of ambient energy very close to the thermodynamic minimum. There is a requirement in military system applications for conducted emissions not to exceed the template levels outlined in MIL-STD-461.

To assist system architects using the MIL-

COTS DCM to realize a low emission power solution, Vicor has developed filters that are specifically designed to work with the VIA (Vicor Integrated Adapter) DCM, hereas an additional stage of filtering is required to work with ChiP (converter housed in package) CMs when not packaged in the VIA. The filter is called out as HV MFM™ filter MFM1714xD2KD2F4yzz (see Figure 1). This module is compatible with 270VDC inputs, which can range from 160 to 420VDC. The M-Grade filter has an internal operating temperature range spanning -55 to +125°C. It meets MIL-STD-461E and MIL-STD461F for CE101 and CE102 conducted emissions and CS101 for conducted susceptibility.

In addition, when used with the 270VIN DCMs, the solution will be compliant with the underand overvoltage transients per MIL-STD-704F. Below is a comparison of the new HV MFM filter and 270VIN M grade VIA DCM solution from Vicor when compared to a legacy soluCOTS Journal | May 2018

19

tion, highlighting the benefits of applications requiring small size, reduced weight, higher power and lower cost.

Figure 2 shows the VIA DCM™ and MFM™.

Note that the MFM and DCM are sized and configured so he wiring from the MFM outputs to the DCM inputs can be easily implemented straight across.

Figure 2: A DCM and MFM, showing their relative sizes in VIA (non-through-hole) packages

The DCM is available as a ChiP DCM and VIA DCM (see Figure 3). The VIA DCM is a module that includes the DCM, a heat sink, input and output filtering and other circuitry. The DCM in the ChiP package requires that the user provide the external circuitry.

Table 3a: Test conditions for MIL-STD-704E and F abnormal voltage transients - Continued on next page

Figure 3: MIL COTS DCM DC-DC Converter Modules

Figure 1:Block Diagram of a circuit with a DCM and an MFM Input Filter. MFM DCM Filter is a DC front-end odule that provides EMI filtering and transient protection for the DCM 20

COTS Journal | May 2018

Note: 28V input versions of VIA DCM and MFM are also available: AN:022 MIL EMI and Transient Solutions The best package for a given application depends on a number of factors, which are summarized in Table 4. Depending on the specific requirements of the system, either the ChiP DCM™ or VIA DCM may be the best solution.

Since both solutions have the DCM at their core, both solutions offer ZVS topology and efficient thermal management, so either one is a good solution for systems with challenging SWaP-C demands.

Conclusion

Table 3b Continued from previous page: Test conditions for MIL-STD-704E and F abnormal voltage transients

The primary test specifications for EMI and voltage transients in a MIL-COTS system are MIL-STD-461 and MIL-STD-704. The primary environmental standard is MIL-STD-810.

Vicor MFM™ and DCM roducts have been designed with these specifications in mind, simplifying the implementation of a compliant power system that conforms to stringent SWaP-C demands.

References 1. MIL-STD-810G, Department of Defense Test Method Standard Environmental Engineering Considerations and Laboratory Tests 2. MIL-STD-461G, Department of Defense Interface Standard Requirements for the Control of Electromagnetic Interference Characteristics of Subsystems and Equipment 3. MIL-STD-704E, Department of Defense Interface Standard Aircraft Electric Power Characteristics 4. 270 to 28 VIA DCM datasheet (w/M-Grade): 5. HV MFM data sheet 6. AN:029 Single DCM™ as an Isolated, Regulated DC-DC Converter 7. ChiP Thermal Management White Paper

Table 4: Comparison of ChiP DCM vs. VIA DCM Package

COTS Journal | May 2018

21

SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT

Creating Software Separation for Mixed Criticality Systems Arvind Raghuraman, Senior Architect, Embedded Platform Solutions

This inter-mixture of safety-critical and non-safety critical software is possible on today’s modern processors, but adds to the overall design complexity. In order for guaranteed resource access by the safety application, there must be isolation from non-safety code to prevent any interference; and thus, several key areas must be considered including memory partitioning and managing access to system resources.

Memory Regions

Text Data BSS Dynamic storage

COTS Journal | May 2018

Kernel Space

Memory Pool

Text Data

Stack

Memory Pool

Stack

Generally speaking, system memory is partitioned in embedded devices as static and dynamic storage (Figure 1). Static storage is where ‘text’ and ‘data’ reside; while dynamic storage contains memory for the stack (the RTOS and each RTOS thread will have its own stack) and the heap. For devices architected with a linear memory map, reliability issues occur when software subsystems reach beyond their designated memory range into memory designated to other modules. This overreach can transcend the memory allocated to the application to include memory space allocated to the RTOS kernel. Because the entire memory space is seen by all software modules, a subsystem through an errant memory write can potentially take down the entire device.

22

Static storage

ity systems comprised of safety and non-safety software modules. Memory partitioning (Figure 2) creates space domains with defined access and read/write privileges which prevents a subsystem (or process) from accessing memory other than what has been specifically allocated to it. For example, errant pointers in a non-safe process are contained to their respective memory domain and cannot impact the memory assigned to a safety process. As a result, space partitioning increases system reliability by containing faults to the process which protects other processes and the system at large. Recovery from a fault can thus be reduced from having to restart

Stack Stack Figure 1: The difference between static and dynamic storage. Regardless of storage type, it’s imperative to properly isolate memory into each respective subsystem

Memory Partitioning The ability to partition memory into protected regions isolated from other software subsystems establishes a foundation to build mixed critical-

BSS

{ {

Process A

The introduction of powerful embedded processors which have been driving system consolidation for non-safety embedded devices is now driving system consolidation for safety-critical devices. While software is becoming more complex as more features merge onto a single systemon-chip (SoC), device manufacturers are facing increased scrutiny from regulatory agencies over the safety of their devices. In a safe system, the safety-critical software must have guaranteed and predictable access to compute and other system resources. In a mixedcriticality system guaranteed and predictable access must exist for the safety-critical components.

Therefore, an important consideration in safety devices is memory isolation which ensures that each subsystem is confined to its own designated memory container.

Process B

Introduction

User Space Process A Memory Partition Stack A Process B Memory Partition Stack B

Figure 2: Memory partitioning with processes to create memory protected regions.

the device to omething more manageable such as simply restarting or reloading a process module.

Middleware/ Device Drivers

Middleware/Device Interrupts Seperation

Impact

One solution is a RTOS with a lightweight process model (such as Mentor’s Nucleus® RTOS) which avoids overhead to maintain real-time system performance, and can be used throughout the spectrum of modern embedded processors from MCUs (microcontrollers) to MPUs (microprocessors).

Kernel Space

Drivers are not isolated. Accessible by safe and non-safe processes

Drivers can disable interrups

Non-safe process can make unfettered system calls and impact system performance and resource availability

User Space

Drivers are isolated.

Processes in User Space provide isolation

Drivers cannot disable interrupts

Throttling of system calls by non-safe processes can be managed by polling

System Access The isolation provided by a lightweight process model provides spatial separation between safety-critical and non-safety critical processes, but spatial separation by itself does not go far enough as there is no temporal separation. In this case, both the safety and non-safety processes have full access to kernel resources. As an example, consider a non-safety process that attempts to continuously transmit data over a Local Area Network (LAN) and the effect on system resources which may be required by the safety process (Figure 3).

Non-Safety Process

Figure 4: A non-safety process that continuously accesses kernel space, but shares kernel services with safety process.

cess, system resources could continue to be consumed by a non-safety process. For safety-critical devices, any impediment to system resources by non-safety critical code is unacceptable. In order to ensure the safety-related code executes in a predictable manner managing system resource access is required.

Safety Process

Kernel Space

Fortunately, with a lightweight process model, there are solutions to prevent unfettered access to system resources: such as moving the device drivers to user space, and moving the safety critical code to kernel space.

Networking Stack

User Space Middleware and Device Drivers

Device Driver

For mixed criticality systems, there is a need to ensure that non-safety code cannot impact the deterministic response of the safety process. Because device drivers and middleware commonly reside in kernel space, they have access to kernel APIs, including those APIs which can be used to disable interrupts that can block safety-critical code.

Figure 3: A non-safety process that continuously accesses kernel space, but shares kernel services with safety process.

As Figure 3 depicts, even though the higher priority safety process can preempt the non-safety process, a network device driver could be written such that there are periods during packet transmission in which interrupts are disabled for critical sections of code, or non-reentrant code, which inherently impedes the safety process from accessing system resources. The net result is it would be possible for the non-safety process to block a safety-related process thereby impacting the sanctity of a deterministic response. With no built-in mechanism to throttle back system ac-

To circumvent this, Nucleus Process Model makes it possible to move device drivers and middleware into protected regions in user space.

Code executing in user space will have access to only a subset of kernel APIs. And as a result, the code will be unable alter the temporal domain. Thus, safety processes, when ready to execute, will be able to access system resources in a predictable and deterministic manner. If a non-safety process attempts to consume system resources for compute intensive I/O tasks (through the use of polling calls) the kernel can

manage the amount of resource utilization provided (Figure 4). During periods in which safety code is idle, the kernel can use the available cycles to poll for I/O requests. Because the safety process will have the highest priority, any system resource request will take precedence over the non-safety code to ensure a deterministic response.

Safety-Critical Code in Kernel Space To provide greater spatially and temporal separation, the safety-critical code can be moved to kernel space. This software architecture can be referred to as “foreground/background” mode.

The safety process is considered the foreground mode executing in kernel space with the highest priority; while the background consists of user-mode processes comprised of non-safety code. The non-safe processes operating in background mode are not able to affect the safety processes in foreground mode – neither spatially (because of the memory protection provided by the process model) nor temporally (by restricting access to kernel APIs that are used for interrupt disablement).

As an example, performance tests to determine the safety-critical response were measured with a commercial operating system comprising a lightweight process model were examined during different load conditions. The environment used was Mentor’s Nucleus RTOS (v2017.2) on an NXP i.MX6 SabreLite running at 998Mhz, in which the CPU, kernel, and driver were loaded as follows:

Stack

1. CPU load: A medium priority task incrementing a counter in a while (1) loop.

2. Kernel load: Two medium priority tasks synchronized through a semaphore using while (1) loops in which one tasks releases the semaphore while the other task obtains to fully load the kernel and scheduler.

COTS Journal | May 2018

23

Solving the power challenges of SWaP-C requirements for Avionics Computers

n High temperature operation

Key Challenges

n Weight, size and performance n Redundant output from different

input voltage sources

Advantages of a Vicor Solution

Power components that power share, even when operating from different input sources

Low weight increases payload available

To see more defense and aerospace application examples that meet SWaP-C requirements visit www.vicorpower.com/defense-aero

High efficiency simplifies cooling

High power density and low profile reduces size of power supply, more space for other electronics

CPU Load Disabled Enabled Enabled Enabled

Modules Loading the System Executing as User Processes Kernel Load Driver Load Interrup Latency Schedule Latency Average Range Average Range Disabled Disabled 0.7 μsec 0.6-0.8 1.4 μsec 1.2-1.8 Disabled Disabled 0.7 μsec 0.6-0.8 1.4 μsec 1.2-1.8 Enabled Disabled 0.7 μsec 0.6-0.8 1.5 μsec 1.4-1.8 Enabled Enabled 0.7 μsec 0.6-3.0 2.2 μsec 1.4-15.0

Figure 5: Interrupt Latency: Time from the occurrence of an external line interrupt until the first instruction executed in registered ISR. Schedule Latency: Time from the interrupt handler until the first instruction is executed in the highest priority waiting task.

CPU Load Disabled Enabled Enabled Enabled

Modules Loading the System Executing as User Processes Kernel Load Driver Load Interrup Latency Schedule Latency Average Range Average Range Disabled Disabled 0.7 μsec 0.6-0.8 1.4 μsec 1.2-1.8 Disabled Disabled 0.7 μsec 0.6-0.8 1.4 μsec 1.2-1.8 Enabled Disabled 0.7 μsec 0.6-0.8 1.5 μsec 1.4-1.8 Enabled Enabled 0.7 μsec 0.6-3.0 2.2 μsec 1.4-15.0

Figure 6: Interrupt Latency: Time from the occurrence of an external line interrupt until the first instruction executed in registered ISR. Schedule Latency: Time from the interrupt handler until the first instruction is executed in the highest priority waiting task.

3. Driver load: A medium priority tasks sends UDP packets of 1024 bytes continuously which generates multiple interrupts in the system for Ethernet access.

Root-Kernel image

When looking at Figure 5, notice the response times for both interrupt and schedule latency remain consistent during tests in which the

Static application

Kernelmode process 1

CPU and kernel are loaded. However, once the network driver is loaded, interrupt variations increased. Also note the schedule latency, which increases during driver load conditions. On the surface it appears the network driver with access to privileged APIs disables interrupts to degrade response times as it consumes the CPU cycles.

Kernelmode process 2

Kernelmode process n

Moving the device driver to a user process with a polling mechanism yields the following results for the same test environment.

In Figure 6, with the driver in a user process, neither the interrupt latency nor the schedule latency are impacted when the non-safety application attempts to continuously transmit UDP

Usermode process 1

Usermode process 2

Usermode process n

Nucleus RTOS

Hardware platform

Figure 7: Nucleus process model is a lightweight approach to space partitioning which creates protected memory regions.

COTS Journal | May 2018

25

(MPU) on the processor to enforce the read/ write policies for each memory region. Because it is a lightweight process model, there is no need to virtualize memory. The benefit in doing so is reducing unnecessary overhead that can impact performance. Software developers and system architects can therefore deploy a system with a flat, linear memory map with protected memory regions for both user and kernel space. This type of approach also isolates individual processes in user space, and isolates both the kernel and user space. For safety-critical modules, processes can be used for isolation from non-safety critical

packets. This is because the network driver can access kernel services, but does not have access to privileged APIs to disable interrupts. Service is provided at controlled intervals. The net result is, the safety-certified module is not impacted and can continue to meet system requirements.

A Proven Process Model for Mixed CriticalitySystems Nucleus RTOS includes a lightweight process model (Figure 7) that leverages the memory manage unit (MMU) or memory protection unit

Innovation That’s Mobile.

processes to create certifiable devices that meet highest level of ISO and IEC safety standards.

Conclusion The use of a lightweight process model for separation can provide the isolation required for mixed criticality designs. Through the use of memory partitioning, spatial separation is achieved to create space domains with assigned access privilege levels that serve to contain faults to individual processes which increases system reliability.

Temporal separation can be achieved through the use of a background/foreground implementation which guarantees system resource access to the safety-critical code executing in kernel space as a foreground process. For many designs, utilizing a lightweight process model can provide the isolation required to meet the highest level of safety certification while retaining the real-time responses necessary to meet the most demanding performance requirements.

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COTS Journal | May 2018

May 2018

COT’S PICKS

Acromag Releases ActiveX and .NET Controls for Modbus TCP and RTU I/O Modules

claims Donald Lupo, Acromag’s Marketing and Sales Director for Process Products.

New ActiveX and .NET software tools simplify development of Visual Basic and Visual C++ applications to interface with Ethernet and Modbus I/O modules for industrial measurement and control systems.

Acromag has released a series of ActiveX and .NET controls to help engineers developing measurement and control systems in a Visual Basic or C++ environment communicate with their Ethernet and Modbus I/O modules. Acromag’s AMRN/ AMRX ( for Modbus/RTU) and AMTN/AMTX ( for Modbus/TCP) controls packages provide a fast, easy way to interface with any Modbus slave device (not just Acromag I/O) connected to a PC’s serial or network ports. These software tools start at just $225. Free evaluation versions are available.

“Within minutes, your Visual Basic, Visual C, .NET, Excel, or other compatible applications will be talking Modbus protocol to interface with I/O modules monitoring or controlling your process,”

Axiomtek Launches Its Versatile MiniITX Motherboard - The MANO310 Axiomtek, one of the world’s leading design and manufacturing companies of innovative, high performance and reliable PC-based industrial computer products, is proud to introduce the MANO310, a mini-ITX motherboard powered by the Intel® Pentium® processor N4200 or Celeron® processor N3350.

It is a low power-consumption board that is expandable, feature-rich and versatile to deliver true customer value and help facilitate quick deployment. The brand new MANO310 is an ideal solution for healthcare, automation, retail, digital signage, medical and other Industrial IoT-related applications.

The MANO310 is expandable with one PCIe x1 slot, one PCIe Mini Card slot and one SIM card slot for 3G/4G, GPS, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connection. This mini-ITX motherboard has two 204-pin DDR3L-1867 SO-DIMM sockets for up to 8 GB of system memory. For storage 28

COTS Journal | May 2018

Two software support packages are offered for Modbus/RTU and two for Modbus/TCP devices. The AMRX and AMTX packages are easy to use ActiveX controls that simplify communication with slave devices connected to a PC’s wired or wireless network. They include a timer for polled data acquisition and a floating point conversion control. AMRN and AMTN are Windows Forms Controls (.NET) that provide a quick way to communicate with slave devices connected to a PC’s serial or Ethernet port.

Other key features make this software very

requirements, it has one SATA-600, one M.2 and one SDXC. The MANO310comes with rich I/O interfaces including two RS-232/422/485 ports, four

easy to use. Any container application that can embed ActiveX controls can use these tools. At design time, you can access Modbus devices from the software’s test property page to make start-up and troubleshooting a snap – all without writing a single line of code. Talking to a Modbus slave is as simple as calling a function with the necessary arguments. The software automatically builds the command, appends a CRC, sends the request over the network, and validates the response. Application programs just read and write simple 16-bit data values. ActiveX controls include a help file and examples for Excel, Visual Basic, and Visual C++. The .NET controls include a help file and examples for Visual Basic, C#, and Managed C++.

Acromag is an international corporation that has been developing and manufacturing measurement and control products for more than 50 years. They offer a complete line of industrial I/O products including process instruments, signal conditioning equipment, data acquisition boards, distributed I/O modules, and network communication devices.

Acromag www.acromag.com

RS-232 ports, four USB 3.0 ports, two internal USB 2.0 ports, two Gigabit LAN ports, eight-channel digital I/O and one PS/2 keyboard/mouse. Among one of its flexible features, the MANO310 offers a wide range DC input of 12V to 24V. The MANO310 is also equipped with hardware monitoring features that can be used to monitor operational environment and status such as temperature, voltage, fan speed, etc. The feature includes a watchdog timer that helps detect and recover from malfunctions.

“The MANO310 is a flexible board that offers a variety of useful features. It is a great energy-saving and cost-effective choice for customers who are looking for a high quality mini-ITX board that delivers real value. It was developed for a wide variety of applications including integration into a medical device, in-vehicle infotainment, mobile kiosk, signage and more,” said Michelle Mi, a product manager of the Motherboard Division at Axiomtek.

Axiomtek Co., Ltd. www.axiomtek.com

May 2018

COT’S PICKS Kontron’s New COBALT™ 901|400 Series offers dramatically higher CPU/graphics performance based on 6th Gen Intel® Quad-Core™ processors

of power and feature scalability and includes new advanced features that help boost defense design innovation. This scalability also gives designers full flexibility to select the performance that optimally matches their application’s operational requirements.

Application-ready, upgraded COBALT™ 901| 400 Series is a flexible building block solution that helps speed innovation of a new range of compute and graphically-intensive defense designs.

The COBALT 901|400 Series is based on Kontron’s hardened COMe-bSL6 COM modules with the latest Intel® 6th Generation Quad-Core™ Xeon® E3-1505L processors giving designers a new generation of high performance and feature capabilities. Application-ready, the COBALT 901|400 Series delivers fast, yet power-efficient performance to meet decreasing SWaP demands in today’s military systems. Its integrated high performance Intel® HD Graphics provides support for three independent displays with up to 4K resolution with almost double the performance of earlier Core™ i7

Kontron, a leading global provider of IoT/ Embedded Computing Technology (ECT), today introduced its COBALT™ 901|400 Series that features dramatically higher CPU and graphics performance. This addition to Kontron’s rugged >small form factor COBALT family is a flexible building block platform that offers a broad range

VPT Introduces Radiation Hardened Point of Load Converters SVPL Series Features Tight Regulation for Digital Processing Applications VPT, Inc. (VPT®), a HEICO company (NYSE:HEI.A) (NYSE:HEI), today announced the availability of its SVPL Series of space-qualified point of load DCDC converters. Covering an input voltage range of 3.1 to 13.2 V and available in 6, 9, and 12 A output surface-mount options, the SVPL products are designed specifically for space applications facing harsh radiation environments while requiring low voltages and tight regulation for high-performance processors.

The SVPL Series use Renesas’ ISL7000x family of rad-hard synchronous buck regulators to provide high power density, fast transient response, and up to 94% efficiency. The ISL7000x bare-die ICs are characterized for Total Ionizing Dose (TID) of 100krad(Si), including Enhanced Low Dose Rate Sensitivity (ELDRS), and they are immune to destructive Single Event Effects (SEE) with Linear Energy Transfer (LET) of 86.4 MeV-cm2/mg. The complete SVPL Series of converters are characterized for TID of 100krad(Si), including ELDRS, and SEE performance to 85 MeV-cm2/mg, per VPT’s DLA-approved Radiation Hardness Assurance (RHA) plan.

“The SVPL point of load converters have a high radiation tolerance, particularly regarding Single-Event Transients (SETs),” said Brandon Witcher,

Senior Design Engineer for VPT. “The product designs minimize the external capacitance needed to limit SET magnitudes to the levels required by modern rad-hard digital electronics, which is especially important as digital power rail tolerances continue to shrink.”

“We are delighted VPT adopted our Intersil brand of bare-die synchronous buck regulators for their SVPL Series,” said Philip Chesley, Vice President, Industrial Analog and Power Business Division, Renesas Electronics Corporation. “The highly integrated ISL7000x devices are built on six decades of spaceflight product development and leadership.”

Additional features of the SVPL Series include high power density, output enable control, low output noise, overcurrent protection, and external synchronization to other converters or system clocks.

processors, enabling developers to create exceptionally clear, visually-advanced applications.

In addition, this rugged IP67 fully sealed, compact system provides extended temperature (40°C to +71°C) operation and has no ITAR restrictions. Offering extensive I/O to meet specific application requirements, the COBALT 901|400 Series has two gigabit Ethernet (GbE) ports, HDMI, USB 3.0 / 2.0, audio, GPIO, and serial ports. It also features a configurable front panel for modular I/O profile options. It supports up to 32 gigabytes (GBs) of DDR4 memory with ECC, 128 GB fixed storage (OS and application) and a RSSD bay option.

Kontron America Inc www.kontron.com

Full power operation of the SVPL Series is rated for -55° C to +125° C. “Space systems have increased the use of radhard digital processing components that require low-voltage, tightly regulated point of load converters,” explained VPT’s President, John Hodock.

“In an industry where tested, qualified, and proven products are the only viable option, we’re pleased to work with Renesas Electronics to incorporate its Intersil high-rel bare die ICs and extend our rad-hard space product line to address this market need.”

The availability of the SVPL Series is subject to all applicable U.S. export license restrictions and regulations.

VPT, Inc. www.vptpower.com

VPTs gull-wing SVPL 12 A output SVPL point of load converter. The SVPL Series products are available in a straignt-lead option.

COTS Journal | May 2018

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May 2018

COT’S PICKS

Supermicro Launches New Look AllFlash 1U Server with 256TB of Hotswap NVMe Optimized Intel “Ruler” Drives

Thermally-optimized All-Flash 1U Server and JBOF support 32 front loading hot-swap NVMe “Ruler” Form Factor for the Intel® SSD DC P4500 to maximize datacenter storage density (TB per rack unit).

Super Micro Computer, Inc. (NASDAQ: SMCI), a global leader in enterprise computing, storage, networking solutions and green computing technology, announced availability of a new look all-flash NVMe™ (Non-Volatile Memory Express) 1U SuperServer and 1U JBOF (Just a Bunch Of Flash) that support 32 front loading hot-swap Intel “Ruler” form factor NVMe SSDs. The new Intel® SSD DC P4500 in the “Ruler” form factor, which looks like a 12-inch ruler, is

example of how Supermicro continues to lead the way for NVMe technology,” said Charles Liang, President and CEO of Supermicro. “With more than triple the all-flash storage density of previous 1U solutions, this Supermicro system will take us to Petabyte scale in a single 1U system in the near future. This new JBOF supports flexible configurations with up to twelve hosts or head nodes and extremely high data transfer throughput up to 64GB per second.”

The new 1U all-NVMe Storage Server and JBOF disaggregate storage into shared pools that are rapidly becoming the preferred hardware infrastructure for demanding Big Data analytics applications such as autonomous driving and real-time financial fraud detection. Up to 12 hosts can be directly connected to the 1U pooled NVMe storage. Alternatively, for customers who want to deploy an NVMe over Fabric (NVMeoF) solution, hundreds of hosts can be connected to the pooled high-performance NVMe storage over Ethernet.

Supermicro 1U all-NVMe Storage Servers and

BAE Wins DARPA Contract to Develop Conflict-Modeling Software The Air Force Research Lab and BAE Systems are partnering on a program that could help map out future conflicts as they occur.

BAE Systems is developing first-of-its-kind software called Causal Modeling for Knowledge Transfer, Exploration, and Temporal Simulation (CONTEXTS), which is intended to create an interactive model of an operational environment, allowing military planners to explore the causes of a conflict and assess potential approaches (Image: Courtesy of BAE) Sponsored by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the research lab awarded BAE a $4.2 million contract for the Causal Exploration of Complex Operational Environments program, BAE said in a release Monday.

thermally optimized to require up to 55% less airflow than a traditional 2.5-inch U.2 SSD. The Intel® SSD DC P4500 Series in the “ruler” form factor supports cloud storage and software-defined infrastructures and allows for scaling higher capacity per SSD and fitting more SSDs per server to deliver increased storage density (TB per rack unit).

Leveraging the new “ruler” form factor, Supermicro’s new 1U NVMe systems provide a more thermally optimized high-density, high-performance all-flash storage solution compared to previous all-flash storage technologies. Optimized for storage density, these systems support front hot-swap accessibility to 32 “ruler” drives for up to 256TB of fast low-latency NVMe storage in 1U. “Our new all-flash 32 hot-swap ‘Ruler’ drives in a high-density 1U system design is the latest

JBOF solutions help maximize high-performance storage resource utilization and reduce the datacenter footprint resulting in lower TCO. Supermicro’s new all-flash 32 drive NVMe 1U system supports not only the “Ruler” form factor Intel® SSDs, but also standard U.2 SSDs to offer customers greater storage flexibility. This 1U system will support a half petabyte of NVMe storage capacity this year and a full petabyte early next year using the EDSFF standard. The system comes standard with redundant hot-swap cooling fans and power supplies along with tool-less drive trays for increased serviceability and redundancy. For accessibility, the solution supports remote system on/off and system management as well as remote power cycling for each individual drive.

Super Micro Computer, Inc. supermicro.com

The concept uses technologies to “model different political, territorial and economic tensions that often lead to conflicts” and will help “planners to avoid unexpected outcomes,” the release states.

“Military planners often conduct manual research and use limited modeling tools to generate models and evaluate conflict situations, which are extremely time consuming and labor intensive,” said Chris Eisenbies, product line director of the Autonomy, Controls, and Estimation group at BAE Systems.

BAE said the Defense Department’s need is based on the lack of time, expert resources and automated tools available as a conflict emerges.

Super Micro Computer, Inc. supermicro.com

COTS Journal | May 2018

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May 2018

COT’S PICKS North Atlantic Industries announces the release of the Power Line Conditioner with Holdup 500 Watt DC/DC Power Line Conditioner that protects downstream DC/DC Converters North Atlantic Industries, Inc. (NAI), a leading independent supplier of COTS, Modified COTS and custom power supplies worldwide, announces the availability of the VPX55-3HU 3U, VPX Power Line Conditioner with Holdup. The VPX55-3HU is a 500 watt, DC/DC power line conditioner that protects downstream DC-DC converters from MIL-STD-704B through F transients, low voltage conditions and power interruptions, and provides up to 50 milliseconds of holdup time at 500 watts.

The VPX55-3HU is designed to meet standard 3U VPX, VITA62 mechanical requirements with a 0.8” or 1.0” power supply slot, and is a perfect companion unit for all NAI VPX 28 VDC DC/DC converters. The VPX55-3HU COTS conditioner is specifically designed with NAVMAT component derating for rugged defense and industrial appli-

cations. It is also designed to meet the many harsh environmental requirements of military applications. Input power required is 28 VDC. 10-piece pricing starts at $$3450 each with small quantity deliveries in 2 weeks or less.

“The VPX55-3HU is a COTS solution for VITA 46.0 and VITA 65 systems,” states Lino Massafra, VP of Sales and Marketing. “It is designed to work with NAI’s VPX55-3 family of DC-DC Converters and provides the rugged construction and resistance to harsh environmental conditions required for military and aerospace equipment.”

North Atlantic Industries www.naii.com

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New Kontron VM6062 Server Class Blade Computer brings Performance and Secure Technology to VME legacy Applications New VM6062 extends Kontron’s 6U VME portfolio of commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) single board computers (SBCs) with a fully featured I/O Blade Server PC - Technology insertion of modern cutting edge high-performance omputing architecture - Up-to-date security solutions into existing VME-based applications.

In line with its strategy of ensuring customers to upgrade their existing application with the latest technology and security solutions, Kontron, a leading global provider of IoT/Embedded Computing Technology (ECT), today announced the availability of the VM6062. The new 6U VME SBC features an Intel® D1508 processor, which is a member of the Intel® Xeon® Processor D-1500 family.

High performance - low power 2-core/4-thread D-1508 Server Class Rugged Blade PC The processor of the VM6062 is the high performance - low power - 2 Core/4-thread Intel® D1508 member of the Intel® Xeon® Processor D-1500 family. It is soldered on board the product as well as the 8GB extendible to 32GB of DDR4 memory with ECC. This increases the resilience of the product against shock and vibrations. The VM6062 features as standard connectors on the front panel two Gigabit Ethernet interfaces, one USB 3.0 port, two serial links and one HDMI digital graphics interface. Equipped with a SSD disk on one of the two available standard M.2 slots, the VM6062 can be used as a Rugged Blade PC. VM6062 targets primarily SWaP-C systems: The Kontron VM6062 is ideal for use in Size

Weight-, Power- and Cost-constrained (SWaP-C) systems and general-purpose mission computers, ranging from industrial to extreme rugged transportation and defense applications.

“The new VM6062 confirms our commitment to support our customers’ applications over the long-term,” said Alain Spors, Director of Sales at Kontron. “Targeted for applications supplying 50W or less, and with a 5 Volt only power input build version, the VM6062 is designed to be ompatible with all legacy VME64 systems.”

Versatile platform by addition of I/O via standard mezzanines The modular extension with I/O mezzanines of the VM6062 allows to configure tailored systems from open standard components, reducing integration time and cost. It features two PMCs, one VITA 42 XMC or VITA 61 XMC 2.0, one Mini-PCI-Express and two M.2 mezzanine slots.

Furthermore, the PCI-Express x4 port available as a build option on the high performance UHM P0 connector allows to expand the mezzanine slots with another carrier card such as the Kontron V2PMC2.

Kontron SEC-Line computer security to protect customers applications Kontron answers digital security requirements with hardware enforced root of trust with dual secure elements and software only techniques such as Secure Boot.

Designed for harsh environments and over a decade availability The VM6062 withstands shock and vibration as all components on the board are soldered, which is a prerequisite for reliable operation and a longer product life-time. The VM6062 is scheduled to be available in either air cooling or conduction cooling version with -40°C to +85°C temperature range support.

With a guaranteed standard life-time of more than 10 years from product start, the VM6062 facilitates life-cycle management by making the overall system available at least for this period of time.

Kontron Company www.kontron.com

COTS Journal | May 2018

April 2018

COT’S PICKS

AccelerComm and Achronix Enable Fast Time to Market with 5G Polar Code for Speedcore eFPGAs.

Achronix Semiconductor Corporation, a leader in field programmable gate array (FPGA)-based hardware accelerator devices and embedded FPGA (eFPGA), announced its collaboration with AccelerComm Ltd, a semiconductor intellectual property (IP) company focusing on next-generation wireless communications acceleration. AccelerComm’s patent-pending Polar Code IP has been ported to support the Achronix portfolio of FPGA products, enabling rapid time to market and customization for 5G Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) utilizing New Radio. AccelerComm IP has been integrated with ACE design tools to target Achronix Speedcore™ eFPGA.

planning and business development. “The ability to instantiate AccelerComm’s industry-leading Polar Code IP in our eFPGA allows Speedcore-enabled ASIC and SoCs to be updated to support new standards. We see that the ability to flexibly reprogram a hardware accelerator for new requirements and emerging standards is going to be fundamental for cost-effective 5G deployments.”

Achronix and AccelerComm will continue to develop solutions for future 5G releases. “The 5G standards need innovative development, particularly with new features required for ultra-reliable,

low-latency communication and massive machine-type communication,” remarks Tom Cronk, chairman and acting chief executive officer at AccelerComm. “These new elements of the 5G Release 16 specification require innovation for emerging waveforms and new coding. AccelerComm excellence in IP engineering combined with the flexible hardware acceleration portfolio from Achronix provides a powerful way to future-proof customers’ communications infrastructure deployments.”

AccelerComm Ltd / Achronix Company www.accelercomm.com / www.achronix.com

Polar forward error correction (FEC) codes are utilized in the control channel of high-performance 5G systems. The AccelerComm polar code solution is built around a unique memory architecture that delivers the right information to the right processing elements at the right time, improving hardware efficiency, power efficiency and latency. The availability of this IP for the Achronix Speedcore eFPGA fabric enables a lower power and higher throughput solution than alternative, software-based approaches. Instantiating the polar code IP within an eFPGA-equipped application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or system on chip (SoC) enables an integrated solution with minimal communication latency and low-power consumption.

“We are pleased to be working with AccelerComm as part of the Achronix Partner Program,” says Mike Fitton, Achronix senior director, product

The widest selection of VPX power supplies, without the high cost of full-customization Most manufacturers offer just a few VPX power supplies off the shelf. The Behlman VPXtra® series offers 20 diverse COTS DC to DC, AC to DC and hold-up units that can be configured for a wide range of high-end industrial and military airborne, shipboard, ground and mobile applications – without the cost of full-custom development.

• Xtra-reliable design, Xtra-rugged construction • State-of-the-art engineering standard • Both 3U and 6U, VITA 62, OpenVPX compliant Insist on the leader. Not just VPX, VPXtra®

ORBIT POWER GROUP Behlman Electronics www.behlman.com • 631-435-0410 • sales@behlman.com COTS Journal | May 2018

33

COTS COTS

ADVERTISERS

Company Page# Website AIM .......................................................................

4 .............................................. www.aim-online.com

Behlman Electronics ............................................ 2, 33 .............................................. www.behlman.com

Index

Chassis Plans ......................................................

7 ....................................... www.chassisplans.com

Elma Electronics .................................................

34 .................................................... www.elma.com

GAIA Coverter Inc ..................................................

30 ...................................... www.gala.converter.com

Mercury Systems ..................................................

26

.............................................. www.tms.mrcy.com

North Alantic Industries .......................................

5 ...................................................... www.nail.com

OSS ......................................................................

13 ................................... www.onestopsystems.com

Pentek ................................................................

BC .................................................. www.pentek.com

PICO Electronics, Inc ...........................................

17 ..................................... www.picoelectronics.com

Red Rock Technologies, Inc ..................................

34 .......................................... www.redrocktech.com

Supermicro ..........................................................

27 ......................................... www.supermicrot.com

Trident infosol ......................................................

IBC ............................................ www.trident-sff.com

Vicor Cororation.....................................................

24 ...................... www.vicorpower.com/defense-aero

COTS Journal (ISSN#1526-4653) is published monthly at; 3180 Sitio Sendero, Carlsbad, CA. 92009.

Periodicals Class postage paid at San Clemente and additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to COTS Journal, 3180 Sitio Sendero, Carlsbad, CA. 92009.

Add Removable SSDs To Your VME System

Elma’s Open VPX CMOSS Backplane Supporting the DoD

• VME boards with SATA, USB or SCSI interface

C4ISR Modular Open

• Fixed or removable options using COTS SSDs

Suite of Standards for

• Removable module rated for 100,000 mating cycles • Discrete controlled military secure erase options • P2 adapters available

Red Rock Technologies, Inc. info@redrocktech.com www.redrocktech.com (480) 483-3777

34

COTS Journal | April 2018

hardware convergence

With you at every stage!

Elma Electronic Inc., USA elma.com