COTS Journal December, 2020

December 2020, Volume 22 – Number 12 • cotsjournalonline.com

The Journal of Military Electronics & Computing

JOURNAL

Reducing vehicle costs through the use of technology Rapidly evolving interconnect standards boost next-generation embedded systems

The Journal of Military Electronics & Computing 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.

JOURNAL

—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.

SPECIAL FEATURES 16

Reducing vehicle costs through the use of technology

By Matt Bowers, President, and COO, Lone Star Analysis

SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT 20

DEPARTMENTS 6

Publisher’s Note Digital Authoritarian and 2021

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The Inside Track

Rapidly evolving interconnect standards boost next-generation embedded systems

By Michael Walmsley, Global Product Manager, Aerospace, Defense, and Marine TE Connectivity

COT’S PICKS 24

Editor’s Choice for December

Cover Image The U. S. Coast Guard’s first national security cutter took to the sea on Friday, operating in concert with the service’s new maritime patrol aircraft, the Ocean Sentry HC-144A, and a newly re-engined MH-65C helicopter. US Coast Guard photo.

COTS Journal | December 2020

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The Journal of Military Electronics & Computing

JOURNAL EDITORIAL

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PUBLISHER’S NOTE

John Reardon, Publisher

Digital Authoritarian and 2021 The number of applications that have employed AI is wide and varied. From projecting the direction of wildfires to building the next generation of pharmaceuticals, the possibilities are unlimited. One interesting AI experiment is DARPA’s third and final F-16 combat simulation between an AI-controlled plane and an experienced Air Force pilot. The AI-controlled plane demonstrated that the ability of a computer to out-perform the human in virtual dogfights. These simulations are to be moved to full-scale tactical aircraft in 2024.

DARPA’s AlphaDogfight Trials - virtual finals with a F-16 combat simulation between an AI-controlled plane and an experienced Air Force pilot.

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The move towards managing huge data sets, applying creative algorithms, and using the results for a tactical advantage is so valued that it will set those apart who can capture its power. This has created a race towards harnessing the value of this new frontier, from Moscow to Beijing. A couple of years ago the United States created the JAIC or the Joint AI Center. The goal of JAIC is to harness the value of AI for the benefit of the country. As the funding for this group continues to grow exponentially, the first order of business was to understand the ethical boundaries they faced. Adopting a code of ethics that compliments the values reflected in our Constitution, JAIC is off to a good start.

As the United States uses the powers of AI to predict shortages during a natural disaster or managing the logistical concerns of distributing a vaccine in times of crisis, China and Russia have employed AI to better control their population. This is done by identifying pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong or monitoring communications – unfettered by privacy laws. Although China and Russia are employing AI for a coordinated battlefield as well, this too is “unshackled” by the Constitutional values that we hold sacred in the United States.

Russian President Vladimir Putin declared the country that leads in the implementation of AI will be the “ruler of the world”. Likewise, the Chinese Communist Party

If there is any doubt that China will employ AI to influence its agenda, you don’t have to look beyond how they employ AI to manage its population. has committed to be the leader in AI by the year 2030.

In recent conflicts with Ukraine, Russia employed an asymmetrical battle plan that included AI-driven UAVs, Cyberattacks, and artillery. Russia continues to roll out AI-enabled solutions that now include ground vehicles, aircraft, submarines, and command and control.

As a side note:

I want to personally thank you for your continued support during these very trying times. And I wish you and your family a safe, healthy, and prosperous New Year!

If there is any doubt that China will employ AI to influence its agenda, you don’t have to look beyond how they employ AI to manage its population. Beijing constructed a stateof-the-art surveillance capability at home. This includes hundreds of millions of cameras using facial recognition, monitoring of all digital and voice communications along with all suspicious purchases made in the country. This will afford them the ability to identify, track, and monitor anyone within their borders. (And many beyond).

The contrast between the American approach and those of our peers couldn’t be clearer. The need to protect our Constitutionally granted rights and the power that AI can offer a governing body is alluring. Even as the tracking of a spouse or child can be perceived as a violation of one’s privacy in the United States, foreign governments are not concerned with these taboos. The ability to track individual movements, buying habits, and all communications to identify those that might challenge leadership makes for a powerful weapon for Authoritarian rule.

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Mercury Systems to Acquire Physical Optics Corporation Mercury Systems, Inc. announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Physical Optics Corporation (“POC”). Based in Torrance, Calif., POC is a leading designer, developer, and integrator of advanced technologies primarily focused on avionics & mission subsystems for defense applications.

According to the terms of the agreement, Mercury will acquire POC for an all-cash purchase price of $310 million, subject to net working capital and net debt adjustments. The acquisition and associated transaction expenses are expected to be funded through a combination of cash on hand and Mercury’s existing revolving credit facility.

POC is currently expected to generate revenue of over $120 million for its fiscal year ending December 31, 2020. The acquisition represents a multiple of approximately 13x next twelve months EBITDA and is expected to be immediately accretive to adjusted EPS. “The acquisition of Physical Optics Corporation adds important capabilities on new and existing airborne programs in the platform and mission management market,” said Mark Aslett, Mercury’s president and chief executive officer.

Boeing delivers first upgraded compact lasers to DoD customer Boeing has upgraded and delivered the first batch of previously deployed Compact Laser Weapon System (CLWS) units to a U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) customer – increasing their maximum beam power and reliability. Boeing expects to complete upgrades on the remaining units and deliver them in the first quarter of 2021.

“The upgraded units will provide warfighters with enhanced protection against larger and more numerous hostile unmanned aircraft systems,” said Kurt Sorenson, Boeing program manager for CLWS. “They will also enable them to defeat threats more quickly and efficiently.”

Boeing’s CLWS, developed to provide cost-effective, precision air defense capabilities against emerging threats, continues to prove its com8

COTS Journal | December 2020

“The combination of Mercury’s safety-certifiable and secure avionics processing solutions with POC’s deep portfolio of data storage, transfer, and encryption technologies will enable us to deliver more complete, pre-integrated avionics subsystems to our customers. POC has a similar growth profile to Mercury, supported by several key design wins that are transitioning into production. We are very excited for POC to join the Mercury team.”

“This acquisition broadens our avionics product and technology portfolio to help our defense Prime customers, the U.S. Navy, Army and Air Force deploy next-generation open-architecture mission computing solutions,” added Amela Wilson, senior vice president, Mercury Mission. “Similar to Mercury, POC is well-positioned in faster-growing segments of the defense market and benefits from secular growth drivers, such as supply chain delayering. Together, Mercury and POC can provide customers new capabilities and subsystem solutions.”

Founded in 1985, POC employs approximately 350 people, including more than 160 highly skilled engineers, and holds over 160 patents worldwide, covering 60 technologies. They

bat-readiness for current and prospective DoD customers in an array of exercises.

During a recent live-fire drill in Yuma, Arizona, DoD trainees successfully defeated 12 out of 12 threats while operating a CLWS unit.

“Operators continue to have great success using the system to acquire, track and defeat hostile targets with minimal training required,” said Sorenson.

Recently, during a Sept. 3 field test of the U.S. Air Force’s Advanced Battle Management System, Boeing’s CLWS successfully defended a force protection convoy against unmanned aircraft systems while mounted on a small utility task vehicle.

support mission-critical programs with common-use products spanning data transfer systems, flight data recorders, mission computers, high-definition data, and video recorders, and advanced encryption devices. POC is well-positioned on a wide variety of key airborne and naval defense platforms that are experiencing increased funding for electronics modernization to specifically address digital convergence and combat near-peer threats in line with the National Defense Strategy.

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FAA selects Leidos to modernize safety system

Leidos was awarded a new prime contract by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to modernize their safety analysis tools and capabilities through the development of the Operational Analysis and Reporting System (OARS). This single-award contract holds an approximate total value of $64 million and includes a four-year base period with two two-year options. Work will be based out of Gaithersburg, Maryland, and Morgantown, West Virginia.

ing, treating, and tracking the mitigation of safety risks. Through this contract, Leidos will leverage its robust capabilities, including cloud adoption framework (CAF), SecDevOps, and Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) processes to migrate and enhance safety services.

For over 50 years Leidos has supported the

FAA through several programs and contracts.

These include En Route Automation Modernization (ERAM), Advanced Technology Oceanic Procedures (ATOP), Terminal Flight Data Management (TFDM), Future Flight Services Program (FFSP), and Enterprise Information Display System (E-IDS).

“Leidos is proud to work with the FAA to modernize their safety systems,” said Fran Hill, senior vice president of Leidos Transportation Solutions. “By leveraging our team’s vast safety knowledge, cloud modernization experience, and innovative technologies, the FAA will accelerate its vision for the future.”

OARS will support the FAA’s Air Traffic Organization (ATO) Safety Management System (SMS) by proactively defining, identifying, assess-

SAIC wins task order worth up yo $973 million to help U.S. Customs and Border protection assess threats from travelers and cargo crossing the border Science Applications International Corp.

(NYSE: SAIC) was awarded a task order worth up to $973 million by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to continue to operate, maintain, and enhance CBP’s cornerstone system for identifying travelers and cargo that present a potential security threat to the country.

The award for CBP’s Targeting and Analysis Systems Program Directorate (TASPD) Information Technology Operations and Maintenance, Upgrades, Updates, Modifications and Enhancements Services task order, made under the General Services Administration’s Alliant 2 contract, includes transition, a one-year base period of performance, four

one-year option periods, and a six-month optional extension of services. The total award value including all options is $973 million.

“SAIC is proud of the trust the Department of Homeland Security and CBP have in our team’s ability to deliver mission-critical, innovative solutions,” said Bob Genter, president, Defense, and Civilian Sector. “TASPD is a great example of how CBP has applied advanced technologies that continually deliver new capabilities to this 24x7x365 mission while remaining responsive to the ever-changing national security landscape.

SAIC will leverage our deep expertise in technologies including cloud, machine learning, and AI, and SecDevOps to help CBP achieve its mission of enabling secure trade and travel.”

Under the task order, SAIC will continue to develop and maintain CBP’s targeting

and analysis systems that integrate technologies and data in real-time, enabling CBP officers, analysts, and agents to flag shipments and travelers for additional examination and inspection. SAIC will deploy new capabilities such as cloud-based analytics and AI/machine learning to facilitate legitimate travel and trade, identify high-risk travelers and cargo faster, and enable CBP to maximize the application of its skilled workforce.

SAIC will continue to enhance these systems in response to evolving technologies, threats, and mission requirements, and accel-

erate CBP capabilities to safeguard America.

SAIC will evolve the TASPD portfolio from a collection of specialized applications to an ecosystem of capabilities and services shared across the enterprise using mission-driven agile processes and innovative technologies.

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U.S. Marine Corps awards $184 million contract for full-rate production of the Amphibious Combat Vehicle following IOC declaration

BAE Systems’ Amphibious Combat Vehicle Family of Vehicles (ACV FOV) program has achieved its most significant milestone to date with the Marine Corps’ decision to move into full-rate production and award a $184 million contract for 36 vehicles.

The ACV is an advanced, next-generation vehicle for conducting ship-to-shore operations and effectively getting Marines into the fight.

The full-rate production milestone comes shortly after the Marine Corps declared the ACV had met the requirements for Initial Operational Capability (IOC). The IOC declaration occurred on November 13 and is also a significant milestone for the program and a

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demonstration of confidence in the vehicle.

“As the ACV enters into service it will be providing highly advanced solutions for conducting maritime-based warfare operations and will play a vital role in the Marine Corps’ complex and challenging missions,” said John Swift, director of amphibious programs at BAE Systems. “For BAE Systems, full-rate production validates years of dedication and teamwork in partnership with the Marines to introduce this capability to the warfighter and leave our adversaries on the battlefield at a marked disadvantage. We are proud of our role in the program.”

The ACV is a highly mobile, survivable, and adaptable platform for conducting full spectrum ship-to-shore operations and brings enhanced combat power to the battlefield.

Developed with teammate IVECO Defence Vehicles, the ACV represents the optimum balance of sea and land mobility, survivability, and future growth potential. With a force

protection capability three times greater than the Assault Amphibious Vehicle, the ACV is designed so Marines can complete their missions successfully. It provides substantially increased horsepower, with its six-cylinder, 690 horsepower engine, making it capable of land speeds exceeding 55 mph. It’s also designed to provide Marines the flexibility to address additional mission roles and future technologies through its modular design.

This first lot of full-rate production is planned to grow to 72 vehicles in early 2021, with the options calling for 80 vehicles annually over five years.

BAE Systems is currently under a $67 million contract modification awarded in June 2019 to develop new variants for the ACV Family of Vehicles program to enhance battlefield situational awareness and firepower. The contract calls for the design and development of the command (ACV-C) and the 30mm medium caliber cannon (ACV-30) variants. Design and development efforts have begun on both.

The

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Curtiss-Wright’s PacStar® Business Selected to Deliver Enhanced CDN Ruggedized, Small Form Factor WAN Modules to U.S. Marine Corps

PacStar’s small, lightweight modules can meet warfighters’ advanced network communications requirements in diverse tactical settings

Curtiss-Wright’s Defense Solutions division announced that its recently acquired business, PacStar has been awarded a $25 million contract to upgrade a portion of the U.S. Marine Corps Combat Data Network (CDN). By delivering a ruggedized, small form factor solution, PacStar will enable the U.S. Marine Corps to extend the benefits of advanced network communications to tactical environments.

The CDN provides the commander with an integrated tactical data network and consists of an assortment of networking equipment integrated into tactical transit cases. PacStar’s small form factor communications modules – including routing, switching, advanced network services, and more – are designed to maximize capabilities and configuration flexibility, with the

best size, weight, and power (SWaP) available.

PacStar’s rugged, lightweight modules make it easier for the warfighter to communicate securely in austere environments, in a variety of applications, and any unit structure. By upgrading end-of-life legacy 19-inch rack-mounted routers, switches, and servers to PacStar small form factor modules, the Marine Corps can reduce SWaP, improving mobility and speed of deployment while improving transmission rates and data access.

“We are honored that the U.S. Marine Corps has chosen PacStar equipment to upgrade their CDN,” said Lynn Bamford, President, Defense, and Power Segments, Curtiss-Wright Corporation. “We are always proud to support the Marine Corps in their essential communications endeavors.”

“As the industry leader in SWaP, we are thrilled to expand our relationship with the Marine Corps by supporting warfighters with small-form-factor WAN modules optimized for tactical environments,” said Peggy J. Miller, Senior General Manager, PacStar

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L3Harris Techologies awarded contract for three Canadian special mission aircraft

Technologies have been awarded a firmfixed-price contract to missionize three new King Air 350ER aircraft for the Canadian manned airborne intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (CMAISR) project. The aircraft will be delivered to the Canadian Department of National Defence (DND) as a Foreign Military Sale managed by the U.S. Army, Program Executive Office (PEO) Aviation, Fixed Wing Project Office.

capabilities and security of Canada and its allies,” said Sean Stackley, President, Integrated Mission Systems, L3Harris. “L3Harris has the distinction of successfully delivering more certified, special mission King Airs on-time and on-budget than any other contractor in the world, and we look forward to maintaining that tradition.”

The modification will include sensor integration, secure communications and navigation systems, as well as pilot, operator, and maintenance training. L3Harris will complete the modifications at its facility in Greenville, Texas, supported by the company’s facility in Mirabel (Quebec), Canada.

Flight Research Center in Edwards, California.

gineering, technical and flight operations, and maintenance support from NGSC for the program at Armstrong. Skyrange goals are to equip high-altitude, long-endurance aircraft with sensors to demonstrate an alternative data collection support system for remote long-range flight test activities.

The CMAISR project will provide the DND with a rapidly deployable, airborne intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capability for its deployed operations, ensuring an innovative, flexible, and interoperable force. The aircraft will feature a suite of L3Harris systems, including full-motion video sensors, a mission management system, and communication data links.

The capability upgrades offer increased threat indications and warning, as well as high-accuracy target detection and location.

“Our L3Harris team is ready to combine our ISR, missionization, and modification solutions to deliver a system that will enhance the

NASA Awards Contract for Global Hawk Skyrange Program NASA has selected Northrup Grumman Systems Corp. (NGSC) of San Diego to provide demonstration engineering, manufacturing, and technical support for the Global Hawk Skyrange program at the agency’s Armstrong

The firm-fixed-price contract begins Tuesday, Dec. 15, and runs through Dec. 14, 2025, with a total value of $70 million with no options.

The Skyrange program will obtain en-

NGSC and Armstrong will integrate sensors on the Global Hawk aircraft and perform ground and flight activities to develop integrated systems and perform demonstration flights against flight assets.

As the air vehicle original equipment manufacturer and ground system integrator, NGSC has unique knowledge of the Global Hawk derivative aircraft and associated ground systems. Armstrong will also rely on NGSC’s unique facilities, tooling, and drawings used in the aircraft design and manufacture to perform modification or repair of the aircraft.

The work will be performed at Armstrong and Edwards Air Force Base facilities, as well as various NGSC facilities.

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Viasat Announces Definitive Agreement to Acquire RigNet

Acquisition Expected to Expand and Diversify Viasat’s Commercial Connectivity Portfolio, Add Complementary Technology and Align with Viasat’s Global Operations Ahead of the ViaSat-3 Satellite Constellation Launch Viasat Inc. announced it entered into a definitive agreement to acquire RigNet, Inc. (NASDAQ: RNET), a leading provider of ultra-secure, intelligent networking solutions and specialized applications, in an all-stock transaction that values RigNet at an enterprise value of approximately $222 million based on Viasat’s share price as of the date of the agreement and RigNet’s net debt at September 30, 2020.

The acquisition will help to further accelerate Viasat’s strategy to provide high-quality, ubiquitous, affordable broadband connectivity and communications to the hardest-to-reach locations around the globe. RigNet provides

premier, global end-to-end, secure managed communications service and installation capabilities, along with digital transformation solutions, which will enable Viasat to quickly expand into new adjacent industries, including energy, shipping, maritime, mining, and additional enterprises.

Rick Baldridge, Viasat’s president, and CEO commented, “With the acquisition of RigNet, we are accelerating the diversification of our connectivity portfolio and establishing a global foundation for the expansion of our remote enterprise service offerings. RigNet’s successful track record, global footprint, deep customer relationships, and emerging technology expertise in areas like machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) make this transaction an ideal fit as we launch our integrated global broadband platform. The transaction is accretive to cash flow and is expected to improve our leverage position as well as offer multiple opportunities for expansion and performance upside beyond RigNet’s robust energy services business. We’re

looking forward to welcoming the RigNet team to the Viasat family post-closing.”

“There is a powerful alignment between RigNet and Viasat given our shared mission to provide fast, reliable coverage, anywhere customers require it,” said Steven Pickett, president, and CEO, RigNet. “We have broad experience integrating broadband connectivity and networking capabilities in the most challenging environments—gained from our global deployment of more than 1,200 onshore and offshore sites and 11,000 Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) sites.

This combination also represents an outstanding opportunity for us to accelerate both the investment in and the adoption of our digital transformation solutions more rapidly outside of our core oil & gas vertical. Our customers are demanding more enhanced communications solutions, and joining forces with Viasat—a recognized leader in satellite broadband connectivity—will enable us to serve them better.”

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Abaco Announces Significant Win from Major European Technology Company to Help Equip Helicopter Cabin Computer

Abaco Systems announced that it has won orders from a major European technology company that will see Abaco’s range of innovative hardware platforms deployed at the heart of a new helicopter cabin computer.

The initial order is valued at $350,000. The total lifetime value to Abaco of the win is expected to be $1.5 million. Design and integration will take place during 2020 with production scheduled to start in 2021.

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The requirement was to replace the existing cabin computer, which was based on Abaco’s DAQMAG2A high-performance rugged display computer which had ceased production, onboard a twin-engined helicopter designed to be suitable for long-range operations.

The challenge was to develop flight deck systems to make the pilot’s job as easy as possible by reducing workload, delivering intuitively actionable information based on data acquired from a broad range of sensors, and enhancing situational awareness.

Working with a channel partner, an evolution of the DAQMAG2A-based system was

proposed. The new cabin computer would use Abaco’s SBC329 3U VPX single board computer and NVP2102 XMC graphics output and video capture board, plus other modules designed by the channel partner.

“Once again, Abaco has demonstrated the value of our broad range of innovative platforms to our customers,” said John Muller, Chief Growth Officer at Abaco Systems. “Our ability to provide a ‘one-stop-shop’ means that interoperability is assured, integration is eased, test and verification is made simpler and time to market is reduced. These factors can all make a substantial contribution to our customers’ success.”

SPECIAL FEATURE

Reducing vehicle costs through the use of technology

By Matt Bowers, President, and COO, Lone Star Analysis Keeping vehicles operating has always been a challenge, as any fleet operator of size can tell you. Tire and brake challenges, electrical problems, engine complications, and a myriad of other issues serve to degrade the availability of critical revenue-producing or mission-achieving assets.

In commercial work, according to Ryder Systems, heavy trucks experience at least one emergency breakdown annually. The best case is these events’ high mitigation costs, the worst includes serious safety issues. A survey of nine heavy truck fleets, also conducted by

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Ryder Systems, found typical days out of service (DOS) for a single tractor was 3.19 days per month. This reduction in operating availability is extraordinarily costly.

How costly? Very, according to Element Fleet Management, a publicly traded fleet management solutions company based out of Toronto, Canada. Downtime costs a fleet an average of $448 - $760 per day, per vehicle.

Couple the cost per day with Ryder’s DOS and downtime costs a heavy truck fleet operator $1,429 - $2,424 per month, per vehicle. Multiply it times 1,000 to represent a large fleet and

those numbers get very high.

Ground-Based Vehicles The term “ground-based vehicle” encompasses a wide range of machines. These various fleets can be segmented out by the market, with the top ten being heavy trucking, courier and delivery, food and beverage, oil, gas and mining, construction, waste and recycling, utilities, first responders, public transportation, and military. There are many similarities between the various segments based on the types of vehicles they operate, whether it’s light trucks, heavy trucks, buses,

dump trucks, or ambulances. They all have tires, brakes, electrical systems, and engines of some type, which means they all face similar failure and maintenance issues.

Where the similarity starts to diverge is in the individual elements being served in the unique market segments. For instance, think about a first responder vehicle like an ambulance. Not only does it have all the usual automotive systems, but it also typically has a generator to power the emergency medical equipment. Another example is a light military tactical vehicle, like the HUMVEE or Joint Light Tactical Vehicle ( JLTV). While the automotive systems are straight forward, where they operate and the availability of maintenance resources can be very challenging.

Regardless of the market segment, all have a similar desire, to keep assets operating to deliver an outcome at optimal cost. To do this, a fleet operator needs to do the right maintenance, at the right time, in the right place, with the right parts and people. A daunting challenge to say the least, and not practically possible without excellent maintenance analytics available.

Maintenance Methods This leads to the types of maintenance approaches being used to support a fleet and

its impact on asset availability and maintenance cost. Practically, there are two broad categories of maintenance: Reactive and Preventative. Reactive maintenance focuses on responding to events that have occurred.

Something broke or went wrong and now we need to fix it. Preventative maintenance, which includes various approaches, focuses on periodically evaluating and maintaining the vehicle before something breaking or going wrong.

Preventative maintenance approaches are generally much better at both keeping assets operational and reducing cost. As an example, the U.S. Department of Energy revealed time-based, cycle-based, and risk-based approaches to maintenance reduced cost by 12-18% over-reactive approaches. They also found predictive approaches, another subset of preventative maintenance, drive even more value. Predictive programs deliver an additional 8-12% improvement from time, cycle, and risk-based approaches. They typically deliver: • 25-30% reduction in overall maintenance costs from reactive approaches • 70-75% elimination in breakdowns • 35-45% reduction in downtime • 20-25% increase in asset productivity Given the results, why doesn’t everyone

use a predictive maintenance approach? The short answer is cost and data availability. To implement a predictive approach requires acquiring, managing, and analyzing data related to vehicles. These systems can be difficult to find for various types of vehicles if they are available at all. On top of sourcing, implementing this type of system can be costly, especially across large fleets of vehicles.

An excellent example of the challenges can be seen with the U.S. Army’s land-based vehicles. Data accessibility and availability are widely variable by vehicle type. An M1 Abrams tank, a Stryker armored fighting vehicle and a HUMVEE have wildly different systems and extremely limited data availability.

As a result, predictive maintenance at the asset level is difficult, if not impossible, without significant alterations. This drives the U.S. Army to focus on time-based, cycle-based, and risk-based maintenance schemes.

While the basic preventative maintenance approaches are reasonable, as described above, a predictive approach would be hugely beneficial to U.S. Army fleet readiness and would help drive costs down in assets with typically very long useful lives. Preventative approaches can also be beneficial from a readiness perspective in-theater, driven by an awareness of parts and maintenance needs COTS Journal | December 2020

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A good fleet maintenance advisory solution should utilize both predictive and prescriptive analytics to maximize vehicle uptime and minimize maintenance costs.

in advance. This advanced awareness ensures the best availability in sometimes difficult-to-reach environments.

Moving into 2021, we should expect vehicle maintenance to continue a shift to more data-driven maintenance approaches. Commercial markets are beginning to use a more compressive set of telemetry data, not just location awareness, to monitor assets. This data will drive more advanced predictive and prescriptive maintenance analytical solutions.

Finding the Right Solution While there may be multiple options when it comes to choosing a more advanced solution, it’s important to understand what the necessary features are for creating an efficient maintenance program.

A good fleet maintenance advisory solution should utilize both predictive and prescriptive analytics to maximize vehicle uptime and minimize maintenance costs. This kind of solution works by predicting degradation and failure and prescribing specific actions to help drive tailored maintenance support on an asset-by-asset basis.

The right solution is also data-driven, using telemetry data from companies specializing 18

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in data intelligence and fleet management, like CalAmp, Geotab, and Verizon Connect.

Data can then be used to create more than 50,000 simulations to represent how each vehicle system is operating and determine all of the possible changes and outcomes from a diagnostic perspective. A good program also incorporates a variety of artificial intelligence (AI) techniques to predict how the state of vehicle systems will change over time.

The ideal process is quick and easy. Once it’s determined a vehicle system is degrading or failing or will begin to degrade or fail in the future, actions to mitigate the issue should be prescribed immediately before it can become a larger problem.

By creating a vehicle early warning signal, an efficient program enables fleet managers to extract all of the predictive values described by the U.S. Department of Energy.

The key added value, above the predictive analytics, is the prescriptive aspect of a system.

The prescriptions help customers identify the right people, parts, and tools necessary to support the maintenance requirements, reducing follow-up inspection time, and tightening the logistics chain for parts, adding even more value. One example of this type

of solution, Lone Star Analysis’ MaxUp Fleet for Vehicles, is currently in field trials with municipal first responder vehicles and heavy truck customers and is expected to launch more broadly in the first quarter of 2021.

2020 has been a difficult year for many industries and companies. 2021 promises to be a significant improvement on our way back to more normal business. This year has shown us working smarter and driving efficiency is a key business differentiator, and vehicle maintenance is not excluded from this. We are just starting to see the possibilities of advanced analytics on our vehicle fleets, and those embracing the opportunity to improve now will reap the benefits for many years to come. _____________________________________ References: • https://www.fleetequipmentmag.com/managing-can-minimize-downtime-trucks-experience-unscheduled-downtime-addressing-remedies/ • https://www.elementfleet.com/news/media-coverage/the-true-cost-of-vehicle-downtime#:~:text=Downtime%20costs%20a%20fleet%20an,those%20 figures%20add%20up%20fast.

• US Department of Energy O&M Best Practices

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SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT

Rapidly evolving interconnect standards boost next-generation embedded systems

By Michael Walmsley, Global Product Manager, Aerospace, Defense, and Marine TE Connectivity The rapid pace of technological change is challenging designers of military embedded systems. Fortunately, standards for interconnects have been co-evolving rapidly to support high-density, high-speed designs in new, robust “next-generation” products.

The VME International Trade Association (VITA) Working Group and the Sensor Open Systems Architecture (SOSA™) Consortium have led the way in developing standards to boost a huge wave of next-gen advancements.

The SOSA™ Consortium--comprised of U.S. military branch, government, and related industry representatives—is leveraging VITA standards to promote interoperability for nextgen sensor systems. SOSA-aligned standards for OpenVPX architecture support signal intelligences (SIGINT), electronic warfare (EW), radar, and communications applications, which, in turn, drive development of new VITA stan-

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dards. This virtuous cycle of mutually evolving technologies and standards is producing significant benefits--namely, faster processing and signal speeds while shrinking size and weight. Plus, standardized solutions for embedded systems reduce the need for time-consuming and costly customization.

Evolution of Embedded Systems The embedded-system world encompasses a vast realm of technologies in which a microcomputer or chip is integrated into a device, board, or system with intelligence for operating on its own or within a larger system. The compactness inherent in embedded systems simplifies integration between sensors and communication devices without the need for bulkier computational systems. Military applications for embedded systems include equipment for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) and communication, command and control systems, avionics, and

weapon systems. With recent developments in the Internet of Things (IoT) and Industrial IoT (IIoT), military designers are also exploring Internet of Battlefield Things Research on Evolving Intelligent Goal-driven Networks (IoBT REIGN) that use predictive battlefield analytics. At combat-soldier level, developments in Internet of Military Things (IoMT) or Internet of Battlefield Things (IoBT) include sensing and computing devices in combat suits, helmets, and weapons systems—with data granularity down to biometrics for heart rate, gait, gestures, and more.

At the system architecture level, predominant design segments for military embedded systems are VMEBus and OpenVPX architectures.

The VPX designation was first introduced in 2004 by the VMEBus International Trade Association (VITA) organization as the VITA

46 standard. Compared to the earlier VMEbus standard, VPX provides for far greater bandwidth by defining physical features of highspeed connectors over multiple physical links (i.e., switched fabrics).

OpenVPX was derived from the OpenVPX Industry Working Group that began in 2009 to develop standards that defined system-level VPX interoperability between modules and modules to the backplane and chassis. In 2017, the OpenVPX System Standard (ANSI/VITA 652017) was created to support versatile system architectural solutions for VPX. The standard fosters interoperability with subsystem building blocks from multiple suppliers, which has spurred the growth of VPX technology in military embedded systems. New VITA-compliant technologies supporting OpenVPX include new RF and optical interconnects, card form factors, and cabling options.

Evolving Standards for Interconnects VITA 46 defines the primary digital connector for VPX and is based on TE connectivity’s (TE’s) MULTIGIG RT platform that enables high-speed communication in compliant systems. Recently, that connector platform has

evolved with more rugged and faster connector solutions. In 2019, TE introduced the MULTIGIG RT 3 family supporting 25-32 Gb/s baud rates, while maintaining mating compatibility with legacy VITA 46 connectors (Figure 1). The ruggedized RT 3 design using quad-redundant contacts is well suited to withstand extreme military and space environments.

Two supplemental VITA 46 standards are addressing these faster speeds: • VITA 46.30 standard defines VPX connectors with smaller compliant pin tails that support data rates to 25Gb/s and higher.

• VITA 46.31 standard defines comparable connectors with short solder tails for soldering into blind vias in the printed circuit boards.

VITA 67 (ANSI/VITA 67.0-2019) defines the coaxial interconnect base standard for VPX. Coax contacts are populated in multi-position modules to enable RF signaling between VPX plug-in modules and the chassis backplane pass-through interface. Electronic warfare (EW) and signal intelligence (SIGINT) processing are demanding higher frequency RF signaling and military designers want higher density

in VITA 67 RF modules. Consequently, a new VITA 67.3 revision includes two new higher density interfaces.

NanoRF modules and contacts provide a rugged, high-frequency nano-miniature coax system (Figure 2 on next page). The solution supports two to three times the density of legacy VITA 67 RF modules, which use the SMPM RF contact interface. Supporting frequencies up to 70 GHz, half- and full-size NanoRF modules can retain up to 12 or 21+ RF contacts—with custom options for even higher counts. A floating insert within the backplane module pre-aligns the RF contacts to assure reliable engagement with minimal wear.

SMPS is another high-density RF interface option in the latest VITA 67.3 draft revision.

SMPS uses the radial float of the individual contacts within the module to provide the alignment in mating, similar to SMPM contacts but on a smaller scale.

VITA 66 (ANSI/VITA 66.0-2016) defines a family of blind mate fiber optic interconnects for VITA 46 backplanes and plug-in modules.

Once again, the demands on optical solutions

Figure 1 - MULTIGIG RT 3 high-speed backplane connectors meet the interface dimensions for VITA 46 VPX connectors and support up to 32 Gb/s baud rates. (Courtesy TE Connectivity.)

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are increasing because faster speeds and lighter weight are becoming more critical. Optical transceivers must support higher temperature ranges and more rugged environments. To boost performance, the density of optical modules is increasing dramatically. Consequently, mechanical transfer (MT) modules for multi-fiber terminal ferrule connectors at the VPX backplane interface are doubling or tripling in the same physical space on the boards. Plus, fiber counts per MT module are increasing from 12 to 24 to 48.

To further support this drive for higher density, new connector module designs are integrating RF and optical signals in a common block for the backplane interface. The block uses less space in a slot versus conventional side-by-side solutions. To enhance reliability, optical cable routing technology—like optical flex circuit cable assemblies--can help manage fiber routing, control bends, and stabilize fibers.

VITA 42 (ANSI/VITA 42.0-2016) defines the switched mezzanine card base specification for XMC cards—a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) form factor used in VPX architecture for high-speed serial fabric interconnec-

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Figure 2 - NanoRF/optical module using a floating insert within the backplane module that can pre-align MT ferrules and RF contacts. (Courtesy TE Connectivity.)

tion. VITA 61 (ANSI/VITA 61.0-2011 (R2014)), or XMC 2.0, uses the VITA 42 architecture but with a multi-point contact interface targeted for harsh environments. The use of FMC (FPGA [ field programmable gate array] mezzanine cards) and XMC cards are driving faster signals in these interconnects between mezzanine boards and the carrier cards. As a result, connectors are being developed to support higher speed protocols, such as PCIe Gen 4 and Gen 5.

In summary, “next gen” VITA-compliant products are not just enabling high-speed interconnects as a way to get signals reliably from point A to point B—they are a critical link in the channel. Signal integrity optimization of the interconnect is increasingly important as speeds increase, which can be demonstrated by eye diagram analysis of data signal noise at high speeds. Ultimately the connector needs to be modeled and tested in a channel and not treated as a standalone component. As an example, multiple iterative MULTIGIG RT 3 connector designs were subjected to over two years of signal integrity analysis to optimize and verify performance before its final release.

Developments in external interconnects and cabling For external connections between boxes, optical cables accommodate lighter, longer cable runs—a big advantage in aircraft and other applications where weight and electromagnetic interference (EMI) are issues. Rugged termini packaging can also be an advantage. The MC801 connector family from TE combines the high-performance of ARINC 801 optical termini with the convenience of the rugged MILDTL-38999 Series III connector style discussed below.

Figure 3 - D38999 Series III Style circular connectors with up to four MT ferrules accommodating up to 96 optical channels. (Courtesy TE Connectivity.)

side the box while minimizing panel space.

The co-evolution of technologies and standards is helping designers of military embedded systems cope with-the pace of change.

SOSA efforts have driven new VITA standards that will produce valuable technologies, not just for SOSA-aligned systems, but for the embedded computing industry as a whole. As

a result, it’s getting easier to keep pace with demanding requirements without resorting to custom solutions that put projects on a more complex, more expensive, and much slower track.

For details on additional product solutions, interested readers can visit https://www. te.com/embeddedcomputing

High-speed copper cabling is an option for high-speed protocols, such as 10 Gb/s Ethernet, IEEE 1394, Fibre Channel, and USB 3.0.

Compared to optical fiber, copper cabling is lower cost because transceivers for electrical-optical conversion are not needed. Moreover, high-speed copper can support higher data rates with new-gen interconnects that reduce signal loss and noise and optimize impedance through the cable and connector.

VITA 87 is a draft standard for circular optical MT connectors. Just as the optical interface to the backplane is growing in fiber density, VITA 87 accommodates multiple MT ferrules in reliable circular M38999 shells for high density external cabling (Figure 3). The designs in this draft standard include size 11, 13 and 15 shells with 1, 2 and 4 MT ferrules respectively. These configurations support up to 96 in a single M38999 size 15 connector – the result is significant bandwidth going outCOTS Journal | December 2020

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December 2020

COT’S PICKS Announcing VESPER & Vision GCS: Vantage’s Next Generation Elite Small Drone

brightest conditions, and the tactile flight and camera controls allow for gloved operation. Vesper is GPS-denied capable with VIO for flight indoors or in adverse RF conditions.

Introducing VESPER: a new military-grade small drone that is designed, sourced and built in the United States. This 690 gram quadcopter exceeds the specifications of the most elite federal security leaders and is, for the first time ever, now available for direct purchase on the Vantage Robotics website.

Own the night. Vesper’s payload includes two night vision 4K color cameras and an industrial grade thermal camera for superior performance.

Vesper’s Greenseer Gimbal has a 4K EO camera with F1.0 optics and high sensitivity large pixels, exceptional stability for long exposure times / low frame rates, multi-frame noise compensation in the Snapdragon 845 image processing chip, and custom image tuning for optimal performance in low light.

The combination of these features enables effective images down to 0.01 lux (the equivalent of a quarter moon at midnight), and the 320×240 custom-tuned thermal camera augments nighttime capabilities.

What is VESPER? Vesper is a complete aerial reconnaissance system built upon user-centered design criteria obtained from military leaders, experienced operators, elite special forces, industry veterans, and DoD security experts. These respected leaders helped the Vantage team thoughtfully develop Vesper and Vision Ground Control Station and informed the foundations of the design – specifically: Use adversity to your advantage. Both Vesper and Vision Ground Control Station (GCS) are robust and durable in the air, on land and in the water. Vesper can tolerate a 200 pound (90 kilogram) force in its case. In flight, Vesper can withstand tundra-like temperatures of -4 F (-20 C) and extreme heat of 113 F (45 C). Vision GCS is waterproof to IP56, and Vesper can operate reliably and effectively in heavy rain, high winds and extreme weather. Vision GCS’ 2500 nit screen enables crystal clear imagery in the

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Control the tempo. Vesper offers a 50-minutes flight time, with speeds up to 45 mph (72 kph) and a total flight range of 25 miles (45 km). Vision GCS has a 4-hour battery life and 500 GB of storage. The magnetic snap-together architecture enables extremely fast transitions: the battery, props and rotor set can each be swapped in <5 seconds. Plus, both Vesper and Vision GCS can be ready for flight at a moment’s notice (<90 seconds from pack –> to air).

Identify without detection. Vesper achieves unmatched stealth performance, neither visible nor audible at 55 yards (50 meters). Vesper’s 37 dBa noise levels at 28 yards (25 m) are below detection

thresholds for most environments. The 3-axis gimbal offers superior levels of zoom with stable video in any conditions to identify the target without risk of detection. With 18x zoom down to a 3 degree HOV, Vesper can recognize faces from over 65 yards (60 m) – outside of the visible or audible detectability range.

Adapt to mission needs. With its modular design, Vesper can be configured for any situation athand. Vesper’s two battery alternatives enable optimization of endurance/speed or stealth. Vesper’s two rotor set options – shrouded and reconnaissance – accommodate all types of indoor and outdoor use cases. Vesper is photogrammetry-ready, and the modular gimbal can be swapped in minutes.

Advance with confidence. Vesper and Vision GCS meet the demanding security requirements of the US Army and Air Force, including secure user authentication, AES-256 encryption on all communications and stored data, NDAA compliant secure sourcing of all parts and assembly, and bonded construction to prevent tampering. Following months of cyber penetration testing and supply chain analysis, the US. Air Force granted Vesper and Vision GCS an ATO (Authority to Operate), further supported by redundant testing conducted by the Department of Defense’s Digital Defense Service.

Vantage Robotics https://vantagerobotics.com/vespe

December 2020

COT’S PICKS Spectra Group launches new SlingShot Tactical Operations Centre System (STOCS)

via the satellite. The STOCS hardware has been ruggedized and weatherproofed (IP67) to enable the user to leave it in a more exposed position, such as a rooftop, without any risk to the electronics.

Spectra Group Ltd has announced the addition of a new product to their portfolio: the SlingShot Tactical Operations Centre System (STOCS). Spectra’s STOCS adds additional capability and operability to the already hugely successful SlingShot tactical satellite communications system.

In April 2019, Spectra’s SlingShot was awarded the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise for Innovation. SlingShot is a unique, lightweight system that enables existing, in-service tactical military and commercial VHF/UHF radios to utilise commercial L-band satellite coverage (COMSATCOM). The technology delivers Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) Comms on the Move (COTM) with low-latency voice and data connectivity to radio networks for ground, vehicle, maritime and airborne platforms. SlingShot’s unique capability provides reliable, secure communications between widely dispersed military forces and/or civilian agencies operating in austere and hostile environments, without the cost, delay or logistical challenges of deploying additional infrastructure. Over 3500 SlingShot systems are in operation worldwide in the Manpack, Vehicle, Maritime and Aviation variants.

Spectra Group’s new STOCS now adds further capability for existing and future users of the wider SlingShot system.

STOCS is a specially designed and modified version of SlingShot that allows the user to communicate beyond line of sight (BLOS) while being up to 35 meters from the antenna. Because it operates on L-Band, the current configuration limits the current SlingShot system to being operated at a remote distance of up to 10 meters (depending on system type) from the antenna, which in most operational scenarios is sufficient, for example, in a vehicle or when dismounted. However, in response to customer requests, the new STOCS variant of SlingShot enables the user to now operate in more enclosed locations such as a command HQ, a tactical operations room, any type of building, a protected bunker or when dug in. In all scenarios, by placing the antenna away from the operator they can remain in cover whilst still effectively communicating

DDC-I Announces Additional FACE™ 3.0 Conformance for Deos SafetyCritical Real-Time Operating System Running on ARM and x86 Processors Builds on existing FACE Conformant PowerPC offering DDC-I announced Future Airborne Capability Environment ™ (FACE) 3.0 Conformance for its Deos safety-critical DO-178 real-time operating system and OpenArbor development tools running on ARM and x86 processors. The certification covers the FACE™ Technical Standard, Edition 3.0 Safety Base and Security Profiles for the Operating System Segment (OSS).

“The addition of ARM and the x86 to our existing PowerPC FACE offering gives DDC-I the most robust, multi-platform, multi-core, FACE conformant RTOS and development tool portfolio in the avionics industry,” said Greg Rose, vice president of marketing and product management at DDC-I. “Avionics developers targeting ARM, PowerPC, and x86 processors now have a seamless FACE conformant RTOS platform that combines best-in-class performance and safety

fering and adds significant additional capability to the user. Effective communication is a fundamental part of command and control centre operations so being able to use SlingShot in these scenarios is a game changer for global special forces and other defence and security units or organisations”. He added: “here at Spectra Group we’re very focused on innovation and we’re constantly working to evolve and enhance our product and service offering. The addition of STOCS to our product line is a great example of that. We’ve listened to what our customers need and developed STOCS to deliver the required capability enhancements”.

Spectra Group Ltd, Inc www.sglinc.com

Simon Davies, CEO of Spectra Group said: “the launch of the new STOCS product enhances our ofcertifiability with enhanced application portability across the industry’s most advanced avionics processors.”

The Deos RTOS Platform for FACE Technical Standard 3.0 combines the time- and space-partitioned Deos RTOS and SafeMC multi-core technology with RTEMS (Real Time Executive for Multiprocessor Systems), a mature, deterministic, open systems, hard real-time POSIX executive. Deos provides ARINC 653 APEX interfaces and multi-core scheduling. A para-virtualized implementation of RTEMS, which runs in a secure Deos partition, provides POSIX interfaces and scheduling. The integrated platform combines the strengths and pedigree of both ARINC 653 and POSIX RTOSs, providing the industry standard interfaces and feature set required for conformance with the FACE Technical Standard Safety Base and Security and Operating System Profiles, all in a time and space partitioned, hardreal-time, multi-core execution model.

Deos is a safety-critical embedded RTOS that employs patented cache partitioning, memory pools, and safe scheduling to deliver higher CPU utilization than any other certifiable safety-critical COTS RTOS on multi-core processors.

First certified to DO-178 DAL A in 1998, Deos provides a FACE Safety Base Profile that features hard real-time response, time and space partitioning, and both ARINC-653 and POSIX interfaces.

SafeMC™ technology extends Deos’ advanced capabilities to multiple cores, enabling developers of safety-critical systems to achieve best in class multi-core performance without compromising safety-critical task response and guaranteed execution time. SafeMC™ employs a bound multiprocessing (BMP) extension of the symmetric multiprocessing architecture (SMP), safe scheduling, and cache partitioning to minimize cross-core contention and interference patterns that affect the performance, safety criticality and certifiability of multi-core systems.

These features enable avionics systems developers to address issues that could impact the safety, performance and integrity of a software airborne system executing on Multi-Core Processors (MCP), as specified by the Certification Authorities Software Team (CAST) in its Position Paper CAST-32A for Multi-core Processors.

DDC-I www.ddci.comw

Compa

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December 2020

COT’S PICKS Pentek Announces Immediate Availability of Higher Bandwidth Gen 3 RFSoC Solutions

· Pentek Quartz Architecture with Xilinx Zynq UltraScale+ RFSoC Gen 3 · Digitizes RF Input Signals up to 6 GHz at 5GS/ sec with 14-bit resolution · DAC sample rate to 10 GS/sec with 14-bit resolution · Built-in, expanded decimation and interpolation · Supported by Pentek’s Navigator BSP, FDK and IP Library · Air-cooled and rugged conduction-cooled versions Pentek, Inc., announced extensions to their proven Quartz® RFSoC product family by introducing the QuartzXM eXpress Module, the Model 6003, adding greater RF performance and scalability. The QuartzXM Model 6003, based on the Xilinx Zynq® UltraScale+™ RFSoC Gen 3, provides full sub-6 GHz direct-RF I/O support and greater flexibility with more decimation and interpolation options. The QuartzXM Model 6003 is ideal for 5G and LTE wireless, SIGINT, EW, communications and radar applications in SWaP-critical environments.

Quick-Turn OpenVPX Chassis and Backplanes Are SOSA-Aligned and 40/100Gb Ethernet Capable To speed delivery and reduce cost, Annapolis Micro Systems is now manufacturing a variety of ‘Quick-Turn’ WILD100™ 3U and 6U OpenVPX Chassis and Backplanes (WCG000) that are both SOSA™aligned and 40/100Gb Ethernet capable. Adjustable Chassis frames and standard 100GbE Backplanes are what make the cost reduction and short lead times possible.

“This family of chassis frames that we maintain will allow our customers to rapidly get up and running on a 3U or 6U SOSA-aligned platform,” said Noah Donaldson, Annapolis Micro Systems Chief Technology Officer. “This further bolsters our position as the leading one-stop-shop for 100Gb Ethernet VPX products and systems that align with SOSA.” The front-loading air-cooled Chassis feature up to 16 conduction-cooled slots. Accompanying 100GbE WILD100 Backplanes utilize SOSA-aligned payload and switch profiles: 26

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“Immediately releasing products utilizing Xilinx Zynq UltraScale+ RFSoC Gen 3 demonstrates our commitment to offering our customers the latest technology for their applications,” said Bob Sgandurra, Pentek’s director of Product Management. “The modularity of our Quartz product line enables us to quickly provide solutions in any form factor needed -- whether it’s in the lab or in a deployed application.”

These new Quartz products support direct RF sampling using 5 GS/sec 14-bit ADCs and eight 10 GS/sec 14-bit DACs, both supporting analog signals up to 6 GHz. Each data converter has builtin digital downconverters or upconverters with programmable decimation and interpolation up to 40x and independent tuning for increased RF flexibility and frequency planning.

The Quartz Architecture Difference The Pentek Quartz architecture positions the RFSoC as the cornerstone of the design. All control and data paths are accessible by the RFSoC’s programmable logic and processing system. The Xilinx Zynq UltraScale+ RFSoC Gen 3 integrates eight RF-class ADCs and DACs into the Zynq FPGA fabric along with quad ARM Cortex-A53 and dual ARM Cortex-R5 processors, creating a multichannel data conversion and processing solution on a single chip.

Payload Profile: SLT3-PAY-1F1U1S1S1U1U2F1H-14.6.11-n Payload Profile: SLT3-PAY-1F1F2U1TU1T1U1T-14.2.16 Switch Profile: SLT3-SWH-6F1U7U-14.4.14 Payload slots include optional VITA 66.5C and VITA 67.3C connectivity.

Line rates of 25 Gbps on data and expansion planes are via 25/40/100Gb Ethernet, SDR/DDR/ QDR/EDR InfiniBand, Gen 3/4 PCI Express, and/or custom protocols.

Complementing the RFSoC’s on-chip resources, the QuartzXM Model 6003 adds: - Wideband analog RF connectors to preserve signal integrity - LVDS connections to the Zynq UltraScale+ FPGA for custom I/O - GTY connections for 28 Gbaud gigabit serial communication - 16 GBytes of DDR4 SDRAM - All power supplies and clocking management needed by the RFSoC Factory Installed IP Advances Development The QuartzXM Model 6003 is pre-loaded with a suite of Pentek IP modules to provide data capture and processing solutions for many common applications. Modules include DMA engines, DDR4 memory controller, test signal and metadata generators, data packing and flow control. The board comes pre-installed with IP for triggered waveform and radar chirp generation, triggered radar range gate engine, wideband real-time transient capture, flexible multi-mode data acquisition and extended decimation.

Pentek, Inc., www.pentek.com

Also available is an Annapolis-designed and manufactured Chassis Manager (WABGM0). It is secure, SOSA-aligned, VITA 46.11 compliant, and features a Xilinx UltraScale+™ ZU5EG MPSoC. With SOSA Version 1.0 anticipated to publish in 2021, these Chassis and Backplanes are timed to facilitate the rapid development and testing of boards and systems that are aligned with this super-standard.

Annapolis Micro Systems www.annapmicro.com

December 2020

COT’S PICKS Pixus Technologies Offers Customization Services for Chassis Panels & Doors

systems in commercial, development, and MIL rugged formats. The company also provides IEEE and Eurocard components for the embedded computer market.

Pixus Technologies is providing customized solutions for it’s enclosure paneling for 3U and 6U OpenVPX and other Eurocard-based systems.

Pixus Technologies https://pixustechnologies.com

Some front or rear panels for VITA or PICMG based enclosures cover the full length of the 19” rackmount or smaller chassis. The panels/ doors often need cutouts for I/O or special access needs. Pixus offers the panels/doors with options for hinges, screw mounting, or injector/ ejector handles. A clear chromate is standard with an optional scratch-resistant coating. Silkscreening and painting services are also available.

Pixus offers OpenVPX backplane/chassis

Concurrent Technologies announces a 3U VPX conduction-cooled storage board with front removable modules Suitable for mission data storage in rugged applications Concurrent Technologies announces a 3U VPX conduction-cooled storage board with front removable modules, suitable for applications that need data mobility at the edge and developed in alignment with the SOSA™ Technical Standard. With a high bandwidth Gen 3 PCI Express® (PCIe) connection and two storage modules using NVMe protocol, TR MS7/600 is ideally suited for applications within the defense and aerospace markets. The key advantage of TR MS7/600, when compared to other conduction-cooled storage products

from Concurrent Technologies, is the ability for the user to safely remove and replace the storage modules from the front.

TR MS7/600 is designed to work from -40°C to +85°C in highly challenging shock and vibration environments. The supplied solid storage modules offer excellent reliability and are provided in a range of capacities from 480GB to 3.8TB each. This adds up to a product capable of nearly 8TB of usable storage capacity based on current generation modules.

The storage modules are hardware write protectable and are Opal 2.0 compliant for data at rest protection. By using a PCIe connection from the expansion plane on the host board, the read and write throughput is significantly faster compared to traditional SATA interface-based storage products.

Concurrent Technologies Corporation www.ctc.com

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December 2020

COT’S PICKS ViaLite Releases New ODE-B3U Enclosure ViaLite Communications has expanded

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its range of outdoor enclosures with the addition of the ODE-B3U. The new enclosure has been designed to house the ViaLiteHD 3U rack chassis and can hold up to 16 RF over fiber links in chassis card format. It features a simple tilt mechanism which allows the full 3U 19” rack to be tilted forwards to make installation and maintenance easier. It is best installed on a wall, rooftop or at an antenna hub, where RF and other services are transmitted over optical fiber to a remote equipment room.

The enclosure’s robust, fully weatherproof design protects the chassis and electrical equipment from

harsh environmental conditions when housed outdoors. It is a powder coated stainless steel, IP66 rated enclosure, which means the enclosure provides a high level of protection against dust and water ingress.

Technical Director Dan Bromley said: “The ViaLite product management and development teams combined to design the ODE-B3U enclosure, which is a modular, flexible and scalable solution to fulfil our customers’ broad spectrum of needs. It provides easy access for our full portfolio of modules and the ability to upgrade existing indoor chassis to outdoor applications.

The ODE-B3U perfectly rounds off our fleet of outdoor enclosures.” The ambient operating temperature varies depending on the number of modules in the enclosure. The minimum temperature is -20 °C, although if the heater option is ordered, this changes to -40 °C. ViaLite Communications www.vialite.com

December 2020

COT’S PICKS Aitech’s SOSA™ Aligned U-C8770 Single Board Computer (SBC) First to Offer Advanced Cybersecurity Features New U-C8770 3U VPX SBC is aligned with US DoD Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) to facilitate innovation, simplify integration and lower TCO Aitech Systems now offers the U-C8770, a single board computer (SBC) that couples the Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) outlined by the US Department of Defense (DoD) with flagship performance and proprietary, hardware-based cybersecurity features.

Aligned with The Open Group SOSA™ Technical Standard, the new board is an adaptation of Aitech’s high performance, rugged C877 SBC, and retains the same key technical features and benefits, making it ideal for I/O-intensive data processing applications in the military and aerospace markets, such as RADAR, signal intelligence (SIGINT), electronic warfare (EW) and sensor signal processing. The U-C8770 is fully aligned with the SOSA™ 3U I/O-intensive SBC Slot Profile, supporting both PCIe 4x and 40GE data plane options for fast transport of large amounts of uncompressed video and sensor data.

Lincad launches LIPS 16 battery Lincad is pleased to announce the launch of its LIPS 16 (lithium-ion power system) battery.

Pratish M. Shah, General Manager US for Aitech noted, “The emerging SOSA standard is designed to facilitate interoperability as well as simplify integration and innovation. By ensuring our proven SBC technology aligns with the standard guidelines, we are able to quickly offer solutions that help our military and defense customers build and deploy their products faster and more efficiently.”

The new U-C8770 also features AiSecure, Aitech’s innovative and proprietary cybersecurity framework that increases survivability and level of confidence by detecting and preventing unexpected attacks. The inherent security features enable both firmware and data protection, as well as prevention of reverse engineering and tampering with system integrity, while allowing secure transmission and storage of sensitive data.

The innovative Trusted Platform solution incorporates a sophisticated, distributed Boot Guard mechanism, based on a combination of trusted hardware and firmware that utilizes TPM 2.0, Intel TXT, enhanced Secure Boot and FPGA-based firmware protection and integrity checks. The onboard SSD supports write protecThe LIPS 16 represents the latest in lithium-ion battery technology and design and is suited for use in the most demanding environments, with a fully metallic enclosure (sealed to IP55) offering excellent physical protection and electromagnetic screening.

Originally designed as replacement for a lead acid battery used for an acoustic weapon locating system, the LIPS 16 offers performance characteristics suitable for a range of military applications and uses in other sectors that require military grade performance.

The versatile LIPS 16 battery offers an internal discharge feature that allows standalone discharge of the internal cell stack to below 30%, a vital requirement for

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tion, secure and quick erase in addition to disk data encryption using AES 256. A battery-backed tamper detection signal ensures system level protection.

An optional large onboard Xilinx Zync UltraScale+ FPGA is also tamper-resistant, with bit stream authentication and readback protection.

The FPGA allows users to integrate value-added features onto the SBC, in a power and cost-efficient manner. Aitech plans to offer several optional add-on FPGA IP cores in the areas of networking and security in the future.

The scalable SBC combines an Intel Xeon-D processor and up to 1 terabyte of onboard security-protected SATA SSD. It also employs a high-bandwidth bus architecture and offers versatile onboard I/O interfaces, with an XMC site for additional I/O options. The U-C8770 includes 32 GB of DDR4 SDRAM in a dual channel configuration with ECC, operating at 2133 MT/s.

Aitech Systems https://aitechsystems.com

transport by air, in accordance with IATA regulations.

Additional features include the ability to update the operational software and interrogate the battery memory using a mobile device, as well as the ability for the internal battery management system to store operational data for user analysis and maintenance activities.

Peter Slade, Lincad’s Joint Managing Director, commented: “Lincad’s current range of LIPS batteries are the result of continued improvements through the integration of new cell technology and enhanced mechanical and electronic design. The ruggedised LIPS 16 offers a next generation product for use across a wide range of applications.”

Lincad is at the forefront of lithium-ion battery technology, taking product performance to new limits and producing lighter, more energetic and more powerful batteries than ever before.

Lincad www.lincad.co.uk

December 2020

COT’S PICKS QuickLogic Announces the ArcticPro 3 eFPGA IP for Samsung 28FDS Process

QuickLogic Corporation announced the availability of its ArcticPro™ 3 embedded FPGA (eFPGA) IP, which is now available on Samsung’s 28nm FD–SOI process, enabling OEMs and semiconductor companies to seamlessly integrate the capability of discrete FD-SOI FPGAs into their own ASICs/SoCs, greatly optimizing system performance, power consumption and cost for Edge AI use cases in consumer, IoT, and automotive applications.

QuickLogic’s ArcticPro 3 eFPGA IP has been designed from the ground up on the Samsung 28FDS process, resulting in a significant boost in performance and delivering ultra-low standby current leakage. The 28FDS process supports body biasing, enabling OEMs and semiconductor companies the ability to “dial in” the ideal performance/power consumption parameters to meet their system requirements.

The ArcticPro 3 IP is developed with a homogenous, reprogrammable fabric architecture based on SLCs (Super Logic Cells), which consist of eight LUT4 + Register blocks, and it uses a hierarchical routing

ADL Embedded Solutions Inc. Announces ADLEPC-1700 Full-Featured, Ultra-Compact Embedded PC

scheme that strikes the optimum performance and power consumption balance needed for computation heavy, battery powered or other power sensitive products. In addition to the logic fabric, the eFPGA IP includes the option to integrate fixed function blocks such as embedded RAM and fracturable Multiply-Ac-

ic’s proprietary tools as well as the ground-breaking QuickLogic Open Reconfigurable Computing (QORC) vendor-supported open source FPGA development tools, giving designers full control over their system software development environment.

Over the past three decades, QuickLogic’s eFPGA IP has been implemented in numerous SoCs, MCUs, and discrete FPGAs, and shipped in millions of units into multiple end markets such as consumer, IoT, military, and industrial.

Mao Wang, Entrepreneurial product management and marketing cumulate (MAC) blocks to efficiently implement hardware accelerators for neural networks and other computationally intensive circuits foundational in AI/ML applications. ArcticPro 3 is supported by QuickLogThese are complemented by a host of onboard and mPCIe expansion options for WiFI, GPIO, CAN, Serial COM, and other functions.

“The flexibility inherent in programmable logic is widely recognized as making it an ideal technology for accelerating AI applications,” said Mao Wang, senior director of product management at QuickLogic.

“However, discrete FPGAs are often too expensive for volume applications and getting data into and out of FPGAs decreases system performance. With today’s announcement, companies using Samsung’s 28FDS process can now integrate the ArcticPro 3 eFPGA into their own SoC, eliminating the need to use discrete FDSOI-based FPGAs – saving BOM cost, power consumption, and optimizing system performance.”

QuickLogic Corporation www.quicklogic.com

ADL Embedded Solutions Inc. www.adl-usa.comm

ADL Embedded Solutions Inc. has announced ultra-compact ADLEPC-1700 Embedded PC. At only 2.1” x 4.6” x 3.3”, the ADLEPC-1700 is a full-feature embedded PC targeted for rugged industrial applications. It is ideally suited as an IIoT edge device designed for a variety of settings including cybersecurity of critical infrastructure like power grid, oil and gas, refineries and other similar high-value operations. Its compact size and flexible mounting options make it easy to retrofit into existing equipment.

The ADLEPC-1700 is based on Intel® E3900-Series Atom processors designed for a wide operating temperature range of -40C to 70C. Front-side features include industrial and USB-C power connectors, power LED, reset button, DisplayPort, two USB3.0, and two ethernet ports.

COTS Journal | December 2020

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December 2020

COT’S PICKS MEMKOR achieves FIPS 140-2 Level 2 for their Latest cryptographic SSDs’

MEMKOR, Inc. announced the release of their latest cryptographic modules SSD’s that have achieved FIPS140-2 Level 2 Validation under the Cryptographic Module Validation Program (CMVP) established by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Communications Security Establishment (CSE).

Built to withstand the challenging conditions of extreme temperatures, Mil-STD810G shock & vibration, moisture, and altitude, the CMVP Validated solutions provide Defense industry-leading technology and reliable protection from 256GB up to 4TB in various form-factor modules. Our FIPS140-2 offerings are backed by an industryleading, 5-year warranty with factory support, and are manufactured in our Scottsdale, AZ facility certified to ISO9001:2015 quality management standards.

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MEMKOR currently offers both SATA and NVMe protocol based cryptographic modules in a variety of capacities and all include Secure Erase (PURGE) and Write Protect features utilizing MEMKOR’s secure controller technology.

John O’Bryan, VP Sales & Marketing at MEMKOR, Inc., said, “MEMKOR has a long history of providing leading edge Storage Drives to the U.S. Department of Defense and many Defense Prime contractors currently utilized in high-Altitude Data recorders, Ground Combat Platforms, Naval Missile Controls, Towed Sonar Arrays, and many types of Autonomous vehicles, where locked Bill of Materials and long-term product availability are key program requirements. Achieving CSRC-NIST approval in both our BLACK and ORANGE series SSD’s represents a significant milestone in providing end-to-end cybersecurity in harsh defense environments protecting your high-value vital

COTS Journal | December 2020

mission or CUI data. Our technical staff are happy to assist you with any current FIPS140-2 design implementation.”

MEMKOR, Inc. https://memkor.com/

December 2020

COT’S PICKS Aitech’s Rugged GPGPU AI Supercomputer Now Offers Quicker Processing of Critical Functions

Enhanced NVIDIA AGX Xavier-based A178 offers double RAM, new high-speed interfaces Aitech Systems has released an upgraded, qualified version of its high performance, compact A178.

Designed for intense data processing in extreme environments, the rugged GPGPU AI supercomputer reliably operates in the harsh conditions found throughout mobile, remote, military, and autonomous platforms. The A178 system is ideal for applications such as training simulation, situational awareness, AI computing, image, and video processing, moving maps, and much more.

Dan Mor, GPGPU product line manager for Aitech, noted, “High-speed interfaces that can quickly capture and process data, then deliver it to the next decision point, are critical to avoid bottlenecks typical of the high processing demands in today’s rugged AI applications. The new A178 includes not only the needed interfaces, like 10GbE and USB 3 but up to 32

DDC-I’s Safety-Critical Deos Avionics RTOS First to Offer DAL-A DO-178C Certifiable Encryption wolfCrypt brings secure, lightweight, encrypted FIPS 140-2-certified communications to DO-178 avionics applications running Deos DDC-I and wolfSSL announced the availability of the wolfCrypt cryptography library and certification kit, certifiable to DO-178C Level A, for DDC-I’s Deos DO-178C safety-critical real-time operating system.

Avionics developers now have a flexible, compact, and high-performance COTS solution for quickly delivering secure, FIPS 140-2 validated, communications.

Deos has always provided a robust foundation for secure systems. Its modularity, hard partitioning, denial of dynamic operations, integrity checks, and controlled interprocess communications all make it the preferred environment for high assurance systems. The addition of wolfCrypt provides the proper cryptographic underpinnings for secure data transport, boot, and firmware upgrades. Together, Deos and wolfCrypt provide trusted, military-grade security to connected avionics systems, making it ideal for not only military systems but also Urban Air Mobility and next-generation commercial avionics systems.

“DDC-I and wolfSSL provide best in class RTOS

GB of RAM for even better performance in these high throughput scenarios.”

Already one of the smallest of Aitech’s extensive AI SFF systems, the new A178 packs even more performance into a compact, rugged form factor. It uses the NVIDIA Jetson AGX Xavier System-on-Module that features the Volta GPU with 512 CUDA cores and 64 Tensor cores to reach 32 TOPS INT8 and 11 TFLOPS FP16.

The upgrades to the A178 were designed to help meet the demand for standalone, compact, GPGPU-based small form factor (SFF) systems that are both rugged and SWaP-C-optimized. The low power unit offers a high level of energy efficiency while providing all the power necessary for AI-based local processing right where it’s needed, next to the sensors.

The advanced computation abilities of the new system include two dedicated NVDLA (NVIDIA Deep-Learning Accelerator) engines that provide an interface for deep learning applications, making it ideally suited for distributed systems. The system can accommodate up to three expansion modules, such as

and crypto technology for DO-178C high design assurance applications that are not offered elsewhere,” said Greg Rose, vice president of marketing and product management at DDC-I. “Contrasting with the closed and restrictive approach most RTOS suppliers have taken with security, DDC-I has stayed firm to an open model leveraging third-party solutions so customers can use the vendor and solution that works best for them. As a result, Deos users are empowered to incorporate the best-in-class technology available in the market, such as the products from wolfSSL, to solve their unique system requirements.”

“The integration of Deos and wolfCrypt should prove very attractive to avionics developers who require a secure, out-of-the-box, safety-critical solution that comes ready to certify, complete with DAL A evidence,” said Larry Stefonic, CEO and Founder at wolfSSL. “We have a very strong working relationship with DDC-I and find Deos to be quite straightforward to work with. Together, I believe we offer our joint customers a world-class platform that features best-inclass RTOS and security.”

The wolfSSL embedded SSL library is a lightweight, portable, C language-based SSL/TLS library that targets embedded and RTOS environments for connected applications such as avionics. Featuring FIPS 140-2 certified cryptography, the compact library supports industry standards up to TLS 1.3 and DTLS

an HD-SDI frame grabber, composite frame grabber, or NVMe SSD. A variety of expansion modules are available upon request.

Four high definition HD-SDI inputs and eight composite inputs handle multiple streams of video and data simultaneously at full frame rates. Interfaces include Gigabit and 10GB Ethernet, DisplayPort output handling 4K resolution, USB 3.0 & 2.0 as well as DVI/HDMI output, UART serial, and CANbus, among others.

Aitech Systems https://aitechsystems.com/

1.2, is up to 20 times smaller than OpenSSL, offers a simple API, provides an OpenSSL compatibility layer, and includes OCSP and CRL support.

To facilitate DO-178C level A certification, the wolfCrypt certification kit provides traceable artifacts for the following encryption algorithms: SHA-256 message digest; AES encryption and decryption; RSA for signing and verifying messages; and chacha20_ poly1305 for authenticated encryption and decryption.

Any of the FIPS 140-2 validated crypto algorithms can be used in DO-178 mode for combined FIPS 140-2/DO 178 consumption.

DDC-I’s Deos is a field-proven, safety-critical, avionics RTOS that is used to host a multitude of flight-critical functions, such as air data computers, air data inertial reference units, cockpit video, displays and flight instrumentation, flight management systems, engine management, and many more. Built from the ground up for safety-critical applications, Deos is the only certifiable time- and space-partitioned COTS RTOS that has been created using RTCA DO-178, Level A processes from the very first day of its product development. Deos’ unique modular design and verification evidence provide the easiest, lowest cost path to DO-178C DAL A certification, the highest level of safety criticality. www.elma.com DDC-I www.ddci.com

COTS Journal | December 2020

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COTS COTS

ADVERTISERS Company Page # Alphi Technology Corporation .................................. 28

Website ........................................... www.AlphiTech.com

Annapolis Micro Systems ........................................

22

........................................ www.annapmicro.com

Behlman Electronics .............................................

5/BC

............................................. www.behlman.com

Fairview Microwave ............................................... .

34

............................. www.fairviewmicrowave.com

Great River Technology .........................................

19

..................................... www.greatrivertech.com

Milpower Source .....................................................

4/32

............................................. w ww.milpower.com

MPL ......................................................................

22 ..................................................... www.mpl.com

Neonode .................................................................

15

............................................. www.neonode.com

OSS ........................................................................ IFC/iBC .................................. www.onestopsystems.com Pentek ..................................................................

29

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

Index

PICO Electronics, Inc ............................................. 11/27 ................................... www.picoelectronics.com Pixus Technologies .................................................

23

.............................. www.pixustechnologies.com

Sealevel .................................................................

13

.............................................. www.sealevel.com

Versalogic ..............................................................

18

........................................... www.versalogic.com

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COTS Journal | December 2020