18 minute read
Editor’s Choice for February
February 2022 COT’S PICKS
Industry’s Only Family of Standard NonHybrid Space-Grade Power Converters Now Includes 28 Volt (V)-Input Radiation-Tolerant Options
Microchip’s alternatives to inflexible hybridstyle converters improve design flexibility while reducing system size, cost, and development time
Space system designers cannot easily support non-standard voltages or add functions with traditional hybrid-style power converters. Microchip Technology Inc. has eliminated the cost, complexity, and customization challenges of these hybrid solutions by offering a discrete-component-based, space-grade DCDC power converter family that now includes 28V-input, 50-watt (W) radiation-tolerant options.
“Our latest 28V-input SA50-28 products greatly simplify and accelerate system development,” said Leon Gross, vice president of Microchip’s discrete product business unit. “They are easier to customize than alternative spacegrade power converters so they can meet specific voltage, current, and other needs. Customers gain flexibility while reducing the size, cost, and complexity of their space system designs.”
Microchip’s SA50-28 family is the industry’s only off-the-shelf, 28V-input, radiation-tolerant power converter offering that is based on discrete components with surface-mount construction and non-hybrid assembly processes. Delivering more capabilities than alternative off-the-shelf, space-grade power converters, a single SA50-28 device with customized parameters eliminates the volume, weight, and complexity problems of using hybrid solutions with their multiple devices and surrounding circuitry.
Microchip’s comprehensive SA50-28 product line is a 20V- to 40V-input, 50W family with nine standard outputs of 3.3V, 5V, 12V, 15V, and 28V in single- and triple-output configurations. The devices can be tailored to a system’s exacting power needs in a relatively short time with minimal additional costs as compared to hybrid-style power converter products. Other features include high efficiency, low output noise, output inhibit control, overcurrent protection, external synchronization, and full-rated power operation through −55°C to +85°C with linear derating to +125°C.
The SA50-28 family is part of Microchip’s growing line of standard non-hybrid, spacegrade power converters that enable designers to use commercially available, off-the-shelf components whose circuitry has a proven spaceflight heritage. The products join the radiation-hardened SA50-120 power converter family, introduced in February 2021, that reduces risk and development time for qualified space systems by allowing designers to start with proven commercially available off the shelf technology in ceramic or plastic packages and quickly scaling up development using lower screening levels than traditional Qualified Manufacturers List (QML) requirements.
Microchip www.microchip.com
February 2022 COT’S PICKS
NVIDIA Quadro Turing RTX5000 / RTX3000 SOSA-aligned GPGPU Board
The GRA115S is a rugged 3U VPX VITA 65 or SOSA-aligned form factor high-performance computer (HPC) and graphics output board based on NVIDIA® Turing™ architecture using either the NVIDIA RTX5000™ platform or NVIDIA RTX3000™ platform.
When utilizing the NVIDIA RTX5000™ the GRA115S’s GPU node is equipped with 16 GB GDDR6 graphics memory, 3072 CUDA® cores, 384 Tensor cores, 48 RT cores, and delivers up to 9.49 TFLOPS floating-point 32 performance with CUDA™ and OpenCL™ support. Additionally, the RTX5000™ provides a 256-bit wide memory bus for 448 GB/s peak memory bandwidth, 110.7 Gpix/s peak pixel rate, and 332.2 Gtex/s peak texture rate. For more power-sensitive applications, the NVIDIA RTX3000™ can also be used.
Both RTX5000 and RTX3000 versions take full advantage of the NVIDIA GPUDirect™ RDMA to minimize latency for real-time video and data streaming. Similarly, both choices of GPU also deliver real-time performance for encoding applications with dedicated H.265 and H.264 encode and decode engines.
With exceptional performance in GPGPU computing, AI inferencing, deep learning, sensor processing, and data analytics, the card is ideal for ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance), EW (Electronic Warfare), DSP (Digital Signal Processing), OE/IR and Data Science applications.
ABACO Systems www.abaco.com
DATA MODUL presents a sunlightreadable 15.6” wide-view display for outdoor applications
DATA MODUL is expanding its display portfolio and presents a sunlight-readable 15.6” wideview display from AUO. The outdoor display is ideal for digital signage applications, integration in e-charging stations, and many other outdoor applications.
“Our new sunlight-readable 15.6” wide-view display has been specially developed for outdoor use and can be operated without problems even in application areas with challenging light conditions or temperature fluctuations. In addition, the FHD resolution display (1920 x 1080) offers an extremely wide viewing angle with a high contrast ratio of 1000:1 over the full viewing angle thanks to Advanced Hyper-Viewing Angle (AHVA) technology, which is comparable to IPS. These features make it ideal for applications such as digital signage or e-charging stations,” explains Oguz Goekce, Product Manager at DATA MODUL.
The new display with part number G156HAN04.0 has a brightness of 1000 cd/m² and can be used in an operating temperature range from -30 to +85 degrees Celsius. Featuring a Full HD resolution (1920x1080), a contrast ratio of 1000:1, and AHVA technology, it offers a detailed image from any viewing angle.
In addition to suitable LCD controller boards from the in-house eMotion series, DATA MODUL also offers fitting touch extensions as well as a variety of additional services for the realization of customized complete solutions.
DATA MODUL www.data-modul.com
February 2022 COT’S PICKS
congatec simplifies COM-HPC designs
congatec – welcomes the publication of the COM-HPC Carrier Board Design Guide by the PCI Industrial Computer Manufacturers Group (PICMG) with the launch of a full specification compliant ecosystem for engineers of COM-HPC Client and Server module-based designs. From now on, engineers can dive right in and start to develop fully compliant designs by picking their appropriate Computer-on-Module, adding a COM-HPC Server or COM-HPC Client evaluation carrier and appropriate cooling solution, installing their application, and run programming, debugging, and test routines on this new high-performance embedded computing standard.
The congatec COM-HPC ecosystem is fully compliant to the entire range of new PICMG COM-HPC specifications, namely the COM-HPC Module Base Specification, the brand new Carrier Board Design Guide, the Embedded EEPROM specification, and the Platform Management Interface specification. Supported by all leading embedded computing vendors, including congatec, this set of PICMG standards offers engineers the benefits of best-in-class design security.
“The launch of the COM-HPC Carrier Design Guide was the last building block of the COM-HPC specifications that has been eagerly awaited by engineers. It is essential to build interoperable and scalable customized embedded computing platforms based on this powerful Computer-on-Module standard, which is optimized for edge servers and high-performance embedded clients. So here we go! The design race for best-in-class high-end embedded and edge computing solutions can now begin,” says Christian Eder, Director Marketing at congatec, delighted that the COM-HPC committee has reached the final milestone of PICMG’s fundamental standardization process under his chairmanship.
The congatec ecosystem for COM-HPC Server and Client designs will be complemented by personal integration support as well as design verification and test services to tackle all challenges, from initial carrier board design verification to mass production testing. Carrier board and system design services will also be offered by congatec in collaboration with cooperation partners. To round off the ecosystem, a carrier board design training program is available where OEMs, VARs, and system integrators can get a quick, easy and efficient deep dive into the design rules. The training program will guide engineers through all the mandatory and recommended design essentials and best practice schematics of COM-HPC carrier boards and accessories, such as fanless high-end cooling solutions for server designs up to and even beyond 100 Watt. The reference platform will be COM-HPC Client carrier boards equipped with COM-HPC Client modules based on 12th Gen Intel Core processors (codenamed Alder Lake). COM-HPC Server training courses will start with the availability of corresponding Intel Xeon modules and evaluation carriers, which are expected to be launched later this year.
congatec www.congatec.com
February 2022 COT’S PICKS
ViaLite Adds Resilience to Critical GPS Timing Services
ViaLite’s RF over fiber systems can carry GPS/GNSS timing signals over long distances with very low signal degradation. However, the same cannot be said of GPS signals before they reach the GPS/GNSS antenna, as these weak radio waves are highly susceptible to jamming or spoofing. Timing-critical infrastructures in areas such as defense and cyber security can now be protected from this kind of attack by installing one of ViaLite’s new GPS Protection Packages. The packages integrate either the GPS Resilient Kit or OtoSphere™ Protection Module products from Focus Telecom for jamming protection.
The GPS Resilient Kit has two GPS antennas, which enables the direction of the attack to be pinpointed. At its heart is the small OtoSphere Protection Module, which has a unique interference filtering algorithm that combines the patterns from the two omnidirectional antennas.
The module can analyze the direction the interference is coming from and feed it into its algorithm, directing a null towards the unwanted signal to reject and reduce disruptions. Using OtoSphere, GPS receivers are up to 50 times more resilient to jamming attacks on positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) systems compared with having no protection. The GPS receiver can continue working normally throughout the attack.
“ViaLite customers typically need the highest grade of reliability and service, particularly for critical infrastructure timing applications. With the increase in jamming threats, both land-based and maritime, these Focus Telecom antijamming products are a perfect complement to our range of GPS/GNSS signal distribution solutions,” said Richard Jacklin, ViaLite Director of Sales.
ViaLite www.vialite.com
nanoONYX: Ultra-Small Form Factor for extreme aerospace and military missions by ECRIN
nanoONYX is an Ultra-SFF rugged embedded computer imagined and manufactured by ECRIN Systems targeting aerospace tactical missions embedded in UAS, UCAV, fixed, and rotary wings (un)manned aircraft. But also many other applications requiring an ultra-compact and rugged system will quickly discover all the advantages of nanoONYX when it is just as much about high-performance onboard computing as it is about low power consumption, small footprint, and lightweight.
nanoONYX is based on a Dual / Quad-Core Intel® Atom™ E39xx (Apollo Lake) processor with TDP starting from 6.5 Watts for low power applications. For higher performance, it integrates Dual-Core Intel® Core™ i7 Kaby Lake-U or Quad-Core Whiskey Lake-U with configurable TDP-down 7.5 Watts. nanoONYX offers to distribute computing and avoids a single point of failure and thermal hot spots. Qualified nanoONYX reduces design risk, cuts costs, and boosts deployment. With under control risks thanks to proven technology and Environment Qualification, nanoONYX allows you to save your design and EQT fees.
NanoONYX is based on a modular mezzanines concept that offers the customer great flexibility and Long-Life Management with revision control. It uses a cutting edge technology based on mini COM Express type 10 from PICMG consortium and four AcroPack® mPCIe-based Rugged I/O modules with rugged connector I/O interface (no flexible ribbon I/O cables) for high-density, high-reliability and high-performance, that will allow tailoring the configuration to exact customer’s I/O requirements, no more, no less.
February 2022 COT’S PICKS
Kontron’s ACE Flight™ 4783 Dual Modem MODMAN is now flightqualified
Kontron announces the first flight and qualification of the ACE Flight™ 4783 Dual Modem MODMAN
The Dual MODMAN accommodates two satellite modems in a single 4MCU LRU, while still maintaining compliance to the ARINC 791/792 standard for Modem Manager (MODMAN). The initial product configuration uses the two Ka-Band modem cards targeted for the new Inmarsat GX+ network – the iDirect iQ800 and the Hughes Jupiter. Other modem sets for the Dual MODMAN are anticipated in the future by Kontron to support operation on different combinations of regional or global networks.
The motivation behind multi-modem architectures for Inflight Connectivity (IFC) is similar to a mobile phone user roaming between different Cellular networks. For example, with the GX+ enabled Dual MODMAN, while flying over the continental US, passengers will be connected to Hughes’ JUPITER satellite fleet. When the aircraft leaves US airspace, the system automatically switches to the iDirect based Inmarsat Global Xpress (GX) network, thus ensuring a completely seamless passenger experience across all regions.
In addition to the two modem card slots, the ACE Flight™ 4783 Dual MODMAN provides a full Server capability within the same 4MCU package. This includes a 6-core Intel® Xeon® processor, 24-port managed Gigabit Ethernet Switch, up to 16TB internal storage, 4G Cellular Modem for ground communications and all of the standard aircraft interfaces that are expected in an airborne server.
These additional features enable the use of the Dual MODMAN not only as a Connectivity Server but also as a combined Connectivity & Media Server for aircraft installations with Size Weight and Power (SWAP) constraints.
Kontron’s customer for the launch of the ACE Flight™ 4783 Dual MODMAN is GDC Advanced Technology, LLC, a subsidiary of GDC Technics, LLC, based in Ft Worth, Texas. GDC Advanced Technology is an IFC terminal integrator and engineering specialist while GDC Technics has extensive expertise in aircraft installation and certification through its FAA ODA. The Dual MODMAN is introduced as part of the GDC FALCON 300 IFC system, which has been installed on multiple Boeing B737 VIP aircraft and was selected by Saudia Airlines for their upcoming A321NEO and A321XLR fleets.
“Kontron is pleased to launch the ACE Flight™ 4783 Dual MODMAN product, which is the first available multi-modem platform complying to the ARINC 791/792 standard”, says Andy Mason, Executive VP of Global Avionics for Kontron. ”As the aviation market goes through this recovery period, we see trends continuing that started pre-COVID – standards-based, open-architecture systems that support flexibility, scalability, and interoperability for the airlines and terminal integrators.”
“Deployment of IFC terminals supporting operation on multiple satellite networks, using multiple modems with a single antenna, is another driver that bears watching”, Mason continues. “With new constellations such as LEO expected to become available for IFC applications in the next few years, there is a need for future-proof systems such that new capabilities can be added. The new Dual MODMAN and the ACE Flight™ 2780 Auxiliary Modem Unit (AMU) are examples from Kontron of this scalable approach.”
Kontron www.Kontron.com
February 2022 COT’S PICKS
Phoenix International Introduces Tactical NAS Edge Data Storage Solution
Phoenix International Systems unveiled their RPC6 - Rugged Network Attached Storage Server.
As the military works to capitalize on the deluge of data generated by intelligent, connected devices, intelligent data strategy has never been more critical. Enter edge computing, playing an essential role in addressing this challenge by enabling access and analytics close to the data source.
Edge computing can mean many different things, but for military users, the key is flexible, modular, and rugged systems that are proven and reliable in harsh tactical land, maritime, and airborne environments. The RPC6 NAS incorporates a removable magazine with up to 6 SSDs or HDDs which can be quickly removed to offload data. The magazines can then be moved to separate locations and plugged into another RPC24 on any other network for further analysis.
Major Features of the RPC6 NAS:
• Reliable, High-Speed Data Capture • Highly Available and Resilient Architecture • Quickly Upload Data with Removable Drive Magazine • Up to 120TB Storage Capacity • AES-256 hardware and file-level encryption • FIPS140-2 Validation • Secure Erase/Data Elimination • MIL-STD-810G Certified • Made in the USA
The RPC24-NAS allows networked devices to share and store data using all common network services. It supports a variety of network-based file systems that allow multiple hosts to share and store information. Network connections are provided through load-balanced Ethernet ports, available from Gigabit to 100 Gigabit, and can support multiple optical (or copper) Ethernet ports for low EMI susceptibility.
Phoenix International Systems www.phenxint.com
ADLINK launches COM-HPC Client Type and COM Express Type 6 Modules with 12th Gen Intel® Core™ processors
ADLINK Technology Inc. introduces the world’s first 12th Gen Intel Core processor-based Computer-on-Modules (COMs), available in two form factors – COM-HPC Client Type and COM Express Type 6. ADLINK COMs with the Intel 12th Gen Intel® Core™ processor family (Codename: Alder Lake-H) allows for a unique design that can be adapted for single-thread or multithread performance. The advanced hybrid architecture can be used for stationary, mobile, and portable solutions. It also provides system integrators with a future-proof design that supports both current and future best-in-class peripherals.
“Working closely with Intel, we are bringing timely, next-generation computing modules to the market with Intel® Alder Lake-H,” said Alex Wang, Senior Product Manager - Module Product Center, ADLINK. “We now offer a full line-up of COM-HPC and COM Express modules for any deployment scenario and budget.”
ADLINK COMs with Intel® Alder Lake-H provides support for PCIe 4.0 and DDR5 memory with up to 4800 MT/s combined with increased cache, as well as security and manageability features, AI enablement to deliver intelligent workload optimization, enhanced graphics, AI, computer vision, and enhanced peripheral, connectivity, and fast memory access capabilities.
The integrated Intel® Iris® Xe graphics architecture, with up to 96EUs, offers four concurrent 4K60 HDR displays and an Intel Deep Learning Boost to deliver superior AI performance. Using DDI, eDP 1.4b, and USB4/TBT4, the four independent displays support Display Alternative mode, providing premium graphics features for superior content support, display, and I/O virtualization.
System integrators can use ADLINK COMS with Intel® Alder Lake-H to boost productivity and fuel IoT innovation across a wide variety of applications, including ultrasound, test and measurement, industrial edge servers, machine vision, mammography, surgical robots, security or perimeter tracking, and access control.
ADLINK Technology Inc. www.adlinktech.com
February 2022 COT’S PICKS
Low Wind Load, Dual Polarity, Mesh Dish Antennas Are Perfect for Outdoor Applications
RadioWaves, an Infinite Electronics brand and a manufacturer of high-quality microwave antennas and accessories have just released a new series of low wind load, dual polarity, mesh dish antennas with frequency coverage of 17104200 MHz and 2300-2700 MHz.
RadioWaves’ new series of low wind load, dual polarity, mesh dish antennas is ideal for point-to-point use in large, open areas such as base station installations or backhaul applications. They are lightweight, economical, and provide directional patterns with dual slant (±45°) polarization.
The new mesh dish antennas are available in 1-foot and 2-foot grid sizes and are well-suited for ISM, 5G, LTE, PCS, UMTS, Wi-Fi, and CBRS ap-
plications. The multi-band design of these antennas also eliminates the need to purchase different antennas for each frequency, which simplifies installations since the same antenna can be used for a variety of telecommunication installations where wide coverage is desired.
Additionally, the multiport design of these antennas enables 2x2 MIMO operation. Other features include Type-N male or female connectors, gain ranging from 16 to 22 dBi, and rugged mounting brackets with attachment hardware.
“Our new series of low wind load, dual polarity, mesh dish antennas for cellular and WLAN point-to-point communications provide significantly lower wind load and 70% lower weight than traditional parabolic dish antennas. Their dual polarization allows for MIMO system setup, more consistent signals, and faster data throughput,” said Kevin Hietpas, Antenna Product Line Manager.
RadioWaves www.radiowaves.com
Industry’s First COTS Mezzanine with 64 GSps ADC/DAC Sample Rates Is Introduced by Annapolis MicroSystems
Annapolis Micro Systems announced the availability of the industry’s first COTS FMC+ Mezzanine Card to feature Jariet Technologies’ Electra-MA chip with 64 GS/s, 10-bit ADC, and DAC capability. It is targeted at demanding applications requiring direct sampling frequency coverage anywhere from 0.1 to 36 GHz, and/or wide instantaneous bandwidths.
This breakthrough, direct sampling Jariet transceiver performs frequency conversion and filtering in the digital domain, eliminating the need for costly analog frequency conversion. The WILD FMC+ DME1 ADC & DAC Card thus provides an unprecedented level of performance and integration for RF and microwave systems:
2-Channel, 40 to 64 GSps, 10b ADC 2-Channel, 40 to 64 GSps, 10b DAC
It has a usable analog bandwidth of 36 GHz and a maximum instantaneous bandwidth of 6.4 GHz on both channels simultaneously. All transceiver channels feature onboard digital downconverters (DDCs) and digital upconverters (DUCs), including sub-band channelizers for dynamic frequency selection.
“We are excited to be the first company to use Jariet’s Electra-MA transceiver in a COTS mezzanine,” said Noah Donaldson, Annapolis Micro Systems Chief Technology Officer. “This daughter card integration allows for maximum flexibility of use, and for significantly higher performance than adding the transceiver directly to a baseboard.”
“The DME1 WFMC+ from Annapolis Micro Systems represents a significant milestone in the maturity of direct sampling transceiver products,” said Craig Hornbuckle, Chief Technology Officer of Jariet Technologies. “While ADC and DAC prototypes sampling at tens of Gigasamples per second have existed in the lab for a few years, the technology has finally reached the level of maturity necessary to practically deploy it for the warfighter. Flexible spectrum access from VHF through Kaband will be a gamechanger in the competition to control the electromagnetic spectrum.”
The DME1 is available for use with 3rd party FMC+ baseboards or with Annapolis’ WILDSTAR 3U OpenVPX Baseboards (one WFMC+ mezzanine site) or 6U OpenVPX Baseboards (two WFMC+ mezzanine sites). Annapolis WILDSTAR Baseboards utilize up to three high-performance FPGAs.
The DME1 is one of the dozens of products that comprise Annapolis’ proven WILD100 EcoSystem that aligns with SOSA™ 1.0. The EcoSystem is an interoperable portfolio of rugged high-performance OpenVPX COTS boards and systems that are used for challenging data acquisition, digital signal processing, and data storage applications.
Annapolis Micro Systems www.annapmicro.com
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Company Page # Website
Annapolis Micro Systems ........................................ 19 ......................................... www.annapmicro.com Behlman Electronics ............................................. BC ............................................... www.behlman.com Diamond Systems ................................................... 28 .................................. www.diamondsystems.com GET Engineering ..................................................... 5 ................................................ www.getntds.com Great River Technology ........................................... 4 ..................................... www.greatrivertech.com Holo Industries ...................................................... IFC ................................................ www.holoind.com New Wave DV ......................................................... 19 ......................................... www.newwavedv.com Pentek .................................................................. 21 ................................................. www.pentek.com Per Vices Corporation ............................................ 18 ............................................... www.pervices.com PICO Electronics, Inc ............................................. 11/IBC .................................... www.picoelectronics.com Pixus Technologies ................................................. IBC ................................ www.pixustechnologies.com Sealevel ................................................................. 14 ................................................ www.sealevel.com SECO ...................................................................... 20 ..................................................... www.seco.com U-Reach ................................................................. 13 .......................................... www.ureach-usa.com
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.
