March 2022, Volume 24 – Number 3 • cotsjournalonline.com
The Journal of Military Electronics & Computing
JOURNAL
Unleashing Data to Advance Our Defense Strategy Advantech addresses Situational Awareness using a “Universal Communicator”
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
Unleashing Data to Advance Our Defense Strategy By Jim Ison, Vice President, One Stop Systems, Inc.
SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT 20
DEPARTMENTS 6 8
Publisher’s Note Applying human traits to Artificial Intelligencer The Inside Track
Advantech addresses Situational Awareness using a “Universal Communicator” By John Reardon, Publisher
COT’S PICKS 24
Editor’s Choice for March
Cover Image Raytheon’s Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor is a next-generation radar meant to defeat advanced threats like hypersonic weapons. Raytheon completed building the first LTAMDS radar antenna array less than 120 days after the U.S. Army selected the company for the job. (Courtesy of Raytheon) COTS Journal | March 2022
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The Journal of Military Electronics & Computing
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PUBLISHER’S NOTE
John Reardon, Publisher
Applying human traits to Artificial Intelligence As the technical focal point of the DoD, Artificial Intelligence has been the topic of many debates. Each of us in our own way conveys our human beliefs into our perception of the value of AI. From those that project a world where computers turn on humanity to those that fault their GPS for routing them in peculiar ways to their destination. The value of AI is being challenged by the fragility of our human perspective. Secretary of the Navy, Carlos De Toro listed AI as his primary initiative in advancing the agility and decision-making abilities of the Navy.
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Human suspicions pose the greatest risk to AI and are key examples as to why AI is needed. The miss-trust and fragility have persisted with many believing the concept of machine learning is easily deceived and prone to mistakes. And that this is amplified by the high pressure used on a battlefield. The distrust of AI-based solutions by humans opens the door to suspicions and insecurities. Based on the belief that we have failed to anticipate a new set of variables and that the technology has its limitations will inevitably lead to doubts and an indecisive response.
The fact is that machines perform repetitious functions far and away better than humans.
The fact is that machines perform repetitious functions far and away better than humans. Tempered by the optimism and the hopes of turning the entire workload over to the machine create an abyss of uncertainty with the cure worse than the disease. When implementing AI the limitations of its abilities need to be understood. It must employ a set of techniques that reshape the problem and its solutions. It is a method to triangulate information in ways that benefit the execution of the event. The resolution of AI can draw the debate into whether a camera through ML is more able to identify a target than a human or whether turning the fire control over to a computer is ethical, but the reality is somewhere in the middle. The use of AI is predisposed to quality and not to its value of reviewing volumes of data. It is not the potential to spoof a solution by recognizing a trash bag as a rock, it is the ability to review huge data sets and to create an asymmetrical response. It is to create an “out of the box” thought process that might include variables never before considered. This might be the use of assets not considered part of the battle plan, it might be the ability to tap into commercial data sets for additional inputs. You can imagine how facial recognition might be enhanced by connecting with Facebook, or a vehicle identification might be enhanced through working with a local DMV. The success of an AI implementation will be to keep the human involved in the decision loop. To convey information, that by its sure volume would not have been considered and to bring greater confidence to the actions under consideration. Much like a rear-view mirror that tells you that someone is in your blind spot, affirming that your targeted vehicle is registered to the bad guy, will contribute to a decision, and bring confidence to the actions. If we allow the mystery of AI to be in that abyss without an understanding of how the proposed solution was derived, we will be forever shackled by our insecurities and examples cited of Tesla crashes and those that drove off the road because they followed the advice of their GPS. COTS Journal | March 2022
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Oshkosh Defense unveiled the first-ever silent drive hybrid-electric JLTV Oshkosh Defense unveiled the first-ever silent drive hybrid-electric Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV), the eJLTV.
The eJLTV offers the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps the same level of performance and protection as the base JLTV with the addition of silent drive, extended silent watch, enhanced fuel economy, and increased exportable power that enables it to be used in combat and reconnaissance scenarios. The eJLTV charges the battery while in use, fully recharging the lithium-ion battery within 30 minutes. This eliminates the need for a charging infrastructure, which remains one of the most significant challenges to the widespread electrification of the tactical wheeled vehicle fleet. “For many years, we’ve been developing, testing, and evolving hybrid-electric variants of our heavy and medium-duty tactical wheeled vehicles,” said John Bryant, Executive Vice President for Oshkosh Corporation and President of Oshkosh Defense. “Now, with the eJLTV, we’re
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offering our military customers an affordable way to electrify their light tactical wheeled vehicle fleet without compromising the off-road performance or superior protection necessary in combat operations.” This year, the U.S. Army plans to recompete the JLTV program and issue a follow-on production contract in September 2022. The follow-on contract, valued at $6.5 Billion, includes an additional 15,468 vehicles and five order years followed by five options years, extending production through FY32. “While the U.S. Army has not requested a hybrid-electric JLTV as part of the JLTV recompete, the eJLTV proves that Oshkosh Defense has the team and technical capabilities to produce this highly capable vehicle today,” Bryant concluded. About the eJLTV: Maintains the performance and protection of the proven Oshkosh Defense JLTV
• Improves fuel economy by more than 20%. • Provides battery capacity of 30kWh with opportunity for growth. • Eliminates the need for a towed generator by providing export power capacity of up to 115kW. Oshkosh Defense and its parent company, Oshkosh Corporation, have a rich history in electrification and are pushing the boundaries of innovation for customers. One example is the Oshkosh Defense diesel-electric Light Combat Tactical Vehicle (LCTV), from which the Oshkosh JLTV is derived. The LCTV was the world’s first military vehicle to finish the grueling SCORE Baja 1000 off-road race. In addition, Oshkosh Defense was awarded the contract to develop and manufacture the U.S. Postal Service’s Next Generation Delivery Vehicle (NGDV), which calls for the delivery of between 50,000 and 165,000 vehicles over a period of 10 years and will consist of both zero-emission battery electric vehicles (BEV) and fuel-efficient low-emission internal combustion engine vehicles (ICE), upgrading the USPS fleet to be increasingly sustainable.
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DISA awards Leidos $11.5 billion Defense Enclave Services Contract
Leidos has been awarded the Defense Enclave Services (DES) contract by the Defense Information Systems Agency. The single-award, indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract has a total estimated value of $11.5 billion and a four-year base period of performance followed by three two-year option periods.
Defense Group President. “Leidos brings both at unparalleled scale, with a focus on constant innovation. We look forward to delivering an improved user experience and enhanced mission capabilities.” Through digital modernization and transformation, the Defense Enclave Service (DES) contract will unify the DAFAs on a common network architecture to provide mission services focused on enhanced user experience, improved
security, and network reliability. Headquartered in Fort Meade, Maryland, the Defense Information Systems Agency provides, operates, and assures command and control and information-sharing capabilities and a globally accessible enterprise information infrastructure in direct support to joint warfighters, national-level leaders, and other mission and coalition partners across the full spectrum of military operations.
“We are honored that DISA has entrusted our team to establish the modern infrastructure foundation that will deliver critical combat support capabilities to our warfighters,” said Roger Krone, Leidos Chairman, and CEO. “Leidos is committed to helping DISA and the Defense Agencies and Field Activities (DAFA) further their vision, leveraging our decades of technological expertise to bolster their critical mission.” “The Defense Enclave Services program demands unique expertise and advanced technology solutions,” said Gerry Fasano, Leidos
HII Completes First Contractor-Owned, Contractor-Operated Air Combat Training Mission with U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa HII completed the first contractor-owned, contractor-operated (COCO) air combat training mission with the U.S. Air Force in Europe. This training represents a milestone for contracted adversary air training outside the United States and enhances the training readiness for U.S. Air Forces in Europe/Air Forces Africa (USAFE-AFAFRICA).
Over 16 months leading up to the air combat training mission, HII architected the training program and facilitated the coordination of all operational components with European governments, regulatory agencies, and USAFE-AFAFRICA. The air combat training program enables U.S. Air Forces in Europe to evaluate training effectiveness, suitability, and interoperability of contractor-operated air training for U.S. forces in the European theater. COCO training support remains a key option that is cost-effective for the U.S. government while maximizing training and extending the service life of combat equipment. “A d v e r sary training enhances the U.S. security defense posture, enables freedom of movement, fosters global security, and increases combat effectiveness,” said
Garry Schwartz, president of the ISR business group within HII’s Technical Solutions division. “HII is proud to have assisted in this ground-breaking effort in partnership with Top Aces to bring advanced COCO adversary aircraft training to USAFE-AFAFRICA’s fighter squadrons.” Teaming partner Top Aces, Inc., a global leader in air combat training, provided adversary air support by flying the contractor-owned, contractor-operated Douglas A-4N Skyhawks. “December’s flights with the U.S. Air Force in Europe’s 480th Fighter Squadron Warhawks at Spangdahlem Air Base were the culmination of months of work by the HII team and partner Top Aces,” Schwartz said. “We presented sophisticated contractor adversary air training with advanced capabilities to a front-line fighter squadron within the unique constraints of Europe’s regulatory and airspace environment. Although this type of training has become commonplace for U.S.based fighter units, this is the first assessment in USAFE-AFAFRICA’s European area of responsibility.”
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GA-ASI Introduces Gambit - New Autonomous Collaborative Platform Designed to Lead from Front
Like the chess opening move that inspires the name, Gambit is about the initiative, leading from the front, using advanced sensing to grab the tactical advantage and open a world of possibilities. Gambit is an Autonomous Collabora-
tive Platform (ACP) designed through digital engineering to speed its time to market and lower acquisition cost, and it will deliver an extended and enhanced sensing capability. The jet-powered platform is being built for air dominance and will heavily leverage advances in artificial intelligence and autonomous systems. Working alongside human-piloted aircraft, Gambit will enable pilots to see deeper into hostile airspace, detect threats first, and provide time and space for critical decisions and actions.
“GA-ASI has led the way in integrating UAS into every aspect of military operations,” said GA-ASI President David R. Alexander. “Now we’re once again pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with unmanned aircraft, software, mission systems integration, and more. Gambit will usher in a new era, where UAS work collaboratively with manned aircraft to detect, identify and target adversaries at range and scale across the battlespace.” Designed as an advanced concept aircraft, Gambit will use AI and autonomy to complete a variety of tasks without being prompted by an operator. GA-ASI’s software and integration systems will support detection and analysis, and provide users with the highest quality intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance ever possible from an unmanned aircraft. On point out ahead of U.S. Air Force tactical aircraft, Gambit will also be able to sense and track targets of interest and distribute that information across the battlespace. “We’re designing systems to meet future requirements, to include working collaboratively and autonomously,” Alexander continued. “Gambit is part of a broader Family of Systems strategy that began with Predator and Reaper, and continues in support of USAF’s future force design concepts.”
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PICMG Committee to Develop New Modular Box PC Open Specification
of the Box PC while combining the advantages of modular systems and highly integrated cost-sensitive Box PC solutions.
ModBlox7 introduces an open standard to proprietary multi-billion USD market
The open specification will contain the following requirements or specified functions:
PICMG announces a technical subcommittee formed to create a new PICMG form factor specification named ModBlox7. This specification will transform the multi-billion-dollar Box PC industry by introducing an open standard to what is currently a proprietary market. Box PCs are highly integrated computing solutions, but the lack of interoperability limits the ability of end-users to achieve truly cost-effective and sustainable solutions.
Cost-efficient design with minimum mechanical effort. No additional backplane or heat sink will be required. Coplanar board-to-board connectors couple each unit to its neighbor and route defined I/O interfaces (PCIe and USB) to the next board.
The ModBlox7 specification will describe a compact and modular Box PC that is flexibly configurable and can be wall-mounted, snapped onto a DIN rail, or integrated into a 19” subrack. The height and depth are fixed; the width is variable in multiples of 7HP. The maximum length is 84HP. The modular Box PC designs will be very robust, support passive conductive cooling, and be used for demanding applications such as railway, avionics, mobile machines, and autonomous mobility as well as machinery in discrete manufacturing and controls in critical process industry infrastructures. The result of the committee’s work will be a basic specification describing the housing mechanics, the modular functional units, and the electrical interconnection of the units. The standard will guarantee interoperability of units for manufacturers as well as interoperability for users
Modular, functionally encapsulated plug-in units in multiples of 7HP width pitch. Units form functional assemblies such as power supply, CPU, switch, and I/O. Units can be multiples of 7HP, e.g., implement more interfaces or functionality in a single building block assembly. This results in a wide range of device combinations in a modular design in increments of 7HP (21HP, 28HP, 42HP to 84HP), making it cost-efficient even in small quantities. Each modular computing unit can host a stack of 1, 2, or 3 PCBs – depending on the complexity. Separation is typically made according to the front I/O and the power and communication requirements between the host unit and its expansion units. Flexible mounting with minimal accessory components for wall, din-rail, and 19” subrack installations.
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DroneShield and Allen Vanguard Partner across C-UAS and C-IED space
DroneShield Limited, an Australian/ US provider of Artificial Intelligence-based platforms for protection against advanced threats such as drones and autonomous systems, and Allen-Vanguard, a US-owned provider of C-IED solutions with facilities in the UK & North America, have today announced a partnership between their companies. Both companies are respective global leaders in their fields. DroneShield’s C-UAS solutions include a variety of multi-mission AI-powered C-UAS platforms such as RfPatrolTM body-worn sensor, DroneGunTM portable countermeasure, DroneSentry-XTM on-the-move system and DroneSentry base protection system. Allen-Vanguard have an extensive C-IED history and portfolio of solutions that have been bolstered in recent years by their ANCILETM C-UAS system, an
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operationally proven and highly effective RF Countermeasure. Oleg Vornik, DroneShield CEO, commented, “Many of our customers have mission sets that require both C-UAS and C-IED solutions. By combining our solutions, both from a technical and commercial distribution point of view, we can provide a more complete offering to the existing respective customers of both companies, as well as collaborate on channels to market. There are presently several active combined opportunities that we are excited to be pursuing.” Michael Dithurbide, Allen-Vanguard President, commented, “Allen-Vanguard comes from a rich, multi-decade C-IED her-
itage, providing scores of Tier 1 militaries globally with effective and robust capability solutions. With C-UAS a rapidly rising and often overlapping threat, we are pleased to partner with DroneShield, a leader in this space, to collaborate from a technical and commercial perspective to meet the exacting needs of our global customer base.
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Lockheed Martin Selected To Prototype Next Generation U.S. Marine Corps 5G Communications
The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) has awarded Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) a $19.3 million Prototype Project Agreement (PPA) to create a 5G communications network infrastructure testbed for expeditionary operations experimentation for the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD R&E) and the U.S. Marine Corps. The testbed, known as Open Systems Interoperable and Reconfigurable Infrastructure Solution (OSIRIS), is a key initiative of Lockheed Martin’s 5G.MIL® programs which are positioned to help its customers field, scale, and integrate 5G technology rapidly and affordably across all operations on land, water, in air, space and cyber.
need for test facilities that enable rapid experimentation and dual-use application prototyping. The testbed will identify areas for further compatibility between 5G network and DOD platforms that will enhance customer capabilities. The infrastructure will also allow for the connection of various 5G-ready user devices, sensors, vehicles, and endpoints to explore the military utility of commercial 5G technologies and pave the way for onboarding of new technologies from other OUSD investments while addressing cybersecurity requirements. This capability will further enable and advance DOD’s Joint All Domain Operations concept. Teams from Lockheed Martin, along with subcontractors DISH Wireless, Intel Corporation, Radisys Corporation, and Rampart Communications, Inc., will create the 5G network testbed infrastructure at U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. The period of performance will begin
Mercury Systems awarded a $165M contract for secure mission system flight data recorders from U.S. Air Force Mercury Systems, Inc. announced it received a $165 million firm-fixed-price indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract award from the U.S. Air Force for secure flight data recorders in support of the secure mission data systems (SMDS) on the service’s F-16 fleet. These flight data recorders will help provide improved performance, security, and reliability for the F-16’s current and future mission needs. The award received in the Company’s fiscal 2022 third quarter included an initial $16.4 million order and has a 72-month planned performance and shipment period. Why It Matters “Our defense customers are looking for solutions that minimize cost, reduce program risk and deliver proven performance and reliability,” said Brian Perry, EVP, and president, Mercury Processing. “As an independent domestic supplier of key defense-grade microelectronics, they depend on us to provide the purpose-built technology they need to meet their challenges, and we look forward to working as a trusted partner to deliver systems that protect individuals and communities around the world.”
“OSIRIS will serve as a critical proof point of Lockheed Martin’s 5G.MIL® capabilities,” says Deon Viergutz, vice president, Lockheed Martin Spectrum Convergence. “We are integrating the technical capabilities of 5G waveforms, software, and hardware with higher bandwidth and low-latency data rates into our defense products to enhance their performance for our warfighters. We want to ensure that warfighters operating in communications contested and denied environments have resilient access to data to perform their missions anywhere in the world.” The OSIRIS program will help address the
immediately and conclude in September 2024.
Mercury was able to showcase an elegant solution that merged two systems into one. This unique value allowed the DoD to proceed without modification to any existing software on the F-16, while significantly advancing system functionality. Additionally, the new solution provides open system architecture elements aligned to the government’s open systems mandate that offers a growth path to address future mission needs quickly and cost-effectively.
Lockheed Martin’s recent agreements with Radisys, Verizon, and Keysight Technologies are significant enablers in furthering the DOD’s new warfighting concepts. Through collaboration with commercial companies and leveraging its industry experience, Lockheed Martin’s 5G.MIL programs support the chairman, president, and CEO Jim Taiclet’s vision to achieve network effects by bridging commercial technologies into future DOD capabilities that enable JADO and Joint All Domain Command and Control to meet our customer’s and partner’s needs across all operational domains. COTS Journal | March 2022
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BAE Systems achieves key production milestones for the F-35 fighter
PBAE Systems recently delivered its 3,000th vehicle management computer (VMC) and 1,000th active inceptor system (AIS) to Lockheed Martin for the F-35 Lightning II aircraft, achieving two major production milestones on the platform. The VMC and AIS are flight-critical systems that provide each F-35 jet with the ability to operate safely and reliably in demanding environments, with decreased pilot workload and enhanced mission effectiveness. “At BAE Systems, we are dedicated to supporting our warfighters with the most advanced systems and technologies,” said Ehtisham Siddiqui, vice president and general manager of Controls and Avionics Solutions at BAE Systems. “These two milestones underscore our partnership with Lockheed Martin to consistently deliver proven flight-critical and mission-critical systems on time for the F-35 aircraft.” The VMC unit provides advanced hardware and
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computing for the F-35’s digital fly-by-wire flight control system and utility systems ( fuel, electrical, and hydraulic system controls), which maximize system integration to improve mission efficiency and safety. BAE Systems has successfully reached full-rate production – increasing deliveries from 10 shipsets per month to 25 shipsets per month to achieve program requirements. BAE Systems has also reached full-rate production at a level of 19 shipsets per month for its active inceptors, which are used by the pilot to direct and maneuver the aircraft. The AIS consists of the inceptor control unit, active side-stick controller, and active quadrant throttle assembly. The high-integrity inceptors provide pilots with tactical feedback through active technology for increased situational awareness, safety, and mission survivability. The company continues to invest in equipment, testing, and infrastructure upgrades for best-inclass manufacturing efficiency and aftermarket
support. These improvements contributed to a 100 percent quality rating in both VMC and AIS production for 2020 from Lockheed Martin. Work for the VMC and AIS occurs at BAE Systems facilities in Endicott, New York, and Rochester, UK, respectively. BAE Systems is a major global partner to Lockheed Martin on the F-35 program. The company also provides the electronic warfare system for the platform, delivering a cumulative total of 830 systems to date out of its Nashua, N.H. facility. In addition to providing mission-critical electronic warfare systems, the company also manufactures the aft fuselage for each jet at its facilities in Lancashire, UK, and Adelaide, Australia, and provides sustainability, technical support, and training to keep the global fleet of F-35s mission-ready.
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Bell Begins Production on Czech Republic AH-1Z
Bell Textron Inc. has started production of the first AH-1Z Viper for the Czech Republic at Bell’s Amarillo Assembly Center. The production of the Viper joins UH1Y production as part of the Czech Republic Foreign Military Sale (FMS) of mixed fleet aircraft. “Bell understands what it means to execute a successful international program,” said Mike Deslatte, vice president, and H-1 program director, Bell. “We understand the importance of providing the unmatched capability of the H-1 aircraft to our customers. Bell remains focused on producing exceptional combat aircraft and providing modern capabilities for the Czech Air Force as a partner in the H-1 program, along with the U.S. Government.”
device for the Czech Republic, essential to integrating the new helicopters into the Czech Armed Forces. Bell began production on the Czech Republic UH-1Y in 2021, marking the first production for an international operator of the UH-1Y. The Czech Republic’s purchase of both the AH-1Z and UH-1Y takes full advantage of the 85 percent commonality between parts and enables full mission capabilities between both aircraft. In addition to the Czech Republic, Bell is actively producing AH-1Zs for the U.S. Marines Corps and the Kingdom of Bahrain. In total, the H-1 program is on track to produce 217 AH-1Zs and 168 UH1Ys, with more than 100 consecutive H-1s delivered on time for the USMC and FMS customers.
Bell’s work beyond aircraft manufacturing includes building a flight training
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SPECIAL FEATURE
Unleashing Data to Advance Our Defense Strategy By Jim Ison, Vice President, One Stop Systems, Inc. The Challenge of Data Volume When most of us think about moving data, we don’t think of an amount of data that requires a semi-truck to move it. But as applications at the edge are generating copious amounts of data, the calculus for this bottleneck has led One Stop Systems to build a family of storage solutions to address these needs with an eye for forward, harsh environments. The DoD data Strategy to become a data-centric enterprise requires that all DoD leaders treat data as a weapon system and manage, secure, and use data in the most effective ways possible. Being a data-centric organization, the vision is to use data at speed and scale that improves operational advantage and increased efficiency. Focusing on data for an advantage on the battlefield, to improve oversight, or to drive informed decisions up and down the command chain, are of paramount concern. This is essential to pivot on data more rapidly than our adversaries.
Gbps connection enabling the transfer of 200 terabytes each day you might expect to have a connection fee that exceeds $40,000 a month. Although this might be reasonable in some environments; the practicality is limited. The capture and moving of data are simple enough when calculating the volumes, speeds, and costs of the link. And in those instances where cost is the regulating issue, statistics such as the one Amazon reported on indicating that a data warehouse containing 40TB can exceed $880,000 annually can easily be delineated to the time value of money. In penciling out the cost of a dedicated data link and the time value of the data, being able to transfer data physically can
shave significant costs and be done faster. In an optimized network, the pipe between the sender and the receiver is maximized by keeping the inflight data at maximum data rates including all the overhead, but when days turn into weeks, the physical transfer stands out as the solution of choice. The Solution In situations where the edge environment is mobile or is in a forward command center, the OSS storage solutions are designed to meet the rigors of a hostile environment – referred to as their Centauri product family. Three configurations can address situations from small, medium, or large storage capacity and
In the commercial world, Amazon addressed these needs by creating the Snow family of products. They come in small, medium, and large, with the Snowmobile being a 45-foot semi-truck able to transport 100 Petabytes of data. Although this type of solution might be satisfactory when transporting between a DNA sequencing lab in New York and a data center in Los Angeles that has an interstate connecting the two, it falls short when dealing with Edge positions in hostile or remote environments. Like all storage concerns, the ability to capture and convey data to an actionable conclusion remains the same. But acknowledging that today’s sensor arrays, machine learning, satellite feeds, radar arrays, optical telescopes, and the multitude of other data sources have led to the need for data capture in ways that the physical transfer of data in a container has its advantages. At the extreme with a very expensive dedicated network supporting a 25 16
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Figure 1: AWS Snowmobile is an Exabyte-scale data transfer service used to move extremely large amounts of data to AWS. You can transfer up to 100PB per Snowmobile, a 45-foot long ruggedized shipping container, pulled by a semi-trailer truck.
Figure 2: Transferring data files comparison chart.
throughput requirements. Using standard memory modules, the storage arrays can house multiple petabytes of data utilizing PCIe Gen 4 interconnect for lightning-fast up and downloads. Based on SWAP-C, OSS has created a balance between functionality and value to solve the age-old question of data transfer.
Using discrete, physical transport of data has significant advantages in protecting the data from corruption or malware via a commlink. Although not the primary reason that one might choose this idea of “sneakernet”, the benefits for those susceptible to security risks are comforted in knowing the possibilities have
been reduced to near zero. This also goes for high-value data that might normally require high availability of commlinks that are put at risk with transfers that take hours if not days to complete. And if that isn’t enough, the memory canisters can be populated with U.2 modules that are FIPS 140-2 compliant. (Remember that
Using discrete, physical transport of data has significant advantages in protecting the data from corruption or malware via a commlink.
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adding encryption ((IPSec or SSL)) will inflate the amount of data to be transferred along with encryption and decryption delays as much as 15%). Use Case The ability to address the applicational needs has enabled OSS to develop semi-custom solutions that work in concert with onboard systems as well as be configured in a compact form to reduce weight and the use of power. In a recent application, the Engineering team of OSS coupled their half-width, 3U removable canister in an autonomous truck. Originally designed to sit next to their high-performance compute platforms, the application demanded that the Centauri be placed in the “saddlebags” of the truck capturing data both from the autonomous driving systems along with monitoring the truck and cargo during the trip. In this application, the use of physically transferring data was driven by the costs and the mobility of the truck. The convenience of packaging up to 8 NVMe SSDs for a capacity of up to 256 TB enables a significant cost saving as well as shaving off days in returning the data. Although this application was driven by cost, the environment of being onboard a truck made OSS uniquely position to address the problem.
capture petabytes of data in a form about the same size of a household brick through collaboration with Tsecond Inc., a portfolio company of AEI HorizonX, a strategic venture capital fund anchored by Boeing Tsecond, Inc. is working to accelerate the value of the global datasphere by addressing the complexities of mass data generation. Tsecond, Inc. in reviewing the complexities associated with the mass collection of data, determined that some of the methods used by the commercial sector could be advanced in support of areas utilizing AI and Machine learning. OSS and Tsecond, Inc. combined their resources to offer complete solutions for AI storage and transport applications. The combination of these two companies reduces the financial costs of moving large sums of data by reducing the capture, transport, and access. It enables technologies that previously had been limited to engineers in lab coats to be deployed to the field. OSS has combined its understanding of harsh environments with the challenges of big data. The Benefits for the DoD The OSS solution enables raw or structured
data to be captured and physically transferred from advanced positions to data centers that can combine and index the data for greater value. The durable containers reduce the risk of the data being damaged in transit and or the data being corrupted during transmission. Composable and elastic, the ability to transport multiple petabytes of data and use canisters in parallel affirms that operational use is not compromised by downtime. Additionally, having the canister in one’s custody greatly reduces the possibility of a security breach. It is estimated that the Pentagon produces more than 22 terabytes of data each day. Jet Propulsion Lab and Fort Huachuca create 12 terabytes each. A 2018 collaboration to build the largest radio telescope is expected to generate 700 terabytes of data every second. Although these are extreme examples of data collection, they reflect an overall explosion of data created by the connected battlefield. Everything from surveillance to inference computing and neural nets will challenge system architects to develop solutions at the edge that meet these rigors and demands.
Increasingly, companies are gathering and processing a large amount of data at the edge where it is generated. These environments have several unique attributes that require configurations specific to the application. Although the copious amounts of data that a movie camera might capture resembles the video feed from a reconnaissance plane, the need to address the environments and the attributes that define them is something altogether different. OSS’s history of bringing data center performance to the edge by designing to the environmental standards of Mil-STD 810 G creates a broader solution set to address almost any application. Based on PCIe Gen 4, the Centauri family of products will continue to have backward compatibility as the market evolves to future generations of the standard. OSS continues to lead the market with advanced PCIe solutions. Collective IP In applications involving forward command centers, remote research laboratories, or onboard a ship, OSS’s largest solution can
Figure 2: OSS storage solutions one of their Centauri product family.
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SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT
Advantech addresses Situational Awareness using a “Universal Communicator” By John Reardon, Publisher Addressing a New World work and data forwarders, the Osmosis software As the concept of Sensor-to-shooter expands can take advantage of a broader RF spectrum to each branch and across multiple platforms, to thwart jamming and other failures caused communications links have become critical to by our advisories. This self-healing, multilaterour defense. This is further amplified by the ation network can transmit via Link 16, SADL, introduction of Artificial Intelligence that draws BFT, ASTERIX, and TCP/IP, making every airupon volumes of data from many commercial craft, ship, vehicle, or infantryman a sensor and and defense sources. The coordinated effort of data-forwarder. communications links supplying real-time data from a broad range of inputs is a reality that we must address to sustain dominance on the battlefield. As a result, the Engineers at Advantech have released a tactical operations center in a box or TOC-IAB. Drawn from their extensive hardware experience, the communications platform uses the Wind Talker Osmosis software to dynamically detect communication failures and to move comms to other available channels automatically. Advantech utilized the advantage of a mesh architecture to detect failures and immediately employs alternative commu- Figure 1: Advantech’s Tactical Operations Center In A Box. nications channels to form a resilient network that sustains critical comms The Size of the Market The appeal of the TOC-IAB is the breadth and when most needed. width of its capabilities. While the Army may be Imagine a world where every soldier, vehicle, content with hundreds of connections, the Air ship, airplane, and satellite were combined in a Force on the other hand may need thousands. mesh to supply data for optimized information The battlefield has a wide and varied number flow and decision making. That is what Advan- of pieces similar to a chessboard. Advantech tech has tapped into with Osmosis. Osmosis is recognized that they were in the unique posisupported by an array of Patents that draw upon tion to supply a variety of hardware that met security protocols and a mesh configuration to the specific needs of each application. Unlike a improve the resiliency of a DoD network. By commercial application where a network may allowing all clients to become nodes of the net- grow beyond its original design and fail, Advan20
COTS Journal | March 2022
tech understood this is not the case for scaling requirements for the real-world military with thousands of moving parts. This is part of the reason that system configurations were not constrained with predefined limitations. To envision the potential of the Advantech solutions, you must consider the magnitude of potential information. There are more than 5400 satellites and aircraft equipped with numerous sensors constantly transmitting data from fire control to diagnostic data. An army combat brigade is made up of thousands of men that are now being supplied with AI targeting goggles. Although the need for the infantry to coordinate artillery and a satellite transmitting 4k video may require different types of communication paths, their participation in the overall success of the battle cannot be jeopardized by a down comm link. Built-in Fault-Tolerance The idea of frequency hopping has been around for a while, but to do this dynamically in a way that is safe and secure is what a TOC-IAB can provide when coupled with the Osmosis software. By enabling self-healing, off-the-grid communication for faster transmissions through peer-to-peer connectivity, the TOC-IAB offers enhanced security and freedom from protocol and spectrum barriers. Frequency capabilities are predetermined based in part on government regulations regarding available frequencies. In other configurations, the frequency capabilities may be defined by the user administrator. This
The appeal of the TOC-IAB is the breadth and width of its capabilities. While the Army may be content with hundreds of connections, the Air Force on the other hand may need thousands. The battlefield has a wide and varied number of pieces similar to a chessboard.
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can include buffering for a period while paths are being reestablished to another mobile or stationary participant. Using established protocols to identify priorities based on the participant’s role can be overseen and managed. For example, an airplane prioritizes the safety of flight information first, then ATC communications, identification, navigations, C2 communication. Mobile participants may prioritize direct line of sight communications rather than utilizing routes requiring multiple participants. Kinematic information provides an important element of the solution by calculating the value of a link within the mesh as objects move in and out of the theater of operations. Initial Adoption “Just like the Internet of Things our Air and Space Force platforms will only be as effective as data they can access, machine-to-machine”, said Will Roper, Air Force acquisition boss. By posturing to have high relatability data paths, the TOCIAB is designed to receive and transmit in a complementary way to the needs of a high-velocity decision-making environment. The initial step is to support tactical operation centers acting like internet hotspots onboard several KC-46 Pegasus tankers, in support of the F-35 II. “To build ABMS, you must first build the digital structures and pathways over which critical data is stored, computed, and moved. The Air Force needs smart, fast and resilient systems to establish information and decision superiority, and ABMS will be that solution”. Randy Walden, Executive officer from the Rapid Capabilities office. Advantech acknowledging that each application has its challenges has configured an array of hardware solutions that can be used as reference
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COTS Journal | March 2022
designs in configuring a system of your choosing. In applications involving search and rescue, a command center tied to civilian communications may require a hardware configuration unique to the application. In a tactical forward operation, Advantech has solutions that emphasize space, weight, and power to meet the rigors of a dynamically changing environment. And finally, they offer an array of high-performance computing platforms designed to accommodate an abundance of streaming data and artificial intelligence needs. The configurations are dynamically defined to deliver performance at the “speed of relevance”. The unique ability of the TOC-IAB to address everything from consumer-available cell phones to VHF used by aircraft uniquely positions it to address the multi-faceted environment required by the military (and civil defense). Colonel John Boyd said in Patterns of Conflict, “In order to win, we should operate at a faster tempo or rhythm than our adversaries— or, better yet, get inside the adversary’s observe-orient-decide-action time cycle or OODA loop.” To do this Advantech is committed to developing a combination of hardware and software that affirms communications that are secure, effective, and interpreted accurately. The real-time asynchronous response that is envisioned can only be achieved with reliable and secure comms. In a clear network where commlinks are operating optimally, the mesh provides sustained connectivity with one or more connections to the network. The GUI allows the network to be reconfigured and visualized for ease of use. If a loss of connection via ethernet occurs it is quickly identified and re-routed by a Wi-Fi switchover. In the case where there is a full failure of ether-
net devices, Advantech employs a GPU-powered solution that will reconfigure the mesh through reactivation of TCP/IP using LTE. Again, allowing the Osmosis manager to diagnose, review connectivity status, and record all changes made. The Debate Looking forward The topology continues to be debated throughout the services with the Army and Airforce leading the way. The solution likely will be a hybrid effort with an emphasis on edge solutions that are benefiting from advances in the processor’s ability. The tool kit of hardware solutions has enabled Advantech to put “data center” abilities in front-line positions. This reduces the latency and possible corruption of data for additional security and real-time response. The emphasis to push to a forward location has resulted in the development of a Command Post Computing Environment in advance locations that may be moved at a moment’s notice. Advantech has also envisioned the use of disposable nodes in support of troops isolated behind enemy lines to improve communications when air support might draw attention. In addition, Advantech has received attention to respond to the mounted computing environment developed for combat vehicles such as the new JLTV. By allowing each sensor on the mesh to receive and forward, increasing the number of players will enhance the strength and stability of the communication mesh. Advantech has envisioned the use of the TOC-IAB for everything from a natural disaster to a sustained war. Being able to detect intrusions, jamming, and or other failures in real-time, will bring confidence to the warfighters and first responders.
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March 2021
COT’S PICKS World premiere for x86 based COMHPC Server
congatec’s Intel Xeon D-1700 and D-2700 processor-based Server-on-Modules in COM‑HPC Server Size E, Size D, and COM Express Type 7 form factor (from right to left) congatec – a leading vendor of embedded and edge computing technology – celebrates the world premiere for x86 based COM-HPC Server modules by announcing the availability of three new Server-on-Module families parallel to the launch of the brand-new Intel Xeon D processor family, formerly codenamed Ice Lake D. The new COM-HPC Server modules in Size E and Size D, as well as the COM Express Type 7 modules, will accelerate the next generation of real-time microserver workloads in rugged environments and extended temperature ranges. Improvements include up to 20 cores, RAM to up to 1 TB, double throughput per PCIe lanes to Gen 4 speed, as well as up to 100 GbE connectivity and TCC/TSN support. Target applications range from industrial workload consolidation servers for automation, robotics, and medical backend imaging to outdoor servers for utilities and critical infrastructures – such as smart grids for oil, gas, and electricity
as well as rail and communication networks – and also includes vision-enabled applications such as autonomous vehicles and video infrastructures for safety and security. “The launch of our massive workload accelerating Intel Xeon D processor-based COM-HPC Server-on-Modules is a milestone for the various edge server industries in three respects,” explains Martin Danzer, Director of Product Management at congatec. “First, Intel Xeon D processor-based Server-on-Modules now target not only standard industrial environments but also outdoor and in-vehicle applications due to the extended temperature range support. Second, the worldwide first x86 COM-HPC Server-on-Modules extend the available number of cores for the first time to 20 and with up to 8 RAM sockets enable massively more memory bandwidth, which is essential for server workloads. Third, these server modules have real-time capabilities both for the processor cores and TCC/TSN enabled real-time Ethernet. This is a combination that many OEMs have been eagerly waiting for.” Besides the huge bandwidth and performance improvements, congatec’s three new Server-on-Module families will significantly extend the
lifecycle of next-gen rugged edge server designs compared to common servers as long-term availability of up to ten years is planned. The module families further convince with a comprehensive server-grade feature set: For mission-critical designs, they offer powerful hardware security features including Intel Boot Guard, Intel Total Memory Encryption – MultiTenant (Intel TME-MT), and Intel Software Guard Extensions (Intel SGX). AI applications benefit from built-in hardware acceleration including AVX-512 and VNNI. For best RAS capabilities, the processor modules integrate the Intel Resource Director Technology (Intel RDT) and support remote hardware management features such as IPMI and redfish. The new modules will become available in a High Core Count (HCC) and a Low Core Count (LCC) variant featuring different flavors of the Intel Xeon D processor series: The conga-HPC/sILH COM-HPC Server Size E modules will be equipped with 5 different Intel Xeon D-2700 processors with a choice of 4 to 20 cores, 8 DIMM sockets for up to 1 TByte of 2933 MT/s fast DDR4 memory with ECC, 32x PCIe Gen 4, and 16x PCIe Gen 3 as well as 100 GbE throughput plus real-time capable 2.5 Gbit/s Ethernet with TSN and TCC support at a processor base power of 65 to 118 Watt. The COM-HPC Server Size D and COM Express Type 7 modules will come with 5 different Intel Xeon D-1700 processors with a choice of 4 to 10 cores. While the conga-B7Xl COM Express Server-on-Module supports up to 128 GB DDR4 2666 MT/s RAM via up to 3 SODIMM sockets, the conga-HPC/ sILL COM-HPC Server Size D module offers 4 DIMM sockets for up to 256 GB of 2933 MT/s fast DDR4 RAM. Both module families offer 16x PCIe Gen 4 and 16x PCIe Gen 3 lanes. For fast networking, they provide up to 100 GbE throughput and TSN TCC support via 2.5 Gbit/s Ethernet at a processor base power of 40 to 67 Watt. congatec’s www.congatec.com
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March 2021
COT’S PICKS ADLINK Launches Integrated 4-Axis PCIe Pulse Motion Controllers for Demanding Machine Automation
trol equipment requirements in numerous high-growth electronics manufacturing fields, including the semiconductor, AOI, and LED industries.
ADLINK’s latest AMP models are 4-axis motion controller cards with a PCI Express interface, a pulse output rate of up to 10 MHz, and 64-channel GPIO support.
The AMP-104C is an entry-level controller that enables reliable, accurate execution of basic point-to-point (P2P) motion. It also provides additional encoder input and a position latch, which delivers more accurate positioning on stepper motors. Such features add high value at an economical price.
ADLINK Technology Inc. announces the release of its AMP-104C and AMP-304C pulse motion controller series, based on the PCI Express interface. With high performance and exceptional accuracy, these controllers are engineered specifically to satisfy motion con-
For more advanced or complex motor control, ADLINK’s AMP-304C offers incredible speed and precision. The AMP-304C comes with the DIN304C dedicated terminal board to help simplify cable distribution. With both cards together, the AMP-304C improves overall performance while minimizing total cost. Both AMP models feature a two-in-one
design that combines motion control and I/O functionality. Through hardware integration and smart software implementation, ADLINK converges all that port capability into a single device for easier manageability with a lower total cost and no compromise in I/O capability. This allows customers to decide whether they want to connect I/O devices or execute different motion operations via the I/O connectors. The AMP-304C provides 16-channel output for ADLINK’s exclusive position comparison function, which simplifies the setup of repeatable motion applications through a “comparison points reuse” mode, thus saving API configuration time. AMP-304C also supports a “quick-response API” and “command preload mode,” which reduce execution times between the motion control card and CPU, thereby increasing throughput and further improving production units per hour (UPH). All these advanced AMP-304C functions can be set up and managed through ADLINK’s APS SDK, which delivers a single code library and unified user interface with over 400 motion control functions for a no-code testing developer. Thanks to ADLINK’s SDK, the motion control system can be easily upgraded, centrally managed, and quickly deployed. ADLINK Technology Inc. www.adlinktech.com
VadaTech Announces a Rugged Freescale QorIQ T4241 / T4161 3U VPX Processor Board VadaTech, a leading manufacturer of integrated systems, embedded boards, enabling software and application-ready platforms, announces the VPX703. The VPX703 is a 3U VPX module based on the Freescale QorIQ T4241 or T4161 with dual GbE and PCI x8 to the backplane. The module provides 64 GB of onboard flash and up to 12 GB DDR3. Standard I/O such as SATA, USB, GPIO, RS232, etc. are routed to the P1 connector. Dual redundant ( four-channel) MIL-STD-1553A/B is provided via the P2 connector, based on the Data Device Corporation (DDC) DC BU-65863I8. The VPX703 is available in air- or conduction-cooled formats up to CC4/C3/V3/OS2 per ANSI/VITA 47. PPM Systems https://ppmsystems.com/
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March 2021
COT’S PICKS Anritsu Introduces Rack Mount Remote Spectrum Monitors with Frequencies Up To 43.5 GHz
New Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuits (MMICs) and discrete devices deliver performance levels required in 5G, satellite communication, and defense applications Anritsu Company introduces the MS27201A Remote Spectrum Monitor series that includes the industry’s first remote spectrum monitor that covers 43.5 GHz to support new satellite downlink bands. Combining high RF performance with supporting PC software, the MS27201A series delivers a unique package for long-term monitoring in a variety of commer-
cial and regulatory environments. The MS27201A series includes 9 GHz and 20 GHz remote spectrum monitors, in addition to the 43.5 GHz model. A wide 110 MHz measurement bandwidth to support common satellite downlink spans complements the 43.5 GHz model. With a displayed average noise level (DANL) of -164 dBm and a third-order intercept point (TOI) of typically +20 dBm, all the remote spectrum monitors assure accurate signal detection and measurement integrity. A standard PC GUI with the familiar Anritsu spectrum analyzer interface allows users to control multiple instruments and view the current spectrum from a single location. As an al-
ternative, Anritsu can have the remote spectrum monitors interface with the MX280001A Vision software. Common trace capture and data storage applications are included in Vision software, eliminating the need for users to develop custom software. Anritsu also supplies an IQ capture feature that allows users to conduct detailed offline post-processing on signals of interest. Optional LTE and 5G demodulation software further expand monitoring capability, as does VSA software that allows modulation quality measurements to be made on narrowband signals per industry standards. The MS27201A series ensures reliable, 24/7 continuous spectrum monitoring over a wide geographic area. A built-in watchdog timer resets the instrument in the event of a software interruption. Should a power disruption occur, the instrument will resume immediate operation with no user intervention required. The MS27201A spectrum monitors are standard 19-inch rack wide and 2U tall, so they can slot directly into test system racks using minimal space. The instruments are powered from a supplied 15-Watt power block that minimizes rack temperature gain. The MS27201A series is targeted at the increasingly demanding requirements of spectrum owners and spectrum regulators. The remote spectrum monitors deliver stable performance in a variety of applications, including spectrum clearing, shared spectrum monitoring, satellite ground station monitoring, critical site security, interference monitoring, and regulatory enforcement. Anritsu Company www.anritsu.com
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March 2021
COT’S PICKS
Galleon Embedded Computing Releases the rugged XSR 100GbE Recorder The XSR 100GbE Recorder is the latest addition to Galleon Embedded Computing’s lineup of innovative military embedded solutions. With its rugged design and groundbreaking 100GbE interface, this recorder is perfect for deployed applications such as unmanned systems, airborne pods, and military ground vehicles. Its versatile recording capabilities make it ideal for various uses such as high-speed sensor recording, audio and video recording, along with surveillance,
intelligence, and reconnaissance support. The XSR 100GbE Recorder is the perfect solution for capturing and storing data in demanding environments. Its rugged design can withstand even the harshest environmental conditions while still delivering consistent performance, functionality, and reliability. Removable data modules (RDM’S) make it easy to off-load your data, and its dual-layer data-at-rest encryption ensures your data is secure. Cory Grosklags, President of Galleon Embedded Computing, states, “ We are excited
to offer the jump to 100GbE in the XSR family of products. As the data I/O requirements continue to grow, Galleon continues to take cutting-edge technologies into the rugged deployment market space.” Galleon Embedded Computing provides commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) system-level and board-level rugged computing products primarily aimed at high-speed data acquisition, high-density storage, and complex signal recording systems. Galleon Embedded Computing https://galleonec.com/
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COTS Journal | March 2022
March 2021
COT’S PICKS Primary and Secondary Compute Intensive 3U VPX Plug-in Card
Concurrent Technologies announces a 3U VPX rugged server Plug-In Card (PIC) based on the recently announced Intel® Xeon D-1700 processor. TR MAx/6sd-RCR has been developed to satisfy the growing need for high compute capability PICs that are aligned to the SOSA™ Technical Standard and that enable simple and effective technology transitions for next-generation sensor-based systems in defense and aerospace applications. TR MAx/6sd-RCR is fitted with a 10-core Intel® Xeon® D-1746TER processor, up to 128 Gbytes DDR4 memory and 1TB direct-attached storage designed for workload consolidation and server-grade applications in challenging environments. For higher bandwidth communications, it supports up to 100 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity on the data plane and PCI Express (PCIe) Gen 4 on the expansion plane. Both the primary and secondary compute-intensive profiles are supported enabling either x8 or x16 PCIe lanes for communication with adjacent PIC(s). TR MAx/6sd-RCR is supplied with security features to enable a root of trust and is offered with Concurrent Technologies Guardian security package to prevent hardware and software changes once deployed. Security is further enhanced with the implementation of Lockheed Martin’s Hardened Security for Intel® Processors platform to provide an end-to-end full security chain of trust solution.
fers attribute-based security controls, a fully secure run-time solution, and greater data confidentiality to protect customer domains.” Concurrent Technologies www.ctc.com
Dr. Miles Adcock, CEO at Concurrent Technologies, commented: “As a Titanium IoT Solutions partner with Intel, we are committed to bringing innovative products to market coincident with silicon launch. This product enables our customers to create ground-breaking sensor-based solutions for the defense markets with the reassurance that these solutions are capable of further technology transitions throughout their life cycle.” “Lockheed Martin is proud to support a wide range of defense customers with our proven hardened security platform now with Concurrent Technologies’ SOSA aligned rugged server products,” commented Scott Hinnershitz, Lockheed Martin Missiles, and Fire Control Cyber Architect senior manager. “Lockheed Martin Hardened Security is a virtualized security isolation technology that ofCOTS Journal | March 2022
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March 2021
COT’S PICKS New SBCs From Abaco Feature Latest Intel Technology, Deliver Highest Performance with 100GbE
3U and 6U Intel-based OpenVPX computers aligned to SOSA™ Standard Two new rugged computers from Abaco Systems feature the recently introduced Intel® Xeon® D-2700 processor delivering powerful 100Gb Ethernet (100GbE) capability. The HPC2812 6U VPX high-performance computer (HPC) and the SBC3612D VPX single board computer (SBC) is Abaco’s first 100GbE computationally intensive 6U and 3U SOSA-aligned boards. Both computers provide the building blocks needed in 6U and 3U form factors for high-performance, mission-ready systems.
The HPC2812 and SBC3612D plug-in cards (PIC) include the Xeon® D-2700 processor ( formerly known as Ice Lake) to form the multi-processing compute engine core of Abaco’s OpenVPX high performance and 100GbE capable product portfolio. The 6U HPC2812 multiprocessor PIC is designed with dual (20 cores per node) Xeon D 2700 CPUs, per node 100GbE with RDMA data plane and dual PCIe Gen4 expansion planes (P2 and P5). The computer also includes 128GB DDR4 memory per node. The 3U SBC3612D compute-intensive PIC
(plug-in card) offers a 16-core Xeon D-2700 CPU, 100GbEwith RDMA data plane, and PCIe Gen4 expansion plane (x8 or x16 widths). “Abaco is committed to giving our customers solutions with the latest technology like 100GbE,” says Pete Thompson, vice president of product management for Abaco Systems. “The HPC2812 and SBC3612D have the technology that meets our customers’ requirements for extremely high performance in demanding, rugged environments.” Abaco Systems www.abaco.com
The computers are deployable across a wide range of applications ranging from commercial and industrial projects to transportation and infrastructure. They are also deployable on aerospace and defense applications including ISR, radar, and EO/IR. Delivering increased compute density in fewer physical slots, the computers meet demands for single slot compute density and remedies to throughput bottlenecks.
DIGISTOR C Series SEDs for Zero Trust Environments and Securing Data at Rest (DAR) Now Available
broaden the company’s comprehensive data security solutions and make it easy to cost-effectively protect sensitive data on laptops, desktops, and other user endpoint devices.
C Series SEDs extend DIGISTOR’s industry-leading ability to eliminate the need for complex, costly customized systems to secure Data at Rest (DAR)
Perfect for zero trust architectures, C Series SEDs are available in two versions:
DIGISTOR® announced that its C Series Self-Encrypting Drives (SEDs) are available beginning now. The C Series SEDs, powered by Cigent®, are available for retrofit or integration through DIGISTOR OEM and integrator partners. The C Series SEDs
- C Series Select. The Select series provides data invisibility, tamper-proof credentials, and zero trust file access controls. The Select series is available in a variety of form factors based on our off-the-shelf TCG Opal and FIPS 140-2 L2 validated SEDs. - C Series Advanced. The Advanced series includes Select capabilities plus additional firmware that provides verified data destruction, secure access logs, and keep-alive heartbeat. C Series Advanced is available in the FIPS 140-2 L2 M.2 NVMe form factor. “With today’s heightened
cyber threats, militaries and governments more than ever need to employ trusted architectures to better protect end-point data at rest. Our new C Series drives add critical zero trust architecture capabilities to our line of secure SEDs making it simpler and more cost-effective to secure data at rest than ever before,” said Robin Wessel, Executive Vice President, CDSG. The C Series SEDs augment DIGISTOR self-encrypting SEDs with easily implemented, flexible file-level encryption and allow users to choose whether files are always locked or dynamically locked based on AI threat detection. Once locked, files are available only to authenticated individuals. The C Series supports multi-factor authentication, including Windows Hello - Facial Recognition, Fingerprint, PIN, Google Authenticator, and third-party authentication solutions like Cisco Duo. DIGISTOR https://digistor.com/
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March 2021
COT’S PICKS
RadioWaves Adds New Low Wind Load, Dual Polarity, Mesh Dish Antennas
RadioWaves, an Infinite Electronics brand, has just released a new series of low wind load, dual polarity, mesh dish antennas with frequency coverage of 1710-4200 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 applications. The multi-band design of these antennas also eliminates the need to purchase different antennas for each frequency,
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COTS Journal | March 2022
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
March 2021
COT’S PICKS Pixus Releases New OpenVPX Cube Enclosures
Pixus Technologies, a provider of embedded computing and enclosure solutions, now offers a small form factor enclosure for the development and demonstration of 3U OpenVPX systems. The OpenVPX Cube Chassis from Pixus is 4U tall with bottom to top cooling and prop up feet for easy viewing/access into the enclosure. The compact chassis is only 42HP (8.4”) wide and allows 4-5 OpenVPX boards in the 3U form factor to be installed along with a compact power supply. Various VITA 65 backplane profiles are available with options for VITA 66 or 67 interfaces. Pluggable VITA 62 or fixed ATX PSUs are available in the typical 3U VPX voltage rails. Card guides for air-cooled or conduction-cooled boards can be installed into any slot. Pixus offers OpenVPX and SOSA-aligned chassis platforms and backplanes for 3U and 6U boars. This includes desktop, rackmount, MIL rackmount, and MIL ATR style enclosure systems. Pixus Technologies https://pixustechnologies.com/
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COTS COTS
Index
ADVERTISERS Company Aitech Systems ..................................................... Annapolis Micro Systems ........................................ Behlman Electronics ............................................. Diamond Systems ................................................... GET Engineering ..................................................... Great River Technology ........................................... Holo Industries ...................................................... Interface Concept ................................................. New Wave DV ......................................................... Pentek .................................................................. Per Vices Corporation ............................................ PICO Electronics, Inc ............................................. Pixus Technologies ................................................. Sealevel ................................................................. SECO ...................................................................... U-Reach ................................................................. Versalogic Corporation .........................................
Page # BC 4 18 32 23/30 12 27/34 11 4 5 IFC 15/IBC 29 10 14/33 22 IBC
Website ...................................... www.aitechsystems.com ......................................... www.annapmicro.com ............................................... www.behlman.com .................................. www.diamondsystems.com ................................................ www.getntds.com ..................................... www.greatrivertech.com ............................................. www.holoind.com ................................. www.interfaceconcept.com ......................................... www.newwavedv.com ................................................. www.pentek.com ............................................... www.pervices.com .................................... www.picoelectronics.com ................................ www.pixustechnologies.com ................................................ www.sealevel.com ..................................................... www.seco.com .......................................... www.ureach-usa.com ..................................... www.aitechsystems.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.
