COTS Journal, January 2024 by RTC Media

January 2024, Volume 26 - Number 1 • cotsjournalonline.com

The Journal of Military Electronics & Computing

JOURNAL

Fortifying National Security: The Imperative of Secure Data Storage in Military Operations The Dynamic Evolution of Software-Defined Radios: A 5-Year Journey

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 FEATURE 18

Fortifying National Security: The Imperative of Secure Data Storage in Military Operations By John Reardon, Editor - COTS Journal

SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT 22

DEPARTMENTS 6

Publishers Notes Consolidated Afloat Network and Enterprise Service (CANES)

The Inside Track

The Dynamic Evolution of Software-Defined Radios: A 5-Year Journey By Brandon Malatest, Founder and CEO, Per Vices

COT’S PICKS 26

Editor’s Choice for January

Cover Image Airmen complete a climbing certification class at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, on Jan. 11, 2024.

COTS Journal | January 2024

The Journal of Military Electronics & Computing

JOURNAL EDITORIAL

EDITORIAL SUBMISSION AND RELEASES johnr@rtc-media.com

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Tom Williams

Glenn ImObersteg Robert Hoffman

ADMINISTRATION/CIRCULATION Dawn Dunaway dawnr@rtc-media.com

ART AND PRODUCTION

ACCOUNT MANAGER

CREATIVE DIRECTOR David Ramos drdesignservices@ymail.com

COTS Journal | January 2024

SALES MANAGER Vaughn Orchard Vaughno@rtc-media.com

CUSTOM AND CONTRACT SERVICES John Reardon Johnr@rtc-media.com

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PUBLISHER’S NOTE

John Reardon, Publisher

Consolidated Afloat Network and Enterprise Service

(CANES)

The world has complex challenges, but consider the feat of bringing together the world’s most advanced Network technology into a system, purpose-built, to be deployed aboard a fleet of ships as they transit from one location to another, reacting to the needs of the world.

Evolving Technology Vendors have discussed and sought The CANES IDIQ contract for more than 15 years. The idea is to build a universal solution that puts data center speeds and performance on board ships worldwide. Considering the advancements over the last decade, you can imagine how difficult it is to employ the most advanced technologies in a purpose-built solution. Now consider this ten-year contract from Naval Information Warfare Systems Command, which includes procurement, installation, initial software, software renewals, and spare parts. Then note that the

COTS Journal | January 2024

ships are scattered to the four winds. Each of these issues might be prohibitive, but when combined into one, you have a glimpse into the sheer magnitude of fulfilling this contract. Procurement Benefits of an IDIQ These eight primary suppliers on the contract and they include: • BAE Systems Technology Solutions & Services Inc. (N00039-23-D-9001) • DRS Laurel Technologies, Johnstown (N0003923-D-9002) • Management Services Group, DBA Global Technical Systems (N00039-23-D-9003) • L3Harris, (N00039-23-D-9004) • Leidos, Reston (N00039-23-D-9005) • Peraton, Herndon, (N00039-23-D-9006) • Serco, Herndon (N00039-23-D-9007 • VT Milcom, Virginia Beach, Virginia (N00039-23-D-9008)

The Army is already testing and The idea is to build a universal solution that moving forward puts data center speeds and performance on with what they refer to as “Sensor-to-Shooter”. board ships worldwide.

“PMW 160 is the Navy’s program office for tactical networks, providing mission-effective, affordable, and cyber-resilient networks for Navy tactical forces. PMW 160 delivers integrated wide area, local networking, computing, and data systems afloat to support a robust network of geographically dispersed Navy, joint service, and coalition forces.” PMW 160 is the Network-Tactical Program office responsible for CANES overseeing the application of $4.1 billion. Using an IDIQ contract formula, NAVWAR has greater efficiency and flexibility to procure goods and services over an extended period. It streamlines procurement by establishing terms and conditions in advance and thus reducing the administrative burden. It allows for strategic and adaptive planning to accommodate the immense logistical requirements. It also fosters contractor competition for task or delivery orders under the overarching agreement. Emerging Concerns Emerging concerns underscore the critical need for CANES to navigate an ever more complex environment. As conflicts in Israel and Ukraine highlight the escalating sophistication of cyber threats and the expansion of data sets influencing strategic planning, CANES has proactively responded by incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). These intelligent functionalities, crucial for predictive maintenance, anomaly detection, and the assimilation of open-source data, represent a

paradigm shift in naval operations. However, the computational demands have surged exponentially. Integrating sensor information, opensource data, and communication streams requires a robust and scalable infrastructure. CANES faces the challenge of managing and processing vast amounts of diverse data in real time, necessitating continuous advancements in computational capabilities. As the Navy grapples with this data deluge, CANES remains at the forefront, addressing the complexities posed by the convergence of diverse information sources and ensuring that the Navy can extract actionable insights to stay ahead in an increasingly dynamic threat landscape. The ongoing evolution of CANES is pivotal for meeting current needs and future-proofing against the relentless growth and diversification of data in the maritime domain. A Digital Twin The use of a digital twin has been adopted to play a role in the modernization efforts of the CANES Program. It is crucial in transforming the entire system, encompassing design, development, delivery operations, and longevity. The Digital Twin allows for a comprehensive understanding of the interconnected systems and their interaction. NAVWAR’s creation of digital twins for these systems enables the proactive identification of capability gaps and overlaps before installation, demonstrating the efficiency and foresight gained through digital engineering practices. COTS Journal | January 2024

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AFWERX Challenge catalyzes future technology advancements AFWERX Challenge brings companies, academia, and the government together to collaborate via workshops, crowdsource idea campaigns, and showcase events to find solutions quickly. While the standard government contracting process can take multiple years, on average, technologies vetted through the Challenge model move from selection to a formal agreement in 12 weeks.

“Our first Weapons PEO Challenge has participants working with the Armament Directorate to design an enterprise test vehicle that will serve as the baseline architecture for future low-cost cruise missile variants,” said Cayley Dymond, AFWERX Challenge team lead. “The Directorate’s objective is to design a weapon with a range of approximately 500 nautical miles, high subsonic speed, and a cost goal of $150,000 per unit in bulk orders.”

AFWERX Challenge brings companies, academia, and the government together to collaborate via workshops, crowdsource idea campaigns, and showcase events to find solutions quickly. While the standard government contracting process can take multiple years, on average, technologies vetted through the Challenge model move from selection to a formal agreement in 12 weeks. (U.S. Air Force photo by Melissa Spencer)

Additionally, the teams are tasked with increasing weapons capacity and affordable mass delivery. They also must ensure that the outcome is scalable and readily available for partner nations and allies. Addressing the criteria was the Design Sprint, which concluded in September.

With the ever-evolving needs of the modern warfighter, AFWERX stands at the forefront of the relentless pursuit of innovation and collaboration. New and inspiring ways to capture those interests must be met through various strategies, and AFWERX’s latest approach is the Weapons Program Executive Office (PEO) Design Sprint and Challenge. Showcased in the name, the Weapons PEO is an incubator for weapons-based technologies and advancements.

The Design Sprint was a condensed, superfocused workspace where teams collaborated to ideate and kickstart the innovation process. It showcased experts across the weapons innovation community, including Sandia National Lab, Federally Funded Research and Development, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Labs, Georgia Tech Research Institute, Kansas City National Security Campus, MITRE, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, and many more. “AFWERX provided the guidelines of the meeting structure and logistics support

to ensure a streamlined execution of our event; it made it easy as an organizer for this government event to show up and know that everything logistically was taken care of,” said Hartley Postlethwaite, a participant from the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory. “The most interesting support was the artist and thoughts that came from the AFWERX facilitator. By the end of each day, AFWERX provided a graphic poster summarizing each day’s activities and decisions.” AFWERX Challenge brings companies, academia, and the government together to collaborate via workshops, crowdsource idea campaigns, and showcase events to find solutions quickly. While the standard government contracting process can take multiple years, on average, technologies vetted through the Challenge model move from selection to a formal agreement in 12 weeks. AFWERX Challenge brings companies, academia, and the government together to collaborate via workshops, crowdsource idea campaigns, and showcase events to find solutions quickly. While the standard government contracting process can take multiple years, on average, technologies vetted through the Challenge model move from selection to a formal agreement in 12 weeks. HI-RESPhase two of the Weapons PEO Challenge will occur in early 2024 and start where the Design Sprint left off. Participants will be tasked with addressing key challenges, including accelerating the testing and fielding of advanced weapons capabilities, developing a family of systems, and providing a manufacturing test bed for on-demand production concepts. “The Weapons PEO Challenge stands as a cornerstone in propelling weapon systems forward, marked by pivotal initiatives: integrating a flight-test-ready design by early 2024, maximizing industry input for superior technology evaluation, showcasing unparalleled speed and cost efficiency, delineating the trade space, and pinpointing design constraints,” said Dymond. “It’s about building a formidable team poised for success in the project’s forthcoming phases.”

COTS Journal | January 2024

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RTX Raytheon’s GhostEye® MR proves operational readiness during U.S. Air Force exercise

Raytheon, an RTX (NYSE: RTX) business, in partnership with the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory’s Strategic Development Planning and Experimentation (SDPE) office and Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, demonstrated the operational performance and readiness of the GhostEye® MR advanced medium-range sensor for the National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System (NASAMS) during an extended exercise at White Sands Missile Range. GhostEye MR expands NASAMS’ combat-proven capabilities against enemy aircraft, unmanned aircraft systems, and cruise missile threats. Raytheon designed and developed the radar primarily through internal research and development investments. During the recent exercise, GhostEye MR was successfully integrated with NASAMS’ Air Defense Console and the Battlespace Command and Control Center (BC3), a command-and-control element used by the U.S. Air Force. “This experiment showed that GhostEye MR is a viable sensor option for integrated air and missile defense,” said Jim Simonds, U.S. Air Force Air Base Air Defense Program Manager at the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory. “The radar clearly demonstrated its ability to be rapidly deployed and detect and track live targets precisely at longer ranges, providing increased standoff and decision-making time.” In a configuration designed as an air base

air defense solution for the U.S. Air Force, all three system components communicated effectively, sharing information and relevant data during a live threat scenario. GhostEye MR provided a comprehensive air picture for the command-and-control system to determine whether a target was a threat and what response was required. Additionally, the radar supported simulated engagements and, with NASAMS, successfully defeated the targets. “The team’s success demonstrates that GhostEye MR can meet the needs of the U.S. Air Force,” said Tom Laliberty, president of Land & Air Defense Systems at Raytheon. “Air bases worldwide face a growing array of sophisticated airborne threats, and this exercise marked a significant step toward fielding an integrated capability for air base air defense.” This demonstration also builds on last year’s successful air base air defense experiment in Andøya, Norway, that showcased NASAMS’ ability to engage and intercept various aerial threats using multiple Raytheon missile types and Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace’s Fire Distribution Center. In August of last year, Raytheon was awarded its first government contract to advance the development and assessment of GhostEye MR. A member of Raytheon’s GhostEye family of sensors, GhostEye MR provides increased range and altitude coverage to expand the defended-area capabilities of NASAMS. The radar leverages commonality with the Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor, or LTAMDS, which is currently advancing through development for the U.S. Army.

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A.I.: the rise beyond physical boundaries - researchers achieve the world’s first direct physical application of A.I. in which it beats humans ETH Zurich researchers have created an A.I. robot that learns, in only 6 hours, to execute a popular game of physical skill in record time.

It has long been recognized that A.I. can achieve a higher level of performance than humans in various games, but until now, physical skill has remained the ultimate human prerogative. This is no longer the case. An A.I. technique known as deep reinforcement learning has pushed back the limits of what can be achieved with autonomous systems and A.I., achieving superhuman performance in various games such as chess and Go, video games, and navigating virtual mazes. Artificial intelligence is beginning to push back the boundaries and gain ground on man’s prerogative: physical skill. Researchers at ETH Zurich have created an A.I. robot named CyberRunner (www.CyberRunner.ai),

whose task is to learn how to play the popular and widely accessible labyrinth marble game. The labyrinth is a game of physical skill that aims to steer a marble from a given start point to the endpoint. In doing so, the player must prevent the ball from falling into any of the holes that are present on the labyrinth board. The movement of the ball can be indirectly controlled by two knobs that change the orientation of the board. While it is a relatively straightforward game, it requires fine motor skills and spatial reasoning abilities, and, from experience, humans require a great amount of practice to become proficient at the game. CyberRunner applies recent advances in model-based reinforcement learning to the physical world and exploits its ability to make informed decisions about potentially successful behaviors by planning real-world decisions and actions into the future. Just like us humans, the robot learns through experience. While playing the game, it captures

observations and receives rewards based on its performance, all through the “eyes” of a camera looking down at the labyrinth. A memory is kept of the collected experience. Using this memory, the model-based reinforcement learning algorithm learns how the system behaves, and based on its understanding of the game, it recognizes which strategies and behaviors are more promising (the “critic”). Consequently, the way the robot uses the two motors -- its “hands” -- to play the game is continuously improved (the “actor”). Importantly, the robot does not stop playing to learn; the algorithm runs concurrently with the robot playing the game. As a result, the robot keeps getting better, run after run. The learning on the real-world labyrinth is conducted in 6.06 hours, comprising 1.2 million time steps at a controlled rate of 55 samples per second. The A.I. robot outperforms the previously fastest recorded time, achieved by an extremely skilled human player, by over 6%. Interestingly, during the learning process, CyberRunner naturally discovered shortcuts. It found ways to ‘cheat’ by skipping certain parts of the maze. The lead researchers, Thomas Bi, and Prof. Raffaello D’Andrea, had to step in and explicitly instruct it not to take any of those shortcuts. A preprint of the research paper is available on the project website, www.CyberRunner.ai. In addition, Bi and D’Andrea will open-source the project and make it available on the website. Prof. Raffaello D’Andrea commented: “We believe this is the ideal testbed for research in real-world machine learning and A.I. Prior to CyberRunner, only organizations with large budgets and custom-made experimental infrastructure could perform research in this area. Now, for less than 200 dollars, anyone can engage in cutting-edge A.I. research. Furthermore, once thousands of CyberRunners are out in the real world, engaging in large-scale experiments, where learning happens in parallel on a global scale will be possible. The ultimate in Citizen Science!”

COTS Journal | January 2024

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NanoGraf was awarded up to a $15 million Army contract to provide lighter, longer-lasting batteries to the military

NanoGraf will use the funds to better power troops in the field and ensure a resilient U.S. battery supply chain through the DoD’s Defense Innovation Unit. NanoGraf, the battery material company enabling more robust, lighter, longer-lasting lithium-ion batteries, announced that it was awarded a contract worth up to $15 million to support the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command C5ISR Center. The contract is part of a Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) initiative focused on developing a Family of Advanced Standard Batteries (FAStBat) leveraging commercial technologies.

the DoD, we’re committed to building better battery technology and a more resilient supply chain.” The FAStBat project follows the opening of NanoGraf ’s new headquarters and manufacturing plant in Chicago to support the Biden-Harris Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act and domestic manufacturing agenda. The new facility onshores battery materials production to create a more robust and stable U.S. supply chain.

and the future of our national security,” said Halimah Najieb-Locke, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Resilience. “America needs to be at the forefront of battery innovation, and companies like NanoGraf get us there even faster.”

“Longer-lasting and more versatile batteries are essential for successful battlefield operations

This news follows a series of major announcements from NanoGraf. In December, NanoGraf secured an $8 million contract from the U.S. Army. It also completed UL1642 and IEC62133 certifications for its most energy-dense 18650 lithium-ion cell.

across compute and storage services. Computational Storage includes two new command sets: Computational Programs and Subsystem Local Memory Command Sets.

teroperable ecosystem. By offloading compute to the device, we anticipate that these industries will experience reduced total cost of ownership and overall performance boosts.”

“NVM Express Computational Storage is part of our efforts to help enterprises and hyperscale data centers meet the ever-evolving demands of the storage industry,” said Bill Martin, NVMe Computational Storage Task Group Co-Chair and Board Member. “Computational Storage is a standardized approach that enables an open, in-

Computational Storage reduces data movement by providing computation on a storage device. Performing computation on the device leads to faster response times for latency-critical applications, including databases, A.I. suggestion models, and content delivery networks.

U.S. soldiers are weighed down by more than twenty pounds of lithium-ion batteries when operating in the field, carrying multiple bulky batteries that aren’t compatible with every device in their pack. NanoGraf will use the funds to develop materials and cells for interoperable batteries that work across various military devices and extend operational runtime significantly longer. Ultimately, soldiers will benefit from a lighter load and accessible energy storage that can be produced domestically. “High-performing, cross-compatible battery technology supports the safety and success of military operations,” said Dr. Francis Wang, CEO of NanoGraf. “Through our ongoing partnership with

NVM Express Announces the Release of the Computational Storage Feature Computational Storage Will Standardize Vital Storage Management Features Across the Cloud, Enterprise and IoT Industries NVM Express, Inc. announced the release of the NVM Express® (NVMe®) Computational Storage Feature, which provides a standardized, vendor-neutral framework for connecting applications to NVMe Computational Storage devices

Key NVM Express Computational Storage Features: The Computational Programs Command Set provides a host-driven, modular approach to computational programs. The Subsystem Local Memory Command Set allows access to memory in an NVM subsystem via computational programs and via an NVMe transport, accessible through NVMe I/O commands. COTS Journal | January 2024

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Keysight Helps to Achieve 1Tbps Throughput Using Terahertz Frequencies

The demand for more cellar data and higher data throughputs is insatiable. The goal for 6G is to achieve data throughput rates ten times faster than in 5G, eventually achieving up to 1 terabit per second (Tbps) throughput. This speed will enable use cases such as holographic communications and extended reality experiences that aren’t possible with today’s data speeds. To reach 1 Tbps speeds, several tens or hundreds of gigahertz of bandwidth are needed, which makes higher frequencies like sub-terahertz (sub-THz) appealing. Extensive research has been conducted into creating early sub-THz communications systems, but components for these frequencies still need to be developed and are very scarce. In December, Keysight and researchers from France’s Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Lille University, and Osaka University announced they had broken the 1Tbps barrier. In a paper presented at the Asia-Pacific Microwave Conference, professors Guillaume Ducournau and Tadao Nagatsuma detailed this achievement using a system built with a combination of terahertz photodiodes and an electronics-based receiver covering a range of 500-724 GHz. In this frequency band, they used channel aggregation with 14 carriers and a range of 16 to 64 quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) to achieve a total data throughput of 1.04 Tbps. “Terahertz communications have been pushed forward in recent years, with interesting milestones reached using photonics or electronics,” said Prof. Ducournau, who specializes in creating terahertz sources and receivers and applying them to communications-related applications

using photonics and photo mixing. “I am excited to see that photonics enabled the first aggregated greater than 1 Tbps sub-THz system, as photonics technologies have accelerated to boost terahertz communication research.” “I am also so happy to reach a single-lane 1-Tbps data rate, a long-time dream of terahertz communication researchers,” adds Prof. Nagatsuma.

Photonics is one new technology being investigated to enable communications at sub-THz bands. Whether or not photonics will be widely adopted in the future remains to be seen. Still, Keysight remains committed to providing the tools researchers need to build the next generation of wireless communications devices.

The 6G research is supported by the France 2030 programs, PEPR (Programmes et Equipements Prioritaires pour la Recherche), CPER Keysight Helps to Achieve 1Tbps Through- Wavetech, E.U. TERAOPTICS, and by the Beyond put Using Terahertz Frequencies. To measure the 5G R&D Japan Promotion Program (00901) from performance of their state-of-the-art system, they the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT). The PEPR is operated by the Agence Nationale de la Recherche (ANR) under the grants ANR-22-PEEL-0006 (FUNTERA, PEPR ‘Electronics’) and ANR-22-PEFT-0006 (NF-SYSTERA, PEPR 5G and beyond - Future Networks). The Contrat de Plan Etat-ReFigure 2: Measured throughput of signal carrier signal at 632 GHz with differ- gion (CPER) WaveTech is ent modulations. 32-QAM / 40 GBaud (0.2 Tbps, left) and 16-QAM / 40 GBaud supported by the Ministry of Higher Education and Re(160 Gbps, right). search, the Hauts-de-France used a four-channel Keysight Infiniium UXR‑se- Regional Council, the Lille European Metropories oscilloscope coupled with vector signal anal- lis (MEL), the Institute of Physics of the French ysis (VSA) software. Figure 1 shows the measured National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) performance of the carrier aggregated system in and the European Regional Development Fund yellow between 500-724 GHz, with 14 total carri- (ERDF). The TERAOPTICS project has received ers. The measured performance of a single carrier funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 at 632 GHz is shown below in Figure 2. The high research and innovation program under the Marie performance of the UXR made these measure- Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No. 956857. ments possible. The four 70 GHz channels and wide supported voltage range made receiving the full bandwidth of their signals possible. In addition, the large library of supported waveforms in the VSA allowed the researchers to demodulate their signals to measure the system throughput easily and successfully. “The combination of wideband terahertz photodiode, receiver, and the unique performance of Keysight’s UXR really enabled us to succeed in these experiments,” said Prof. Ducournau. “Their advanced instruments are pushing forward our terahertz research.”

Figure 1: Achieved data rates over terahertz frequencies 12

COTS Journal | January 2024

Keysight Helps to Achieve 1Tbps Throughput Using Terahertz Frequencies. Figure 2: Measured throughput of the signal carrier signal at 632 GHz with different modulations. 32-QAM / 40 GBaud (0.2 Tbps, left) and 16QAM / 40 GBaud (160 Gbps, right).

Figure 3: Researchers in the terahertz communications lab during the experiments at the IEMN, France. From left to right: Yuma Kawamoto, Prof. Tadao Nagatsuma, and Prof. Guillaume Ducournau.

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INSIDE TRACK Quantum Systems becomes the first European company to raise more than € 100 million on dual-use technology, further solidifying its global leadership in AI-powered drone robotics

Quantum Systems, Europe’s leading innovator in dual-use drone robotics offering state-of-the-art multi-sensor technology for both government and commercial clients, announces the successful completion of its € 63.6 million Series B funding round. This brings

the total funding for the Munich-based drone manufacturer to over € 100 million. H.V. Capital and DTCP led the investment, followed by Project A, Thiel Capital, ScaleUp Fonds Bayern, Omnes Capital, and Airbus Ventures. This substantial capital infusion underscores Quantum Systems’ dedication to boosting resilient infrastructure through aerial intelligence. The changing geopolitical landscape drives the need for technological autonomy. Conflicts, disasters, or dependencies on

foreign suppliers around the globe have tremendously increased the need for robust systems that give commercial and governmental customers a decisive data advantage, either in the business world or on the battlefield. Quantum Systems recently secured a significant contract with the German Armed Forces for Vector reconnaissance drones, strengthening European security. Partnering with Airbus Defence and Space, backed by the German Ministry of Defense, Quantum Systems advances tactical drones with A.I. and swarming technologies. The company continues to support Ukraine through multiple deliveries of Vector drones, driving innovations in A.I. capabilities, endurance, and further system architecture integrations to battle management systems. Fueled by a global vision to lead in AI-powered drone robotics, Quantum Systems’ strategy emphasizes a “family of systems” with deep integration, a unified software stack, and Drone Ports development to maintain a technological edge in autonomous aerial data capture.

The target: holistic consolidation and digitization offerings congatec will now manage the global product sales for its daughter company, Real-Time Systems (RTS). About 80 sales representatives and field application engineers will now support the sales of RTS’s real-time hypervisor and IoT platform, formerly known as Arendar. congatec expects this consolidation of sales services to accelerate the deployment of Real-Time Systems’ offerings significantly. Additionally, new bundled hardware and software solutions of the congatec group will provide a holistic approach in the future, making it easier for customers to consolidate their hardware and digitize the industrial brownfield.

“As a result of this stewardship of sales, we extend our high-performance ecosystem offerings. One contact person, shorter paths, faster and smoother development, and strengthened project management are just some advantages of combining sales activities,” says Daniel Jürgens, Managing Director of the congatec group.

This united sales approach will not impact Real-Time Systems’ services or operational structure. It will also not affect the existing sales strategy for Real-Time Systems products. All existing customers and target groups, including other hardware vendors, will continue to be actively addressed.

“By bringing together the sales of all congatec group products, we not only strengthen the position of RTS products, but also provide our customers with a more comprehensive choice from a single source,” says Konrad Garhammer, Managing Director of the congatec group. “RTS will be able to integrate its innovative consolidation and digitization offerings into customer’s hardware platforms more easily and cost-effectively.” COTS Journal | January 2024

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INSIDE TRACK iDirect Government Establishes Engineering Center of Excellence To Combat Electronic Warfare, TRANSEC and Cyber Attacks

age iDirectGov’s specialized Communication Signal Interference Removal™ (CSIR™) technology, which features crypto-agility, anti-jam, and strengthened security for the tactical edge and warfighter.

With electronic warfare (E.W.) becoming increasingly prevalent in today’s environment, iDirect Government (iDirectGov), a leading provider of satellite communications to the U.S. military and government, has established the iDirectGov Engineering Center of Excellence at its Herndon, VA, headquarters to address E.W. and other transmission security (TRANSEC) developments.

Marking the company’s continuous efforts to integrate and harness its engineering teams’ intellectual properties and capabilities, the center represents iDirectGov’s intensified focus on developing innovative and resilient solutions to address E.W. By combining its existing security professionals with its anti-jam-focused engineers, iDirectGov’s defense and government SATCOM global customers will benefit from bandwidth-efficient, scalable and highly secure satellite solutions.

The center, co-located with iDirectGov’s existing engineering team, will enable the company to better respond to the ever-evolving E.W. and cyber threats, meeting defense and government requirements for faster-paced innovation to keep ahead of adversaries and bad actors that relentlessly target military satellite communications (MILSATCOM). The center will lever-

COTS Journal | January 2024

“Our engineering center will allow iDirectGov to build upon our industry-leading security capabilities in TRANSEC and CSIR technology to deliver innovative and robust MILSATCOM solutions to the tactical edge and warfighter. With this, we are also investing in developing

future generations of communications security technology and empowering our top talent,” said Tim Winter, president of iDirect Government. The center will create an additional platform for iDirectGov’s engineers to develop holistic approaches to E.W., cyber risk, TRANSEC, countermeasures, and the overall company security solutions strategy. This will enable the team to build solutions with advanced functionality, innovative form factors, and tactical advantages for use on land, in the air, and at sea, helping to ensure that the U.S. remains at the forefront of MILSATCOM technology. “Many factors are at play with this development, including protecting the U.S. critical SATCOM infrastructure and the continued interest of the Department of Defense (DOD) in scaling the use of commercial technologies for future hybrid satellite communications terminals that are capable of using commercial and military signals,” said Winter.

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Biden-Harris Administration Announces CHIPS Preliminary Terms with Microchip Technology to Strengthen Supply Chain Resilience for America’s Automotive, Defense, and Aerospace Industries

The Potential Investment Under the CHIPS and Science Act Would Shore Up the Domestic Supply of Microcontroller Chips and Create Over 700 New Jobs The Biden-Harris Administration announced that the U.S. Department of Com-

good-paying jobs, protect national security, and advance U.S. competitiveness. Today’s announcement is the second PMT announcement the Department of Commerce has made under the CHIPS and Science Act. Microchip’s microcontroller units and mature-node semiconductors are critical components in producing and manufacturing electric vehicles and other automotives, washing machines, cell phones, airplanes, and the defense-industrial base—shortages of microcontrollers during the pandemic affected over 1% of global GDP. By investing in Microchip, the Biden-Harris Administration would help advance U.S. economic and na-

supply chain shortages we saw during the pandemic that put our national security at risk and led to furloughed auto workers and higher prices for consumers. Today’s announcement with Microchip is a meaningful step in our efforts to bolster the supply chain for legacy semiconductors that are in everything from cars to washing machines to missiles,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “With this proposed investment, President Biden is delivering on his promise to rebuild America’s semiconductor supply chain, creating a more secure defense industrial base, lower prices for Americans, and over 700 jobs across Colorado and Oregon.” “This manufacturing investment in Oregon and Colorado will advance the President’s goal of making semiconductors in America again and reducing reliance on global supply chains that led to price spikes and long wait lines for everything from autos to washing machines during the pandemic,” said White House National Economic Advisor Lael Brainard. “This proposed investment and others like it will help ensure that U.S. companies have a stable supply of the critical chip components they need to keep their factories running,” said Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and NIST Director Laurie E. Locascio. “This is an example of how government and industry can work together to strengthen our economy, improve our national security, and increase the supply of high-quality jobs for American workers.”

merce and Microchip Technology Inc. have reached a non-binding preliminary memorandum of terms (PMT) to provide approximately $162 million in federal incentives under the CHIPS and Science Act to support the onshoring of the company’s semiconductor supply chain. This investment would enable Microchip to significantly increase its U.S. production of microcontroller units (MCUs) and other specialty semiconductors built on mature nodes critical to America’s automotive, commercial, industrial, defense, and aerospace industries and create over 700 direct construction and manufacturing jobs. President Biden signed the CHIPS and Science Act – part of his Investing in America agenda – into law in August 2022, intending to strengthen U.S. supply chains, create

tional security by securing a reliable, domestic supply of these chips. The approximately $162 million in proposed CHIPS funding would be split across two projects: approximately $90 million to modernize and expand a fabrication facility in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and approximately $72 million to expand a fabrication facility in Gresham, Oregon. The projects are estimated to nearly triple the output of the company’s semiconductors at these sites, decreasing its reliance on foreign foundries, strengthening supply chain resilience, and creating good-paying jobs in construction and manufacturing. “One of the objectives of the CHIPS and Science Act is to address the semiconductor

“Microchip Technology manufactures semiconductors that are the backbone of electronic applications across vital industries like aerospace and defense, automotive, and medical. Microchip’s fabs in Colorado and Oregon, among others, perform specialized manufacturing and additional reliability and safety qualification for products designed for such mission-critical markets,” said Ganesh Moorthy, President and CEO of Microchip. “The funding Microchip is proposed to receive from the CHIPS and Science Act would be a direct investment to strengthen our national and economic security. As a US-based company, Microchip’s operations will continue to bolster the national semiconductor supply chain and develop and expand our workforce.”

COTS Journal | January 2024

ADVERTORIAL

Evolve or Perish through System Monitoring By Dr. Otto Fest, President and Founder of Otek

For decades, OTEK Corporation’s engineers have been dedicated to enhancing and modernizing critical systems, especially in the context of military applications. The challenge often arises when aging meters and displays, abandoned by their original manufacturers, pose a significant risk, akin to a ticking time bomb. OTEK’s mission is clear: retrofit existing infrastructure with cutting-edge solutions that seamlessly integrate into legacy systems, providing modern and reliable user interfaces. In the military and defense sector, where time is of the essence, the need for swift, cost-effective, and secure solutions is paramount. The high capital expenditure and stringent regulatory oversight associated with major projects like nuclear power submarines demand innovative alternatives. OTEK’s expertise, initially developed in the energy sector, has been extended to other industries, with a focus on providing plug-and-play solutions that meet the specific demands of each application. By using patented Powerless technology, OTEK delivers direct replacements for original components or upgrades to more advanced digital solutions, all without the need for costly and time-consuming recertification. In military and defense applications, where the cost of downtime can be measured with loss of life, waiting weeks or months for a solution is not an option. OTEK’s solutions offer a low-cost, cybersecure, real-time metering option that seamlessly fits into existing systems without the need for rewiring. Moreover, OTEK provides the convenience of a spares program, ensuring immediate availability of critical components. This approach eliminates the prohibitive costs and potential security risks associated with extensive system alterations while guaranteeing decades of reliable service. OTEK’s diverse product range encompasses digital panel meters, controllers, batch counters, process loggers, and bar graph indicators, all designed to cater to the unique needs of military contractors and defense applications. The company’s goal is to work closely with clients to identify the best course of action for their instrumentation and control needs and supply products that surpass every prerequisite and requirement. In essence, OTEK’s objective is to replace aging analog and digital meters with highquality, drop-in replacements that seamlessly integrate into existing systems, safeguarding critical military operations. In the early 1980s, OTEK was commissioned by the United States Air Force to develop the first MIL-SPEC Meter to replace

extensively used meters in various airframes, including the C-135 Stratotanker. OTEK’s rich history in supporting advances in space exploration, nuclear energy, and critical system monitoring is underscored by numerous patents and a firm commitment to never compromise on system reliability. OTEK’s meters, with a calculated Critical Mission Time Between Failures (CMTBF) of more than 40 years, reduce the need for costly spares inventory due to their plug-and-play installation. Replacing a meter takes mere minutes, with no specialized expertise required, while maintenance and calibration can be completed in under five minutes. OTEK leverages open and MIL standards to ensure seamless integration across a wide spectrum of applications, from space missions to maritime operations. By harnessing the latest LED technologies, OTEK offers an array of display options that integrate seamlessly with existing panels while providing advanced capabilities to convey critical information. These displays come in various digital formats, including digital or analog gauges, bar graphs with alarms, or traditional meters, ensuring that clients have a range of choices to suit their specific needs. Drawing from decades of experience, OTEK’s engineers have recently introduced the NTM product line, a third-generation digital metering solution designed to replace analog meters. OTEK’s patented loop-power technology enables 2-wire analog meter replacements with no external power requirements. With a vast array of products designed to address end-of-life concerns, OTEK continues to evolve its solutions to meet the changing needs of its clients. In summary, OTEK has established itself as a premier metering company in critical applications, with a strong focus on military and defense sectors, offering reliable, retrofit solutions that guarantee the safety, accuracy, and efficiency of critical systems.

4016 E. Tennessee St. • Tucson, AZ 85714 USA Sales@otekcorp.com 520-748-7900 • Fax: 520-790-2808 • 877-227-6835

SPECIAL FEATURE

Fortifying Forces:

CORE Systems' Commanding Leadership in Defense-Focused Design for Manufacturing (DFM)

COTS Journal | January 2024

By John Reardon, Editor - COTS Journal

Learning from the Past Design for Manufacturing or DFM principles are essential in high-volume manufacturing facilities where the design engineer makes upwards of 70% of the cost decisions. By adopting DFM principles and modifying them for the unique concerns of the military, CORE has set itself apart. A couple of examples of blunders in DFM that we all may remember are the Ford Pinto that was prone to explode due to the placement of the gas tank and the Intel Pentium Processor that miscalculated floating point operations. Both of which lead to substantial financial losses and reputational concerns. CORE faces some unique-to-the-space obstacles to providing cost-effective solutions that employ advanced design principles within a limited production volume of a tactical computer. New Technologies As performance demands have inherently shortened product lifecycles, and as standards organizations pump out technologies not yet supported by the industry, CORE has employed

the most advanced design tools, simulation platforms, and test beds to ensure that every aspect is considered prior to deployment. By employing advanced thermal Management techniques, CORE can provide very compact solutions that are not hampered or degraded by poor thermal dynamics. They have been able to simulate the system in the field through a shock and vibration test bed that affirms that it will meet and exceed the environmental specifications. Overcoming Unique Challenges in Limited Production Volumes Reducing the number of parts is instrumental to reducing the manufacturing costs. By requiring fewer parts, there are fewer items to purchase, fewer inventory costs, and less material processing. An example of this is the everyday use of a one-piece structure such as the Rugged AR series of conduction-cooled chassis that have exceeded industry norms for reliability. Another benefit of using fewer parts is the lowered risk of a catastrophic failure from Shock and Vibration.

Sourcing parts from known, qualified vendors gives the end user the confidence in knowing that counterfeit parts are not being used. This adherence to the FAR Standards (Federal Acquisition Regulations) begins at the initial design phase and continues through to delivery. Affirming that microchips are stenciled correctly and conforms to all requirements is crucial. Identifying parts and sourcing them from sanctioned vendors is a way that CORE further verifies their authenticity. Integrating Software for Unrivaled Reliability Extensive deliberations revolve around determining the ideal software integration depth. At the foundational level, firmware, and Software Development Kits (SDKs) play a crucial role. Ascending from there are system monitoring solutions to monitor an array of functions and optimize performance, and then numerous security solutions can be considered in each product developed. Delivering systems prepared for applicational specific software provides a seamless hand off to the customer.

COTS Journal | January 2024

By advancing software as part of the discussion in bringing a product to market, CORE reduces the chance of failure on site. It creates solutions that use industry-standard software. The incorporation of familiar interfaces, as seen in the CISCO routers and switches, adds an extra layer of user confidence. Adhering to a strong Bill of Material An unaltered BOM is a steadfast guide, instilling reliability in procurement, assembly, and maintenance processes. This is an unyielding backbone of military procurement where counterfeit parts might result in loss of life. Hot swaps and field replacements can occur in highly complex systems, constantly under threat of a cyber-attack. President of CORE, Chris Schaffner, explains, “In the military, precision is our strength. Adhering to the prescribed Bill of Materials ensures that every component is a strategic asset, contributing to our equipment’s seamless functionality and reliability. Deviation invites vulnerability; adherence fortifies our readiness and the mission’s success.” The Devil is in the details. Building advanced high-performance computing platforms operating in the harshest environment is not for the faint of heart. The demands on systems grow exponentially with higher resolution demands and more extensive data sets pushing boundaries. Causes of system failures come in many unforeseen forms. The belief at CORE is that they address each decision as a contributory factor in the reliability of the whole solution.

COTS Journal | January 2024

By incorporating DFM standards in using standard components, CORE assures triedand-true parts that are readily available. Using multi-functional and multi-use parts, they reduce spare costs and find creative ways to offer structural integrity. A culture of employing best practices minimizes user frustration by using standard fasteners, cable routing, and I/O functionality. “We start each design effort knowing that the smallest issue can cause a user distress in a complex system. This is why we invest heavily in a compendium of concerns that comprise the world’s most advanced computing platforms”. States Ty Wu, General Manager of CORE This approach of investing heavily into the DFM is uncharacteristic as product volumes are considered low. It is easy to see where DFM pays off as the volume increases. Still, the CORE philosophy is that the strategic use of their systems only allows for a good design where the system’s performance and reliability are not plagued by a shotty design. The CORE benefits By focusing on the demands derived because of DFM, CORE continues to lower manufacturing costs without compromising quality. Although Henry Ford, in the 1920s, focused on DFM in the mass production of his Model T, today it is typically limited to high-volume, robotic-based production lines. By adopting these principles and modifying them for the volumes and needs of the defense industry, this has led CORE Systems to exceptional quality at a competitive price.

SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT

The Dynamic Evolution of Software-Defined Radios: A 5-Year Journey

COTS Journal | January 2024

By Brandon Malatest, Founder and CEO, Per Vices In the fast-paced world of wireless communication, the last half-decade has witnessed significant advancements in software-defined radios (SDRs). These adaptive devices, capable of configuring various communication protocols through software, have significantly influenced the trajectory of wireless technologies. This article spotlights the noteworthy strides made in SDR technology over the last five years, emphasizing the role of innovative releases that have pushed the boundaries of silicon.

executed by dedicated hardware. This inherent flexibility allows dynamic reconfiguration, making SDRs highly adaptable to the everchanging communication standards and protocols landscape.

Unveiling the Core Concepts of Software Defined Radios Before exploring recent advancements, it’s essential to grasp the foundational principles of software-defined Radios; unlike conventional radios reliant on fixed hardware components, SDRs leverage software for tasks traditionally

1. Amplified Processing Power Advancements in semiconductor technology have led to heightened processing power for SDRs, facilitating the execution of more complex signal processing tasks and an overall improvement in performance. This has been driven by the advancements in field

Advancements in SDR Technology: An Overarching View Over the past half-decade, the SDR landscape has undergone notable advancements, driven by the increasing demand for more capable, flexible, and efficient communication systems.

programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), which are usually the primary digital signal processing (DSP) component within an SDR. 2. Augmented Bandwidth Capabilities The surge in demand for higher data rates, with the advent of 5G and more advanced spectrum capture and monitoring requirements, has propelled the development of SDRs with enhanced bandwidth capabilities. These high bandwidth SDRs use the newest converter technology, pushing sample rates beyond what could have been imagined five years ago. 3. Elevated Signal Fidelity Signal processing algorithm refinements and integration of high-performance components have contributed to improved signal fidelity in SDRs, which is crucial for applications requiring precise waveform representation and analysis.

Figure 1: Basic Architecture of Software-Defined Radio, Source: Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software-defined_radio#/media/File:SDR_et_WF.svg) COTS Journal | January 2024

Figure 2: Crimson TNG SDR Source: Per Vices Corporation

4. Wider Frequency Range Coverage Expanding the frequency range coverage of SDRs has been a significant focus, especially in applications where communication systems operate across diverse frequency bands. Signals intelligence and spectrum monitoring applications have demanded more comprehensive tuning ranges. 5. Integration of a Greater Number of Independent Radio Chains Integrating a high number of independent radio chains has significantly improved overall performance for many applications that require multiple input and multiple output (MIMO) systems and has further bolstered communication reliability and data rates in SDR applications. The Trailblazers in SDR Advancement Within the broader advancements in SDR technology, certain entities have emerged as trailblazers, pushing the limits.

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COTS Journal | January 2024

A notable series of SDRs was introduced approximately three years ago, marking a significant leap forward in capabilities. These devices showcased exceptional processing power, featuring advanced Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) and a robust software ecosystem. Designed to handle demanding signal processing tasks, these SDRs found applications across diverse fields, including research, defense, and telecommunications. They were building upon the success of the initial series; a subsequent iteration was released two years later. This newer version incorporated state-of-the-art technologies to meet the evolving needs of the industry. The enhanced bandwidth capabilities addressed the demands of emerging communication standards, including those associated with 5G, and customer-driven requirements across the test and measurement, radio links, defense, and commercial industries.

These high-performance SDRs, including the recent releases, offer exceptional flexibility facilitated by high-speed data interfaces. This adaptability allows users to tailor the SDRs to diverse applications, from rapid prototyping to real-time signal processing in mission-critical scenarios. The high-speed data interfaces enable seamless integration into existing communication systems and testbeds. These innovative SDRs’ commitment to flexibility and adaptability has made them indispensable in research and development environments. Researchers can leverage the high-performance capabilities of these devices to explore new frontiers in wireless communication, test novel algorithms, and contribute to advancements in both SDR capabilities and the broader field. The advancements brought about by these innovative SDRs have had a profound

impact on various industry applications. From telecommunications to defense and research, the influence of these high-performance SDRs is evident in their adoption across diverse sectors. 1. Telecommunications: Pioneering the Way for 5G and Beyond The telecommunications industry has been a primary beneficiary of the advancements in SDR technology. These SDRs have played a pivotal role in developing and testing 5G networks. As the industry looks beyond 5G towards future communication standards, the flexibility of these SDRs positions them as key enablers of innovation. 2. Defense and Aerospace: Meeting Stringent Demands These high-performance SDRs have found extensive use in defense and aerospace applications, where reliability and performance are paramount. The ability to handle complex signal processing tasks, adapt to changing communication protocols, and provide highfidelity signal representation makes these SDRs ideal for applications ranging from radar systems to electronic warfare. 3. Research and Development: Propelling Innovation These high-performance SDRs’ commitment to flexibility and adaptability has made them indispensable in research and development environments. Researchers can leverage the high-performance capabilities of these devices to explore new frontiers in wireless communication, test novel algorithms, and

contribute to advancements in both SDR capabilities and the broader field. Future Directions: Paving the Way for the Next SDR Wave As we reflect on the advancements of the past five years, the question arises: what lies ahead for Software Defined Radios, and how will they continue to push the limits? 1. Ultra-Wideband SDRs: Embracing Novel Horizons The demand for even broader frequency coverage will likely drive the development of ultra-wideband SDRs. These devices will be capable of operating across an unprecedented spectrum, opening new possibilities for communication systems in various applications, including IoT, satellite communication, and beyond. 2. AI Integration: Elevating Adaptive Capabilities Integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into SDRs is a promising avenue for further innovation. AI algorithms can optimize signal processing tasks, adapt radio parameters in real time, and improve overall system efficiency. This integration may lead to SDRs that can autonomously adapt to changing communication environments, further expanding their versatility. 3. Standardization and Interoperability: Enabling Seamless Integration The industry will likely witness

increased efforts towards standardization and interoperability of SDRs. This will facilitate seamless integration into existing communication systems and testbeds, allowing for greater collaboration and compatibility across different platforms. The past five years have witnessed an exciting evolution in Software Defined Radios, with trailblazers pushing the boundaries. The commitment to innovation showcased in these SDR releases has demonstrated the capabilities of high-performance SDRs and contributed to advancements in telecommunications, defense, and research. As we look to the future, the anticipation of ultra-wideband SDRs, AI integration, and increased standardization paints a dynamic picture for the continued evolution of this transformative technology. Their commitment to innovation positions these trailblazers as key players shaping the future of wireless communication through their groundbreaking SDR releases.

Per Vices, a leader in software-defined radios, offers the highest channel count and bandwidth SDRs for various markets. The high-performance radios with exceptional signal processing capabilities and advanced hardware features enable customers to leverage Per Vices SDRs to achieve superior performance, enhanced flexibility, and future-proof solutions. Contact solutions@pervices.com to learn more about the different options available.

Figure 3: Cyan SDR Source: Per Vices Corporation COTS Journal | January 2024

January 2024

COT’S PICKS MEMKOR announces NEW ORANGEseries XMC SSDs

Leading the way in advanced military-grade storage solutions, MEMKOR is excited to introduce its newest product, the MEMKOR XMC SSD. Now available in the standard VITA 42.0 compliant model, a customized variant that seamlessly integrates with almost any manufacturer’s Single Board Computer (SBC). Unlike competing XMC solutions that rely on multiple third-party M.2 or equivalent small-formfactor storage devices, the MEMKOR XMC SSD is a genuine MEMKOR ORANGE-series Military-grade SSD. All components are integrated into the XMC PCBA. This approach avoids compromises in ruggedization, as M.2 vibration resilience is limited (24g RMS). It eliminates the need for PCIe switches, streamlining performance. The MEMKOR design minimizes components, reduces power consumption, and mitigates heat management challenges. Designed and built for harsh operating environments, the MEMKOR XMC SSD ensures outstanding performance without compromise. Customers benefit from all the same features and

Industrial 1U PCIe WatchDog Board from Amfeltec’s new PacketShark Family™ is in Production Amfeltec Corporation announced the release of the smallest watchdog timer on the market to date: the first product of the new PacketShark Product Family™, the Industrial 1U x1 PCIe Watch-

functionality of the MEMKOR ORANGE-series SSDs, including state-of-the-art flash management techniques, end-to-end data protection, Military-grade hardware-based encryption, and secure erase and write protection. FIPS140-2-compliant solutions are also available. KEY FEATURES: Standard VITA 42.0 Compliance: The MEMKOR XMC SSD is rugged without compromising the standard VITA 42.0 dimension restrictions, providing a reliable solution for mission-critical applications. Custom Fit Solutions: Recognizing the varied requirements of our customers, MEMKOR continues its tradition of providing customized solutions. MEMKOR XMC SSDs are available in configurations that cater to the specific needs of different manufacturers’ SBCs. MEMKOR’s ability to adapt to varying keep-out zones, heat sinks, and other unique specifications perfectly fits almost any 3U VPX SBC environment while maximizing capacity and reliability. Optimized Performance: Leveraging cutting-edge technology and employing industrial-grade MLC and SLC NAND, the XMC SSD Series Dog Timer, is in full Production. “Amfeltec is continuing to expand its product line with our latest PacketShark Product FamilyTM, which is dedicated to system monitoring and crash recovery,” says Michael Feldman, President and CTO of Amfeltec Corp. “We are targeting both IoT consumer applications and embedded applications, where systems must operate in the field

delivers top-tier performance throughout the full Military operating temperature range (-40C to +85C). Rugged Design and Build: With MEMKOR’s Military-grade SSD end-to-end architecture, every component, including NAND, is integrated into the XMC PCBA, ensuring unmatched ruggedness, performance, and reliability—no reliance on third-party add-on SSDs. “This latest addition to our XMC SSD Series reaffirms our commitment to providing our customers with the best-in-class storage solutions,” said John O’Bryan, VP of Sales at MEMKOR. “The combination of standard VITA42.0 compliance and our continued dedication to customization ensures that MEMKOR remains at the forefront of innovation in military-grade storage technology.” MEMKOR memkor.com

without human interaction. The PacketShark family will monitor system operation and facilitate recovery in case of operation-critical disruptions, such as a system crash or a power outage.” The 1U PCIe WatchDog Timer board can operate at industrial temperatures (-40 °C to +85°C). The board can generate a system-reset signal to restart an embedded appliance in case of a system crash or overheating. The WatchDog Timer (P/N: SKU-091-10) requires no driver and is transparent to the O.S. The board dimensions are 2.6” x 1.18” (65 mm x 30 mm), which makes it the smallest timer on the market. It is held securely inside a PCIe connector via Amfeltec’s PCIe Retainer (U.S. Patent #7,850,475), eliminating the need for any bracket. The upstream connection from the timer to the motherboard is done via a male x1 PCIe connector, allowing the timer to be installed in a motherboard PCIe slot of any size. Amfeltec amfeltec.com

COTS Journal | January 2024

January 2024

COT’S PICKS General Micro Systems (GMS) Redefines Handheld, Removable Mass Storage with the New X9 Spider Storage Module for U.S. Military Applications 128TB of portable, high-reliability solid, state storage fits in the palm, perfect for battlefield artificial intelligence A.I. datasets or mobile sensor data recorders. General Micro Systems announced the launch of its rugged, military-focused X9 Spider Storage system intended for sensor data recorders, artificial intelligence A.I. datasets, “network” attached Storage, and data payload “sneaker net” portable data movement. As a critical component within GMS’ X9 Spider Thunderbolt™ 4 technology-based open distributed computing architecture (DCA), this X9 Storage includes a 4- or 8-drive removable cartridge supporting secure, industry-standard 2.5-inch or M.2 solid-state storage. The small form factor (SFF) system offers a massive 128TB (max) of removable storage capacity, CSfC or FIPS-140-2 secure encrypted SSDs, and up to 80Gbits/s of data I/O streaming. The rugged, military-focused X9 Spider Storage system offers a massive 128TB (max) of removable storage capacity, CSfC or FIPS-140-2 secure encrypted SSDs, and up to 80Gbits/s of data I/O streaming. “Next-generation AI, sensor fusion, and autonomous vehicle applications demand data capacities that far surpass traditional portable mass storage solutions,” said Ben Sharfi, CEO and chief architect of GMS. “The X9 Spider Storage module combines massive storage with over

5,000 mating cycles and ultra-fast Thunderbolt™ 4 In/Out ports inside fully sealed, ruggedized, and removable canister cartridges – the perfect choice to support harsh, demanding in-field data operations.” The drives can be configured in RAID array(s) for fault tolerance or data recorder striping and have advanced sanitization options for modern cybersecurity requirements. Built to deliver an unparalleled portable storage solution, X9 Spider Storage uses proven high-cycle, high-reliability connectors for the canister and a miniature SFF system size to enable any vehicle, system, or personnel to move massive amounts of data between locations easily. As today’s military computing systems are essentially data collection and processing platforms – such as mission data transfer units, autonomous ground vehicles, unmanned aerial systems (UAS), and generative A.I. processors – storage solutions must meet significant data storage requirements while meeting size, weight, and power (SWaP) constraints. Also, the data “pipes” delivering data to/from the drives must be fast enough to keep up with modern SSD read/ write speeds. What makes X9 Storage unique and compelling is the amount of data carried in a single portable canister (up to 128TB), as well as the dual Thunderbolt™ 4 ports. An industry-standard interface jointly designed by Apple Computer and Intel, Thunderbolt 4 technology is a 40Gbits/s data “pipe” that carries multiple video streams, PCI Express data, 10Gbits/s networking, USB, and up to 100W of power. In X9 Storage, one Thunderbolt input port can be used for data reading/writing. In contrast, the second port can be used for daisy-chaining additional downstream

X9 products—including one or more additional X9 Storage systems. This creates unique architectures that expand a system’s storage “array” into many removable canisters, provide for fault tolerance and redundancy, or enable larger RAID arrays. The possibilities are limitless, all based on the X9 distributed computing architecture. Moreover, any COTS Thunderbolt device can be added to the system in a guaranteed plug-and-play fashion, and a system host CPU immediately recognizes each. Cybersecurity features in X9 Storage protect data in several ways, easily integrating X9 Storage into a broader system architecture. FIPS-1402 and CSfC drives support NSA-level encryption, host-level TPM, and critical handling to provide security root-of-trust authentication. Anti-tamper sensors can interface with GMS SecureDNA™ at the drive, system, and CPU level for whole-system sanitization. Other custom features are available. The X9 Spider Distributed System Advantage The X9 Spider’s modular, scalable, and distributed architecture reduces the development barriers to rugged high-performance computing, high-definition video, sensor processing, A.I., battlefield edge processing, Storage, display, and I/O. Housed within small, rugged enclosures with uncompromised performance per dollar per watt, all X9 SPIDER products are modular, expandable, and scalable. The X9 Spider family supports Thunderbolt 4 technology and our patented LightBolt™ 40 Gbps connections in copper or fiber, with optional 100W per-port power for up-/down-stream sensors and system expansion. “If you can’t fit a rackmount server with drives, the X9 Storage system is the battlefield choice. Secure CSfC or FIPS drives, flexible SSD options with RAID, high-speed box-level interconnects, and exceptional fault tolerance make X9 Storage the only choice for on-the-battlefield, deployed high-density embedded Storage,” Sharif said. “These modules greatly enhance the capacity and reliability of data movement across the battlefield, giving system designers what they need to meet performance and environmental requirements.” GMS gms4sbc.com

COTS Journal | January 2024

January 2024

COT’S PICKS MatrixSpace Co-Leads First Industry Standard for Surveillance Supplementary Data Service Providers A significant step for managing the growing volume of metrics for low-altitude, autonomous flight. MatrixSpace and INVOLI have co-led the first F3623-23 Standard Specification for Surveillance Supplementary Data Service Provider (SDSP) published by ASTM International. SDSPs support UAS operators by supplying air traffic surveillance, weather, terrain, obstacle clearance, and other data specific to the area of operation, particularly for the challenges at the under-400-foot airspace common to autonomous operations. Various sensors such as radar, Lidar, optical, Transponder Modes A, C, or S, and ADS-B have lacked a common platform to collect and disseminate surveillance data. UAS operators must establish individual, point-to-point connections to different sensor providers, which is cumbersome and costly. They then receive track data regarding an intruder from different sources and must validate each track.

Crane Aerospace & Electronics Launches New Interpoint® xMOR Product Family Crane A&E’s 120W DC-DC converter product family offers deep space, new space, Class H defense, and COTS power conversion solutions. Crane Aerospace & Electronics, a segment of Crane Company, has launched a new 120-watt

COTS Journal | January 2024

This global SDSP standard establishes benchmark requirements for collecting air traffic surveillance data and disseminating it to users. SDSPs can now develop data fusion capabilities for a single, fused track, eliminating the complexity and providing a “one-stop shop” for surveillance services. Quote from Akaki Kunchulia, Airspace Regulations Lead, MatrixSpace “Industry-driven standards are essential for the UAS industry to ensure requirements are based on practical, real-world implementations. SDSPs play a vital role in expanding the UTM ecosystem and the overall safety of UAS operations. This standard allows them to focus on product development, adhering to this standard, which in turn ensures a level of integration not previously possible. As radar and other sensing capabilities become more advanced, we can integrate them easily into the wider surveillance service.” The ASTM International recently published another SDSP standard for weather information. These efforts incentivize the UAS industry to build products that comply with these standards and have high confidence from the regulators. Regulators worldwide consider compliance with the standards one of the top requirements for operafamily of power conversion products called the Interpoint® xMOR. The Interpoint® xMOR product family features four DC-DC power converters with a shared core architecture, each tailored to address different aerospace and defense market needs. Crane A&E’s xMOR product family includes its new cMOR (Hi-Rel COTS), hMOR (Class H high-reliability), sMOR (Class K deep space), and rMOR (new space) power converters. The cMOR is a high-reliability, commercial off-the-shelf offering for aerospace and defense applications. The hMOR converter is designed for mission-critical defense applications, is Class H certified, and features high efficiency. Crane A&E’s sMOR supports deep space applications, is Class K certified, and features high performance and a 19-50V input range. Finally, the rMOR is designed to support the rapidly growing New Space market – featuring up to

tional approvals. Quote from co-sponsor Manu Lubrano, CEO, INVOLI “As low-altitude BVLOS (beyond visual line of sight) autonomous and semi-autonomous flight proliferates, there is a growing need to provide a standard way to monitor air activities for collision avoidance. This is one of the key challenges facing the UAS industry to operate safely and at scale. This standard allows SDSPs to provide complex but streamlined surveillance data to multiple users and, in turn, enable more BVLOS flights.” With its very low SWaP-C (size, weight, power, and cost), MatrixSpace Radar provides robust situational awareness of airborne and groundbased objects, regardless of lighting and weather conditions. This, in turn, facilitates the long-awaited Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) flight for uncrewed and autonomous aircraft and enhances general aviation safety. MatrixSpace matrixspace.com

92% efficiency in a radiation tolerant design tested to 30krad and 43MeV. “We are proud to build from the rich heritage of our Interpoint® brand and offer a new range of innovative solutions with our new xMOR product family,” said Ashley Smith, Crane A&E Vice President & GM, Modular Power. “As the space and defense markets continue to evolve, customers seek improved capabilities specifically designed for their applications and missions. We have introduced this new family of highly efficient 120W converters to allow customers to choose solutions that best meet the needs of their missions – solutions that feature Interpoint’s known quality, reliability, and patented technology. We’ve designed this new product line to enable customers to leverage similar power system designs across platforms via our family architecture that delivers high-reliability power converters with the same size packaging and pinfor-pin capability.” Crane Aerospace & Electronics craneae.com

January 2024

COT’S PICKS DIGISTOR® Citadel C Series Pre-Boot Authentication (PBA) Achieves CSfC Listing for Secure Storage Component

CDSG, a leading provider of secure Data at Rest (DAR) storage solutions with its DIGISTOR® secure storage drives, announced that the National Security Administration (NSA) certified its Citadel C Series Pre-Boot Authentication (PBA), powered by Cigent, for inclusion on the Commercial Solutions for Classified (CSfC) storage component list. This listing ensures military and government agencies seeking the highest data security levels to protect some of our nation’s most sensitive data can utilize the strong security Controls are provided by the Citadel C Series secure SSDs. The CSfC-certified solution provides a complete pre-boot single layer of security to ensure sensitive data cannot be accessed, even if adversaries have physical access to the systems or media. “The CSfC listing underscores our commitment to ensuring the DIGISTOR Citadel C Series is the preferred option for organizations needing pre-boot authentication and post-boot security features,” said Randal Barber, CEO of CDSG. “The strategic security alue of a CSfC-listed SSD that integrates a CSfC-listed PBA is clear to our military and government customers who need to protect their data at rest.” The Citadel C Series built-in encryption is unlocked with the PBA feature, providing ecure access to the encrypted operating system and data on the Citadel SSD. This secured data is encrypted by FIPS 140-2 validated Advanced Encryption Standard.

(AES) 256-bit hardware encryption. Citadel SSD security introduces zero overhead and enables hardware-speed access to the encrypted data at the system&#39;s full performance. When using a Citadel C Series Advanced SSD, the PBA feature is complemented by verified complete drive erasure, multi-factor authentication (MFA), real-time threat detection and response, and secure logs that record all drive interactions to prevent bad actors from “covering their tracks.” “Zero Trust Storage access controls and erasure verification have been in high demand, and with the achievement of CSfC certification, these capabilities can now be used across all government entities globally,” said Tom Ricoy, Chief Revenue Officer at Cigent. “In collaboration with DIGISTOR, these critical protections can protect data from advanced attacks that bypass existing endpoint protections and allow customers to meet government mandates and executive orders.” In addition to the CSfC listing, the Citadel product line has been streamlined to focus on the C Series PBA offerings while discontinuing the Citadel K Series products. The company will continue to support current Citadel K Series customers and installations. A new Citadel C Series drive, the Citadel C Series PBA, has been added to the C Series Select and the C Series Advanced. The C Series Select and C Series Advanced have several post-boot security features in addition to the core PBA feature, while the C Series PBA only contains the PBA feature on a CSfC-listed SSD. Details about the full lineup of Citadel C Series drives can be found at digistor.com/citadel. DIGISTOR digistor.com

Low Power Intel® AtomTM x6000RE on CompactPCI Serial for AI-based Applications, IIoT, and Transportation EKF presents its new energy-efficient CompactPCI serial SBC SC8-FLUTE. It is equipped with an Intel® AtomTM processor x6000RE and offers up to 1.9 GHz clock frequencies for compact modular CompactPCI serial systems. Three USB Type-C sockets (Alternate Mode) enable flexible control of monitors and USB devices, making it ideal for versatile graphics applications in industry and rail transportation. It also offers three network sockets following the fast 2.5 Gbase-T standard for setting up complex and redundant network structures. Robust Basics with Versatile Extensions With the energy-efficient Intel Atom CPU from the Elkhart Lake Industrial platform, it achieves clock rates of up to 1.9 GHz and guarantees constant 100% utilization over ten years. Intel also guarantees the operation of this processor line not only at high temperatures but also at temperatures as low as -40°. Testing and screening can thus be simplified. The three modern USB Type-C sockets on the front enable alternating operation; they can, therefore, control either USB devices or monitors. A fourth monitor can also be controlled via the S40 or S48 side cards - perfect for various visualization applications. Also, using flexible mezzanine modules, the SC8 can be expanded as required with fast M.2 memory modules (NVMe, up to PCIe Gen4) or wireless functions using PCI Express® Mini Cards. The S42 or S48 sidecards, for example, are suitable here. The CPCI serial SBC is equipped with 64GB DDR4 ECC RAM as standard. EKF Diagnostics ekfdiagnostics.com

COTS Journal | January 2024

January 2024

COT’S PICKS EnSilica adds post-quantum cryptography support to the eSi-Crypto I.P. library EnSIlica’s PQC cores’ first license was to a major semiconductor vendor for a 5nm networking chip. EnSilica has added a range of post-quantum cryptography (PQC) accelerators to its eSi-Crypto range of hardware accelerator I.P.s. These cryptographic algorithms are developed to withstand cyber-attacks from quantum computers, and their launch makes EnSilica one of the few companies to offer advanced cryptographic accelerators to the market as licensable hardware I.P. cores. Implementing these in hardware cryptographic operations, such as encryption and decryption, can be performed faster, with lower power, and more securely than software-based implementations. The first license for EnSilica’s new QPC cores has now been granted to a major semiconductor company for a target at a high-performance 5nm networking chip. Why PQC is essential: Today’s secure communications and financial transactions rely on public-key encryption tech-

COTS Journal | January 2024

niques. These use maths problems a conventional computer cannot readily solve. However, advances in quantum computing and artificial intelligence-based systems, backed by large datasets that need to be kept secure, means there is a real threat that cyber-attacks will break current standards. As such, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) published its first draft standard for encryption algorithms capable of resisting quantum attacks in H2 last year. The first of these cryptographic algorithms was published by the previous year, with feedback completed in November. In its 2023 announcement, the NIST mathematician Dustin Moody, who led the seven-year project to develop the algorithms, said their creation meant “We’re getting close to the light at the end of the tunnel, where people will have standards they can use in practice.” EnSilica’s PQC accelerator I.P.: EnSilica has added two new PQC accelerators to its eSi-Crypto range of I.P.: eSi-Dilithium is a hardware I.P. designed for accelerating the NIST FIPS 204 Module Lattice Digital Signature Algorithm called CRYSTALS Dilithium eSi-Kyber is a hardware I.P. that accelerates the NIST FIPS 203 Key Encapsulation Mechanism

(KEM) called CRYSTALS Kyber. Dilithium and Kyber algorithms are both part of the Cryptographic Suite for Algebraic Lattices (CRYSTALS) and are based on the computational difficulty of the Module Learning With Errors (MLWE) problem. The eSi-SHA3 has also been added to eSi-Crypto; this is a hardware I.P. designed to accelerate the NIST FIP 202 cryptographic hashing algorithms, including SHA3 and SHAKE. These add to and complement EnSilica’s existing range of non-quantum resistant cryptography accelerators, which include ECC, EDCDA, RSA, AES, DES/3DES, SNOW3G, ChaCha20, and Poly1305 as well as a NIST-compliant True Random number generator (TRNG). The cores are suitable for ASIC and FPGA usage, can be pre-configured to meet a range of throughputs, and are compatible with AMBA buses, including APB, AHB, and AXI. The timely adoption of PQC is driven by the concern that sensitive encrypted data harvested today might one day be compromised once powerful quantum computers emerge. This is a critical security risk for governments safeguarding secrets and businesses handling sensitive and confidential information. EnSilica ensilica.com

COTS COTS

Index

ADVERTISERS Company

Page #

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

4/10

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

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

IFC/BC

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

Core Systems ........................................................

5/9/IBC

..................................... www.core-systems.com

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

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

Holo Industries ......................................................

................................................ www.holoind.com

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

....................................................... www.mpl.ch

OTEK ......................................................................

16/17

............................................. www.otekcorp.com

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

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

Pixus Technologies ................................................

IBC

............................... www.pixustechnologies.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.

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