COTS Journal

April 2018, Volume 20 – Number 4 • cotsjournalonline.com

JOURNAL

The Journal of Military Electronics & Computing

Networking and Comms Advances Serve a Connected Military

ATR Enclosures – Stretching the Limits for OpenVPX Open Source’s Role in The Evolution of Military IOT

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The Journal of Military Electronics & Computing JOURNAL

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

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

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

READER’S CHOICE 16

Networking and Comms Advances Serve a Connected Military John Reardon, Publisher, COTS Journal

DEPARTMENTS 06 Publisher’s Note

Can E-Harmony really get you a date Procurement and Communication?

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The Inside Track

SPECIAL FEATURE 20

ATR Enclosures – Stretching the Limits for OpenVPX Justin Moll, Vice President, US Market Development, Pixus Technologies

SYSTEM DEVLOPMENT 24

Open Source’s Role in The Evolution of Military IOT Tim Mackey, Evangelist, Black Duck by Synopsys

COT’S PICKS 27

Editor’s Choice for April

COTS Journal | April 2018

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The Journal of Military Electronics & Computing

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

COTS Journal PUBLISHED BY RTC MEDIA Copyright 2018, RTC Media. Printed in the United States. All rights reserved. All related graphics are trademarks of The RTC Group. All other brand and product names are the property of their holders.

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COTS Journal | April 2018

PUBLISHER’S NOTE

John Reardon, Publisher

Can E-Harmony really get you a date - Procurement and Communication?

We here at COTS Journal believe we are a type of “E-Harmony” for the defense industry. We believe bringing the latest in technology to you; the reader is key to building weapons

systems that protect us against future threats. Sounds simple enough, but is it? Recently, the CEO of a small, very innovative company asked for our assistance in marketing their prod-

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey and Dr. Taylor W. Lawrence, president of Raytheon’s Missile Systems business, cut the ribbon at the new facility unveiling.

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COTS Journal | April 2018

ucts to the defense industry. The conversation and questions took the tack that you would think. We discussed whether the products were available under GSA, did they review Code 70 frequently on the Fed Biz Ops. Did they meet any manufacturing standards such as ISO 9000, were they operating in a secure facility – the conversation went on? We spoke about buying programs, such as IDIQ contracts and what programs might benefit by their solutions. We discussed disadvantage business and the nearly $100 billion spent through those channels. (24% of the budget in 2016). We went over sections L and M of an RFQ and were they ready to address these. It became very clear that this company, with some really cool technology was “not dressed for their date”.

This isn’t just one sided – in a panel discussion that included program leaders from SPAWAR, Senior Management in Defense Primes and Advisors to the Secretary of Defense. They spoke about how they had “Industry days” to bring potential technology partners into their facility to meet the staff. It sounded great, but many vendors voiced that they weren’t notified, that it was full of vendors selling office equipment and were routinely poorly attended. The panel reference their buying programs and approved vendor lists – again many felt that having their name on a list did little or nothing to bring their solutions to the attention of a the engineering design

team. The vendors were discouraged as many thought the status quo favored the incumbent and left the “new girl” unable to garner any attention.

You might not think this is important, but nearly 70 of all content used in military systems remains custom according to Embedded Market Forecasters. That many contracts are delayed and often find themselves using trailing edge technology or just canceled altogether. Massive delays can occur when a complex system omit details on security or ITAR concerns, for example. The parallel to dating would be comical if were not for the potential for wasting time or money.

We believe that “focus” is the key. If you want to understand the potential solutions, we have to convey information that is based on your interest. We don’t want to be a name on a list; we want to build a strong partnership that offers our expertise to solve solutions for problems not yet defined. We want our talents and expertise to set us apart as an ongoing resource. It is important for us to be treated as something more than the counter help at McDonalds.

So as you read the pages of COTs Journal, its our hope that our content allow you to get to know us a bit better and you find a meaningful relationship with one of our contributors.

COTS Journal | April 2018

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U.S. Army Awards General Micro Systems Up to $88 Million Contract for Rugged Server and Display System, Putting Leading-Edge Technology on the Battlefield for the First Time General Micro Systems Inc. (GMS) announced that the U.S. Army will exclusively deploy powerful rugged server and display systems from GMS to run the multifunction video display (MVD) software within Type II medium mine protection vehicles (MMPV). The prime contract—composed of four electronic components and estimated at $88 million over three years—provides the Army a dense, ultra-small, rugged server using the same high-performing Intel® Xeon® E5 processors that Apple® is shipping in its latest “Pro” products.

“For the first time, the U.S. Army will have deployed military technology that is as leading-edge as the latest and best-available commercial technology in the consumer market,” said Ben Sharfi, CEO and chief architect, GMS.

ed a combined hardware/software system that could provide full situational awareness at all times while also improving crew efficiencies. According to the contract synopsis from the Army Contracting Command - Warren (ACC-Warren), the “The Multifunction Video Display (MVD) system integrates full-motion video from all sources at all vehicle crew stations. The MVD system efficiently distributes images and sensor control to all crew stations within a vehicle, resulting in a single touch-screen display for each crew station capable of viewing and controlling all vehicle enablers, and creating a seamless common interface across all enablers.”

A program of record for the U.S. Army’s Product Manager Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle Systems (PdM MRAP VS) and co-developed directly with the Army’s Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate (NVESD), the GMS rugged server and display system provides the MRAP mine-clearing vehicles a distributed platform with smart displays that run the Army’s portable MVD software. The system’s hardware and software enable the seamless distribution of full motion video and control in real time with low latency from all sensor systems mounted on the MMPV Type II trucks to each crew station. The MVD system “The MVD system uses the most powerful processing technology available to keep our soldiers safe,” Sharfi said. “We worked closely with the Army to ensure the system was designed with the latest and highest performing server, networking, image processing, and storage capability. The result is unprecedented, and for the first time that we’re aware, the Department of Defense is deploying the latest commercial-off-the shelf system based on the same processors used by one of the world’s greatest technology companies, Apple.”

System Helps Drivers Collaborate “Heads Down”Compared to the traditional system used on the mine-clearing MRAP, the U.S. Army need8

COTS Journal | April 2018

With the MVD system, each networked crew station operates independently such that one crew member can control one sensor system while another crew member simultaneously controls or views another. The ultra-low latency system enables warfighters to drive “head down” in the vehicle, using only cameras and sensors without inducing motion sickness. The MVD system is integrated with the truck’s radio so that it too can be controlled from any crew station or set up during pre-mission checks. Because the system is designed to enable soldiers to navigate without direct sight, it can be used in other programs as well.

The key to the system’s expected success is a combination of low-latency networked video and data processing coupled with NVSED-created modular software. The software presents a standardized view of sensor feedback that is common across all workstation consoles. This gives operators immediate familiarity with different sensors and enables cross-training and cross-operation should the need arise. Moreover, new sensors and counter-IED payload processing can be added while the user interface remains consistent. This pre-planned product improvement (P3I) helps to maximize the Army’s investment and ensure that the MRAP platform evolves alongside the threat.

The Power of GMS’s Dense, High-Performing Technology “The MVD requires exceptionally high-performance signal processing, and General Micro Systems is the only vendor that can package such a powerful system in this dense, high-performance and rugged small form factor,” Sharfi said. In addition, GMS’s modular architecture and upgradable processor engine ensures that the Army can build on the Intel® Xeon® E5 and deploy the latest, advanced high-performance technologies available.

The GMS system comprises four components—two chassis and two displays. It also includes an enterprise-class, ultra-rugged, secure server with an intelligent 12-port 1/10 Gigabit Ethernet switch, a router, mass-media storage, CITV/DVR, video-over-IP, and two ultra-thin, rugged smart-panel PCs. When coupled with a video encoder, the system is a complete full motion video and control system with storage.

“Collectively, the system of video compression, conversion, video-over-IP networking, and serving/storage/display is something few vendors could create and successfully demonstrate, much less on a rugged vetronics platform,” Sharfi said. “With our system, GMS does just that, replacing a surveillance rack’s worth of equipment with a system that can also handle the rugged environment of the battlefield.”

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Wind River to be Acquired by TPG

Jim Douglas

Wind River® announced that global alternative asset firm TPG will acquire the company from Intel.

Wind River President, Jim Douglas, and his existing executive management team will lead the newly independent Wind River after the transaction closes.

“Our technology team is focused on backing strong, market-leading companies in growing industries,” said Nehal Raj, Partner and Head of Technology investing at TPG. “We see a tremendous market opportunity in industrial software driven by the convergence of the Internet of Things (IoT), intelligent devices and edge computing. As a market leader with a strong product portfolio, Wind River is well positioned to benefit

Green Hills Software Opens New Subsidiary in Japan Green Hills Software, the global leader in high-assurance real-time operating systems and virtualization, is further expanding its global footprint with the opening of a new subsidiary in Japan, Green Hills Software G.K., with its main office located in the Jingumae Tower Building, Level 14, 1-5-8 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Japan 150-

Harris Corporation Selected for Command and Control Integration Program by Asian Nation • Harris to deliver custom communictions solution as the prime systems integrator • Harris hC2 battle management system will provide multi-domain situational awareness • Falcon III® tactical radios will be integrated into strategic network Harris Corporation (NYSE:HRS) has been selected as the prime systems integrator to modernize and upgrade an Asian nation’s military communications network, extending the 10

COTS Journal | April 2018

from these trends. We are excited about the prospects for Wind River as an independent company, and plan to build on its strong foundation with investments in both organic and inorganic growth.”

For nearly 40 years, Wind River has helped the world’s technology leaders power generation after generation of the safest, most secure devices in the world. The company’s software runs the computing systems of the most important modern infrastructure, including manufacturing plants, medical devices, aircraft, railway, automobiles, and communications networks.

Wind River’s products and solutions enable engineers, developers, manufacturers, and system integrators to build intelligent connected devices, sensors, gateways, and networks that unlock machine data and connect it to cloud and IT environments.

“This acquisition will establish Wind Riv0001. The new location which opened on April 9th is in the heart of the vibrant Harajuku neighborhood, a true representation of the strength, vitality and ingenuity of the Japanese marketplace, and the subsidiary will act as a central support system for the company’s rapidly growing Japanese business, supporting both direct customers and existing distribution channels.

er as a leading independent software provider uniquely positioned to advance digital transformation within critical infrastructure segments with our comprehensive edge to cloud portfolio,” said Jim Douglas, Wind River President. “At the same time, TPG will provide Wind River with the flexibility and financial resources to fuel our many growth opportunities as a standalone software company that enables the deployment of safe, secure, and reliable intelligent systems.”

“This move is designed to sharpen our focus on growth opportunities that align to Intel’s data-centric strategy,” said Tom Lantzsch, senior vice president and general manager of the Internet of Things Group at Intel. “Wind River will remain an important ecosystem partner, and we will continue to collaborate on critical software-defined infrastructure opportunities to advance an autonomous future. We expect this transition will be seamless for our mutual customers and partners.”

Doing business together in Japan since 1992, Green Hills Software and its distributor Ad-

vanced Data Controls Corporation have helped Japanese customers successfully build and deploy embedded systems in automotive and other markets. The new local subsidiary will target additional markets while providing a foundation to expand new business and support in Japan, working closely with Advanced Data Controls Corporation. Both will continue the established tradition of Advanced Data Controls Corporation providing customers the highest support, tailored services and technical training.

company’s role as the country’s incumbent radio provider.

and echelons – providing enhanced situational awareness across the land, sea and air domains.

Harris will replace existing disparate systems and integrate both military and commercial products and software into an easy-to-operate turnkey solution. This integrated network will include a multi-service common operating picture, strategic satellite communications, IT modernization and Harris Falcon III® tactical radios.

“This significant program win showcases Harris’ ability to integrate command and control networks, positioning us for additional international programs in the future,” said Chris Young, president, Harris Communication Systems. “Our solid track record, extensive capabilities and expertise in providing customized tactical solutions led to our selection as the prime systems integrator for this important project.”

The selection reflects the company’s strategy of expanding beyond individual solutions to provide customers with integrated command and control systems, such as battle management systems for the United Arab Emirates and Australia.

The Falcon III® radios will provide secure voice and data communications and friendly force tracking at the tactical level. Harris’ hC2 Software Suite battle management system will improve command and control and create a common operating picture shared across services

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L3 Technologies Selects Microsoft Azure Government in Strategic Cloud Initiative L3 Technologies (NYSE:LLL) announced a five-year strategic cloud computing collaboration with Microsoft, selecting Azure Government to transform the processes and speed at which it delivers IT resources throughout its global operations. L3 Technologies is the first aerospace and defense sector company to enter into a datacenter transformation agreement of this kind with Microsoft.

“This new element of L3’s ongoing collaboration with Microsoft will fundamentally change the way we use data to boost our productivity, drive down costs and deliver even greater value to our customers worldwide,” said Christopher E. Kubasik, L3’s Chief Executive Officer and President. “We have been able to move quickly to use the power and cost benefits of Microsoft Azure Government to manage some of our most demanding IT workloads and standardize shared services and the systems that keep our operations running smoothly. Optimizing our IT capability creates long-term efficiencies and is a central element of our integration strategy to accelerate our entrepreneurship and growth.”

Azure Government is a strong fit to address L3’s highly dynamic demand for computing and storage power by providing hyperscale cloud capabilities and the highest compliance and security to compete globally in an evolving, data-driven environment. Azure Government, Microsoft’s cloud built exclusively for U.S. government agencies and their partners, currently covers more than 70 major certifications and attestations.

“L3 is taking a very strategic approach to cloud, aggressively modernizing to drive current and future growth and open up new business opportunities. As part of our long-term collaborative relationship, they have already been successful using Microsoft Office 365 for US Government and Dynamics 365 Government. With their latest selection of Azure Government, L3 is now tapping into the full breadth of Microsoft’s government cloud capabilities,” said Judson Althoff, Executive Vice President of Worldwide Commercial Business at Microsoft.

Lockheed Martin Rovsing Collaborate to Bring Soloar Array Simulators to Market • Brings together Rovsing’s Solar Array Simulator suite capability for testing power output and Lockheed Martin’s test and integration operations.

• Identifies new test equipment capabilities in driving satellite test efficiencies.

It’s hard to simulate a star, but a new effort between Rovsing A/S and Lockheed Martin will do just that. They are collaborating to bring better solar simulators to bear in a market of increasing demand for a range of spacecraft sizes. Solar simulation equipment tests power and electrical systems for all spacecraft, so simulating the sun’s power on orbit is critical for satellites under development here on Earth.

Rovsing offerings a versatile, highly modular and efficient testing system for high-power solar arrays, which are used for Earth observation, science or telecom satellites as well as for deep space missions. The Solar Array Simulator (SAS) users already include Orion, ExoMars and MetOp-SG, and more missions are possible with Lockheed Martin behind it.

life for the mission and life for our astronauts.”

“Working with Lockheed Martin on this project and understanding their SAS needs compared to the European use models has been a valuable insight which we will built upon for future activities,” said Jesper Troelsen, head of engineering at Rovsing.

“With Lockheed Martin using the RO-5100 SAS Modules now both in the human spaceflight domain for the European Service Module of Orion and in the satellite domain, we are proud to provide Lockheed Martin with the most advanced and user-friendly SAS available in the Western market,” said Hjalti Thorvardarson, CEO of Rovsing.

The project was approved by the Danish Business Authority under the Guidelines for Industrial Co-Operation in Denmark. Lockheed Martin and Rovsing have completed the initial test and demonstration project for the Rovsing Power Special Check-Out Equipment (SCOE) Reference System incorporating Rovsing’s RO-5100 Solar Array Simulator test product. The project centered around testing the Solar Array Simulator (SAS) Modules. Rovsing supplied a fully integrated rack with SAS Modules, second level protection units (SLP), and Controller Software (SW) Suite.

The Rovsing user interface has many features allowing one to easily define IV curves using the Max Power Point or Rs and N methods. Different simulation modes were used to explore Eclipse and Spin modes. DC tests were performed to verify performance and programmability of the SAS Modules. The Rovsing curve definition SW was used to create several IV curves for the tests.

IV curve bias points were verified running under different load conditions comparing the measured values to the ideal values obtained from the Rovsing curve definition SW. Dynamic tests were performed to observe and characterize the output response of the SAS Modules. These tests included Max Power Point Tracking, Output Impedance, and the response to shunt switch regulation (S3R) of the output of the SAS Module to simulate the unit connected to both an unregulated (battery dominated) and a regulated The Rovsing solar array simulator is used on the Orion, pictured here in a bus.

“Through this technology we can make sure our missions are reliably powered, from nanosatellites to crewed interplanetary missions,” said Brad Holland, Lockheed Martin senior manager for electronic ground support equipment testing.

“When landing on Mars, we have to know how much power our vehicles can support in the same way as astronauts rely on solar arrays on the International Space Station. Power means

solar array deployment test (NASA image).

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Raytheon awarded $136 million for production of U.S. Navy’s next-gen air and missile defense radar

AN/SPY-6(V)1 progress, production continues on track Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has been awarded a $136 million production contract for AN/SPY-6(V)1 Air and Missile Defense Radar, the U.S. Navy’s next generation integrated air and missile defense radar. The award is an option exercised under the current low rate initial production contract and funds the fourth ship set of radar mission equipment.

Since its inception in January 2014, the AMDR program has met 20 of 20 milestones, ahead of or on schedule. The radar has achieved a series of successes during the U.S. Navy’s AN/SPY-6(V)1 testing program, and remains on schedule for delivery to the Navy’s first modernized DDG 51 Flight III, the future USS Jack H Lucas (DDG 125), in 2019.

Systel Selected To Support MQ-8C Fire Scout Program With Rugged High-Density Computing Servers Systel, Inc., an industry leader of custom and COTS rugged computing solutions has been selected to support the US Navy Naval Air Systems Command MQ-8C Fire Scout program with rugged, SWaP optimized high density computing servers.

“AN/SPY-6(V)1 milestones and test successes continue to build, proving the maturity of its design and its exceptional capabilities,” said U.S. Navy Captain Seiko Okano, Major Program Manager for Above Water Sensors, Program Executive Office Integrated Warfare Systems. “Now in production, we are closer to delivering the nation’s most advanced integrated air and missile defense radar – the new cornerstone capability of the surface fleet.”

Throughout testing at the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Kauai, Hawaii, AN/SPY-6(V)1 has proven its multi-mission capability to extend the battlespace and safeguard the fleet from multiple, simultaneous threats. The radar has demonstrated its performance against an array of single and multiple targets of increasing complexity in dedicated flights tests as well as ballistic missile, satellites and aircraft targets of opportunity.

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The inherent scalability of the radar – based on 2’x2’x2’ Radar Modular Assemblies, individual radar “building blocks” - allows for new instantiations without significant new radar development costs. Scaled variants of AN/ SPY-6(V) already designated as U.S. Navy programs of record, include the back-fit radar for existing DDG 51 Flight IIA destroyers, the new and backfit radars for aircraft carriers and amphibious ships, as well as the radar for the new guided-missile frigate, FFG(X).

Background on AN/SPY-6(V)1 AN/SPY-6(V)1 provides greater range, “Systel has consistently demonstrated innovative and flexible hardware designs and commitment to program success. Their long and successful track record supporting Minotaur-based platforms makes them an ideal technology partner,” said Mr. Rob Murphy, Ship Integration IPT Lead, NAVAIR.

The MQ-8C Fire Scout is an unmanned autonomous helicopter designed to provide reconnaissance, situational awareness, and precision targeting support for ground, air, and sea forces.

The UAV is integrated with the Minotaur Track Management and Mission Management System software, integrating sensors and data into a comprehensive common operating picture shared by multiple aircraft and vessels.

With its inclusion in the Fire Scout program, Systel continues its long-term support of Minotaur-integrated platforms throughout the DoD including the Navy, Coast Guard, and Department of Homeland Security. Systel’s 2U and 4U rugged servers support ISR and ASW missions on aircraft and ground control stations such as Fire Scout, P-8A Poseidon, C-130J Super Hercules, MEA King Air, and P-3 Orion.

increased accuracy, greater resistance to environmental and man-made electronic clutter, higher reliability and sustainability than currently deployed radars. The radar’s demonstrated sensitivity provides greater coverage for early and accurate detection which optimizes the effectiveness of the Navy’s most advanced weapons, including all variants of Standard Missile-3 and Standard Missile-6.

MQ-8C Fire Scout Unmanned Autonomous Helicopter

“We are proud of our continued program partnerships within the Minotaur community,” said Anu Pankaj, program manager at Systel.

“Our rugged mission computers are specifically engineered for the immense video and data-intensive processing demands of Minotaur platforms and we are excited to successfully deploy these systems in support of Fire Scout.”

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Naval Base Ventura County, Point Mugu Celebrates Commencement of Triton Flight Operations

Northrop Grumman Corp. (NYSE: NOC) joined the U.S. Navy in officially welcoming the MQ-4C Triton unmanned aircraft system to the fleet with a ceremony on May 31 to celebrate the commencement of flight operations.

Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC) Point Mugu is home to the maintenance detachment of Unmanned Patrol Squadron (VUP)-19 DET Point Mugu, the Navy’s first unmanned patrol squadron. Maintainers are conducting training and tests on the Triton aircraft before it deploys to Guam later this year.

Point Mugu has also completely refurbished an existing hangar that will accommodate up to four Triton aircraft with its 130.9-foot wingspan.

The first two Triton aircraft are located at Point Mugu.

Universal Avionics FMS Selected for U.S. Army’s Black Hawk FANS Program

igation (RNP/RNAV) and Global Position System RNAV (GPS/RNAV) requirement.

Aircraft to Be Fitted With UNS-1Lw FMS and LPV Monitor Universal Avionics, in partnership with the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Research Engineering Development Center (AMRDEC), Prototype Integration Facility (PIF), and prime contractor Redstone Defense Systems, has integrated an IFR capable Flight Management System (FMS) for the U.S. Army’s Sikorsky HH/ UH-60L/M Black Hawk Federated Advanced Navigation System (FANS) program. This meets the program’s requirement to integrate a Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) FAA certified navigational system for the incorporation of Required Navigation Performance Area Nav-

To meet the GPS/RNAV requirement, H-60 aircraft will be fitted with a single UNS FMS with 4-inch Flat Panel Control Display Unit (FPCDU).

“Our COTS FMSs facilitate the integration of a solution that allows the Black Hawk to retain all of its mission critical avionics equipment, while adding new operational capabilities,” said Bob Sanchez, Universal Avionics Senior Manager, Government Business Development. “Universal’s solution also meets precision navigation mandates that are critical to aircrew safety,” he added. “To support the unique missions of the Black Hawk, we are providing Night Vision Goggle (NVG)-compatible variants.”

Brian Chappel, sector vice president and general manager, Autonomous Systems, Northrop Grumman, joined Doug Shaffer, vice president, Triton programs, Northrop Grumman, and Rear Admiral William Wheeler III in cutting the ribbon on the refurbished hangar.

“With each new part of the Triton infrastructure that the Navy stands up, we move closer to making Triton operational and showing the fleet what this remarkable aircraft system can do,” Shaffer said. “I look forward to the day when this hangar is full of activity leading up to the Guam employment.”

Photo US Army

“As Naval Base Ventura County’s representative in Congress, I am proud to support the

The first two operational MQ-4C Triton aircraft at home in their newly refurbished hangar at Naval Base Ventura County, Point Mugu. The insignia of Unmanned Patrol Squadron (VUP)-19, the Navy’s first unmanned patrol squadron, can be seen behind them.

MQ-4C Triton aircraft system,” said U.S. Rep. Julia Brownley, Ventura County. “The Triton is an essential component of the Navy’s future intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities, and a critical program for the continued strength of Naval Base Ventura County and our national security. I have made funding for research, development, and procurement of the Triton a top priority. When fully developed, this program will bring jobs and an economic boost to Ventura County.”

Built by Northrop Grumman, the MQ-4C Triton is an unmanned intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft system with an autonomous capability that is piloted from a ground station. Triton can fly for up to 24 hours and reach altitudes of up to 55,000 feet. Flying high above the battle space, Triton provides a critical common operating picture, disseminating images and near-real time video to commanders around the world.

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Mercury Systems Debuts Defense Industry’s First Secure Solid-State Drive Featuring MLC Flash Technology

and our nation’s warfighters can leverage our most affordable, battle-tested BuiltSECURE technology for their most sophisticated defense electronics systems.”

Performance-enhancing algorithms with embedded security deliver sustained, highspeed read/write operations for unpredictable and hostile military environments

Conventional SSD devices, with bolton security solutions adapted for military applications, rely upon commercial-grade NAND flash memory paired with mass-produced SSD controllers of foreign origin.

Upon exposure to the extremes in temperature common to military environments, these devices throttle down data transfer rates, thus compromising mission success.

In contrast, Mercury’s new secure SSD for heavy-duty read/write operation is precision engineered to deliver sustainable, high-speed data transfers over an industrial temperature range of -40 to +85 degrees Celsius. Furthermore, Mercury’s new product was designed to operate during the extreme mechanical shock and vibration conditions encountered in military deployments. As with all of Mercury’s commercial SSD devices, customers selecting the new TRRUST-Stor product can rest assured that its BuiltSECURE technology has received FIPS 197 certification of compliance to the advanced encryption standard with 256 bit keys in the XTS block cipher mode (AES-256 XTS).

Mercury Systems, Inc. announced the launch of its new BuiltSECURE™ TRRUST-Stor® solid-state drive (SSD) featuring high-speed serial ATA and non-volatile memory express interfaces to a host computing system. The new secure SSD product marries one terabyte of industrial-grade multi-level cell (MLC) NAND flash with Mercury’s exclusive ARMOR® 4 NAND processor. With a compact, military-hardened 2.5-inch form factor enclosure, Mercury’s new design architecture sustains 1GB per second read and write operations in environmentally rugged military applications without sacrificing security.

State-of-the-art defense electronics incorporate numerous sensor systems for real-time data collection. As more of these sensor systems are deployed in military platforms, each system is also tasked with storing larger volumes of data per unit of time. These rich data streams must be stored for off-line analysis where the smallest signals of military interest must be discerned. However, continuous high-speed operation in thermally and mechanically stressful military environments places a tremendous demand on data storage devices to operate without interruption for extended periods of time. Further complicating this scenario, these systems also require the strongest encryption technology to ensure robust data protection in the event of enemy capture.

“Having perfected the implementation of security in a commercial SSD purpose-built for the defense industry, we have now expanded the breadth of our secure SSD portfolio to address applications appropriate for MLC flash memory technology without compromising the integrity of highly valuable data,” said Iain Mackie, Vice President and General Manager of Mercury’s Microelectronics Secure Solutions group. “Today, defense prime contractors 14

COTS Journal | April 2018

Mercury’s resolute commitment to security extends far beyond product design and into the cadence of its daily operations.

The Company’s entire portfolio of advanced digital microelectronic solutions are designed and manufactured in a Defense Microelectronics Activity (DMEA)-accredited facility for design, packaging, test and broker services. Mercury’s dedication to excellence in all aspects of industrial security has been recognized with several of its facilities having received a Superior rating from the Defense Security Service (DSS).

Mercury’s application engineering team routinely demystifies the implementation of security for the most complex military applications. For application assistance, additional product information or purchase inquiries, customers can visit http://www.mrcy.com/MLC-SSD or contact Mercury atsecure.ssd@mrcy.com or (866) 627-6951.

Molex Announces Acquisition of BittWare New Hampshire company specializes in high-end FPGA computing platforms designed to improve performance and time-to-revenue for OEMs Molex, a leading global manufacturer of electronic solutions, announced today the acquisition of BittWare, Inc., a global leading provider of computing systems featuring field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) deployed in data center compute and network packet processing applications.

“Among the foremost FPGA computing platform developers, BittWare brings an impressive breadth of board-level computing technologies, integrated systems and software expertise,” said Tim Ruff, senior vice president of Molex.

According to Mark Gilliam, president of Interconnect Systems International, a Molex company, “The acquisition expands on the capabilities of Molex and its subsidiary Nallatech to address the rising demand for FPGA-based high-performance compute and network processing solutions.” Headquartered in Concord, NH, BittWare provides solutions based on FPGA technology from Intel ( formerly Altera) and Xilinx. Many of the world’s leading companies use BittWare FPGA solutions to provide the processing power for demanding applications in compute and data center, military and aerospace, government, instrumentation and test, financial services, broadcast and video.

“FPGA-based platforms have become a strategically important driver of machine learning, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, network acceleration, IoT, and other megatrends. As a Molex subsidiary, now working with Nallatech, I believe we will have the critical mass to bring new resources, better processes, and economies of scale to our valued customers and this rapidly growing industry as a whole,” said Jeff Milrod, president and CEO of BittWare.

BittWare commercial products turn the latest FPGA device features into reliable board-level solutions, suitable for both development and deployment in integrated servers. The company serves original equipment manufacture (OEM) customers, who value the decades of engineering experience BittWare brings to designing custom solutions and manufacturing them at scale with partners such as Benchmark Electronics. BittWare products are supported with extensive tools, FPGA IP, and in-house technical support staff.

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

The military continues to enhance its next-gen communications and network gear—on land, in the air and in space. Challenges of scalability are being addressed by embedded solutions.

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COTS Journal | April 2018

Network and Comms Advances Serve a Connected Military John Reardon, Publisher, COTS Journal

For more than a decade new the DoD has ramped up its efforts toward overhauling its networking and communications technology-advancing toward the goal of full interoperable operations. Although the term “network-centric operations” is less often voiced these days, that’s mostly because it’s become a given. Enhanced situational awareness and increased use of commercial technology is the focus of many of these technology development and funding activities. Defense communications technologies such as tactical radios and military satellite and network-centric communications are the key technologies driving this transition.

Both directly and indirectly the requirements of many of today’s U.S. military platforms are involved in communications or networking critical information between warfighters.

Net-centricity is a service-based architecture pattern for information sharing. Falling under the responsibility of the DoD’s Command, Control, Communications, Computer and In-

telligence (C4I) community, the ongoing plan is building joint architectures and roadmaps for integrating joint airborne networking capabilities with the evolving ground, maritime and space networks. It encompasses the development of technologies like gateways, waveforms, network management and information assurance. Feeding the needs of those systems are next-generation embedded computing solutions-in the form of single board computers, box-level systems and special-function subsystems-used to build sophisticated compute-intensive radio and network nodes-each suited for different environments, platforms and warfighter users.

Communications a Priority Despite this new era of tighter defense budgets many expect networking and comms related programs seem to survive reductions more than other segments. Part of that thinking is that in a reduced-sized military, the ability to

do more situational awareness and reconnaissance becomes more of a priority when forces are smaller or in a less active mode. The systems span across all the branches, and include programs like the Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) satellite and Wideband Global Satellite (WGS). Airborne comms systems are playing a role too, with technologies such as Link-16. Other programs play closer to the user like Tactical Radios and the Warfighter Information Network – Tactical (WIN-T).

Among the major spaced-based DoD communications programs are the Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF)-5, AEHF-6, Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO)-5 and GEO-6, and the upgraded GPS system: GPS III. Lockheed Martin’s Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) system. AEHF will be a constellation of communications satellites in geosynchronous orbit that will replenish the existing EHF system MILSTAR satellite at a much higher caCOTS Journal | April 2018

17

READER’S CHOICE

pacity and data rate capability. It will provide 24-hour low, medium and extended data rate satellite connectivity from 65 N to 65 S latitude worldwide. AEHF-1, AEHF-2, and AEHF-3 (Figure 1) are in orbit and operational.

Meanwhile the launch of AEHF-4 is planned for 2017; AEHF-5 and AEHF-6 are scheduled to replace AEHF-1 and AEHF-2 at the end of their useful life. The program’s funding includes selected MILSATCOM Space Modernization Initiative (SMI) development activities which are focused on inserting new technologies to replace obsolete parts and materials and to improve capabilities.

to the embedded computing market. Developments and deployments are moving ahead for the Warfighter Information Network- Tactical

2 (Inc 2) provides networking on-the-move to the company level. Increment 3 (Inc 3) provides Integrated Network Operations development.

General Micro Systems supplies the multi-domain boxes in several of all six of the WIN-T program’s ground vehicles. Themis Computer also supplies systems to the WIN-T program which were on board a WIN-T vehicle on display at this year’s AUSA 2016 show.

Among GMS’s latest offerings designed to serve WIN-T requirements is the SB2002-SW “Blackhawk” switch/router. The system boasts 20 managed ports, 64 Gbytes of RAM, removable storage, Cisco routing software, and high-level security in compact seven-pound box. The Blackhawk server supports the Xeon D processor with hyper-threading for a total of up to 16 logical cores (32 threads) in a single SoC device-12 cores in the extended-temperature version. Each core operates at up to 2.5GHz and can turbo boost up to 3.1GHz. The product is part of product line of deployable, rugged, small form-factor server systems, based on the Intel Xeon D processor.

Enhancing today’s existing GPS-II system, the GPS III space vehicles will be fully backward compatible with legacy signals while delivering new capabilities and enhancements to include a new Galileo-compatible signal (civil), a more powerful M-code (military) signal, and the possibility to on-ramp future capabilities. The GPS Next Generation Operational Control System (OCX) will enable operational use of all modernized GPS signals, as well as enabling improved New WIN-T Inc 2 PNT performance. The 2017 Capabilities DoD budget request calls for completion of GPS III Space Vehicle (SV) 01 and 02 for Figure 1: Lockheed Martin’s Advanced Extremely High Frequency system includes AEHF-1, AEHFEarlier this month available launch activities. 2, and AEHF-3 (shown) which are in orbit and operating—with AEHF-4’s launch planned for 2017. General Dynamics Mission It also funds the technology Systems announced that development and lead platnew and improved versions form integration of Military of two key Warfighter InforGPS User Equipment (MGUE) Increment 1.

(WIN-T), the Army’s high speed, high capability mation Network-Tactical (WIN-T) Increment backbone C4ISR network, linking Warfighters 2 capabilities have begun the test and evaluaWIN-T and Tactical Radios in the battlefield with the Global Information tion process at U.S. Army installations across Grid. WIN-T program development consists of the country. Integrated on HMMWVs (Figure The Command, Control, Communica- four increments. Increment 1 (Inc 1) provides 2) instead of five-ton FMTVs, both the Tactical tions, Computers, and Intelligence (C4I) Sys- “networking at the halt” by upgrading the Joint Communications Node-Lite (TCN-L) and the tems segment of the DoD’s comms/networking Network Node (JNN) satellite capability to ac- Network Operations and Security Center-Lite plans tends to have the most direct relevance cess the Wideband Global Satellite. Increment (NOSC-L) feature a greatly reduced footprint 18

COTS Journal | April 2018

tional awareness required in all domains of the battlespace. Link 16 is established as the prime tactical data link for U.S. and NATO forces and has been implemented through a diverse family of terminals (JTIDS / MIDS / URC-138) meeting all requirements of a variety of users, In 1996 BAE Systems and Rockwell Collins formed a joint LLC called Data Link Solutions pursue the next generation Link 16 applications.

Figure 2: Improved versions of two key WIN-T Inc 2 systems are integrated on HMMWVs instead of five-ton FMTVs. Both the TCN-L and the NOSC-L feature a greatly reduced footprint and improved transportability.

and improved transportability for expeditionary operations (C-130 roll-on/roll off and CH-47 sling loadable).

The TCN-L and NOSC-L provide the same networking and network management capability to command posts while reducing the complexity to install, operate and maintain the Army’s mobile tactical communications network.

According to U.S. Army, the new capabilities provide a more agile network capability and greater expeditionary reach. And the smaller footprint will result in reduced maintenance and logistics costs-a crucial factor in today’s resource-constrained environment.

Rate Production. It funds support safety, spectrum supportability, and other certifications necessary to prepare the products for fielding.

Funding is also including for the procurement of the Rifleman and the Manpack Radios, support equipment, fielding, non-recurring engineering, and platform vehicle integration.

DLS supplies of Link 16 terminals and software, with more than 3,000 Link 16 systems delivered. It also provided MIDS terminals for more than 40 different platforms in 28 different countries. And DLS is leading efforts to develop and test of the next generation of software defined MIDS terminals: MIDS Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) (Figure 3). The MIDS JTRS is a networked communications system providing a single chassis, multiple-channel radio that significantly reduces the number of different and unique radios needed on the battlefield. The MIDS JTRS is a four-channel JTRS radio that includes Link 16 and Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN) functionality.

DLS achieved a couple milestones in those efforts late last year. SPAWAR awarded Link 16 and MIDS JTRS DLS a contract to demonstrate the Multifunction Advanced Data Link (MADL) on the No discussion of military communications MIDS JTRS. The goal is to support the sharing is complete without including Link 16 and MIDS of mission-critical data to further bridge the and the transmission between the two. With a interoperability communications gap between couple decades under its belt Link 16 was the fifth-generation stealth aircraft and fourth-genfirst and is still today only communications data eration fighter jets. The enhanced communilink that offers the interoperability and situa- cations capabilities will allow fourth generation jets to receive more detailed information to improve situational awareness across the battlespace.

The demonstration used a MADL data link on a MIDS JTRS transceiver communicating with a fifth-generation stealth fighter reference implementation. DLS was also awarded a $51.8 million contract from SPAWAR MIDS JTRS to U.S. and coalition forces. This award included radios for U.S. platforms and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers.

Figure 3: The MIDS JTRS is a four-channel JTRS radio that includes Link 16 and Tactical Air Naviga-

Meanwhile in the tactical radio space-under the program name Handheld, Manpack, and Small Form Fit (HMS)-asks for funding that is necessary to execute the required full and open competition contract strategy for the Rifleman Radio and the Manpack radios. The budget request conducts testing for the Manpack and the Rifleman candidate products to demonstrate compliance with program requirements to assess effectiveness, suitability, and survivability and to obtain tion (TACAN) functionality. material release for Full

COTS Journal | April 2018

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SPECIAL FEATURE

ATR Enclosures – Stretching the Limits for OpenVPX Justin Moll, Vice President, US Market Development, Pixus Technologies

The trend for lower SWaP (Size, Weight, Power) for avionics and other ATR applications is well known. But, designers are also looking for ways to utilize 10, 12, and even 15 boards in one conduction-cooled system more often these days. Typically, these larger board slot sizes in an OpenVPX (or other architecture) would be utilized in a rugged 19” rackmount system. Yet, the designers are asking ATR developers to push the envelope for cooling and performance with the reliability and form factor of conduction-cooled solutions.

Thermal Characteristics Most OpenVPX ATR (Air Transport Rack or Austin Turnbull Radio) applications have performance demands that are continuously increasing to provide the capabilities for C4ISR, electronic warfare, RADAR, and similar systems. This typically means hotter boards. The challenge for the chassis designer is cool these heat-intensive modules effectively and do it in as little space as possible.

Even as processors are providing more performance with lower TDP (Thermal Design Power), the desire for higher wattage boards in conduction-cooled ATRs remains. It is not uncommon for OpenVPX boards to be selected that range from 75-110W. Where an external air source is supplied, it helps the chassis provider with a lot more options to cool the chassis. But, more commonly the chassis would need to generate its own supplemental airflow with fans. On the higher end of the spectrum, some OpenVPX ATR design requirements are ranging from 500-800W. These designs often have several 20

COTS Journal | April 2018

cards with 7-12 payload boards. The unit can utilize multiple heat exchangers in an external shell that encompasses the internal sealed frame. The airflow passes over the fins and is pulled out the rear of the system. At times, heat pipes can be utilized that allow additional focused airflow in hot spots.

FloTherm thermal simulations can give indications

of where minor adjustments can be made to provide optimal cooling. For example, the chassis/backplane designer can widen the spacing of the slots, change the fan configuration, use wider fins, or change the enclosure dimensions slightly. In fact, there are several elements that the chassis manufacturer needs to review to optimize the cooling. This includes: • Chassis Material & Finish • Fin characteristics • Ambient temperature, altitude, humidity • Cold plate temperature • Wall thicknesses • Size of the enclosure • Slot spacing Figure 1 is an example of simulation of a 8 slot OpenVPX ATR with 2 VITA 62 PSU slots. After simulation, tweaks were performed to optimize the cooling of a 625W requirement.

The example mentioned above was for an applications where supplemental airflow was allowed. There are many designs where fans are not allowed, whether due to MTBF concerns, enough available air available, or other concerns. When the ATR provides only natural convection, the board wattage options are limited. Many years Figure 1: Larger OpenVPX systems are hitting challenging ago, a typical fanless thermal requirements, including versions above 700W. More thermal simATR enclosure’s slots ulation and design tweaking is common to meet optical thermal performance. would typically max at

about 20W each. However, OpenVPX customers often want a processor and an FGPA that may be 45W or more, for example. With a VITA 62 PSU inside, that doesn’t leave a lot of headroom for many other modules in a 3U OpenVPX system. Without any supplemental airflow, cooling even these mid-grade modules is challenging, especially when there are strict size constraints.

Even with a very small enclosure with lower wattage boards, the thermal demands can be challenging. Figure 2 shows a model of a ½ ATR for 3U OpenVPX boards in a 3-slot size.

The chassis can dissipate at least 125W in a very compact size in a natural convection format. With the small size, fanless design, and strict ½ ATR width, even 125W can be a challenge. In this design example, a rear-loaded approach was utilized for extra reliability and stability of the system as well as preventing too sharp a bend radius in the cabling to the front panel.

The board spacing of 3U OpenVPX does not allow much space to widen the fins for enhanced heat dissipation in the ½ ATR size (4.88”). Therefore, fine-tuning the other variables becomes increasingly important.

Once again, performing thermal simulation can help a designer optimize the design.

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COTS Journal | April 2018

The Big Get Bigger and the Small Get Smaller Both ends of the spectrum have been illustrated for cooling 3U OpenVPX ATRs. With tight space constraints, the demand for a compact enclosure size requires precision in balancing the chassis design, I/O configuration, and cooling techniques that are utilized. Going to the other extreme, for applications that have more space for a larger system and can allow the use of Figure 2: When available space is minimal as in this fanless 3+1 slot 3U OpenVPX fans, users can load ½ ATR, optimizing the space utilized to provide a rugged and stable I/O solution is several 3U modules critical. with higher wattages that are reaching up to 800W. With a simulation, optimized OpenVPX solutions are modular design approach and using thermal within reach.

SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT

Open Source’s Role in The Evolution of Military IOT Tim Mackey, Evangelist, Black Duck by Synopsys

Secure, real-time communication technology is essential for military Internet of Things (IoT) applications—and Open Source is a critical element.

Network connected devices are creating an immersive world where people control and interact with their environments in ways we only imagined a few short years ago. These Internet of Things (IoT) devices are powered by a complex array of software, embedded technologies and digital communications standards, all enabled by open source software.

In 2010, Ericsson’s former CEO Hans Vestburg famously stated that by 2020, more than 50 billion intelligent devices will comprise the IoT, each exchanging information over the internet. While some analysts may debate the quantity of deployed devices, no one can argue that the proliferation of internet-enabled thermostats, security devices, smart televisions, personal health monitors, and wireless vehicle interfaces has changed how people interact with their environment.

The concept of keeping software “open” was introduced more than 30 years ago, and the adoption of free and open source software has been accelerating ever since. Today, open source components and libraries are used to create applications across every industry in organizations of all sizes. The reasons are straightforward — access to open source components lowers development costs, speeds time to market, accelerates innovation, and developer productivity while providing tangible value.

Each year, the Black Duck by Synopsys On-Demand audit services group conducts open source audits on thousands of applications for its customers — primarily in conjunction with the technical due-diligence requirements of merger and acquisition transactions — and uses the anonymized data to issue a report on the current state of open source security. In the 2018 report, unsurprisingly, given the prevalence of open source and its ability to accelerate time to market; its use is pervasive in IoT devices. Seventy-seven percent of

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COTS Journal | April 2018

the codebases of IoT applications audited by the Black Duck teams comprised open source components, with an amazing 677 unpatched vulnerabilities per application.

It’s important to note that open source code fundamentally is neither more nor less secure than proprietary code. However, there are certain characteristics of open source development that make vulnerabilities in popular components very attractive to attackers. The most significant challenge facing open source security is the perception that “open source components are free.” While its correct that no currency exchange is required, when a component is downloaded and embedded into an application, that component then becomes a critical element of the application.

Unless a relationship is maintained with the source of the download, or with the development community, a downloader may be unaware of the patch when a security update is released. This then creates a problem where applications dependent upon open source components can go years without patches. It’s also worth noting that vulnerabilities—as well as exploits—are regularly disclosed through sources like the National Vulnerability Database (NVD), mailing lists, and project home pages – all of which require application owners to proactively subscribe to these sources.

As systems become increasingly connected, additional security exposures are created.

More connections mean more pathways and attack vectors that could be exploited by a hacker — especially when a system’s own designers are not aware that those pathways and associated attack surface even exist, as is often the case with the use of vulnerable open source components.

As products with the ability to connect to the internet become available, hackers have learned how to access data through new—and

sometimes dangerous—ways. In an example of an IoT device being used in a physical attack, two security researchers revealed at Black Hat 2017 that they could hack internet-connected car washes to close entry and exit doors, locking a vehicle and its inhabitants inside the wash chamber while causing mechanical arms to strike the vehicle. If the driver tried to escape, the attackers could repeatedly open and close the wash bay doors as the car attempted to exit, damaging the vehicle and potentially injuring its occupants.

A Security Breach as Easy as 12345 That demonstration hack wasn’t through a vulnerability. The researchers found an easy backdoor to access the online system they broke into—the default admin password, which was “12345.” The security lapse is a good reminder for consumers to practice cyber hygiene and change default passwords immediately when setting up a new system, especially one that will be joining the wild kingdom of the IoT. And before taking a device to market, IoT manufacturers should require that its default password be changed at setup and should put processes in place to scan for information leakage in a device’s software to identify information that shouldn’t be let outside the organization or its software supply chain.

The researchers who demonstrated the car wash hack also turned their attention to medical pacemakers in 2017. They acquired hardware and supporting software for four brands of pacemakers and looked for weaknesses in architecture and execution. One of the chief

issues noted in the paper they published was one the Black Duck On-Demand team sees frequently — unpatched software libraries.

All four pacemakers the researchers examined contained open source components, and roughly 50% of all those components included vulnerabilities.

IoT Manufacturers—Be Ready to Patch What You Sell The problem is not just about open source.

The NVD alone listed 14,700 vulnerabilities in 2017. Other reports placed 2017 vulnerability disclosure counts at over 20,000, with nearly 5,000 of those flying under the NVD radar. More than 4,800 of those disclosures were related to open source components. The numbers make it strikingly clear that any organization planning to use IoT technology needs to examine the software ecosystem it uses to deliver a device’s features, account for open source identification and management as well as examining custom source code for vulnerabilities and put a process in place to push out patches and updates as vulnerabilities are disclosed.

If not already in place, vendors must develop the expertise and capability to patch the software in what they sell. IoT devices must be designed to allow firmware upgrades easily— which is currently not the case for many devices (such as Wi-Fi routers) in use today. More companies need to follow the model set by IoT devices managed by well-known companies — such as Samsung, Nest, Tesla, Apple, Google, and Amazon — which have teams dedicated to their IoT infrastructure, respond to security

researchers, and often push updates on their own initiative.

Of course, most of the security failures plaguing IoT products could be avoided by “building security in” from the start of the design phase throughout the development life cycle. But, even that wouldn’t eliminate every vulnerability. It’s not just vendors and developers who need security expertise, but IoT platform manufacturers as well.

Importantly, we need to recognize that it’s unlikely to be cost effective to build worldclass security into every connected device.

Device consumers expect cost effective functionality, and device makers can’t sell great security as a product feature while passing security costs on to the customer. For example, an IoT toothbrush with a secure platform could cost millions to develop and maintain. Assuming you have a need for it, if you’re going to buy a connected toothbrush, are you going to spend your money on a $400 toothbrush with state-of-the art security versus a lower-cost option with uncertain security?

While an argument can be made that a big difference exists between insecure connected toothbrushes, security cameras, and connected car washes, the reality is each of these has a user defined life cycle and can be used to carry out DDoS attacks. Each of these are also more likely to be developed and marketed by vendors for whom secure software development is secondary to time to market. Prioritizing which device needs more security, and implementing that security effectively, will be the challenge.

COTS Journal | April 2018

25

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

n High temperature operation

Key Challenges

n Weight, size and performance n Redundant output from different

input voltage sources

Advantages of a Vicor Solution

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

Low weight increases payload available

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

High efficiency simplifies cooling

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

April 2018

COT’S PICKS

SynQor® Releases an Advanced Military-Grade Compact 4 kW Inverter (MINV-4000) Converts 28 Vdc Input to Single Phase AC Output (115 or 230 Vrms at 50, 60 or 400 Hz), Multi-Unit Capabilities allow Parallel, Redundant and 3-Phase Systems, Sealed, Shock-Proof, Weather-Proof Construction 1U Rack Unit, Ultra-Low Weight (32 lbs.)

The new 4000 W 115/230 AC fully isolated, low weight, easy to use inverter is designed for military, field and mobile high-reliability applications. This military-grade inverter is designed to withstand the harshest and extreme electrical, shock/vibration and environmental conditions. The inverter draws power from a standard 28 Vdc power supply and delivers an isolated, clean, well-conditioned, pure-sinusoidal AC output. Compliant with a wide range of military standards, this inverter is designed for applications where output power, space, weight and reliability in harsh environments are a major concern.

The MINV inverter is also extremely flexible.

The MINV supports parallel and N+M redundant

configurations of up to 32 units for high power and/or high reliability requirements. Multiple MINV units can be arranged to deliver complex multiphase power schemes like, 3-phase and splitphase (doubling line-to-line output voltage and total output power). The MINV can also be combined with SynQor’s 3-Phase Military Power Supply (MPS-4000) to create a 3-Phase to Single-Phase AC Changer for applications that require: a well-balanced 3-phase input current, a well-conditioned, clean single-phase AC output or a single-phase AC output with different voltage and/or frequency characteristics.

Systel To Launch New Fully Rugged Small Form Factor Mission Computer At Sea Air Space 2018 Exposition Falcon-Strike: Best-In-Class Rugged Multi-Sensor Mission Computer

Options for the MINV include: an SNMP Ethernet base module that allows configuration via a user-friendly web interface and real time remote monitoring with trap/email features that warn users and monitoring consoles of important system events; a wide range of AC output characteristics (115 or 230 Vrms at 50, 60 or 400 Hz); a floating ground option for naval and aerospace applications; and an electronic AC output breaker that allows users to build fault-tolerant, dependable, redundant, high-output power solutions.

Systel, Inc., an industry leader in rugged computing is unveiling Falcon-Strike – a best of breed multi-mission embedded system.

The MINV and all of its internal electronic subassemblies are designed and manufactured by SynQor in its US facilities.

“Falcon-Strike exceeds the technology challenges and performance specifications demanded by modern Defense programs and platforms,” says Aneesh Kothari, vice president of marketing for Systel. “It provides an unmatched processing combination of high performance CPU and GPU, ultra-efficient multi-sensor capture and encode, I/O and board scalability, and secure storage – all in a SWaP optimized, single Line Replaceable Unit.”

SynQor www.synqor.com

Features

Specification Compliance

• 28 Vdc to single-phase AC (4 kW 115 or 230 Vrms at 50, 60 or 400 Hz) • Pure sinusoidal, well-formed AC output for 0.0-1.0 power factor linear/nonlinear loads • Parallel and N+M redundant power solutions of up to 32 units • Rugged, sealed, weather-proof, shock-proof, wide temperature range -40 to +55 °C • Compact, ultra-low weight, 1U high rack-mount unit (17” x 22.25” x 1.73”; 32 lbs.)

• MIL-STD-1399-300B • MIL-STD-810G • MIL-STD-461F • MIL-STD-704F • MIL-STD-1275D

Falcon-Strike is a fully rugged, high-performance, multi-mission ISR and ISTAR solution.

Redefining high density computing, Falcon-Strike boasts a rich feature set of computer, video, network, and storage in an extreme small form factor embedded package, providing a single mission processing and network backbone.

Falcon-Strike provides ultra-dense embedded capability and a force-multiplier capacity in a single system. It is fully sealed and certified to multiple environmental standards for unlimited platform integration and deployment capability.

Falcon is optimized for major mission management software and delivers the ability to ingest and encode multiple sensor inputs in a compliant format for distribution, consumption, and storage.

Systel, Inc. www.systelinc.com

COTS Journal | April 2018

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April 2018

COT’S PICKS

North Atlantic Industries announces the release of Latest Generation of Analog-to-Digital Function Modules Select a low voltage, high voltage or current function module for your application

North Atlantic Industries, Inc. (NAI), a leading independent supplier of COTS and Modified COTS embedded electronic solutions worldwide, announces the availability of the AD1, AD2 and AD3 Analog-to-Digital (A/D) function modules.

Modules AD1, AD2 and AD3 are 12- channel A/D module(s) with (up to) 24-bit Sigma-Delta A/D converters for each individual channel with maximum programmable expected full-scale range inputs of 10V, 100V, and ±25 mA (current only) respectively.

The A/D converters provide simultaneous,

programmable sample rates of up to 256 kHz. Each A/D module provides field programmable input range and gain for each channel. The ability to set lower than expected, full-scale voltage gain

ranges assures the use of the full resolution. Each channel includes an anti-aliasing filter with an inherent digital “brick wall” filter and a digital second-order IIR low-pass filter with a programmable breakpoint that enables users to field-adjust the filtering for each channel. All channels

New industrial-grade thermal imager

metal spin forming, waste incinerators, and boilers.

Fluke Process Instruments presents a new line of thermal imagers with integrated visible-light cameras: ThermoView TV40. The fixed-installation imagers enable 24/7 temperature monitoring in a -10 °C to 1200 °C range. Developed to meet today’s demanding industrial automation and military requirements, they support GigE streaming of images, automatic alarms, analysis and archiving. Images from multiple devices can be combined for display and analysis. Various field-interchangeable lens options are available, including wide-angle lenses. The imagers can be used to monitor applications such as press hardening, brake testing, lime kiln shells,

They capture images at 9 or 60 frames/sec.

Currently, the series comprises two models with a

have continuous background Built-In-Test (BIT).

The modules also include extended A/D FIFO buffering capabilities for greater storage/management of the incoming signal samples (data) for post processing applications. Programmable FIFO buffer thresholds maximize data flow control (in and out of the FIFO). Incremental relative time-stamping between samples is also provided as a programmable option.

“The A/D function modules are part of a group of over 40 unique function modules.” states Lino Massafra, VP of Sales and Marketing.

“Our modules can be used with any of our latest generation multifunction I/O and SBC cards and in our Sensor Interface Unit systems to offer our customers the widest array and highest density of I/O in the industry.”

North Atlantic Industries, Inc. www.naii.com

320 x 240 pixel or 640 x 480 pixel resolution, with more models to follow. The cameras can be configured and controlled via the internet. They feature a remote motorized focus. Thermal and visible-light images can be overlayed for easy camera alignment. Users can set independent emissivity values and alarm conditions for various areas of interest.

Featuring a built-in lens, the standard ThermoView TV40 thermal imagers have no external moving parts. Housed in an IP67-rated aluminum casing, they tolerate ambient temperatures up to 50 °C without and up to 200 °C with an additional cooling enclosure.

Fluke Process Instruments www.flukeprocessinstruments.com

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

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

ORBIT POWER GROUP Behlman Electronics www.behlman.com • 631-435-0410 • sales@behlman.com 28

COTS Journal | April 2018

April 2018

COT’S PICKS

Abaco Announces Industry’s First 3U VPX Solution to Feature new Xilinx RF System-on-Chip Technology

• Reduces slot count by one fourth for comparable performance • Very high density with eight ADC (4GSPS) and eight DAC (6.4GSPS) synchronized channels • FPGA fabric and ARM CPU tightly connected to RF front end • Adds to Abaco’s extensive 3U VPX ecosystem The VP430 Direct RF Processing System from Abaco is the first 3U VPX COTS solution to feature the all new Xilinx® ZU27DR RF systemon-chip (RFSoC) technology. It is also one of the densest analog FPGA DSP boards available, with eight ADC and DAC synchronized channels, and features the ability to synchronize multiple boards for even larger system applications.

When combined with Abaco’s extensive portfolio of leading edge 3U VPX multi-architecture processing boards including single board computers and graphics processor units, the VP430 enables complete systems to be built from high performance, interoperable COTS (commercial off-the-shelf) components.

Designed for advanced electronic warfare applications including MIMO (multiple input/ output), beamforming, sensor processing and radar signal processing, the VP430 is a major step

Raytheon digital radar warning receiver for allied electronic warfare (EW) Raytheon Self Protect Systems segment in Goleta, Calif., will build AN/ALR-69A digital radar

forward in performance and density, enabling the use of fewer boards and much less power while delivering increased processing throughput. In fact, for comparable capability, it occupies one fourth of the slots that earlier generation solutions would require.

The VP430 includes the option to be built with a FireFly™ 8-channel VITA 66.4 fiber optic interface for transfers of greater than 12 GBps for applications in which the throughput of the native VPX PCI Express® Gen3 data plane is inadequate or when a remote client requires streaming data.

Responding to the cost- and complexity challenge of RF systems with multiple channels - more channels means more expensive and large RF signal up/down conversion and signal conditioning - the VP430 enables direct RF sampling which can be implemented in the digital domain, bringing greater flexibility to the signal processing chain.

Additionally, simplified integration with RF sampling devices removes the complexity of JESD204B high speed serial interfaces “The VP430 exemplifies our commitment to delivering state-of-the-art products for DSP applications so our customers can be the first to deployment with their solutions,” said Haydn Nelson, Director of Product Management, RF and DSP at Abaco. “By reducing the RF signal chain complexity and leveraging heterogeneous processing

warning receiver systems necessary to support foreign military sales production.

The ALR-69A all-digital radar warning receiver is designed to enhance aircrew survivability and situational awareness by warning the crew of the presence of enemy search and missile-targeting radar.

The system is being tested on the F-16 jet fighter, and is being installed on the U.S. Air Force C-130H utility turboprop aircraft and KC-46A aerial refueling aircraft. The ALR-69A is compatible with virtually any aircraft, Raytheon officials say.

Raytheon producing radar warning receiver systems for Air Force The system can suppress enemy air defenses, provides enhanced spectral and spatial coverage for high-sensitivity detection in dense signal environments, and offers single-ship geolocation. This contract calls for Raytheon to build, test, and deliver line-replaceable units and shop-replaceable units.

capabilities, the VP430 empowers our customers to maximize input/output channel density and offload data more efficiently without having to sacrifice onboard signal processing capabilities.”

“Xilinx is excited to be able to offer the revolutionary RFSoC technology to our radar customers,” said David Gamba, Xilinx Senior Director of the Aerospace and Defense Vertical Market. “These devices provide unrivaled levels of system performance, flexibility and scalability – all critical factors for next generation radar systems which typically have decades-long deployments.”

Abaco www.abaco.com

The ALR-69A(V) uses advanced broadband digital receiver technology and an open architecture design, which enables cross-platform commonality, improved spectral and spatial coverage, and integration with other electronic countermeasures or radar systems.

The system relies on commercial off-theshelf (COTS) components to enable expansion or upgrades. The 16-channel broadband receiver can be reconfigured to support future applications, and as data converter technology continues to improve, users can boost response time and dynamic range by replacing a digital circuit card.

Extra, pre-wired card slots enable interfaces to any electronic countermeasure or radar system, Raytheon officials say.

Raytheon www.raytheon.com

COTS Journal | April 2018

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April 2018

COT’S PICKS

OpenVPX Platform Accelerates Development of Boards for DoD Tri-Service Convergence Initiative

System includes new SOSA slot profiles developed for C4ISR convergence program Technical Highlights • Helps optimize technology reuse across DoD programs • 12-slot 3U OpenVPX backplane provides 10GBase-KR board-to-board signaling with aggregated port speeds to 40G • Accommodates boards with latest VITA 65.0-2017 slot profiles for target application development • Chassis supports conduction-cooled cards with open access for test To support the rapidly developing activities begun under the C4ISR Modular Open Suite of Standards (CMOSS) initiative, Elma Electronic has released a 3U OpenVPX Convergence Development Platform. The new platform serves as a complete test environment to enable the integrated development of common, modular hardware architectures across critical C4ISR and EW systems.

Built on Elma’s sturdy, easy-access E-frame test chassis, the new development platform enables system engineers to test a range of boards that meet profiles designed for use in various DoD program requirements, significantly streamlining engineering efforts and reducing time and cost to deployment.

Ken Grob, director, embedded computing business development, for Elma, noted, ”The military’s shift towards modular, open standards-based hardware and software is fueling the need for reliable methods to quickly test hardware components across different platforms. This new development kit enables system developers to cost-effectively test and validate a wide number of hardware configurations.“ This new development system can be seen at several upcoming industry events: AUSA Global Forces (March 26-28, booth #233); Sea-Air-Space (April 9-11, booth #CB111); SPIE Defense & Security (April 17-19; booth #1624).

Initially, separate program efforts were undertaken by the US Army under CERDEC (CMOSS), the U.S. Navy under NAVAIR (HOST) and the Air Force under AFLCMC (SOSA) to move away from costly proprietary systems to COTS-based open 30

COTS Journal | April 2018

standards. Each initiative was created to facilitate the development of interoperable systems across several defense branches to improve subsystem SWaP, enable rapid technology insertion and promote reuse.

Now managed entirely under SOSA, this collection of open architecture hardware and software standards is aimed at providing reconfigurable, upgradeable and cost-effective C4ISR capabilities in deployed platforms across sensor applications throughout all major military branches.

One of the tasks of the SOSA and HOST working groups is to define 3U and 6U slot profiles required to build OpenVPX-based subsystems for the tri-service convergence initiative. The first series of profiles was developed and submitted for inclusion in the VITA 65.0-2017 specification. Additional 3U and 6U profiles are being developed to take advantage of the new VITA 67.3 connectors to meet the needs of SIGINT, EW and SDR system requirements.

With this set of profiles, Elma’s Convergence Development Platform is ideal for developing C4ISR systems used in ground vehicles, unmanned systems, command centers and other mission critical environments. The heart of the platform is a 3U 12-slot OpenVPX backplane that meets VITA 65.0-2017 backplane profile BKP3-TIM12-15.3.6-n.

It supports all the SOSA-developed VPX slot profiles, with aperture installation options for high speed RF (VITA 67.3) and optical I/O. The boards included for development also meet the new profiles: two SBCs, one with an Intel Core i7 processor and one using an Intel Xeon processor, as well as a 10/40 GigE Ethernet switch. A network timing slot provides IEEE 1588 radial support for precision network timing and synchronization, with timing card options available.

Elma’s Type 39 E-Frame chassis provides open access for easy board testing and troubleshooting. It supports both air and conduction cooled board configurations. Dual, high wattage 3U VPX pluggable power supply units are also included.

The modular, building block design of the backplane streamlines a path to the required configuration. End users can identify a subset of the slot profiles they will need for a cost-effective backplane suited to the end application.

Elma Electronic Inc. www.elma.com

Elma’s Open VPX CMOSS Backplane Supporting the DoD C4ISR Modular Open Suite of Standards for hardware convergence

With you at every stage!

Elma Electronic Inc., USA elma.com

April 2018

COT’S PICKS DoD-compliant Removable Storage Module Added to Aitech’s Low Power, High Performance Rugged Compact PC (RCP) • Removable mass storage offers quick/secure erase (DoD 5220.22-M) and unrecoverable data destruct • WaP-optimized at less than 5 lbs (2.25 kg) in compact, low-profile housing • Added reliability features include TPM and 50ms power holdup options • Available in standard models or cost-effectively customized for specific applications Chatsworth, Calif. February 2018 – Aitech Defense Systems Inc. now offers its A172, a low-power, high performance rugged compact PC (RCP) with a removable storage module that meets DoD 5220.22M for quick/secure erase. The 1 TB, secure SSD offers MLC and SLC NAND Flash as well as a sustainable read/write speed of up to 400 MB/sec.

The low-profile A172 is a compact 10.24” x 7.09” x 1.8” (260 mm x 180 mm x 46 mm), featuring a powerful Intel Core i7 or Xeon processor and multiple standardized modules. Easily customizable I/O, CPU, storage and operating system options enable the unit to be cost-effectively engineered for specific application requirements.

In addition, the RCP offers added design flexibility with DVI and RS-170A RGBHV video output options, optional WiFi and frame grabber video

Crystal Group’s rugged, reliable 1.5U server provides immediate, low-risk upgrade to boost readiness and availability of essential military systems Crystal Group Inc., a leading designer/manufacturer of rugged computer hardware, is unveiling its RS1.533S18G Rugged 1.5U Server, specifically engineered to meet modern military needs for high-performance, highly reliable computing in even extreme operating environments.

The all-new Crystal Group RS1.533S18G Rugged 1.5U Server is a modern, open-architecture system in an all-aluminum chassis with internal cross-braces and stabilized components to withstand high shock and vibration. Flexible and scalable, the RS1.533S18G is designed to meet current

inputs as well as TPM (trusted platform management) and a 50 ms holdup option for increased system reliability.

Available with three Intel processor options and two standard I/O versions, the modular A172 can be configured to handle several data processing environments, especially in high impact, space-constrained applications that need high throughput and secure storage. These typically include manned and unmanned robotic ground and underwater vehicles (UGV/UUV) as well as manned and unmanned fixed- and rotary-wing airborne (UAV) platforms.

The RCP can also be used in complete mission computers for these types of unmanned vehicles.

Designed using a standard Type 6 COM Express module, the flexible A172 can be customized with specific processor types for less complex system integration. Equally as important, this facilitates cost-effective technology insertion upgrades as needed.

The rugged unit offers two standard I/O variants, with user-specific configurations available.

Options include up to four independent Gigabit Ethernet interfaces, four USB 2.0 interfaces and eight serial ports with multiple RS232, RS422 or RS485 configurations as well as two CANbus and eight single-ended, buffered LVTTL discrete digital I/O ports. Two single link DVI outputs and an audio line with stereo in/out round out the available I/O. An optional frame grabber provides up to eight channels of composite PAL/NTSC inputs,

and future needs with dual Intel® processors, up to 512GB of DDR4 memory, up to nine removable solid-state disks (SSDs), and USB 3.0, audio, and Gigabit LAN interfaces.

“Crystal Group’s RS1.533S18G Rugged 1.5U Server is a modern, high-performance alternative to the U.S. Navy’s current combat and electronic warfare server employed in Virginia-class submarines,” says Robert Haag, vice president of sales and marketing for Crystal Group. “An immediate, cost-effective, drop-in replacement requiring no physical, electrical, or software modifications, the RS1.533S18G delivers improved reliability, greater weapon system availability, superior cooling, and

capturing all channels simultaneously, for image capture and stabilization with or without graphics overlays. This aids in ISR red/blue force tracking and threat assessment.

The unit includes two standard mini PCIe slots and two mSATA sites to further increase system functionality and optional internal SSDs provide data capture and sensor logging.

Operating systems include 64-bit Windows (7 and 10), Linux, VxWorks, custom or no OS preinstalled as ordering options. Cadmium-free units can also be chosen.

The IP65 environmental sealing and natural convection cooling contribute to the A172’s ability to withstand harsh, rugged environments.

With an integrated power input line filter and supporting a wide input voltage range from 10 VDC to 32 VDC, the A172 increases system power flexibility. The input is also MIL-STD-704 and MILSTD-1275 compliant for power and electrical integrity across the entire voltage range. Operating temperature is -40°C to +65°C (-40°F to +149°F).

An optional developer’s kit provides a universal AC/DC power supply, all fully terminated cables with industry standard connectors and a CD-ROM with software drivers to facilitate immediate, outof-the-box development.

Raytheon www.raytheon.com

a smaller integrated logistic support footprint to maintain operational readiness today and in the future.”

Crystal Group’s RS1.533S18G is designed, meticulously manufactured, and tested to provide a low-risk path for military technology insertion, sustainment, and modernization programs to improve mission uptime and system availability in the field and at the tactical edge. Measuring just 18 inches deep and weighing 25 to 30 pounds, the new rackmount server can quickly and easily replace aging systems in 1.5U/1U configurations, including Q-70 Navy consoles on current and future Virginia-class submarines.

Crystal Group Inc. www.crystalrugged.com

COTS Journal | April 2018

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April 2018

COT’S PICKS

ADLINK Introduces High-Performance Combination of PCI/104-Express Type 1 (PCIe x16) Stackable Bus Structure and 6th Gen Intel® Processors

In the Latest Single Board Computer™ Core CMx-SLx advances the PC/104 form factor for mission critical solutions by offering lower power consumption, improved compute performance, and rugged design for longevity and operation in extreme environment 2017/09/01

“The CMx-SLx is designed to address application requirements that demand intensive computing and graphics, high-speed I/O and improved memory bandwidth,” said Bjoern Reiss, product manager in the Embedded Platform and Modules business unit at ADLINK. “Unlike prior single board computers, this product offers advanced CPU and I/O performance and supports onboard DDR4 ECC memory, making it the perfect solution for many high-performance applications.”

ADLINK Technology, Inc., a global provider of leading edge computing solutions that drive data-to-decision applications across industries, has introduced a new PCI/104-Express, Single Board Computer (SBC) featuring 6th Gen Intel® Core™ processors and supporting up to 16 GB of DDR4-ECC soldered memory. The CMx-SLx delivers ruggedness by design and offers an extended lifecycle for industrial automation, transportation, energy, and defense applications requiring ultra-rugged stability with the added benefit of lower power consumption.

The ADLINK CMx-SLx provides three digital display interface channels, which support one Micro HDMI port, one MiniDP port, and one 18/24-bit single channel LVDS port. The CMx-SLx also features configurable expansion capabilities with four PCIe x1 ports and one PCIe x16 (PEG) port. Other features include two Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports, two SATA 3.0 ports, one onboard SATA SSD, one USB 3.1 port, up to six USB 2.0 ports, two RS-232 COM ports, eight GPIOs, and Intel® HD Audio integrated via the DisplayPort and HDMI ports.

BittWare Announces SmartNIC Shell for Building FPGA-powered 100G NICs

avoid the time-consuming process of building core NIC functions into an FPGA, allowing them to focus resources on their own application.

Supports DPDK, Xilinx SDNet, P4 Programming, User Customizations, and Timestamping BittWare announced SmartNIC Shell, a suite of IP modules for building 100G network interface controllers (NICs) using FPGAs for hardware packet processing. Users can fully customize Shell components, including a Match/Action pipeline with features including Xilinx SDNet support and the P4 network programming language. For host application interaction the Arkville DPDK IPis integrated for kernel bypass. SmartNIC Shell allows teams to

“We built the SmartNIC Shell because we noticed that many of our customers spend half their development time creating a networking shell,” said Craig Lund, Vice-President Network Products, BittWare. “All of that development time should be going into their own product’s unique value instead.”

The SmartNIC Shell is targeted at low-profile and standard-height BittWare boards using Xilinx UltraScale+ FPGAs. The initial release provides

Designed to withstand 50G shock and 12G vibration per MIL-STD-202F, and with an extended operating temperature range of -40°C to +85°C, the CMx-SLx is ideally suited for operation in harsh environments. The CMx-SLx also includes built-in SEMA (Smart Embedded Management Agent) platform functionality for easy integration of hardware monitoring and control.

ADLINK Technology, Inc www.adlinktech.com

1x 100GbE and DPDK host interaction through the PCIe Gen3 x16 interface. DPDK kernel bypass utilizes the Arkville IP core and provides dropless data transfer though an UltraRAM FIFO buffer on the FPGA. Precision timestamping is also provided including 1588-compatible clock adjustments using TimeServo IP. Unique to SmartNIC shell is the Match/Action pipeline. This area has several built-in functions and users can build their own. Packets are labelled in metadata in the Match blocks, and then Actions are applied based on those labels. Included functions are a DPDK-compatible L2 match for ultra-low latency pattern matching and the Xilinx SDNet environment with support for the P4 network programming language.

With the rapid growth in demand for high-bandwidth networking, more FPGA solutions will be required for applications like cyber security and 5G. BittWare’s new SmartNIC Shell offers teams creating solutions for these applications a new alternative to creating their own network stack, allowing them to better focus their resources and get to market faster.

BittWare www.bittware.com

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COTS Journal | April 2018

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

COTS COTS

ADVERTISERS

Company Page# Website Behlman Electronics ............................................ 15, 28 .............................................. www.behlman.com Chassis Plans ......................................................

5 ....................................... www.chassisplans.com

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

30 .................................................... www.elma.com

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

33 ...................................... www.gala.converter.com

Interface Concept ................................................. 34 .................................. www.interfaceconcept.com

Index

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

4

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

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

IFC ...................................................... www.nail.com

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

9 ................................... www.onestopsystems.com

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

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

Phoenix International ..........................................

22 ............................................ www.phoenixint.com

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

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

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

23 ......................................... www.supermicrot.com

SynQor .................................................................

IBC .................................................. www.SynQor.com

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

33 ............................................ www.trident-sff.com

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

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

COTS Journal (ISSN#1526-4653) is published monthly at; 905 Calle Amanecer, Suite 150, San Clemente, CA 92673.

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

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to COTS Journal, 905 Calle Amanecer, Ste. 150, San Clemente, CA 92673.

IC-FEP-VPX3d

Kintex® UltraScale™ FPGA 3U VPX board with FMC+

Based on the latest Xilinx 20nm FPGA family, the IC-FEP-VPX3d enhances the front-end processing (FEP) product line of Interface Concept.

By offering a better performance/power consumption ratio compared to the previous FPGA, the Kintex® UltraScale™ FPGA makes the IC-FEP-VPX3d the perfect solution to applications requiring DSP intensive processing in a 3U VPX form factor.

The IC-FEP-VPX3d and the other building blocks (Intel® and PowerPC SBCs, Ethernet Switches & Routers, FMC) running our Signal Processing Reference Design are the ideal platforms for customers who want to streamline development by concentrating their efforts on their most strategical tasks.

VPX Interfaces Processing Unit - Four 4-lanes fabric ports on P1/P2 ® Kintex UltraScale™ KU060, KU85 or KU115 - 4 * GTH x4 (Fat Pipes P1A, P1B, P1C (*) & P1D (*) ) Two banks of DDR4: 64-bit wide, up to 4GB each - 2 * GTH x4 (Fat Pipes P2C (*) & P2D (*) ) 3 * 128 MBytes of QSPI flash (bitstreams storage) (*) depending on FPGA models 1 * 128 MBytes of QSPI flash (User Data storage) - General purpose IOs - 16 differential pairs from FPGA onb P2

29000 QUIMPER FRANCE Tel. +33(0) 2 98 57 30 30 info@interfaceconcept.com 34

COTS Journal | April 2018

HIGH VOLTAGE ADJUSTABLE OUTPUT MODULES DC-DC Converters 100-1500 VDC Output

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High Voltage Isolated 100 to 1500 VDC Output Adjustable, Down To 0 VDC Output Output Power 3 Watts Miniature Design: 1.1” x 0.8” x 0.4” ht.

12 grams Typical Weight Surface Mount & Thru Hole Models Available Output Center Tap for Dual Output Use Input/Output and Over/Under Voltage Protection Over Temperature Protection Fully Encapsulated for Use In Rugged Environments Military Screening Options per Selected MIL-STD-883 Methods with Expanded Operating Temperatures Available, -40˚ to +85˚C For full characteristics of these and the entire PICO product line, see PICO’s full line catalog on our NEW Website at

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E Mail: info@picoelectronics.com