COTS Journal September, 2024

September 2024, Volume 26 - Number 9 • cotsjournalonline.com

The Journal of Military Electronics & Computing

JOURNAL

New Low-Phase-Noise High-Stability MEMS Super-TCXOs Replace Quartz OCXOs in RF Systems 5 Ways Signal Noise Can Impact Electrical Equipment

The Journal of Military Electronics & Computing COTS (kots), n. 1. Commercial off-the-shelf.

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

JOURNAL

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

SPECIAL FEATURE 16

New Low-Phase-Noise High-Stability MEMS Super-TCXOs Replace Quartz OCXOs in RF Systems

By Odile Ronat, SiTime, Director of Product Marketing

SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT 20

DEPARTMENTS 6

Publishers Notes Generative AI Predictions for the Defense Market

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The Inside Track

5 Ways Signal Noise Can Impact Electrical Equipment

By Elizabethe Zala, CAS DataLoggers

COT’S PICKS 24

Editor’s Choice for September

Cover Image: Night Launch A Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Polaris Dawn crew launches from the Kennedy Space Center, Fla., Sept. 10, 2024. The crew will endeavor to reach the highest Earth orbit ever flown since the Apollo program.

COTS Journal | September 2024

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The Journal of Military Electronics & Computing

JOURNAL EDITORIAL

EDITORIAL SUBMISSION AND RELEASES johnr@rtc-media.com PUBLISHER/CEO John Reardon • Johnr@rtc-media.com

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

Tom Williams, Glenn ImObersteg Buck Biblehouse

ART AND PRODUCTION

CREATIVE DIRECTOR David Ramos • drdesignservices@ymail.com DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGER Scott Blair • Scott@blair-media.com AD TRAFFIC Vaughn Orchard • Vaughno@rtc-media.com FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING Paige Reardon • paiger@rtc-media.com

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COTS Journal | September 2024

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

ACCOUNT MANAGER

SALES MANAGER Vaughn Orchard • Vaughno@rtc-media.com CUSTOM AND CONTRACT SERVICES John Reardon • Johnr@rtc-media.com

COTS Journal CORPORATE OFFICE RTC Media 3180 Sitio Sendero, Carlsbad, CA. 92009 Phone: (949) 226-2023 Fax: (949) 226-2050 www.rtc-media.com PUBLISHED BY RTC MEDIA Copyright 2024, 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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PUBLISHER’S NOTE

John Reardon, Editor-in-Chief, COTS Journal

Generative

AI Predictions

for the Defense Market

The Western world has witnessed the emergence of numerous companies backed by an eager investment community, ready to make their mark in this dynamic and growing market. With super funds, many exceeding billions of dollars, and a drive to develop breakthrough technologies, the market is burgeoning with possibilities.

Large Language Models (LLMs) and Data Utilization Commercial markets have focused on using Large Language Models (LLMs) to handle simple tasks by analyzing vast amounts of open-source data. This process, known as Data Utilization, allows these models to answer questions and predict text. However, they often tolerate precision errors, a tolerance that may not be acceptable in the defense sector.

Power Consumption and Heat Dissipation High-power GPUs, such as those from Nvidia, require

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significant energy, posing challenges in remote military operations. Modern GPUs consume up to 700 watts, making power and heat dissipation critical issues. The commercial sector’s high energy consumption has led Nvidia to predict potential strain on the US power grid.

Companies are exploring advanced cooling techniques to address heat generation, including single and twophase cooling methods. These methods involve the use of exotic dielectric fluids, which have unique heat transfer properties, and heat pumps, which can efficiently remove heat from a system. One lab innovation involves a system monitoring solution that modulates the GPU’s clock speed, reducing heat by 40% but at the cost of overall system performance.

Nuclear Power With its high energy demands, the defense sector continues to explore small modular reactors for propulsion

The potential of multimodal AI to The integrate videos, and Armyimages, is already testing and text, enhancing data validation and coordination, a beacon of moving forward withiswhat they refer hope for the future of defense technology.

to as “Sensor-to-Shooter”.

and sustainable energy. Companies like Helion, backed by Sam Altman with over $500 million in initial funding, are advancing fusion technology for high-energy output in compact forms. These advancements could lead to future replacements for conventional propulsion systems in the Navy.

The fragmented Machine Learning Operations (MLOps) market sees the defense sector favoring single-source solutions, as evidenced by Amazon’s market share gains.

Analysts predict valuation declines and consolidation similar to the cybersecurity market trends related to consumer devices.

Data Quality The effectiveness of LLMs and machine learning tools depends on high-quality data. Relying on suspect opensource data can lead to diminishing returns and potential collapse due to what is known as data’ inbreeding,’ a situation where the same or similar data is used repeatedly, leading to biased or inaccurate results. The rapid adoption of AI across consumer platforms exacerbates this issue.

As primary sources challenge copyright laws and shift marketing dollars away from data-scraping companies, the trend toward synthetic data will likely continue.

Multimodal AI Developing tools that extract information from various sources and combine data from different modalities is a promising avenue for military solutions. The potential of multimodal AI to integrate images, videos, and text, enhancing data validation and coordination, is a beacon of hope for the future of defense technology. In medical applications, this could improve battlefield casualty survival rates. As complexity increases, multimodal AI solutions become invaluable, handling numerous variables that exceed human capacity.

Chip Shortage The need for Nvidia’s H100 GPUs is well-known, with TSMC’s CoWoS technology unable to meet demand. Secondary markets have emerged, supporting high markups for those willing to pay. However, production levels are gradually catching up.

Advances in AI Applications While commercial AI discussions often focus on dating apps, entertainment, and deep fakes, these seemingly trivial applications drive significant technological advancements.

The ability to create deep fakes or identify targets in complex environments parallels military needs, showcasing the broader and often surprising impact of commercial AI innovations on the defense market.

Nvidia faces competition from its largest customers, including Google and Amazon, developing their solutions.

Intel and AMD remain strong contenders, with Intel partnering with Nvidia to address TSMC production shortfalls.

Security Concerns Confidential data breaches and data poisoning are growing concerns, particularly in the defense sector. The possibility of a wearable solution with data center performance creating an open link to enemies raises significant security fears. Adversaries could exploit exposed battle plans and technologies.

Conclusion The defense market is on the brink of a significant transformation, thanks to the potential of generative AI. As the sector grapples with power consumption, data quality, security, and technological advancements, the integration of AI promises to not just reshape, but revolutionize military operations and strategies, driving both innovation and complexity.

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Vertex Solutions Announces Inaugural International Sale with the Launch of the Colombian Aerospace Force’s Virtual Reality Simulation Center.

Vertex Solutions, a leading developer of cutting-edge training solutions, including virtual reality (VR) pilot training, has recently delivered the first T-6C VR flight simulators to the Colombian Aerospace Force (FAC). This delivery supports the launch of the FAC’s inaugural Virtual Reality Simulation Center, marking a significant milestone for Vertex as it represents the company’s first international sale.

Located at the Air Combat Command No.1 in Puerto Salgar, Cundinamarca, this state-ofthe-art facility positions the FAC alongside the United States as one of the only entities in the American hemisphere leveraging advanced VR technology for pilot training. This significant milestone in military aviation training underscores the FAC’s commitment to utilizing innovative technologies to enhance pilot proficiency.

The simulation center is designed to pro-

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vide military pilots with a safe, cost-effective, and highly realistic training environment.

Through VR, pilots can practice various maneuvers, respond to emergencies, and navigate critical situations without the inherent risks of actual flight. This technology significantly boosts decision-making skills and pilot proficiency, preparing the FAC’s aviators to meet current and future challenges effectively.

Major General Carlos Fernando Silva Rueda, the FAC’s second commander and Chief of Staff, praised the simulation center, stating, " This augmented virtual reality equipment not only drastically cuts training costs but also elevates our military pilots’ proficiency and training level.”

The opening ceremony saw attendance from dignitaries across military and civilian sectors, including Major General Carlos Fernando Silva Rueda, the Brigadier General, head of the Aeronautical and Space Education Headquarters, the Director of Sales-Americas for S3

AeroDefense, and Derrick “DQ” Barton, the Chief Growth Officer at Vertex Solutions. Their collective efforts have been pivotal in bringing this project to fruition.

Vertex Solutions is honored to support the Colombian Aerospace Force’s mission to enhance military pilot training and education. By employing our VR flight simulators, the FAC is better equipped to confidently handle realistic scenarios, thereby safeguarding both pilots and aircraft from unnecessary risks and producing more proficient pilots in less time.

“This collaboration with the Colombian Aerospace Force exemplifies our commitment to revolutionizing pilot training. We are not merely selling simulators but shaping the future of aviation safety and innovation. This partnership underscores our dedication to providing pilots with the best technology available today to meet tomorrow’s challenges,” said Derrick “DQ” Barton, Chief Growth Officer at Vertex Solutions.

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Hybrid Aircraft Market Size Expected to Reach $13.2 Billion By 2030 as demand Grows for Commercial Applications

A report from MarketsAndMarkets projected that the Hybrid Aircraft Market size is estimated to grow from USD 1.2 billion in 2023 to USD 13.2 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 41.6% from 2023 to 2030. It said: “The Hybrid Aircraft Industry is driven by factors such as increasing demand for short-haul range connectivity, technological convergence and increasing demand for alternate modes of transportation.

Short-haul range connectivity refers to air travel over relatively short distances, typically between nearby cities or regions. These flights are usually within a few hundred to a few thousand kilometers, and they are commonly served by regional airlines or low-cost carriers. Shorthaul flights are essential for connecting smaller cities, supporting regional economies, and providing convenient transportation options for travelers. Hybrid aircraft, especially those with electric propulsion systems as primary sources, are well-suited for short-haul flights because they can operate with greater fuel efficiency than traditional aircraft. Electric propulsion systems have the potential to significantly reduce fuel consumption and operating costs, which is particularly attractive for airlines operating frequent short-haul flights. Short-haul flights, despite their relatively short distances, can collectively contribute to a substantial carbon footprint due to the high number of takeoffs and landings involved. Hybrid aircraft offer the advantage of reduced emissions and lower noise levels, making them more environmentally friendly. Short-haul flights often operate in and out of airports in or near urban areas.

Hybrid aircraft, particularly those with electric

propulsion, produce less noise during takeoff and flight, making them more suitable for operating in noise-sensitive regions. This can reduce community opposition and support for expanding regional flight operations.” Active defense stocks in the news today include KULR Technology Group, Inc. (NYSE: KULR), Joby Aviation, Inc. (NYSE: JOBY), Lilium NV (NASDAQ: LILM), Archer Aviation Inc. (NYSE: ACHR), Blade Air Mobility, Inc. (NASDAQ: BLDE).

MarketsAndMarkets continued: “Hybrid-electric aircraft can have faster charging times than traditional aircraft refueling processes, which can be advantageous for airlines running frequent short-haul flights. This reduces airport turnaround times, enabling more efficient flight scheduling and improved aircraft utilization. Short-haul flights serve regional markets, connecting smaller cities and remote locations that may not have the infrastructure to accommodate large airports. Hybrid aircraft can offer flexible and economically viable solutions for regional air travel, supporting regional connectivity and economic development. In the coming years, there is a high chance of governments and regulatory bodies prioritizing and supporting the development and adoption of hybrid aircraft for short-haul flights. They recognize such hybrid aircraft’s potential environmental and economic benefits in reducing emissions and noise pollution and enhancing regional connectivity. As hybrid aircraft technology advances, their capabilities, reliability, and performance improve, making them increasingly viable for short-haul operations.

Advancements in battery technology, electric motors, and power management systems contribute to the feasibility of electric and hybrid-electric aircraft for regional flights.”

Rigaku Analytical Devices Awarded Funding for Year 3 of its R&D Contract from the TSA to Enhance Raman Technology for Screening Rigaku Analytical Devices, a pioneer in developing handheld 1064 nm Raman analyzers, has been awarded a third year of an optional threeyear research and development contract from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) as part of their Alarm Resolution Program (ARP).

The contract seeks to optimize screening equipment to improve security operations and capabilities for resolving explosive and non-explosive prohibited item alarms at airport checkpoints in the near term.

Rigaku was originally awarded a firm-fixedprice contract in September 2021, with a one-year base period of performance and two option years for a total funding opportunity of $1.6 million.

The TSA Alarm Resolution Program was formed in 2018 when the TSA identified capability gaps in primary screening procedures and the need to evaluate next-generation solutions. ARP solutions will improve upon current capabilities, including increasing the types of substances that can be identified.

While not yet used in TSA airports, the Rigaku CQL series of handheld Raman analyzers are used worldwide to analyze unknown substances.

By utilizing 1064 nm Raman technology, Rigaku CQL analyzers have the ability to analyze dirty, colored, or mixed materials – even through translucent packaging – without fluorescence interference. With a library that contains explosives, chemical warfare agents, hazardous chemicals, narcotics, as well as precursor chemicals, the Rigaku CQL product line can be used by border security, law enforcement, the military, public safety officials, or first responders to identify chemical threats.

“The extension of this contract into its third year allows the Rigaku Raman technology to continue field data collections to enhance and test the technology,” said Mathew Lynch, President of Rigaku Analytical Devices. “This is an exciting opportunity for Rigaku, and we look forward to addressing the changing threats to aviation security with our solutions.”

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Zain KSA and Enea announce the worldfirst next-generation signaling overlay security technology innovation Innovation Paves the Way for Operators to Extend Signaling Firewall Architecture to Protect Virtual and Traditional Network Infrastructure Against Emerging Threats

Enea and Zain KSA announced a collaboration to pilot the world’s first mobile network signaling overlay technology, significantly extending signaling firewall capabilities. The patent-pending signaling security overlay was conceived in Enea’s Technology Research unit in 2023, and patents were filed in December 2023.

Enea’s signaling overlay technology represents a novel approach to enhancing mobile network security and efficiency. By employing transport layer-aware distributed ingestion across virtual/cloud and traditional network infrastructures, signaling firewalls gain deeper insights into network events, ensuring robust protection against emerging threats. Leveraging the adaptive signaling firewall’s advanced detection and protocol correlation techniques, the overlay technology enables mobile operators to safeguard their networks against sophisticated attacks.

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The long-standing collaboration between Zain KSA and Enea is underpinned by Zain KSA’s commitment to network security and its willingness to embrace new technologies, making it an ideal partner for this initiative. Additionally, Zain KSA’s extensive network infrastructure provides an optimal environment for the concept’s field validation.

The signaling security overlay technology pilot project will be undertaken in Zain KSA’s network in Saudi Arabia in 2024. The Kingdom is at the forefront of 5G development as part of Saudi Vision 2030’s goal to become an ICT leader and transform into a sustainable digital economy.

With the global threats on telecom networks escalating, network security has become a high priority for Zain KSA, which has consistently invested in security for both signaling and messaging to safeguard its extensive digital ecosystem. This pilot will accelerate the technology innovation and deployment of next-generation signaling security solutions for complex and more sophisticated network security attacks.

Anders Lidbeck, CEO of Enea, and Abdulrahman Al Mufadda, COO of Zain KSA, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the world’s first pilot at Mobile World Congress Barcelona. While Zain KSA will be the first to test the new technology, the pilot program may be ex-

panded to several other markets and customers.

The trial, to commence in 2024, underscores both companies’ commitment to advancing telecom technology and enhancing network security.

“The emergence of cloud and virtualized infrastructures, along with the proliferation of private networks and APIs, has introduced new complexities and vulnerabilities in mobile networks, significantly increasing the risk of sophisticated cyberattacks,” commented Anders Lidbeck, CEO of Enea. “This partnership builds on our long-standing relationship with Zain KSA, and emphasizes our shared commitment to enhancing network security and embracing innovation.”

Eng. Abdulrahman Al Mufadda, COO of Zain KSA, added, “At Zain KSA, we are dedicated to driving the digital transformation goals of all our customers through advanced, reliable, and secure ecosystems. Zain KSA’s collaboration with Enea reflects our dedication to securing and advancing our network infrastructure. By being the first to test this promising technology, we are cementing our position at the forefront of telecom innovation, furthering our commitment to providing secure and cutting-edge solutions to our individual and business customers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”

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Reliable Robotics Performs Automated Cargo Deliveries for US Air Force

Reliable Robotics, a leader in autonomous aircraft systems, today announced that it recently completed a series of automated missions across airfields in California and Nevada for the Department of the Air Force. In conjunction with Air Combat Command, Reliable demonstrated aircraft automation capabilities as part of the Agile Flag 24-3 exercise, transporting cargo between military bases and airports, some hundreds of miles apart, on-demand over a week. The exercise was designed to be representative of the Indo-Pacific region, demanding agility, readiness, and multi-domain operations.

“The Air Force has a unique opportunity to redefine efficiency through autonomous operations, which can enable persistent maneuver in contested environments and simultaneous cargo delivery instead of our current sequential system.

Autonomy in small platforms reduces risk and opens up the ability to land in more places, including damaged runways or unimproved surfaces,” said Colonel Max Bremer, Mobility COE Senior Advisor, Chief of Special Programs Division, Air Mobility Command. “Military exercises like Agile Flag provide a venue for us to more closely evaluate how technologies like autonomous systems operate in real missions.”

control station enabled onsite demonstrations of the remote piloting side of the operation for Air Force and NASA personnel.

Over the weeklong exercise, Reliable flew to eight locations, transporting essential cargo.

All flights were expedited and scheduled “on-demand” and did not require the deployment of any additional infrastructure for automated flight, demonstrating the extra utility and flexibility automation can provide. Preparation for the exercise required obtaining military airworthiness and flight safety approvals for expanded operations from the US Air Force.

NASA Armstrong executive leadership came to observe Reliable’s Agile Flag operations at Mojave. “We are excited to see the dual-use automation system Reliable has developed for commercial and defense customers,” said Brad Flick, Center Director at NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center. “It’s good to see the maturity of

their technology.”

Reliable has the only FAA-accepted certification plan for full aircraft automation and continues to make certification progress. The safety-enhancing automation system features redundancy, high-integrity navigation, and an “always on” autopilot that is engaged through all phases of aircraft operation. The system is aircraft-agnostic – Reliable has remotely flown two different airframes uncrewed in civilian airspace, a Cessna 172 in 2019 and a Cessna 208B Caravan in 2023.

“We are proud to participate in military exercises. Agile Flag allowed us to show how our autonomous flight system benefits defense missions and demonstrate timely mission readiness,” said Dr. David O’Brien, Major General (Ret.) and Senior Vice President of Government Solutions at Reliable Robotics. “We remain committed to serve and support the US Air Force and other branches of our nation’s military.”

Automated flights of a Cessna 208B Caravan included autotaxin, auto takeoff, en-route navigation, and autolanding. Reliable’s remote pilot managed all flights while an onboard pilot monitored them. Reliable deployed a mobile control station onsite at Mojave Air and Space Port, which served as a base of operations for the military exercise. The rapid deployment of Reliable’s mobile

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TECHWAY joins the group NCS SYSTEMS Key Alliance to offer High-end systems

We are glad to announce the acquisition of TECHWAY by NCS SYSTEMS. This alliance is a key step in our customer-care strategy, offering stateof-the-art technologies and top-level services to demanding markets.

Founded in 1989 in Amsterdam by NIJKERK HOLDING and taken over in 2022 by its management with the support of Isatis Capital, NCS SYSTEMS is an expert in IT solutions for the most demanding markets, such as Defence Aerospace, Transportation, Industry, Medical, and more.

A constantly evolving company, the group is recognized for its strong value-added offer and is

US Air Force Rapid Sustainment Office (RSO) Selects Virtualitics as Part of a $975 Million IDIQ Warfighter Readiness Contract to Revolutionize Sustainment Operations Multi-Year RSO Contract Underscores Company’s Commitment to Enhance Operational Readiness with AI-Powered Solutions Virtualitics announced that it has secured a position as one of the industry partners selected to participate in a $975 million multiyear contract with the United States Air Force (USAF) Rapid Sustainment Office (RSO). Virtualitics will play a critical role in helping the USAF optimize operational readiness and sustainment through the deployment of advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, automation, and digital engineering.

The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) and Air Force RSO’s mission is to optimize warfighter readiness by leveraging advanced technologies to revolutionize sustainment operations within the USAF. The RSO strives to accelerate the delivery of critical operational solutions to the Department of the Air Force (DAF) Sustainment Enterprise by positioning itself to be the preeminent Department of Defense (DoD) solution provider 12

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distinguished by its research office, which responds to the specific needs of its customers in the: • the eco-conception • the certified solutions (UL, CE, Tempest, MILSTD, EN50155, ...)

• the embedded monitors • the development of customer applications (connected and smart solutions for real-time data

acquisition, predictive analysis, and advanced automation)

that challenges conventional mindsets, pushes the boundaries of innovation, and generates innovative concepts that solve problems at the speed of user need.

lenges by delivering actionable insights and recommendations that enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of maintenance operations, resource allocation, and decision-making.

The RSO contract supports the US Air Force’s mission to rapidly identify, integrate, prototype, test, and scale emerging technology applications across several high-impact focus areas. These include advanced manufacturing, automation and robotics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning—technologies essential to improving logistics and the sustainment of weapon systems in the field.

“Virtualitics is honored to be selected as one of the key industry partners in the US Air Force’s mission to revolutionize operational readiness through advanced AI and data-driven solutions,” said Michael Amori, CEO and co-founder of Virtualitics. “Our suite of readiness applications is designed to tackle the Air Force’s most demanding sustainment challenges and can be tailored to meet specific operational needs.”

Virtualitics’ AI-powered platform and flexible suite of readiness applications are uniquely positioned to address these technical chal-

NCS SYSTEMS has two production sites in France and Belgium. It now integrates over 5,000 industrial PCs per year and approximately 150 equipped cabinets on its sites, combining obsolescence and project management services.

With this multi-year RSO contract, Virtualitics will continue contributing to the US Air Force’s initiatives to maintain operational superiority in an increasingly complex and contested environment.

The platform’s flexibility enables seamless integration with existing systems while providing innovative, AI-powered solutions that improve maintenance scheduling, predict asset failures, optimize storage planning, and enhance overall mission readiness. Virtualitics continues to enhance new features to build trust in the AI platform with its new Pathfinder feature, which acts as an AI assistant to guide all levels of decision-makers through data-driven insights that provide greater explainability and confidence.

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Rheinmetall and Anduril join forces to develop the C-sUAS system Share on

The Düsseldorf-based technology group Rheinmetall and Anduril Industries signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during Eurosatory in Paris, one of the world’s leading trade shows for defense and security. Under this collaboration, Rheinmetall and Anduril will design, develop, and produce new layered Counter small Unmanned Aerial System (C-sUAS) air defense systems. The scope of this collaboration is primarily to address European markets first.

These C-sUAS systems will combine Rheinmetall’s command and control system, Skymaster, and high-power guns with Lattice and open, modular, and scalable hardware components, including Anduril’s Sentry Tower, Wisp sensors, and Anvil, its autonomous interceptor. Combining the unique capabilities of both companies will offer an unmatched layered solution for C-sUAS. Overall, the MoU aims to bring together the complementary skills of these two leading companies.

interoperable Lattice software platform.

This cooperation will enable both companies to fulfill their strategic ambition to jointly develop and implement a systematic approach covering a wide sensor and effector mix, ranging

from diverse hard kill effectors to non-lethal effectors to gun missiles and state-of-the-art active and passive detection sensors. The system will increase survivability dramatically and allow new strategic and operational advantages.

Oliver Dürr, CEO of Rheinmetall Air Defence AG, said: “This cooperation will showcase the most innovative C-sUAS system, combining the strength of Rheinmetall’s military capabilities with the cutting-edge development speed of Anduril. I am absolutely confident that this combination will address the future needs of our clients and that we shall bring the right solution at the right time to the market.”

Greg Kausner, Anduril’s SVP of Global Defence, states: “The pace of warfare is accelerating at the speed of technology development. Global defense forces must face rapidly evolving threats from emerging unmanned systems and legacy manned platforms. Air defense systems require a layered approach that is flexible, adaptable, and rapidly deployable. Anduril’s partnership with Rheinmetall will bring an innovative, software-defined, and hardware-enabled C-sUAS system to our customers to ensure they stay one step ahead of the drone threat.”

Rheinmetall has delivered high-power air defense guns and systems globally for over a century, providing unmatched firepower. Anduril, a global defense technology company, has developed a growing family of low-cost autonomous weapons systems, all powered by its AI-enabled, COTS Journal | September 2024

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RTX’s SeaVue Multi-role Radar provides critical targeting data at RIMPAC Radar proves its long-range target detection ability

Raytheon successfully demonstrated the SeaVue Multi-role Radar’s superior long-range target detection at the US Navy’s Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) – the world’s largest international maritime exercise.

MQ-9B SeaGuardian® Unmanned Aircraft System from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. used SeaVue Multi-role Radar (SVMR) surveillance and imaging to survey multiple targets and send track data to F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet aircraft.

The aircraft used the data provided by the radar to successfully fire a Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) at a decommissioned amphibious assault ship, the USS Tarawa (LHA-1), showcasing SVMR’s net-enabled, long-range weapons employment capabilities.

Performing a Sink Exercise, or SINKEX, an

“SVMR proved its ability to capture high fi-

delity targeting data needed for successful weapons engagement in a maritime environment,” said Bryan Rosselli, president of Advanced Products & Solutions at Raytheon. “The live-fire exercise enabled us to test and validate SVMR to ensure it can provide the situational awareness required in an operational environment – allowing faster decision making and more efficient kill chains.”

SVMR is a modern, software-defined radar that provides all-weather surveillance and superior multi-mission performance for crewed and uncrewed aircraft, including fixed rotary-wing and aerostat platforms.

Leveraging over 60 years of surveillance radar innovation, SVMR provides extended range and small target detection from operational altitudes, enabling a more capable and efficient method for monitoring and protecting. It features a modular and scalable architecture that supports affordable upgrades and sustainment. It has been developed and extensively flight-tested for low- and high-altitude surveillance modes.

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Viasat Awarded Potential $150 Million Blue Force Tracker (BFT) Network Services Contract by Defense Information Services Agency (DISA)

Viasat will provide engineering and network modernization services to support US Army Blue Force Tracker requirements.

Viasat, Inc. announced it has received a five-year, $153 million contract at full value potential from the Defense Information Services Agency to provide network services and support for the US Army Project Manager Mission Command (PM MC) Blue Force Tracker (BFT) program. The period of performance for this contract includes a base year with four oneyear option periods.

For more than twenty years, the BFT network has provided critical situational awareness, integrated with tens of thousands of platforms across the Army and joint services. This

effort continues the BFT network modernization initiative, which enables US military and allied forces to share near real-time situational awareness and GPS data on friendly forces and enemies, as well as operational maps and graphics and command and control (C2) messages.

Under this contract, Viasat will provide its engineering services expertise and deliver operational and technical support for the BFT network. This work will include the maintenance and configuration of hardware and software packages, additional technology hardware and software development support, and updates and modifications aligned with BFT network modernization objectives.

“Viasat is honored to continue its history of providing support for the global L-Band BFT network and systems and the continued modernization of how critical situational awareness is made available across the tactical edge at scale,” said David Schmolke, Vice President

of Mission Connections and Cybersecurity, Viasat Government. “Our team will deliver the engineering and networking services and technology innovation required to continue evolving the BFT network operations and capability.

We deeply understand the BFT mission and the information warfighters need to make real-time decisions that support operations and save lives.”

Viasat will bring experience and expertise to support the BFT network and modernization effort. In 2010, Viasat received an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract award to provide the next generation of highspeed, high-capacity BFT equipment to the US Army as part of the Force XXI Battle Command Brigade and Below (FBCB2) Program. Viasat has since secured multiple contract awards to support the BFT program, developing and delivering terminals and networking services to support BFT systems, including deploying Viasat L-Band mobile transceivers on more than 100K tactical platforms across the US military.

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SPECIAL FEATURE

New Low-Phase-Noise High-Stability MEMS Super-TCXOs Replace Quartz OCXOs in RF Systems 16

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By Odile Ronat, SiTime, Director of Product Marketing

Military telemetry complex A data advantage will likely determine the outcome of future conflict, reports Frost and Sullivan. Today’s national security forces face multiple strategic challenges from determined and sophisticated attackers in dynamic operational environments. To address persistent and novel threats, defense forces must be interconnected. They must share real-time information that will enhance situational awareness and analysis, enabling faster, more effective decisions. Radio frequency (RF) systems used for surveillance, intelligence, reconnaissance and communications play a critical role in the ability to detect threats sooner and respond faster, but the RF spectrum is congested and contested in the battle for dominance.

The effort for real-time collaboration creates high levels of complexity in data exchange. Advanced sensors, surveillance systems and communications equipment generate an unprecedented flow of data,

requiring high data rates, low latency and high-security systems. This is driving an exploding demand for bandwidth.

To meet the bandwidth demand, RF systems must make more efficient use of the RF spectrum. Precision timing can help make this efficiency happen: SiTime’s new, low-phase-noise, high-stability MEMS SuperTCXOs are building blocks toward success in conflict, delivering faster, more accurate, reliable and secure data transmission in RF systems.

The Clock Is at the Core of RF System Performance In recent years, the Department of Defense has developed the The Joint AllDomain Command and Control ( JADC2) strategy to use advanced cyber-hardened technologies for closer collaboration across the forces and strategic partners. The strategy endeavors to improve the speed, efficiency and effectiveness of command

and control (C2) decision making. The effort includes an integrated sensor ecosystem for a comprehensive understanding of the contextual environment. It also addresses the transport infrastructure for networks to specifically enhance speed and bandwidth.

The strategy supports better decision making, as well as activity monitoring across domains, even when the electromagnetic spectrum is degraded and contested.

Frequency accuracy is a cornerstone of effective signal processing, ensuring signal synchronization, efficient spectrum use, interference mitigation, jamming resistance and reliable system performance.

A high-performance clock ensures that RF systems—for example tactical radios, datalinks, advanced sensors and satellite communication user terminals—provide consistent performance over time and across all environmental conditions. This ensures operational capability throughout the mission.

COTS Journal | September 2024

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SiTime pioneered silicon MEMS timing technology and now delivers game-changing low SWaP-C (Size, Weight, and Power – Cost) for RF systems.

Robustness of the frequency source is a critical selection criterion in modern RF systems. As interconnectivity expands into munitions, small UAVs, small sats and other applications resulting in diverse operational scenarios, a frequency reference must operate across the range of environments. Because of this, solutions must not only have good frequency stability and phase noise, but also stability across temperature, low sensitivity to vibration, resilience to shock and reduced size, weight and power (SWaP).

New, RF-Grade Low-Phase-Noise Silicon MEMS Super-TCXOs Replace Quartz TCXOs and OCXOs Quartz TCXOs and OCXOs are the traditional source of timing for RF systems.

While they are proven solutions for many scenarios, their limitations are also well known: they can be fragile, are subjected to frequency jumps due to temperature or vibration and can be bulky and power hungry.

This often leads to more complicated system designs to accommodate the limitations of quartz oscillators. Or, alternatively, it leads to custom oscillator solutions that are expensive and have long lead-times for development and procurement.

SiTime pioneered silicon MEMS timing technology and now delivers game-changing low SWaP-C (Size, Weight, and Power – Cost) 18

COTS Journal | September 2024

for RF systems. SiTime’s new Endura™ Low Noise Super-TCXOs are ruggedized lowphase-noise MEMS oscillators that deliver: • Low close-in phase noise: -161 dBc/Hz phase noise at 10 kHz offset for a 10 MHz carrier • Low broadband phase noise: -175 dBc/Hz broadband phase noise for a 10 MHz carrier • Exceptional frequency stability: 1E-11 Allan deviation at 10 seconds • Unparalleled g sensitivity: 1E-11/g • Highly rugged design: > 20,000 g shock survivability • Quartz OCXO levels of frequency stability: ±0.1 ppm over the entire temperature range (-40 to 105°C) without temperature induced frequency jumps • Incredibly compact and efficient: 5.0 x 3.5 x 1.2 mm3, < 150 mW, surface mount package Phase Noise graph (see next page) Endura Low-Noise Super TCXO® phase noise is virtually insensitive to random vibrations (50 Hz to 2 kHz per MIL-STD-883, Method 2026) even at higher amplitude than quartz. Three quartz TCXOs from three different manufacturers show the same behavior under vibrations with an increase in phase noise in the order of 20 dBc/Hz: this is due to the inherent construction of COTS quartz TCXOs. The key to Endura Super-TCXO

performance is the silicon MEMS resonator that it uses as a frequency source. The MEMS resonator is nearly 1,000 times smaller than a typical quartz resonator and is made of high-strength silicon material encapsulated in an ultra-clean cavity, eliminating contaminations that cause frequency jumps, aging and failures. This use of high-purity semiconductor processes results in unmatched quality and reliability with excellent part-to-part repeatability, predictable system performance and a meantime between failure (MTBF) of 1 billion hours. Because the MEMS resonator is light weight and has superior material strength and structural design, Endura Super-TCXOs are highly shock resistant and vibration insensitive.

The Endura Super-TCXO achieves exceptional temperature stability with SiTime’s DualMEMS® technology. Due to the small size of MEMS resonators, DualMEMS technology can combine two MEMS resonators closely to one another on the same die. The first MEMS resonator, the TempFlat® resonator, is designed to achieve an ultra-low temperature coefficient. The second MEMS resonator, the TempSense resonator, is intentionally designed to have a high-temperature coefficient. The frequency difference between the two MEMS resonators provides an extremely accurate reading of

Endura Low-Noise Super TCXO® phase noise is virtually insensitive to random vibrations (50 Hz to 2 kHz per MIL-STD-883, Method 2026) even at higher amplitude than quartz.

the temperature (~30 micro-Kelvin) which allows for precise and fast temperature compensation.

Low SWaP-C Super-TCXO for NextGeneration Robust and Reliable RF Systems SiTime’s new Endura low-phase-noise

Super-TCXO promises to enable the design of new tactical radios, satellite communication user terminals, datalinks and advanced sensors that were not possible before. The Endura Super-TCXO improves communication sensitivity, quality and reliability and supports the development

of systems with high-speed data rate, low latency and spectrum utilization for real-time, data-informed decisions and swift coordination, critical for operation effectiveness.

Phase Noise graph

COTS Journal | September 2024

19

SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT

5 Ways Signal Noise Can Impact Electrical Equipment

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COTS Journal | September 2024

By Joe Engler, President - Intepro Systems

Accurate data acquisition is often critical in various engineering and technical projects.

However, a pervasive yet often-overlooked issue that arises in the system is signal noise.

This unwanted electrical interference, originating from multiple sources, can corrupt measurements, hinder communication, and compromise equipment integrity.

Communication Disruptions: Data acquisition often relies on reliable communication between devices. Signal noise can disrupt these interconnections, causing data drops, transmission errors, and hindering the flow of critical information.

COTS Journal | September 2024

21

Recognizing the Symptoms : • Inaccurate Measurements: The presence of noise superimposes itself on your desired signal, akin to static disrupting a radio broadcast. This leads to erroneous readings, potentially jeopardizing the validity of your data and downstream analyses.

• Communication Disruptions: Data acquisition often relies on reliable communication between devices. Signal noise can disrupt these interconnections, causing data drops, transmission errors, and hindering the flow of critical information.

• Video and Audio Glitches: Visual artifacts like stripes and bars on displays or audio issues like buzzing and humming can point towards underlying noise problems. While

these symptoms might initially suggest faulty equipment, they could be indicative of broader grounding or wiring issues.

Common Noise Sources: • Conducted EMI: This type of interference stems from adjacent equipment and propagates through electrical wiring as unwanted electrical noise. High-power devices like motors and transformers, along with malfunctioning power supplies, can be major contributors.

• Radiated EMI: Unlike conducted EMI, this noise travels through the air as electromagnetic waves before being coupled into equipment by various mechanisms.

Sources like radio towers, wireless devices, and even variable frequency drives can

radiate significant EMI. • Radio Frequency Interference (RFI): Similar to radiated EMI, but operating at much higher frequencies, RFI often originates from wireless technologies like cell phones and Wi-Fi routers.

• Ground Loops: These unintended current paths arise due to multiple grounding connections at different points in the system.

Acting as antennas, ground loops can pick up ambient noise or induce unwanted currents, ultimately corrupting data and even causing equipment damage.

• Line Power Quality: Fluctuations and anomalies in the power supply can introduce noise affecting measurements. This is particularly relevant in environments with

Conducted EMI: This type of interference stems from adjacent equipment and propagates through electrical wiring as unwanted electrical noise.

22

COTS Journal | September 2024

unstable or “dirty” power grids.

Combating Signal Noise: Fortunately, numerous effective strategies exist to mitigate the impact of signal noise: • Proper Grounding: Ensuring each piece of equipment has a dedicated connection to a single, low-impedance ground point is crucial. This establishes a clear and uniform reference potential, minimizing unwanted current paths.

• Filtering: Targeted filters act as frequency-selective gatekeepers, allowing the desired signal to pass while attenuating specific noise frequencies. Choosing the appropriate filter type hinges on the characteristics of the interfering noise.

• Isolation Transformers: These devices function as electrical barriers, isolating sensitive equipment from noise-generating sources like power lines or motors. This isolation prevents unwanted currents from affecting your delicate signals.

• Shielding: Encasing equipment in conductive enclosures, akin to Faraday cages, effectively blocks external electromagnetic fields and radiated EMI from interfering with your measurements. Using shielded wire with one end tied to ground will block EMI and RFI noise from interfering with the signals.

Using twisted pair wiring for differential signals will mitigate the effect of stray EMI. • Power Conditioning: In environments with unreliable power, using power conditioners can stabilize voltage fluctuations and filter out noise before it reaches your equipment. Remember, the optimal solution for mitigating signal noise hinges upon the specific characteristics of your setup and the severity of the interference. Consulting with a qualified engineer can provide an expert assessment and recommend the most tailored approach to ensure pristine signal integrity and reliable data acquisition within your electrical systems.

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COTS Journal | September 2024

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September 2024

COT’S PICKS DITHD Introduces Fully Integrated, NIAP Com- pliant, KVM Switches Featuring iPGard technology for Enhanced Security and Performance in its KVM Rack Drawer

DITHD announces the launch of its latest line of NIAP (National Information Assurance Partnership) compliant KVM switches (Keyboard Video Mouse) that are fully integrated into their RD1U, RD2U, RD3U/4U, RDKB and MRxx KVM Rack Drawer Solutions. These new products are equipped with advanced iPGARD technology and are designed to meet stringent security and performance standards, offering versatile and robust solutions for managing

Compact motherboards feature outstanding performance and functionality Kontron K3921-N mini-STX supports the Intel Core i3 and Alder Lake-N series processors.

Embedded systems and display solutions provider Review Display Systems (RDS) has introduced two new mini-STX format motherboards

multiple computing devices from DITHD KVM Rack Drawer Solutions.

DITHD specializes in designing and manufacturing rugged monitor solutions, including rack drawer monitors, portable field monitors, and transit case monitors. Our products are used across various industries, including military, marine, transportation, gas and oil exploration, industrial, mining, space exploration,

from Kontron, a global leader in embedded computing technology. The Kontron K3921-N and K3921-H support the powerful Intel Core i3 processors and Intel Alder Lake-N series processors with the latest UHD Gen12 graphics based on the Intel Xe architecture.

The K3921-N industrial motherboard is equipped with two DisplayPort v1.4, one DisplayPort via front USB type-C, an embedded Display-

and IT. All our products are built in the USA at our Oceanside, California facility and are TAA (Trade Agreements Act) compliant. With a strong focus on quality assurance, DITHD ensures that our customers receive reliable and high-performance products tailored to their specific needs.

DITHD dithd.com

Port, and a dual-channel 24-bit LVDS interface, which enables support for three independent displays with up to 4K resolution (two 4K UHD and one FHD).

The K3921-H mini-STX offers a cost-optimized version of the K3921-N with slightly reduced functionality. It has an Intel N100 processor from the Alder Lake-N series and offers two DisplayPort v1.4, one embedded DisplayPort, and one USB Type-C (Alt mode). As with the K3921-N, the K3921-H can support three independent displays with up to 4K resolution.

Both motherboards share common features, including support for up to 32GB of the latest DDR5 4800 memory technology, two GbE LANs (1 x 1GbE, 1 x 2.5GbE), two COM ports, and adjustable CPU TDP making the board ideally suited for a wide range of industrial applications. The boards also feature two M.2 connectors for storage and Wi-Fi and other interfaces such as GPIO and USB 3.2 Gen2. In addition, both boards feature up to nine USB ports (USB 3.2 Gen1/2, USB 2.0) and offer a dual power input (12v and 19-28v).

Made in Germany, the compact and reliable boards offer outstanding performance, functionality, and cost-of-ownership in a compact mini-STX format. They are ideally suited for applications in industrial automation, medical equipment, digital signage, point of information, and gaming. The mini-STX boards are designed and developed for continuous 24-hour operation.

Kontron kontron.com

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COTS Journal | September 2024

September 2024

COT’S PICKS METCASE’s New Universal Bail Arms For Portable Electronic Enclosures METCASE is raising the bar with a new range of universal bail arms for fitting to any customer-specified metal electronic enclosures.

These ergonomic tilt/swivel carry handles double as desk stands. They can be adjusted in 30° increments, enabling the device to be positioned at the perfect angle for viewing and operation.

Ordering the handle kit requires the customer to specify two parts. Firstly, there is a sidearm kit that includes two diecast zinc side arms and location bosses (incorporating the spring ratcheting mechanism), two snap-in molded push-buttons, two anti-glide rubber rings ( for stable positioning on the table-top), and the assembly screws. Fitting the side arms

Extended Range of Embedded COMs and SOMs Inelco Hunter is pleased to announce the availability of an extended range of Computer-on-Modules (COMs) and System-on-Modules (SOMs) aimed at embedded system applications, providing complete computing solutions.

involves machining three holes on each side of the customer’s enclosure.

T h e side arm kits are offered in four standard colors: off-white (RAL 9002), anthracite (RAL 7016), light gray (RAL 7035), and black (RAL 9005). The push-buttons are supplied in a contrasting or matching color.

Lastly, the customer needs to specify the required length of the extruded aluminum handlebar that fits between the two side arm assemblies. The dimension is simply the width A COM typically includes a processor, memory, and essential peripherals on a single board.

Its primary function is to provide computing power and often requires a carrier board for additional connectivity. A SOM is similar to a COM but typically includes more integrated components.

COMs focus on providing core computing capabilities, while SOMs are designed to be closer to

of the customer’s enclosure (where the handle will be fitted) less than 26 mm. METCASE will then supply the extrusion to the correct length.

The handlebars are painted in the same colors as the side arms and silver metallic (RAL 9006).

METCASE metcaseusa.com

complete systems with more integrated peripherals, preferred for applications needing a compact, integrated solution.

Inelco Hunter has a franchised distribution agreement with SoM Labs, an established partner of leading MPU manufacturers like NXP, Renesas, and STMicroelectronics. Based on the commitment provided by the chip vendors, SoMLabs aims to select the best solutions for its designs to ensure at least 7-10 years of longevity for its products.

The wide range available from Inelco Hunter includes Linux SOMs and Carrier Boards, plus the new SMARC SOM from display partner Powertip.

This innovative, powerful, ultra-small SOM is designed for applications demanding compactness and energy efficiency. It uses the SMARC standard, which makes it ideal for mobile devices, fleet management, factory automation, medical equipment, portable devices, and industrial IoT applications.

Inelco Hunter provides in-depth embedded engineering support, ensuring rapid implementation and speeding up the customer’s time to market. Inelco Hunter’s engineers will work with the customer’s design engineers. This added-value design support is at the core of Inelco Hunter’s philosophy and has been for the last 30 years, setting them apart from the “stock and ship” distributors.

Inelco Hunter inelcohunter.co.uk

COTS Journal | September 2024

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September 2024

COT’S PICKS Supermicro Previews New Max Performance Intel-based X14 Servers for AI, HPC, and Critical Enterprise Workloads

A Complete Architecture Upgrade that Includes New Performance-Optimized CPUs, Next-Generation GPU support, Upgraded Memory MRDIMMs, 400GbE Networking, New Storage Options Including E1.S and E3.S drives, and Direct-to-Chip Liquid Cooling, based on the Upcoming Intel® Xeon® 6900 Series Processors with P-Cores ( formerly codenamed Granite Rapids-AP) Supporting Demanding Workloads.

Supermicro, Inc., a Total IT Solution Provider for AI/ML, HPC, Cloud, Storage, and 5G/Edge, is previewing new, wholly re-designed X14 server platforms to leverage next-generation technologies to maximize performance for compute-intensive workloads and applications. Building on the success of Supermicro’s efficiency-optimized X14 servers that launched in June 2024, the new systems feature significant upgrades across the board, supporting a never-before-seen 256 performance cores (P-cores) in a single node, memory support up for MRDIMMs at 8800MT/s, and compatibility with next-generation SXM, OAM, and PCIe GPUs. This combination can drastically accelerate AI and compute and significantly reduce the time and cost of large-scale AI training, high-performance computing, and complex data analytics tasks. Approved customers can secure early access to complete, full-production systems via Supermicro’s Early Ship Program or for remote testing with Supermicro JumpStart.

“We continue to add to our already comprehensive Data Center Building Block solutions with these new platforms, which will offer unprecedented performance and new advanced features,” said Charles Liang, president and CEO of Supermicro. “Supermicro is ready to deliver these high-performance solutions at rack-scale with the industry’s most comprehensive 26

COTS Journal | September 2024

direct-to-chip liquid-cooled, total rack integration services, and a global manufacturing capacity of up to 5,000 racks per month, including 1,350 liquid-cooled racks. With our worldwide manufacturing capabilities, we can deliver fully optimized solutions that accelerate our time-to-delivery like never before and reduce TCO.” These new X14 systems feature completely redesigned architectures, including new 10U and multinode form factors to enable support for next-generation GPUs and higher CPU densities, updated memory slot configurations with 12 memory channels per CPU, and new MRDIMMs, which provide up to 37% better memory performance compared to DDR5-6400 DIMMS. In addition, upgraded storage interfaces will support higher drive densities and more systems with liquid cooling integrated directly into the server architecture.

port the highest-wattage GPUs. System architectures have been built from the ground up for large-scale AI training, LLMs, generative AI, 3D media, and virtualization applications.

• High compute-density multi-nodes, including SuperBlade® and the all-new FlexTwin™, leverage direct-to-chip liquid cooling to significantly increase the number of performance cores in a standard rack compared to previous systems.

• Market-proven Hyper rackmounts combine single or dual socket architectures with flexible I/O and storage configurations in traditional form factors to help enterprises and data centers scale up and out as their workloads evolve.

• Supermicro X14 performance-optimized systems will support the soon-to-be-released Intel® Xeon® 6900 series processors with P-cores and will also offer socket compatibility to support Intel Xeon 6900 series processors with E-cores in Q1’25. This designed-in feature allows workload-optimized systems for either performance-per-core or performance-per-watt.

“The new Intel Xeon 6900 series processors with P-cores are our most powerful ever, with more cores and exceptional memory bandwidth & I/O to achieve new degrees of performance for AI and compute-intensive workloads,” said Ryan Tabrah, VP and GM of Xeon 6 at Intel. “Our continued partnership with Supermicro will result in some of the industry’s most powerful systems ready to meet the ever-heightening demands of modern AI and high-performance computing.”

The new additions to the Supermicro X14 family comprise more than ten new systems, several of which are completely new architectures in three distinct, workload-specific categories: • GPU-optimized platforms designed for pure performance and enhanced thermal capacity to sup-

When configured with Intel Xeon 6900 series processors with P-cores, Supermicro systems support new FP16 instructions on the built-in Intel® AMX accelerator to further enhance AI workload performance. These systems include 12 memory channels per CPU with support for both DDR5-6400 and MRDIMMs up to 8800MT/s, CXL 2.0, and more extensive support for high-density, industry-standard EDSFF E1.S and E3.S NVMe drives.

Supermicro www.supermicro.com

September 2024

COT’S PICKS Anritsu Introduces Receiver Test Solution that Supports USB4® Version 2.0 with 80 Gbit/s Data Transmission Speed

Anritsu Company enhances its Signal Quality Analyzer-R MP1900A to support the latest USB4® Version 2.0 (USB v2) communication standard of 80 Gbit/s data transmission speed. The new functionality of the MP1900A allows the analyzer to serve as a receiver test solution that enables accurate, repeatable evaluation of USB devices that transfer large amounts of data, such as HD video, to support the implementation of USB4 v2 in emerging designs.

Increasing demand for high-capacity 4K/8K HD video transmission and high-speed communications between AI-based IoT devices require high-speed data transfer. Faster USB transmission is necessary to support communications between mobile devices, PCs, and peripheral devices. The latest USB4 v2 data transfer speed is twice that of USB4 v1 for efficient high-speed video

Kaman Measuring Highlights High Precision Displacement Sensors for Extreme Environments For PowerGen, aerospace, materials research & development applications that require high accuracy, high reliability, and structural integrity

transfer to the display or storage drive via a USB Type-C® cable.

The MP1900A has been enhanced to address the higher Baud rate and PAM3 modulation associated with USB4v2. It produces a high-quality signal for accurate high-frequency noise and jitter analysis to evaluate USB4v2 receivers and ensure they are compliant with the USB device data transmission standard.

Reliable receiver testing is assured due to the low jitter and high-quality waveform performance of the PAM3 signal outputted by the MP1900A’s built-in pulse pattern generator (PPG). The PPG module allows the analyzer to simulate and evaluate poor communication quality conditions by adding noise and jitter to high-quality signals. It also supports the Receiver Frequency Variation Training Test added to the USB4 v2 compliance test specification to evaluate

The Measuring Division of Kaman Precision Products, Inc., the world leader in the design and manufacture of high-performance position measurement systems, highlights the availability of high-precision displacement sensors for extreme environments such as power generation, including nuclear and aerospace propulsion, materials research and development, with operating tem-

the training function and establish stable communication conditions during USB connection.

Signal Quality Analyzer-R MP1900A Outline Support for USB4 v2 expands the MP1900A’s comprehensive analysis capability. A high-performance BERT, the MP1900A also supports receiver testing of all other major high-speed computing and data communications interfaces, such as legacy USB, PCIe, Thunderbolt, and 400 GbE/800 GbE. The existing MP1900A, which supports USB 3.2 and USB4 v1 receiver tests, can be upgraded to USB4 v2 by adding the new option and PPG module.

Anritsu anritsu.com

peratures from -320°F to +1000°F (+1200°F short term) at pressures up to 5000 psi.

Originally designed for NASA and the nuclear power industry, these sensors provide non-contacting measurements of conductive surface motion with unsurpassed accuracy and reliability under the most hostile operating conditions.

Kaman’s sensors are made with hermetically sealed, laser-welded Inconel housings and metal-jacketed, mineral-insulated cable to withstand high temperature, high pressure, vibration, and environmental contaminants.

Three displacement measuring systems are available, all of which can operate at high temperatures. KD-1925 withstands pressures up to 5000 psi, and KD-1950 and KD-1975 withstand pressures up to 3500 psi.

The sensors use the versatile KDM-8206 signal conditioning electronics. Single-channel systems are available in NEMA Enclosures or benchtop/ rack-mountable Eurocards. The NEMA enclosure houses an internal power supply, digital panel meter, and window kit. Up to twelve measuring channels are available in the rack-mountable KDM-8206.

Kaman kaman.com

COTS Journal | September 2024

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September 2024

COT’S PICKS Kontron introduces the K9051-C741 ATX Powerful and scalable industrial server motherboard for AI and industrial applications Kontron has launched the K9051-C741, a server-class ATX motherboard for scalable 4th and 5th generation Intel® Xeon® processors. The motherboard is ideally suited for demanding AI applications, featuring the Intel® C741 chipset and supporting Intel® LGA4677 socket processors with 350W TDP and up to 768GB of memory.

The system is designed for industrial, imaging, medical, AI, and robotics applications and addresses the growing demand for high-core and high-memory-throughput computing platforms. The 5th generation Intel® Xeon® processors, equipped with AI accelerators like Intel® AMX, provide optimized performance for deep learning applications.

The Kontron K9051-C741 supports DDR5 memory with speeds up to 5600 MT/s RDIMM and capacities up to 768 GB. Five PCIe Gen 5 expansion slots allow for future expansion, while advanced thermal management and OpenBMC integration ensure efficient management and maintenance.

Kontron kontron.com

The K9051-C741 ATX is the ideal choice for memory-intensive applications in continuous operation, supporting processors with up to 64 cores and eight memory channels. Its high expandability and integrated Intel® X710 10 GbE dual LAN with teaming function set new standards for demanding network applications in medical technology, data centers, and high-performance computing.

New Rugged and Compact I/O System for Aerospace and Defense Test and Control Applications

ged design ensures superior durability, making it the perfect solution for mission-critical applications.

Innovation: the DNR-MIL-4 4-slot military-grade I/O system is designed to meet the rigorous demands of the aerospace and defense industries. This advanced system delivers unmatched reliability and performance in the most challenging environments. Engineered to comply with MIL-STD-810G, MIL-STD-1275/708, and MIL-STD-461F standards, the compact and rug-

At only 9.5”; W x 7.1”; D x 4.3”; H, the DNRMIL-4 is a versatile tool tailored for complex testing and control systems. The DNR-MIL-4 supports a variety of powerful processors, including 8347 PowerPC, the ARM-based SoloX, and the quad-core Zynq UltraScale+. The rugged chassis structure is designed to operate in harsh conditions, with a temperature range of -40°C to +85°C and I/O configuration via 38999 connectors; it

can support up to 200 channels and includes dual Gigabit Ethernet ports for high-speed data transfer. UEI offers over 90 I/O boards, including avionics, synchro/resolver, VDT, and more, that are compatible with this system, ensuring wide-ranging capability. Whether for health and usage monitoring (HUMS), flight-line testing, or ground vehicle applications, this solution delivers precise, real-time data processing and control using technologies such as time-sensitive networking (TSN) moving data over DDS. Its flexibility extends to other high-stakes scenarios like launch pad control systems and jet engine testing. Engineers and operators can trust its consistent performance under extreme conditions.

With its cutting-edge build and adaptability, UEI’s DNRMIL-4 I/O system represents a significant advancement for engineers in aerospace and defense. By offering unparalleled reliability in harsh environments, this product reinforces UEI&#39;s commitment to providing innovative, high-quality solutions that meet the specific needs of the industry&#39;s most demanding applications.

UEI ueidaq.com

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COTS Journal | September 2024

September 2024

COT’S PICKS Avionics’ Smallest Rugged GPGPU AI Supercomputer with NVIDIA Jetson AGX Xavier System-on-Module Offered by Aitech A178-AV provides high-speed video acquisition, high-performance AI capabilities, and a real-time operating system to meet the needs of the next generation of avionic platforms.

Aitech Systems, a leading provider of rugged boards and system-level solutions for military, aerospace, and space applications, has released the A178-AV, the latest iteration of its smallest rugged GPGPU AI supercomputers available with the powerful NVIDIA Jetson AGX Xavier System-on-Module. With its compact size, the A178-AV is the most advanced solution for artificial intelligence (AI), deep learning, and video and signal processing for the next generation of avionic platforms.

pilot assistance, and situational awareness in aircraft operations.

MIL-STD-1553 and ARINC 429 protocols offer users a flexible, reliable, deterministic, cost-effective communication solution for avionics systems. This makes the supercomputer well-suited for critical aerospace applications where safety, performance, and interoperability are paramount.

With extremely low latency, advanced tuning features, and real-time decision-making, RedHawk guarantees real-time performance in mission-critical applications where rapid response is crucial to mission success.

The A178-AV provides the same large storage capacity, variety of I/O interfaces, and highspeed 10Gb Ethernet connectivity as the base A178 platform. The new design is a testament to the adaptability of this COTS-based SFF supercomputer, which can be easily customized to meet existing embedded architectures.

For more information, please call 888-Aitech-8 (888-248-3248), visit https://bit.ly/ A178-AVproduct, or e-mail sales@aitechsystems. com.

Aitech aitechsystems.com

Its Volta GPU with 512 CUDA cores and 64 Tensor cores reaches 32 TOPS INT8 and 11 TFLOPS FP16 at a remarkable level of energy efficiency, providing all the power needed for AIbased local processing where required, next to the sensors. The A178-AV also features two dedicated NVDLA (NVIDIA Deep-Learning Accelerator) engines, providing an interface for deep learning applications.

Dan Mor, Director of Products and solutions at Aitech, said, “AI in avionic electronics continues to grow in complexity. A small form factor AI system such as the A178-AV provides powerful, efficient, and reliable computing solutions ranging from low power, high-speed video acquisition, and avionic communication interfaces to high-performance AI capabilities and a real-time operating system tailored to meet the unique needs of aircraft operations across rugged environments.”

The A178-AV is an upgrade of Aitech’s A178 COTS system, now enhanced with several new features, including: • CoaXPress (CXP) • MIL-STD 1553 • ARINC429 • RedHawk Real-Time OS CoaXPress video input provides avionics systems with a reliable, high-bandwidth, low-latency, and cost-effective solution for transmitting video data, essential for navigation, surveillance, COTS Journal | September 2024

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September 2024

COT’S PICKS

Secure, High-Performance Switching

Extreme Engineering Solutions (X-ES) continues to push the boundaries of embedded computing by introducing two cutting-edge, 40 Gigabit 3U VPX Ethernet switches: the XChange3030 and XChange3031. These switches provide unparalleled data transmission speeds while maintaining a power-balanced design, ensuring efficient cooling and remarkable versatility to meet the demands of modern networking solutions.

With an unwavering focus on maximizing data throughput, the XChange3030 and XChange3031 provide configurable 40 Gigabit Ethernet processing options, significantly enhancing the capabilities of any integrated system. Additionally, a range of configurable 10 Gigabit and Gigabit Ethernet options and a front panel optical Ethernet port facilitate robust communication. An optional XMC site is

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COTS Journal | September 2024

also available for select designs to accommodate diverse requirements, including hosting an XChange6300 Embedded Services Router to support Layer 3 routing.

Elevate deployable systems with these fully ruggedized and configurable switch solutions, guaranteeing reliability and performance even in the harshest environmental conditions. Built to withstand temperatures ranging from -40°C to +85°C and enhanced vibration, shock, and humidity tolerances, X-ES embedded switches have undergone rigorous testing and proven themselves a robust solution for mission-critical applications. Moreover, these switches offer Layer 2 switching and optional Layer 3 routing, enabling seamless networking within a single system.

X-ES xes-inc.com

COTS COTS

Index

ADVERTISERS Company

Page #

Website

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

13

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

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

BC

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

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

IFC

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

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

14

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

Interface Concept .................................................

4/IBC

................................ www.interfaceconcept.com

Military Systems Source ........................................

5

....................... www.militarysystemssource.com

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

11/23

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

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

4/31

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

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

29

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

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