Military Embedded Systems

This week’s product, the Annapolis Micro Systems WILDSTAR SAF1 Small Form Factor Module (WSSAF1), is a Direct RF solution that integrates the Intel Altera Agilex 9 MCP1 Direct RF-Series field-programmable gate array (FPGA). The solution is deployed as a standalone unit for military edge applications close to the sensor and in other tight-envelope man-portable environments.

WATERLOO, Ontario. Pixus Technologies introduced new 1-slot 3U OpenVPX backplanes, including versions compatible with MultiGig RT3, the company announced in a statement.

This week’s product, the LCR Embedded Systems Dual Port Media Converter, is designed for rugged embedded computing systems that often require connection to 10G and 1000 Base-T external I/O. The new module is used when there is a need for media conversion from the Base-T to embedded KR and KX backplane signaling. The system targets defense applications with rugged ATR, 19 inch size, and custom VPX and systems aligned to the Sensor Open Systems Architecture, or SOSA, Technical Standard.

WIRRAL, United Kingdom. Safety- and mission-critical software testing firm LDRA announced in a statement that it has joined the Sensor Open Systems Architecture, or SOSA, Consortium, The Open Group's vendor- and platform-agnostic forum for industry and government to collaboratively develop open standards and best practices.

This week’s product, the WOLF Advanced Technology VPX3U-AD5000E-CX7 (WOLF-153L) high-performance embedded computing (HPEC) module, leverages the NVIDIA RTX 5000 (AD103) GPU and also the NVIDIA ConnectX-7, which provides the module with up to 100 GbE Ethernet and a PCIe Gen4 switch. The VPX3U-AD5000E-CX7 module uses a WOLF chip-down design to provide NVIDIA’s technology on a rugged board for aerospace and defense applications. such as sensor processing and C5ISR [command, control, communications, computers, cyber, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance] systems.

C5ISR Modular Open Suite of Standards (CMOSS) originated nearly 10 years ago as a concept within the U.S. Army RDECOM/CERDEC/I2WD office as CERDEC C4ISR/EW Hardware/Software Convergence. Eight years of subsequent research and development has created a comprehensive technology base that is currently being specified as a threshold requirement for U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) programs including CMOSS Mounted Form Factor (CMFF). With the potential for near-term disruptive innovation in both the acquisition and operational commands, broader awareness of CMOSS technology and manufacturing readiness levels is warranted.

Imagine a battlefield where tanks predict enemy movements, armored personnel carriers self-diagnose mechanical issues, and infantry fighting vehicles automatically adjust their defensive systems based on incoming threats. Thanks to advancements in vehicle electronics – or vetronics – and open architecture initiatives like CMOSS [C4ISR/EW (command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance/electronic warfare) Modular Open Suite of Standards] this vision is closer to reality than ever before.

Multifunctionality at the component level is enabling multispectral, multifunction-type sensors, Jake Braegelmann, Vice President of Business Development at New Wave Design, told me in a recent McHale Report podcast. We discussed how artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms are impacting designs and discussed the proper definition of AI at the edge. Braegelmann’s definition: The edge is where the sensor collects the data and AI can enable the filtering of that data in real time to get actionable intelligence to decision-makers. We also covered the U.S. Department of Defense’s (DoD’s) modular open system approach (MOSA) mandate, being aligned to the Sensor Open Systems Architecture, or SOSA, Technical Standard, and more. Edited excerpts follow.

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama. Officials at The Open Group Future Airborne Capability Environment, or FACE, and Sensor Open Systems Architecture, or SOSA, Consortia announced that the next FACE and SOSA Technical Interchange Meeting (TIM) will be held September 16, 2024 in Huntsville, Alabama.

WILMINGTON, Massachusetts. Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI) introduced the ADSY1100 series, a new family of wideband multichannel RF digitizers, designed in a 3U VPX aligned with the Sensor Open Systems Architecture, or SOSA, Technical Standard, the company announced in a statement.