Military Embedded Systems

This week’s product, the Abaco Systems FMC300 Wideband Low Latency FMC Module, integrates high-performance analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) and digital-to-analog conversion (DAC) capabilities. The module – aligned to the Sensor Open Systems Architecture (SOSA) Technical Standard – is designed for mission-critical military applications such as software-defined radio (SDR), electronic warfare (EW), and digital radar.

While it was officially released in the famous Dept. of Defense Tri-Service Memo five years ago, the concept of a modular open systems approach (MOSA) has been around for some time and is not a new concept, said Jason Dirner, in his keynote address at the MOSA [Modular Open Systems Approach] Virtual Summit held February 22 and hosted by myself and Military Embedded Systems. What is new, however, Dirner said, is “common MOSA, [where] you have multiple programs and services conforming to the same standard,” which enables a greater level of reuse and portability across the community.

WILMINGTON, Mass. The Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI) ADSY1100 series is a family of wideband multichannel RF digitizers in a 3U VPX SOSA [Sensor Open Systems Architecture] aligned format, aimed at use in electronic test and measurement systems, radar/communications systems, electronic warfare (EW), phased-array radar systems, and broadband communications applications. 

Analog Devices’ ADSY1100-series is a family of wideband multichannel RF digitizers in a 3UVPX SOSA™-aligned format.

SAN FRANCISCO. The Open Group Sensor Open Systems Architecture (SOSA) Consortium announced the release of the Technical Standard for SOSA Reference Architecture, Edition 2.0, Version 2 (Snapshot 2). 

This week’s product, AirBorn’s VPX power supply, is a 6U DC-to-DC module that is VITA 62 and OpenVPX compliant and provides 2000 W+, a level nearly 2x the output of traditional 6U VPX power supplies. The device is a rugged SOSA aligned, conduction-cooled switch mode unit built for use in high-end defense and space applications like radar, C4ISR, electronic warfare, and more.

GEORGETOWN, Texas. Rugged electronics manufacturer AirBorn launched its new VPX power supply, which is a SOSA aligned intelligent VPX power supply with a maximum output power upwards of 2000 watts. 

Artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled autonomous systems have revolutionized military operations and modern warfare. These uncrewed systems are well-suited for dangerous and repetitive tasks, enhancing situational awareness and logistical capabilities while reducing risks to human personnel. However, their growing role raises significant security concerns: Uncrewed vehicles rely heavily on machine learning (ML) and can be vulnerable to cyberattacks that could jeopardize missions, troops, and critical technologies. While no system is unhackable, system architecture becomes critical in ensuring a device is as resilient as possible to cyberattack not just on the day of initial deployment but several years into its product life cycle. Because of this, robust safeguards are necessary throughout their development and deployment life cycles. Secure design principles, encryption, access controls, and secure communications can harden these systems against unauthorized access.

Every day, at peak operational times in the U.S., the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Air Traffic Organization (ATO) handles approximately 5,400 aircraft flying in 29 million square miles of controlled airspace. When the growing number of uncrewed air systems (UASs) and other commercial and military uncrewed aircraft are also considered, the total number of aircraft flying daily over U.S. airspace significantly increases.

SCOTTSDALE, AZ. Jason Dirner – MOSA Chief Engineer, MOSA Management Office , Engineering & Systems Integration (ESI) Directorate, U.S. Army DEVCOM C5ISR Center, will keynote the MOSA Virtual Summit, being held Feb 27 at 11 am Est. Other sessions include: Leveraging MOSA for C5ISR, Electronic Warfare, and Radar Applications; MOSA at the Edge — C5ISR Sensors Across Multiple Domains;  and MOSA Strategies for Military Aviation Platforms.