Data Sheet: OpenVPX SBCs Roundup
JOURNAL
The Journal of
Military Electronics & Computing
HPEC Solutions
Bring Data Center
Performance to
Embedded
Systems
Military Data Recording
Pushes SWaP Barriers
Layered Approach Wins for
Safety-Critical Software
An RTC Group Publication
July 2015 Volume 17 Number 7
cotsjournalonline.com
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JOURNAL
The Journal of
Military Electronics & Computing
CONTENTS
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.
July 2015 Volume 17 Number 7
FEATURED p.10 HPEC Reworks Data Center Computing for Embedded Duties
SPECIAL FEATURE HPEC Systems Meet New Defense Priorities
10
14
HPEC Reworks Data Center Computing for Embedded Duties
DEPARTMENTS
6Editorial
Detail Devils
Jeff Child
Software and APIs are Key to Military HPEC System Development
8
The Inside Track
Chad Augustine, Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions
34
COTS Products
46
Marching to the Numbers
TECH RECON Military Data Recorder Technology
18
Military Data Recording Advances to Accommodate Data Deluge
Jeff Child
SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT Safety Critical Choices in Embedded Software
20Layered Approach Enhances Security For Safety-Critical Software
James Deutch, Lynx Software Technologies
DATA SHEET OpenVPX SBCs Roundup
26
28
Coming in August
See Page 44
On The Cover: Last Fall the Freedom-class Littoral
Combat Ship (LCS-1) USS Forth Worth (LCS-3) entered
the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in the second
deployment of the LCS to the region. The ship was
the first LCS to embark with both a MH-60R Seahawk
manned helicopter and a MQ-8B Fire Scout rotary-wing
unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). (US Navy Photo).
OpenVPX Enjoys Busy Phase of Product and Standards Activity
Jeff Child
OpenVPX SBCs Roundup
Digital subscriptions available: cotsjournalonline.com
COTS Journal | July 2015
3
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DATA RECORDING AND DATA STORAGE
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JOURNAL
The Journal of
Military Electronics & Computing
Editorial
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EDITORIAL
Jeff Child, Editor-in-Chief
Detail Devils
N
ot sure why, but for some reason summer is when the topic
of defense acquisition reform tends enter the discussion of
people I talk to in the industry. The problems never change—
unexpected rises in program costs, slipping of schedules
and technology maturity issues. But there are always new theories
or activities aimed at improving things. One interesting angle being looked at recently is the defining a military program’s requirements—when to do it and to what degree of detail.
Along just those lines the GAO last month released a report
that was the result of interviews the organization conducted with 12
current and former military service chiefs and vice chiefs, and with
other current and former DOD leadership to discuss the acquisition
process. Most current and former military service chiefs and vice
chiefs GAO interviewed from the Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine
Corps collectively expressed dissatisfaction with acquisition program outcomes. In a nutshell the former service chiefs emphasized
the need for a stronger role in the acquisition chain of command.
That includes more formal authority and mechanisms in place to ensure that the service chiefs are consistently involved and sufficiently
able to influence program decisions.
Acquisition experts saw that while service chiefs had significant
influence on certain acquisition programs in the past, their close involvement did not always result in successful cost, schedule, or performance outcomes. For example, service chiefs had significant involvement in the Navy’s Littoral Combat Ship and the Army’s Future
Combat System. Both were programs viewed as vital operational capabilities that needing to be fielded quickly. As a result the programs
pursued aggressive acquisition strategies that pushed the programs
through development with ill-defined requirements and unstable
designs. This contributed to significant cost and schedule increases,
and in the case of the Future Combat System, program cancellation.
GAO analyzed requirements for all 78 major defense acquisition
programs and found that “creep” in the high-level requirements is rare.
Instead, it is after a program has formally started development that
the myriad lower-level, technical requirements needed to complete a
weapon system’s design are defined. Most of those detailed activities
occur after the service chiefs’ primary involvement. Moreover, those
low-level requirements often lead to the realization that much more
time and resources are needed to build the weapon system.
6
COTS Journal | July 2015
Broadly speaking a high level requirement is something like
“range” of a UAV for example, whereas a low-level requirement is the
UAV’s fuel tank size. When GAO presented its analysis of the problem
to the service chiefs, they generally agreed with it. Several noted that
tradeoffs informed by systems engineering must take place before
programs start so that requirements are better defined and more realistic cost, schedule, and performance commitments can be made.
One former DOD official pointed to the lengthy timeframe usually involved in developing major weapon systems and how requirements increases occur because programs want to introduce the
latest technology advances into a system. Examples cited were information technology (IT) and electronics equipment—although often embedded computing gets lumped under IT in such discussions.
As I see it, the report highlights an important insight—one that
actually dovetails with COTS Journal’s mission. The reality is that an
engineering approach to program development is key to success.
Many decades ago military technology development required a lot
of risk and scientific discovery—creating the early ballistic missile
systems or inventing the first computer control systems. But today
military system development is much more of a pure engineering
discipline. It’s about taking existing computer and electronics technology and engineering IT for the unique requirements of defense
platforms. I’m pleased that the defense industry is not only thinking
in that direction, but is also embracing—for real—open architecture concepts that enable computing systems to be upgraded easily
throughout the life of the program. And as engineers, like you know,
the devil has always been in the details.
Shifting gears, I want let you know that on August 25 I will be
moderating a panel at our San Diego RTECC event to be held at the
San Diego Del Mar Marriott. The panel discussion will explore trends
in C4SIR, military networking, advanced computing and more. The
panelists are an exciting mix of individuals from SPAWAR, Northrop
Grumman, SAIC, Cubic Global Defense, ViaSat and Lockheed Martin. If you or your colleagues are in the area on August 25 please come
and attend the show, and enjoy our panel discussion. And thanks to
all those companies signed up as exhibitors for the event.
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The
INSIDE TRACK
ADL Embedded Solutions to Provide
Computing for Army’s HMDS
ADL Embedded Solutions
has been selected by NIITEK, a
Chemring Group company, to be
the sole provider of its embedded
mission computing solutions for
NIITEK’s Husky Mounted Detection
System (HMDS) next generation
offering to the U.S. Army’s HMDS
A2 Program of Record. The HMDS
A2 uses the NIITEK Time-Domain
Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR).
In a parallel/complementary project, ADL Embedded Solutions will
also form the “brain” of the HMDS
International Sales Variant utilizing the 3D-Radar Step-Frequency
GPR. ADL will also be assisting
NIITEK in retrofitting the existing
HMDS A1 fleet with its embedded
computing solutions via a separate
effort.
The HMDS is a high-performance ground penetrating radar
system which functions on manned
and unmanned, blast resistant
vehicles that provide rapid ability
to detect anti-vehicular landmines
and other explosive hazards such
as improvised explosive devices
(IEDs) on main supply routes and
open areas (Figure 1). NIITEK has
been developing the HMDS since
2006 successfully supporting the
U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps and
other coalition partners with
HMDS systems in Afghanistan
Figure 1
The Husky Mounted Detection System (HMDS) is high-performance ground
penetrating radar system which functions on manned and unmanned, blast
resistant vehicles.
through a Joint Urgent Operational
Need (JUON) requirement now
known as the HMDS A1.
NGC Mission Computers
Tapped for Marine Corp H-1
Helicopter Upgrade
Northrop Grumman was
recently awarded a contract from
Naval Air Systems Command to
deliver its next-generation mission
computer for Lot 12 of the Marine
Corps’ H-1 helicopter upgrade
program (Figure 2). Under this
contract, Northrop Grumman will
provide FlightPro Gen III mission
computers for the UH-1Y and AH1Z aircraft. The period of performance for this Lot 12 contract is
slated for October 2016 through
October 2017.
The lightweight FlightPro Gen
III mission computer integrates
advanced mission, weapons and
video processing capabilities into
FIND the products featured
in this section and more at
www.intelligentsystemssource.com
8
COTS Journal | July 2015
ADL Embedded Solutions
San Diego, CA.
(858) 490-0597
www.adl-usa.com
Northrop Grumman
Los Angeles, CA
(310) 553-6262
www.northropgrumman.com
DDC Expands Power
Solutions Capabilities with
the Acquisition of Emrise
Electronics Ltd.
Figure 2
FlightPro Gen III mission computer provides the H-1 helicopter with mission,
weapons and video processing capabilities in a conduction-cooled box that
can drive four independent, multi-function displays.
a conduction-cooled, high-performance airborne computer capable of driving four independent,
multi-function displays. Northrop
Grumman will provide identical
mission computers for the UH-1Y
and AH-1Z aircraft that make up
the Marine Light Attack Helicopter
Squadrons. This means increased
commonality across multiple platforms through a shared integrated
mission equipment package.
Data Device Corporation
(DDC) has announced the acquisition of Emrise Corporation’s Electronic Devices Group, Emrise Electronics Ltd. Emrise Electronics Ltd
is comprised of XCEL Power Systems Ltd and Pascall Electronics
Ltd, international market leaders
in high reliability power conversion
products. Serving the aerospace,
defense and industrial markets for
more than 30 years, XCEL Power
Systems and Pascall Electronics
are focused on generating value
The
INSIDE TRACK
for their customers by providing
world-class custom and semi-custom power supply solutions. These
power supply solutions support a
broad range of military and civilian
aerospace applications including
radar systems, cockpit displays and
in-flight entertainment.
Vincent Buffa, President and
CEO of DDC said the acquisition of
EMRISE Electronics will broaden
DDC’s power management offering
and capabilities. The deal also
leverages the synergy of DDC’s
solid-state power controllers with
XCEL and Pascall’s power supply
technology. This acquisition
expands DDC’s business base in
the European market with best-inclass power conversion products,
while reinforcing DDC’s position as
a leading supplier of high reliability
Connectivity, Power and Control
solutions.
Data Device Corp.
Bohemia, NY
(631) 567-5600
www.ddc-web.com
Saft Li-Ion Battery to
Power ExoMars Rover as it
Explores Mars
Saft has signed a contract
worth over one million Euros from
Airbus Defence and Space Ltd
(UK) to develop, qualify and test a
specific lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery system to power the ExoMars
Rover vehicle. The Rover is the
key component of the ExoMars
Programme, run jointly by the
European Space Agency (ESA) and
Roscosmos, the Russian Federal
Space Agency. Thales Alenia Space
Italia SpA is the ExoMars prime
contractor.
The ExoMars Rover’s power
system will comprise solar panels
capable of producing 1200 W-hours
working in combination with Saft’s
1142 Wh (nominal) battery system
(Figure 3). The system will store
the energy generated by the solar
MILITARY MARKET WATCH
Procurement and Modernization Spur
Growth for Military Fixed Wing Market
Figure 3
This 300 kg ExoMars Rover will land
on Mars before moving between
a number of sites and drilling into
the surface to capture samples for
analysis by its onboard scientific
instruments.
panels to ensure uninterrupted
operation during the Martian
night. The ExoMars Rover battery system is based on Saft’s MP
176065 Integration xtd cells. A key
advantage of these Li-ion cells is
their compact, lightweight design
that minimizes the overall battery
mass. Furthermore, the cells have
been developed to deliver high performance in demanding operating
conditions, even when subject to
extreme fluctuations in temperature from -40 to +85 degrees C. Saft
is scheduled to deliver the battery
system before the end of 2016 to
meet ESA’s launch plans for 2018.
Saft America
Cockeysville, MD
(410) 771-3200
www.saftbatteries.com
Figure 4
Frost & Sullivan found that the fixed-wing military aircraft market earned revenues
of $63.33 billion in 2014 and estimates this to reach $72.77 billion in 2023.
Procurement and modernization programs designed to enhance air
capabilities that support the ground and naval domains continue to be the
major reason for growth of the global military fixed wing market, according
to new analysis from Frost & Sullivan’s Global Military Fixed Wing Market
Assessment. Next-generation platforms, including modern multirole combat
and special mission aircrafts are likely to dominate the market for the coming
ten years. Advanced integrated modular avionics and intelligence, surveillance
and reconnaissance (ISR)-oriented upgrades will also remain prominent. Frost
& Sullivan found that the market earned revenues of $63.33 billion in 2014 and
estimates this to reach $72.77 billion in 2023 (Figure 4). The study covers the
combat, trainer, utility and special mission application segments.
The combat and special mission application segments will continue to
be lucrative as air forces across the globe are looking to establish and enhance
air-to-ground attack and ISR capabilities. For aerial troop transport and tactical intelligence gathering efforts, transport and surveillance aircrafts will also
be used, according to Frost & Sullivan’s Aerospace & Defense Senior Research
Analyst Arun Kumar Sampathkumar. “These activities will impose the need
to upgrade and expand existing fleets as per requirements.” However, budget
cuts will adversely impact defense spending in the West. Until the situation improves, the execution of major procurement programs will be delayed. Defense
forces will resort to upgrade programs to meet their immediate needs and push
their procurement commitments to the mid- and long-term.
Additionally, offering a diverse set of on-board avionics to choose from
will be welcomed by the defense forces and give a competitive edge to military
fixed wing suppliers. Overall, seamless connectivity, high data throughput, and
commonality of data structures will be the most sought-after avionics features.
For more information on Frost & Sullivan’s new research please email Edyta
Grabowska, Corporate Communications, at edyta.grabowska@frost.com.
Frost & Sullivan, San Antonio, TX. (210) 348-1000. www.frost.com.
COTS Journal | July 2015
9
SPECIAL FEATURE
HPEC Systems Meet New Defense Priorities
10
COTS Journal | July 2015
SPECIAL FEATURE
HPEC Reworks Data
Center Computing for
Embedded Duties
A clear definition of High Performance Embedded Computing (HPEC)
remains elusive. But system developers are starting to appreciate
the many-faceted benefits of applying data center server levels of
computing to military embedded platforms.
Jeff Child, Editor-in-Chief
I
f you ask any handful of embedded computing vendors in our industry to define High
Performance Embedded Computing (HPEC) you’re not likely to get any consistent answer. For some it’s about highly dense arrays of GPGPUs as one approach. For other it’s
accomplishing data-center levels computing with the use of server-class Xeon processors and all their support electronics. Still others will insist that an element of computing
virtualization is needed that lets software programs function on massively parallel multiprocessing systems as if they’re on a single processor. Should HPEC also include any SBCs or
systems using the latest and greatest laptop processors?
While there’s really been no consensus reached in the past 12 months, a broad definition
that fits with what our market offers is this: HPEC leverages technologies like VPX and rackmounted PCI Express to provide massive processing power for compute-intensive systems.
Such systems strive to embed cutting-edge levels of throughput and processing into spaceconstrained systems handling more than a teraflop of data.
Xeon CPUs for Embedded Systems
One of the key technologies for HPEC systems has been Intel’s Xeon family of processors.
Xeon processors are a staple in the world of data center server systems. Some HPEC offerings
also use all the I/O and memory technology used with Xeons in data-center type servers. Fit-
COTS Journal | July 2015
11
SPECIAL FEATURE
Figure 1
The Xeon-D combines industry standard
x86 cores with two ports of integrated
10 GbE Intel Ethernet and integrated I/Os
(PCIe, USB, SATA and other general purpose
I/Os) on a single package.
ting nicely into that strategy, in March this
year Intel announced its Xeon processor D
product family, Xeon-D is the company’s
first Xeon processor-based system-on-chip
(SoC) (Figure 1). It’s expected to bring server
class processing even closer to the demanding HPEC needs of military embedded systems. Over the past couple months a slew of
embedded board vendors have announced
or hinted at board-level solutions based on
the Xeon-D.
Built on Intel’s industry-leading 14nm
process technology, the Intel Xeon processor D product family combines the performance and advanced intelligence of Intel
Xeon processors with the size and power
savings of an SoC. The 64-bit Xeon-D products deliver up to 3.4x faster performance
per node1 and up to 1.7x better performance per watt when compared to the Intel Atom processor C2750, part of Intel’s
second-generation 64-bit SoC product family. Intel launched 4- and 8-core microserver
optimized SoCs in March, with a more comprehensive portfolio of network, storage and
IoT SoCs targeted for availability in the second half of this year.
Board-Level Xeon-D Solutions
The Xeon-D combines industry standard x86 cores with two ports of integrated
10 GbE Intel Ethernet and integrated I/Os
(PCIe, USB, SATA and other general pur12
COTS Journal | July 2015
pose I/Os) on a single package. It operates
at a thermal design point near 20 watts and
supports up to 128 Gbytes of addressable
memory. It provides support or error-correcting code memory, combined with enhanced hardware-based Intel Virtualization
Technology and Intel Advanced Encryption
Standard-New Instructions (AES-NI).
So far Extreme Engineering, Mercury
Systems and Curtiss Wright Defense Solutions have released OpenVPX SBCs based
on Xeon-D with other vendors expected to
follow suit. Extreme Engineering’s offering
for example is the XPedite7670 3U OpenVPX REDI single board computer module
(Figure 1). The board is a 3U OpenVPX REDI,
single board computer with support for up
to 8 Gbytes of DDR3-1600 ECC SDRAM. The
XPedite7670 provides two 10 Gbit Ethernet
interfaces configured as XAUI or 10GBASEKX4, and four Gbit Ethernet interfaces configured as two 1000BASE-BX/KX (SerDes)
ports and two 10/100/1000BASE-T ports.
A x4 PCIe 3.0 interface, routed to the backplane P1 connector, supports communication with peripheral devices, as well as a
Non-Transparent Bridge for direct communication with another processor. This reduces SWaP-C for the system integrator by
eliminating the need for a separate switch
module in the system. Extreme Engineering announced 6U VPX version, the XCalibur4640 at the same time.
requirements provided by the US Air Force.
Curtiss-Wright says it will benchmark
and optimize its HPEC-based radar processing system design. The Curtiss-Wright design is based on the company’s Fabric40 rugged OpenVPX board and chassis products
that deliver the industry’s first complete
end-to-end system approach for integrating
the 40 Gbps high-speed fabrics into aerospace and defense HPEC applications. GE
Intelligent Platforms will leverage its HPEC
and GPGPU technology for the program and
will carry out its participation in the project
at GE’s HPEC Center of Excellence in Billerica, MA. According to GE the award includes
the development of a lab-based processor
system that has a clear path to rugged deployment on US Air Force platforms.
Emphasis on Software and APIs
A number of embedded computer
vendors are pushing software as a key element of making HPEC work to its maximum
level. It’s not enough just to have superfast
hardware. Along those lines, GE’s Intelligent
Platform last fall announced Release 6.1 of
its AXISPro advanced multiprocessor application development environment. It’s designed to ease and speed the development
of sophisticated applications for advanced
HPEC applications. The new AXISmpi library provides an open standard message
passing interface to enable application por-
HPEC for Next-Gen Radar
The U.S. military is definitely demanding HPEC performance. An example is Next
Generation Radar evaluation program organized by the U.S Air Force. The goal of this
program is reportedly to assess the capability of cost-effective COTS hardware and software to perform airborne radar signal processing. Benchmarks provided by the US Air
Force leverage advances in commercial high
performance computing (HPC) software,
such as OpenCL, VSIPL, FFTW, and MPI.
The firms from our industry tapped
to participate in this program are CurtissWright Defense Solutions and GE Intelligent
Platforms. Under the program, CurtissWright, GE and a select group of COTS vendors will each benchmark their proposed
multiprocessor High Performance Embedded Computing (HPEC) Radar processing
architecture based on specifications and
Figure 2
Based on the Xeon-D, the XPedite7670
is a 3U OpenVPX REDI SBC with
support for up to 8 Gbytes of DDR31600 ECC SDRAM, 10 Gbit Ethernet
interfaces and four Gbit Ethernet
interfaces as well as a x4 PCIe 3.0
SPECIAL FEATURE
Figure 3
The BoldHPC system can contain one
or two ACPU-20 blades which include
1 or 2 Intel E5 v2 processors and up
to two NVIDIA Kepler processors (or
Intel Phi’s). The blades are cooled
with direct hot liquid cooling that
doesn’t require air conditioning and
ventilation.
tability and scalability from server clusters
to SWaP-C (size, weight, power and cost)
sensitive embedded systems via the industry standard MPI application programming
interface (API). Application developers can
now target HPEC open system architectures
and avoid vendor lock-in, while achieving
the same efficient, low latency inter-process
communication (IPC) already available with
GE’s proprietary AXISFlow IPC middleware.
It’s also important in HPEC system development to leverage the rich field of standard APIs available. By adopting HPC industry open standard APIs, middleware, and
development tools in HPEC systems you can
take advantage of the sheer size of the HPC
supercomputer industry, which is funded by
large commercial markets such as finance
and high-end computer simulations. Those
markets drive the growth of a large population of software programmers who are fluent in those very languages, such as MPI,
CUDA, OpenCL, RoCE and OFED, that can
be optimally leveraged in aerospace and defense system HPEC designs. Curtiss-Wright
expands on this topic in its article “Software
and APIs are Key to Military HPEC System
Development” in this issue of COTS Journal.
Leveraging Data Server Software
There’s an even further stake that software emphasis means to HPEC system development. If the computer architecture
of an HPEC matches standard data center
servers more exactly, they can take advan-
tage of the same software model used by
those servers. In other words, when an embedded system uses all the common components that standard servers use---Intel
CPUs, GPUs from NVIDA (or Intel) and all
the I/O devices that those server companies
support, suddenly you can use the drivers,
operating systems, libraries and tools that
are available for running on any standard
Intel-processor white box server to run your
embedded application.
With server-like hardware you can leverage server-class existing software such
as those available from Intel, NVIDA and
you can get them through channels. Moreover, when a system looks like a sever from
the software perspective, it can do the same
networking and virtual machine computing
just like any VMware-certified and KVMcertified server system. This software model
saves lots of time and makes it easier for any
software engineer or system integrator to
get their application up and running.
the market that only remove heat from hot
spots like the CPU or GPU.
Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions
Ashburn, VA
(703) 779-7800
www.cwcdefense.com
Dynatem
Mission Viejo, CA
(800) 543-3830
www.dynatem.com
Intel
Santa Clara, CA
(408) 765-8080
www.intel.com
GE Intelligent Platforms
Charlottesville, VA
(800) 368-2738
defense.ge-ip.com
Mercury Systems
Chelmsford, MA
(978) 967-1401
www.mrcy.com
Water-Cooled Supercomputer HPEC
For its part, Dynatem took that philosophy when developing its BoldHPC system, a fanless, 1U high, 19 inch rack mount
computer that brings super computer performance to embedded applications (Figure
3). Supercomputing levels of performance
need extreme levels of cooling technology.
Eurotech already employs water-cooling
technology in products like its HiVe WaterCooled HPC system. Eurotech’s Dynatem division adapted that technology for a system
suited to the needs of military embedded
applications and the result was BoldHPC.
The system’s safe reliable water cooling
enables greater density and performance,
1,000 times more effective than air cooling,
less expensive than fans.
The BoldHPC system can contain one
or two ACPU-20 blades of which includes 1
or 2 Intel E5 v2 processors, up to two NVIDIA
Kepler processors (or Intel Phi’s) and optional Altera Stratix FPGA Each blade can
provide 3.3 Teraflops/s with an energy efficiency greater than 3.15 Gflops per Watt.
The blades are cooled with direct hot liquid
cooling that doesn’t require air conditioning
and ventilation. Pervasive cooling is applied
to every component of the board to maximize the cooling effectiveness. This is in
contrast to other liquid cooling solutions on
COTS Journal | July 2015
13
SPECIAL FEATURE
HPEC Systems Meet New Defense Priorities
Software and APIs are Key to
Military HPEC System Development
Ultra-fast computing hardware for HPEC is getting easier to come by. But the most efficient path to success
means leveraging the wealth of standard APIs and software from the HPC realm.
Chad Augustine. Product Marketing Manager – Software
Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions
T
he military embedded computing
industry’s first big step in bringing highly scalable supercomputer
processing performance from the
commercial High Performance Computing
(HPC) world to rugged, deployed High Performance Embedded Computing (HPEC) architectures was the adoption in recent years
of industry standard hardware devices and
technologies from leading suppliers such as
Intel, AMD, NVIDIA, and Mellanox that enabled 40 Gbit fabrics, such as Infiniband and
40 Gbit Ethernet, capable of supporting HPC
throughput rates (Figure 1). The next big
leap in embedded computing-based HPEC
system development will be about software,
not hardware.
By leveraging proven, robust development tools from the supercomputing world,
aerospace and defense embedded system
integrators will gain access to best-of-class
open architecture APIs and tools, including
debuggers, profilers, and communication
and vector math libraries, that will ease
and improve the design and verification of
multi-node systems while greatly improving
their time-to-deployment.
In today’s environment, embedded
computing customers frequently develop
their own costly middleware to layer on top
of APIs provided by hardware vendors, to
ensure flexibility and protect their system
14
COTS Journal | July 2015
Figure 1
Serving HPEC needs, Fabric40 switch and IO configurations seamlessly interoperate
over the 40 Gb Ethernet and PCIe. An example Fabric40 board is VPX6-1958 a 6U
OpenVPX SBC with 2.4 GHz 4th gen Haswell Core i7 Quad-Core 22nm processor.
designs from being locked into proprietary
software architectures. Hardware vendors,
by bringing the embedded computing
approach to software APIs and development tools, by identifying and supporting
proven open sourced software libraries,
middleware, and tools on their VPX-based
HPEC systems will provide a non-proprietary open standards model for system software integration that eliminates the need
for time consuming and expensive software
customization (Figure 2). Adopting leading
HPC-industry software will enable aerospace and defense embedded computing
customers to better focus on their application development, to better fortify their differentiators and reduce development cycles.
Costly Software Development
We’ve consistently seen that software
is, by far, the most costly component of system development programs. Over the last
five or so years, interaction with embedded
computing customer software engineers,
compared to interaction with hardware engineers, has increased as system integrators
struggle to understand the implications of
new hardware technologies from the soft-
SPECIAL FEATURE
Figure 2
With a pair of quad-core Core-i7 (Haswell) processors, featuring the updated AVX 2.0
instruction units and redesigned on-chip graphics execution units, the CHAMP-AV9 is
the DSP multi-processing component of Curtiss-Wright’s HPEC solution set.
ware perspective. One of the main concerns
of system integrators is how to embrace next
generation hardware, via technology insertion, without detrimentally affecting the
valuable, and often critical, code base that
they’ve depended on, in many cases, for two
or more decades.
By moving to open APIs and using commercial supercomputing industry software
standards, embedded computing system
integrators will be better able to insert latest generation technologies and upgrade
their legacy systems without having to
re-invent the proverbial wheel. Even better, system integrators will gain increased
flexibility by eliminating dependence on
proprietary hardware drivers from a single
vendor, through the use of open standard
middleware supported by a wide range of
embedded computing hardware suppliers.
A non-trivial benefit of adopting HPC
industry open standard APIs, middleware,
and development tools in HPEC systems
is the fact that these are the software standards that numerous college students are
being taught today. The shear size of the
HPC supercomputer industry, which services large commercial markets such as finance and high-end computer simulations,
drives the growth of a large population of
software programmers who are fluent in
those very languages, such as MPI, CUDA,
OpenCL, RoCE and OFED, that can be optimally leveraged in aerospace and defense
system HPEC designs. By using the same industry standard software that students are
learning in college, rather than developing
proprietary APIs and tools, embedded computing vendors and customers can tap the
knowledge and expertise of this programmer population, without requiring them to
learn custom APIs or a different way of doing things. The table in Figure 3 lists several
key HPC/HPEC APIs and tools.
Leveraging HPC API Work
The large and growing user base of HPC
software will also result in HPEC designers
having access to APIs and middleware with
far greater robustness. In the HPC community, the number of users writing API code
likely numbers in the tens of thousands.
Compare that to today’s HPEC market,
where in all likelihood the number of coders
for a particular API probably ranges from
the hundreds to the tens. The huge installed
base of HPC users provides embedded computing users with significant “crowd sourcing” benefits, such as a far greater number of
use cases and much more regression testing.
The large amount of feedback from the
HPC open source user community is also available on the Internet at no cost. This means
that aerospace and defense HPEC designers
can take advantage of the intense and rigorous
development and testing that HPC architects
need to support a 6,000 node supercomputer
on their own 20 or 40-node embedded systems. Examples of the open source resources
and knowledge bases that can be leveraged by
embedded computing software engineers include: www.hpcwire.com, insidehpc.com and
sc15.supercomputing.org.
It’s only recently that significant adop-
tion of commercial HPC software into the
HPEC realm has become truly viable. For
embedded deployed defense applications
one of the key issues has always been determinism, which results from a combination of high throughput and low latency.
Because these applications are often deployed in SWaP-C constrained ground and
airborne platforms, there is also an important physical factor to embedded computing hardware, a constraint that has not been
historically associated with the rooms full of
servers that support HPC computing.
Latency, Memory and More
The typical HPC code used from the
1990s-2000s often required too large of a
memory footprint to make it practical for use
in an embedded computing system. While
the older code’s throughput might have been
fast enough, the latency was often too high to
support the embedded computing application’s required determinism. This led to the
rise in popularity of small footprint RTOSes
in the aerospace and defense market.
What’s changed more recently is that
newer server level multi-core processors,
such as Intel’s Xeon devices, are being increasingly used in newer commercial HPC
applications, such as those found in the finance industry. These commercial applications share the same needs as some military
applications (such as Electronic Warfare)
for extremely low latency, which in banking
and investment houses is often measured
in nanoseconds. To support these more
demanding HPC applications, a new class
of software, such as profilers that support
cluster computers, has emerged that are optimized for throughput, latency, and smaller
memory footprints.
What’s more, HPC software is also
now increasingly coming under some of
the same SWaP pressures as those commonly found in the embedded computing
market. Massive HPC data centers, such as
those used by Wall Street firms and the NSA,
are more frequently bumping up against
power limits. Local power companies are
being stretched to the limit to provide the
powerlines needed to support the racks of
computers and air conditioning required by
large scale server farms. As a result, supercomputer designers are pursuing efforts to
reduce the size and power requirements of
COTS Journal | July 2015
15
SPECIAL FEATURE
their system architectures in order to deliver ever more PetaFLOPS of performance.
These recent HPC system trends have all
converged to benefit embedded computing
designers, making it possible to identify and
“cherry pick” best-of-class HPC software for
use in embedded computing systems, rather
than developing new software for our much
smaller market.
Embracing Standards Avoids Risk
Last, but not least, one of the greatest
benefits of leveraging open standard HPC
software in the embedded computing market is that it effectively removes the risk from
developing large scale embedded computer
clusters. We are now able to take advantage
of the advances and successes of the HPC
community, which is collectively focused
daily on solving these problems. It’s time for
embedded computing vendors and embedded system integrators to benefit from the
vast array of existing open standard drivers,
middleware, and libraries and the proven
solutions for cluster-wide debugging tools,
performance profiling, performance re-
HPC/HPEC Standard Software Resources
CUDA (Nvidia)
De Facto Standard API
OpenGL
Open Standard API
MPI
Open Standard API
DDS
Open Standard API
Sockets
Open Standard API
OFED
Open Standard API
VSIPL
Open Standard API
FFTW
Open Standard API
DMA
Open Standard Hardware API
RDMA
Open Standard Hardware API
Profilers
Development and Testing Tools
Cluster Manager
Development and Testing Tools
Figure 3
Using the same industry standard software that students are learning in college lets
you tap the knowledge and expertise of this programmer population, without requiring
them to learn custom APIs.
ports, data flow performance analysis, and
built-in-test tools that have already been developed for commercial use.
Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions
Ashburn, VA
(703) 779-7800
www.cwcdefense.com
COME JOIN US ON
TUESDAY AUGUST 25!!
San Diego, August 25 at the San Diego Del Mar Marriott
FEATURING A C4ISR TECHNOLOGY PANEL
DISCUSSING TRENDS IN:
• C4ISR
• Military Networks
• Advanced Computing
and More!
PANEL MODERATOR:
Jeff Child, Editor-in-Chief of COTS Journal
OUR ALL STAR PANELISTS:
Rob Wolborsky, Space and Naval Warfare
(SPAWAR) Systems Command
Dr. Robert Smith, Lockheed Martin
Howard Pace, ViaSat
Keith Smith, Northrop Grumman
Will Fitzgerald, Space and Naval Warfare
(SPAWAR) Systems Command
w w w . r t e c c . c o m
16
COTS Journal | July 2015
Michael Twyman, Cubic Global Defense.
John Quigley, SAIC
When Air-Cooling Isn’t Enough.
Dynatem HPC
Water Cooling reduces hot-spots, maintains thermal control
across wide temperatures, and eliminates noisy and failure
prone fans.
G-Station Liquid-Cooled Zero Noise, Energy Efficient HPC
• 3.4GFlops-per-watt
• Up to 27TFlops
• Offering Performance, Energy Efficiency, Density and Flexibility
like never before
G-Station
Liquid-Cooled
Zero Noise Energy
Efficient HPC
BoldHPC 1U Liquid-Cooled Rugged Server
• Up to 3.16TFlops
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like never before!
• Expansion options including RAID and PCIe
BoldHPC 1U Liquid-Cooled
Rugged Server
From the Data Center to the Battlefield.
23263 Madero, Suite C, Mission Viejo, CA 92691 (800) 543-3830 • (949) 855-3235
TECH RECON
Military Data Recorder Technology
Military Data Recording
Advances to Accommodate
Data Deluge
Thanks to high res video and other technologies but the number of military data sources are increasing at
the same time has the sheer density of data is ramping up. Military data recording solutions are keeping
pace with more channels and high capacities.
Jeff Child, Editor-in-Chief
T
he high-bandwidth sensor platforms
on manned recon aircraft, UAVs, satellites and other system are bringing in
a deluge of data. In turn data recording systems are being tasked to manage and
store massive amounts of data. There’s no
doubt that military data storage has become
more of a mission-critical function than ever.
Data recorder vendors are winning new and
upgrade programs in numerous programs,
particularly in the airborne space.
Along just such lines, last mouth Physical Optics Corporation (POC) received a
follow-on Increment II production contract
in the amount of $7.1 million from the Naval
Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), Patuxent
River, MD, for associated development, production and delivery of 31 Digital Data Set
(DDS) Systems for the Navy’s T-45C trainer
aircraft (Figure 1). Work begins in the Torrance, CA, facility immediately, and is to be
completed by 5/31/17. With options for an
additional 84 systems, the total contract
value would exceed $18 million.
The DDS physically replaces three
legacy systems on the T-45C aircraft into
a single highly advanced system. In addition to a number of enhancements such
as ED-112 Crash Survivable Memory Unit
(CSMU), DDS combines the Airborne Data
Recorder, Signal Data Computer, Advanced
18
COTS Journal | July 2015
Figure 1
Digital Data Set (DDS) Systems
physically replace three legacy systems
on the T-45C aircraft into a single
highly advanced system.
Signal Data Computer, Airborne Video Cassette Recorder, and the Mission Data Loader
into a single digital footprint while improving safety, reliability and performance with
added functionality.
Video Data Recording on P-8A
At a whole different scale of recorder
size, Crystal Group recently announced that
Boeing awarded the company with a contract extension to provide Video And Data
Storage System (VADSS) units aboard the
U.S. Navy’s P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol
aircraft (Figure 2). Boeing supplies the P-8A
surveillance plane to the U.S. Navy. Under
this contract extension, Crystal Group will
provide Boeing with VADSS hardware to retrofit twenty-four low rate initial production
aircraft that Boeing has already delivered to
the U.S. Navy with installations beginning in
4Q 2015. The entire contract, including prior
award to supply VADSS for Lots 4 and 5 of
the P-8A production, is expected to complete in 4Q 2016.
Crystal Group will provide Boeing with
VADSS hardware to retrofit twenty-four low
rate initial production aircraft that Boeing
has already delivered to the U.S. Navy.
VADSS is comprised of Crystal Group’s
rugged, lightweight computer servers and
storage devices that capture and process
video data gathered from surveillance sensors onboard the aircraft. The company
also designs and manufactures installationready rugged servers, displays, networking
devices, embedded systems, and storage
devices that fit critical applications in demanding environmental conditions.
Helicopter-Based Data Recording
Helicopter based data recording requires a whole different level of ruggedization and SWaP reduction. Exemplifying that
trend, TTTech this spring was awarded a
sub-contract by General Dynamics UK to
TECH RECON
Figure 2
VADSS storage system on the P-8A aircraft is comprised of rugged servers and storage
devices that capture and process video data gathered from surveillance sensors onboard
the aircraft.
provide ARINC 664 p7 end system cards
for the Tactical Processor mission system
equipment that will be installed onboard
AgustaWestland’s AW101 Merlin Mk4/4a
helicopters. The rugged end system cards
increase the flexibility and functionality
of General Dynamics UK’s mission system through the support of three traffic
classes (Standard Ethernet, ARINC 664 p7
and Time-Triggered Ethernet SAE AS6802),
with three channels at 10/100/1000 Mbit/s.
The end systems are available in various
form factors (PMC, XMC, PCI, PCIe, CPCI).
TTTech’s AFDX and TTEthernet end system
cards and switches for safety-, mission- and
time-critical systems support deterministic
real-time data communication with defined
Quality of Service (QoS) as well as bounded
latency and jitter.
TTTech’s end system cards will be used
in General Dynamics UK’s mission system
equipment, which includes the Tactical
Processor system and a secure data recorder to provide increased performance
and capability onboard the helicopters. This
sub-contract is awarded as part of the Merlin Life Sustainment Programme (MLSP),
which was awarded to AgustaWestland by
the UK Ministry of Defence in January 2014
to convert 25 AW101 Merlin helicopters for
maritime operations.
Data Recorder With Independent
FPDP Links
For military applications, there’s always
demand for faster performance, high-channel count and increased capacity for
data recorders. Pentek has addressed all three of those factor with a new addition to the
Talon Value Series of recorders, the Model RTV 2602 Serial
FPDP recording and playback
system (Figure 3). This
new recorder extends
the Talon Value Series
of rackmount recorders that are optimized
for laboratory operating environments. The
RTV 2602 supports up to four independently
clocked Serial FPDP links using copper or
optical cables with single-mode or multimode fiber with flexible baud rate selection
to support virtually all popular Serial FPDP
interfaces.
It is capable of both receiving and transmitting data over these links and supports
real-time data storage to disk and playback
from disk. Up to four channels can be recorded or played back simultaneously with
an aggregate rate of up to 400 Mbytes/s.
Providing 4 Terabytes of data storage, the six
enterprise-class, hot-swappable front-panel
disk drives can be easily replaced by empty
drives when full.
All Talon recorders are built on a Windows 7 Professional workstation and include Pentek’s SystemFlow software, featuring a GUI (graphical user interface), signal
viewer, and API (Application Programming
Interface). The GUI provides intuitive controls for out-of-the-box turn-key operation
using point-and-click configuration management. Configurations are easily stored
and recalled for single-click setup.
Crystal Group
Hiawatha, IA
(319) 378-1636
www.crystalrugged.com
Physical Optics Corp.
Torrance, CA
(310) 320-3088
www.poc.com
Pentek
Upper Saddle River, NJ
(201) 818-5900
www.pentek.com
TTTech Computertechnik AG
Vienna, Austria.
+43 1 585 34 34-0
www.tttech.com
Figure 3
Providing 4 Terabytes of data storage, the RTV 2602 supports up to four
independently clocked Serial FPDP links. Up to four channels can be recorded or
played back simultaneously with an aggregate rate of up to 400 Mbytes/s.
COTS Journal | July 2015
19
SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT
Safety Critical Choices in Embedded Software
Layered Approach Enhances
Security For Safety-Critical
Software
As military platforms gain more network connectivity, keeping system secure gets trickier. A layered software
approach along with the correct type of hypervisors can help smooth the way.
James Deutch, Product Specialist for LynxOS, Lynx Software Technologies
T
oday’s safety-critical embedded environments are becoming more connected to the outside world. The
ongoing growth of the Internet and
IoT solutions will further drive connectivity
requirements for safety-critical systems for
the foreseeable future. Aerospace and defense are just some of the vertical markets
that will expand as the ability to interconnect and remotely work with devices grows.
The benefits of being able to monitor and control safety-critical embedded
devices are real and substantial. Remote
monitoring and command-and-control of
embedded safety-critical devices will benefit military applications—such as UAV
surveillance and payload delivery (Figure 1).
Device makers will be driven towards networking their safety-critical devices in their
bids to be innovative and stay competitive.
However, with this increase in connectivity,
safety-critical systems developers will also
need to be concerned with security in addition to safety-critical functionality.
Developers of safety-critical embedded
software can no longer consider the domain
of security as being separate from the domain of functional safety. Any system interfaced to the outside world has the potential
to expose security vulnerabilities. In particular, systems connected to the Internet and
IoT need to be protected against specialized
20
COTS Journal | July 2015
Figure 1
General Atomic’s Predator XP UAV supports a variety of overland and maritime
Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions worldwide.
targeted malware attacks as well as a whole
world of hackers.
Safety and Security are Linked
The tie between security and safety is
also acknowledged by safety related process standards. When there is a potential
for security vulnerabilities, standards such
as IEC61508/EN61508 (process), ISO26262
(automotive), IEC62304/EN62304 (medical),
IEC62278/EN50128 (railways), and DO-178
(aerospace) require functional safety requirements to deal with them. Each of these
process standards have requirements for
SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT
Embedded Safety
Criticle Application
Basic Embedded
System Design
thermore, once an attacker gets into the system through the network, the entire system
is potentially exposed. Typical microkernel
architectures that link applications with the
kernel to produce a single binary executable,
have no separation between user space and
kernel space. Once a hacker gets into such a
system, everything is exposed and open to
exploitation.
Embedded OS
Hardware
Sensor
Actuator
Embedded Safety
Criticle Application
Embedded OS
Layered Software Approach
Network Application
IPC Channel
Common Networked
Embedded System Design
TCP/IP
Stack
Internet
Hardware
Sensor
Actuator
TCP/IP
Figure 2
Basic and common networked military platforms.
function identification, specification, classification, design, development, and verification to show compliance with system safety
requirements.
Security vulnerabilities in safetycritical systems are not merely academic
concepts. There are published examples of
safety-critical systems found to be vulnerable to security design flaws. In 2011, security researcher Barnaby Jack devised an attack to wirelessly take control of Medtronic’s
implantable insulin pumps, demonstrating
how such a pump could release a fatal dose
of insulin. In 2014, researchers from the University of Michigan were able to take control
of a networked traffic signal system currently
deployed in the United States due to a number of security flaws. In today’s networked
world, Johnny down the street, or a hacker
halfway around the world, is now a potential safety threat if he hacks into a medical
device or the local traffic light system. With
all that in mind, it’s useful to explore how a
least privilege separation kernel can provide
security protection to a connected safetycritical military platform, while maintain-
ing the deterministic behavior required of
the safety-critical functionality.
A Common Design Approach
First, let’s consider how to design
a safety-critical military platform with
networked monitoring. A common approach would be to take an embedded
design using sensors and actuators, and
simply add networking to the system. The
safety-critical part would commonly be one
application, and the networked part would
be another. The two applications would
then coordinate over an IPC mechanism.
Figure 2 shows at a high level how a simple
safety-critical embedded application might
be made into a network monitored safetycritical application.
From a security standpoint, the basic safety-critical system’s isolation makes
it more secure. However, hackers can attack the network monitored system via
the Internet and exploit weaknesses in the
networked application, TCP/IP stack, device
drivers, or the OS itself. Each of these could
provide a large surface for attackers. Fur-
A layered software approach is a pragmatic way of addressing security concerns.
However, safety-critical military platforms
also require real-time deterministic behavior.
Real-time deterministic behavior, or determinism, requires a bounded response time
to events. If the system loses its bounded response time, it loses its determinism. In the
layered software approach, it is important to
ensure that determinism is maintained while
security is enhanced. Choosing the wrong
software layers can compromise both determinism and security.
For the layered software approach, hypervisors provide better security for safetycritical military platforms. The hardware
isolation and virtualization of hypervisors
will potentially allow isolation of the safetycritical functionality from the rest of the system and protect it from security threats.
Hypervisors are typically classified as
Type-2, Type-1, or Type-0. A Type-2 hypervisor sits on an OS and provides virtualization
for other OSes to sit on top of the hosting OS.
A Type-1 hypervisor sits on top of bare metal
and uses an assisting OS in its virtualization.
The Type-1 hypervisor’s OS is less obvious,
but still provides a dynamic memory manager, process model, dynamic scheduler, file
system, network stack, device drivers, system API, application ABI, and so forth, just
like the host OS for a Type-2 hypervisor. The
typical desktop hypervisors are prime examples of Type-2 or Type-1 hypervisors.
Different Types of Hypervisors
A Type-0 hypervisor sits on top of bare
metal, but unlike a Type-1 hypervisor, it
does not use an assisting OS. A least privilege separation kernel is a Type-0 hypervisor that’s used to efficiently partition the
system’s resources between guests and then
tightly control the data flows of information
between them. It is designed with security
COTS Journal | July 2015
21
SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT
Type-2 Hypervisor
Guest OS 1
Host
Applications
Guest OS 2
•••
Guest OS N
Type-2 Hypervisor
Host OS
Hardware
Type-1 Hypervisor
Guest OS 1
Guest OS 2
Guest OS N
•••
Type-1 Hypervisor
Host OS
Hardware
Type-0 (zero) Hypervisor
Guest OS 1
Guest OS 2
•••
•••
Guest OS N
Type-0 Hypervisor
Hardware
Figure 3
The 3 different types of hypervisors.
and minimal performance impact as its primary objectives. Figure 3 shows the three
types of hypervisors.
The following sections examine how
hypervisors might be used to protect our
hypothetical network monitored safety-critical military platform. A hypervisor can be
used to separate the two sets of application
functionality – safety-critical and networked
monitor. One virtual machine guest will be
the safety-critical system, and the other virtual machine guest will provide the remote
monitoring capabilities. A data channel will
be used for inter-VM communication between the two VMs. The safety-critical system can then discard its TCP/IP stack. This
will simultaneously remove a large attack
22
COTS Journal | July 2015
surface from the safety-critical system and
simplify its design. Figure 4 shows how such
a design might look with each of the three
different types of hypervisors.
Type-2 Hypervisor Scenario
In this scenario, because the networked
monitoring system is connected to the Internet, the host OS is also connected to the
Internet. A security flaw in the host OS, or
one of its applications, can thus be exploited
by a hacker and the very underpinnings of
the safety-critical system will then be compromised. Essentially, the safety-critical system is exposed to the security vulnerabilities of the host OS and its applications—a
very large potential attack surface.
Furthermore, the determinism of the
safety-critical system will be lost. General purpose OSes, which are used to host
Type-2 hypervisors, are non-deterministic.
They are built with user experience in mind,
not determinism. A general purpose OS will
dedicate CPU cycles to lower priority applications in order to enhance the user experience and carry on background tasks. Deterministic systems always run the highest
priority task to the exclusion of lower priority tasks. One cannot place a deterministic
system on top of a non-deterministic system
and expect it to retain its determinacy. Using a Type-2 hypervisor will not work. It neither improves security nor retains the determinacy our safety-critical system requires.
Type-1 Hypervisor Scenario
In the Type-1 hypervisor scenario, the
Type-1 hypervisor is not exposed to the potential security vulnerabilities of host applications like a Type-2 hypervisor. This gives
it a reduced attack surface, which is a plus
for the Type-1 hypervisor. However, a Type-1
hypervisor still has the assisting OS’ dynamic memory manager, process model, dynamic scheduler, file system, network stack,
device drivers, system API, application ABI,
and other components as potential security
vulnerabilities.
As far as the determinism of the safetycritical system goes, the same issues arise
with a Type-1 hypervisor as with a Type-2
hypervisor. The Type-1 hypervisor’s reliance
on the functionality of a general purpose OS
makes it non-deterministic. The safety-critical system’s determinism is lost because it has
been inside a non-deterministic environment.
Type-0 Hypervisor Scenario
Obviously, the typical Type-2 and
Type-1 hypervisors are not going to be able
to provide our safety-critical military platform with the security and determinism
it requires. What is needed is a hypervisor
that’s primary functionality is to efficiently
partition the system’s resources (e.g. CPU
cores, I/O devices, and memory) between
guests and then tightly control the data
flows of information between them. Functionality like device drivers and networking need to be pushed up the stack into the
guest OSes, allowing the hypervisor to reduce the amount of privileged code. When
SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT
we do these things, we then have a least
privilege separation kernel.
In the least privilege separation kernel’s scenario, the safety-critical military
platform and networked monitoring system
will again be placed within the hypervisor as
separate guests. The least privilege separation kernel, being a Type-0 hypervisor, sits
on top of bare metal and does not use an
assisting OS for virtualization. That means
there are no host OS applications, dynamic
memory manager, process model, dynamic
scheduler, file system, network stack, device
drivers, system API, application ABI and so
on to provide possible attack surfaces.
Because the safety-critical system’s
network stack has been removed, its communication to the outside world has been
reduced to just its sensors, actuators, and
the tightly controlled data channel. This
reduces the safety-critical system’s attack
surface to a bare minimum. Placing our
safety-critical system inside a least privilege
separation kernel isolates the safety-critical
system, and thus improves the security of
the design.
Design using Type-2 Hypervisor (Fails)
Safety Critical
System
Host
Applications
Internal VM Communication
24
COTS Journal | July 2015
Internet
Type-2 Hypervisor
Host OS
Hardware
TCP/IP
Sensor Actuator
Design using Type-1 Hypervisor (Fails)
Safety Critical
System
Network Monitoring
System
Internal VM Communication
Internet
Type-2 Hypervisor
Host OS
Hardware
Sensor Actuator
TCP/IP
Design using Type-0 Hypervisor (Fails)
Safety Critical
System
Network Monitoring
System
Internal VM Communication
Internet
Type-2 Hypervisor
Dealing with Attacks
What happens if the networked monitoring system is hacked or attacked? Because the least privilege separation kernel
partitions the hardware among its guests,
the networked monitoring system’s hardware is separate from the safety-critical
system’s hardware. The networked monitoring system cannot access the safety-critical
system’s hardware and resources. If the
networked monitoring system is hacked or
attacked, the safety-critical system continues on unimpeded. In addition, since the
least privilege separation kernel only partitions the system’s hardware resources and
provides a tightly controlled data channel,
there are no drivers, scheduler, network
stacks, or other attack surfaces for the compromised monitoring system to use to get
into the least privilege separation kernel.
Both the least privilege separation kernel
and the safety-critical system are protected
against the compromised networked monitoring system.
As far as determinism goes, the least
privilege separation kernel does not have
a host OS’ or assisting OS’ scheduler, device drivers, network stack, etc., to get in
Network Monitoring
System
Hardware
Sensor Actuator
TCP/IP
Figure 4
System design concepts using the 3 types of hypervisors
the way of the guests’ determinism. It can
be both deterministic and tiny—consisting
of as little as 25K lines of code. Running a
safety-critical military platform within the
deterministic least privilege separation kernel can maintain the safety-critical system’s
determinism. Using a least privilege separation kernel, the safety-critical military platform can retain its determinism and have
improved security through the reduction of
its attack surface.
Isolation is Protection
A least privilege separation kernel is
primarily concerned with partitioning a
system’s hardware resources among guests
and tightly controlling data flows between
them. It isolates the guest systems into separate virtual machines so they cannot reach
or interfere with each other. Furthermore,
a least privilege separation kernel does not
contain OS-style schedulers, kernel services,
device drivers, file systems, network stacks,
etc. which can be exploited to compromise
a system. It can be as small as 25K lines of
code, and be deterministic.
Layering safety-critical software with
a least privilege separation kernel is a viable method of providing the security a
connected safety-critical military platform
needs through system isolation, while maintaining the deterministic behavior required
of the safety-critical functionality.
Lynx Software Technologies
San José, CA
(408) 979-3900
www.lynx.com
DATA SHEET
OpenVPX SBCs Roundup
OpenVPX Enjoys Busy Phase of
Product and Standards Activity
As it gains momentum from continuous new product rolls outs, OpenVPX has quickly secure its place as a
critical technology for military systems. VITA standards activities in the past several months provide new
advantages in system management, cooling and space-ready design.
Jeff Child, Editor-in-Chief
O
penVPX has become entrenched as
the natural choice of slot-card open
architecture high-bandwidth, data-intensive military applications. Feeding
those demands are a constantly growing ecosystem of vendors and product choices feeds
this strong position VPX now claims. In the past
12 month there’s been a lot of standards and
interoperability activity around OpenVPX. At
the same time, a tidal wave of new generation
OpenVPX products, maintaining its place as
one of the most active product category in our
market in terms of new product releases.
On the interoperability front, last fall VITA
completed a successful first VPX System Management Interoperability Workshop (VSM - IW)
to test compliance of relevant VPX products to
the VITA 46.11 System Management for VPX
standard. In a VSM - IW, VITA member companies who build VPX chassis and modules
that comply with VITA 46.11 come together to
systematically test the interoperability of their
chassis and module combinations.
Last most ANSI/VITA 46.11-2015 achieved
ratification. That standard replaces the VITA
46.11 Draft Standard for Trial Use (DSTU) that
was adopted in late 2013. In the drive to full
ANSI ratification, the VITA Standards Organization’s (VSO’s) VITA 46.11 working group did
multi-company interoperability testing and intensive review of the DSTU.
Meanwhile in November VITA announced
26
COTS Journal | July 2015
Figure 1
3U OpenVPX technology was chosen by
BAE Systems for the US Army’s CETU
(Common Embedded Training Unit). The
CETU provides in-vehicle training and
simulation on the Bradley Fighting Vehicle.
the ratification of the VIT 48. “Mechanical standard for electronic plug-in units using air-f lowby cooling technology” as ANSI/VITA 48.7-2014.
This specification completed the VITA and
ANSI processes reaching full recognition under
guidance of the VITA Standards Organization
(VSO). ANSI/VITA 48.7 defines a detailed mechanical implementation for Air Flow-By (AFB)
cooling and sealing technologies applied to
plug-in modules, backplanes, and sub-racks as
defined in VPX (ANSI/VITA 46) and VPX REDI
(ANSI/VITA 48).
And finally, this Spring VTA announced
that VITA 78 “SpaceVPX Systems” reached ANSI
recognition as ANSI/VITA 78.00 -2015. ANSI/
VITA 78 defines an open standard for creating
high performance fault tolerant interoperable
backplanes and modules to assemble electronic
systems for spacecraft and other high availability applications. Such systems support a
wide variety of use cases and potential markets
across the aerospace and terrestrial communities. The standard leverages the OpenVPX standards family and the commercial infrastructure that supports these standards.
In terms of design wins, there’s been a dip
in publically announced VPX contract wins in
the past couple years, but vendors say they’re
happening. An example was last Fall’s announcement by GE’s Intelligent Platforms that
it won a $2.6 million order from BAE Systems
Platforms and Services for a quantity of its latest generation 3U VPX COTS Rugged Systems
that deliver an advanced HPEC (High Performance Embedded Computing) capability. The
COTS Rugged Systems will be deployed as part
of the US Army’s CETU (Common Embedded
Training Unit) which sees in-vehicle training
and simulation incorporated into the Bradley
Fighting Vehicle. Housed in a rugged, 5-slot enclosure, the system includes a GE 3U VPX single
board computer featuring an Intel Core i7 processor and a rugged graphics board that takes
advantage of the performance of an NVIDIA
384-core ‘Kepler’ GPU.
VPX Solid State Storage
StorePak™ and SataPak™
3U or 6U VPX
Ultra High Density
Removable
StorePak™ and SataPak™ are single slot VPX removable
SSD (solid state drive) modules that provide high density,
high performance rugged solid state storage with a small
SWaP footprint. StorePak and SataPak can be used
standalone, or with a StoreEngine™ storage manager
blade, and are ideal for high bandwidth data recording,
file server, and general purpose DAS/RAID applications.
www. criticalio.com
▪ Removable SSD Storage Module
▪ Up to 6 Terabytes per slot
▪ Up to 2.2 GBytes/s per slot
▪ PCIe or SATA host connectivity
▪ Hardware RAID 0/1 (PCIe version)
▪ Scalable & Expandable
▪ 100,000 module insertion cycles
▪ Air or conduction cooled
DATA SHEET
OpenVPX SBCs Roundup
SBC Puts NVIDIA GeForce GT 745M
GPU to Parallel Processing Work
OpenVPX-based SBC Boasts 12-core
QorIQ Processor
6U OpenVPX Card Has Stratix V FPGAs
and ARM Cortex A8 CPU
The VPX3G10 from ADLINK Technology
is a 3U VPX GPGPU) blade in single-slot
form factor featuring the 384 core NVIDIA
GeForce GT 745M GPU with high resolution
and high performance graphics capabilities
for defense and aerospace applications.
The VPX3G10 features 2 Gbytes of GDDR5
memory, providing high-bandwidth access
to data during "massively parallel" GPGPU
algorithm processing.
The C112 from Aitech is a rugged,
6U single-slot VPX-based SBC with the
latest Freescale 12-core QorIQ processor
that provides integrated performance
characteristics for enhanced processing
in data-intensive rugged and defense
computing environments. The C112 has
been enhanced by including the new, low
power, multi-core, multi-processor T4080
QorIQ with AltiVec technology.
• NVIDIA GeForce GT 745M GPU (Kepler
architecture).
• Freescale QorIQ Multicore SoC
Processor, 12/8/4 e6500 Dual Thread
Cores (T4240/T4160/T4080), AltiVec
Unit.
Bittware’s S5-6U-VPX (S56X) is a rugged
6U VPX card based on the high-bandwidth,
power-efficient Altera Stratix V GX/GS
FPGA. Designed for high-end applications,
the Stratix V provides a high level of system
integration and flexibility for I/O, routing,
and processing. An ARM Cortex-A8 control
processor provides a complete control
plane interface; and a configurable 48-port
multi-gigabit transceiver interface supports
a variety of protocols, including Serial
RapidIO, PCI Express, and 10GigE.
• 2 Gbytes of GDDR5 memory.
• CUDA compute capability 3.0 for
parallel computation and graphics
processing.
• High-resolution, high-performance
platform for rugged video I/O and
GPGPU applications.
• Available in conduction cooled and air
cooled versions.
• Ideal for defense, radar, sonar, UAV and
ground vehicles.
ADLINK Technology
San Jose, CA
(408) 360-0200
www.adlinktech.com
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in this section and more at
www.intelligentsystemssource.com
28
COTS Journal | July 2015
• Two VITA 57 FMC sites for processing
and I/O expansion.
• 4 Gbytes DDR3 SDRAM, in two banks;
Up to 16 Gbytes flash disk mass storage.
• Two High density Stratix V GX/GS
FPGAs.
• SATA 2.0 port, 2 USB ports, 10 serial
ports, dual redundant MIL-STD-1553B
ports, 16 discrete I/O lines.
• 800 MHz ARM Cortex-A8 control
processor.
• VPX Core Fabric:10GbE(XAUI)\PCIe
Gen2\SRIO.
• Up to 6 Gigabit Ethernet ports
• Two PMC/XMC sites.
• Conduction and air-cooled versions.
Aitech Defense Systems
Chatsworth, CA
(888) 248-3248
www.rugged.com
• 48 multi-Gigabit transceivers.
• Up to 8 Gbytes on-board memory.
• Board management controller for
intelligent platform management.
•I/O includes: GigE, SerDes, LVDS, JTAG,
RS-232.
Bittware
Concord, NH
(603) 226-0404
www.bittware.com
NEW THIS YEAR
Our new “Data Sheet” style round-up format
Links to the full data sheets for each of these products
are posted on the online version of this section.
3U OpenVPX Blends QorIQ T4080 CPU
and Crosspoint Switch
4-core 1.91 GHz Atom Processor
Rides Conduction-Cooled SBC
Freescale T2080 Board Features Two
Independent SBCs on a Single Card
The RIOV-2478 from CES is a 3U
OpenVPX single board computer
for airborne applications requiring
conduction-cooled equipment. It is
specifically designed for the most
demanding applications, combining very
high computing and flight-worthiness
capabilities along with harsh environment
criteria.. It combines a multi-core processor
with modern interconnect high-speed
links and an onboard Crosspoint switch.
It features an eight-core QorIQ P3/P4
processor designed for combined data and
control plane processing.
The TR D2x/msd-RCx from Concurrent
Technologies is a rugged conductioncooled 3U VPX board based on the Intel
Atom processor E3800 product family. The
board is offered with two processor options:
single-core for lowest power consumption
and quad-core for enhanced performance.
Curtiss Wright Defense Solutions offers
a dual-node Power Architecture OpenVPX
card that provides two independent SBC
nodes on a single 6U VPX board. The rugged
VPX6-195 features dual Freescale 1.5 GHz
quad-core T2080 processing nodes, each
of which is provided with its own power,
I/O, FPGA and XMC expansion site. This
innovative processing engine is designed so
that both of its SBC nodes are isolated and
incapable of impacting the other.
• 3U OpenVPX form-factor (VITA 65).
• Freescale QorIQ P4080 processor.
• Dual 1/2/4 Gbyte DDR3 memory.
• Crosspoint switch (PCIe x4, GbE,
10GbE).
• 3x PCIe x4, 8x GbE, 2x 10GbE, 4x UART,
1x Aurora Debug.
• 3U VPX-REDI (VITA 48.0) processor
board.
• Conduction-cooled to VITA 48.2,
conformally coated.
• -40°C to +85°C operating temperature
(at card edge).
• I/O interfaces compatible with several
OpenVPX profiles,
• Intel Atom processor E3800 family up to
4-core 1.91 GHz.
• 4 Gbytes DDR3L DRAM with ECC.
• One XMC site.
• 2 x SATA300 mass storage interface,;
Up to 2 x serial ports; Up to 3 x USB 2.0
ports.
• Advanced Board Management
Controller (aBMC).
• XMC module interface (x4 PCI Express
Gen 2) with rear I/O.
CES (Creative Electronic Systems)
Geneva, Switzerland
+41 (0)22 884 51 00
www.ces-swap.com
Concurrent Technologies
Woburn, MA
(781) 933-5900
www.gocct.com
• 6U OpenVPX format, support for 2
OpenVPX slot profiles.
• Dual processing node general purpose
SBC.
• Two Freescale T2080 Quad-core 64-bit
Power Architecture with AltiVec at
1.5GHz.
• Up to 8 Gbytes of DDR3 SDRAM per
processing node.
• Full complement of I/O per processing
node - Ethernet, serial (RS-232 and RS422), USB 2.0, 10G Ethernet TTL and
differential discretes.
• 10Base-KX4 Ethernet data plane ports.
Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions
Ashburn, VA
(703) 779-7800
www.cwcdefense.com
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in this section and more at
www.intelligentsystemssource.com
COTS Journal | July 2015
29
DATA SHEET | OpenVPX SBCs Roundup
Core i7 3U OpenVPX SBC Sports
Trusted Platform Module
3U OpenVPX REDI SBC Serves up
Xeon-D Eight Core Processors
3U OpenVPX SBC is Based Latest
‘Broadwell’ Processor
Dynatem’s CPU-110-20 is a high
performance SBC based on the 3U
OpenVPX (VITA 65) form factor. Offered
in both convection cooled and ruggedized
conduction cooled variants, the CPU110-20 will meet the needs of numerous
commercial and military applications
requiring maximum processing power, low
power consumption, and small physical
footprint.
The XPedite7670 from Extreme
Engineering is a high-performance, 3U
VPX-REDI SBC based on the Xeon D
processor. The Intel® Xeon D processor
can provide up to eight Xeon-class cores
in a single, power-efficient System-onChip (SoC) package. The board maximizes
network performance with two 10 Gigabit
Ethernet interfaces and four Gigabit
Ethernet interfaces.
The SBC347A Rugged SBC from GE
Intelligent Platforms features the high
performance, highly integrated 5th
Generation Intel Core i7 processor.
The board is designed to meet the
requirements of a wide range of rugged
defense and aerospace programs. It offers
extended temperature capability and a
range of air- and conduction-cooled build
levels.
• Intel Core i7-3517-UE (Ivy Bridge) at
2.8 GHz.
• Supports up to 8 Gbytes DDR3 SDRAM.
• Supports Intel Xeon D processors
( formerly Broadwell-DE). Up to eight
Xeon-class cores in a SoC package.
Extended temperature support.
• Integrated Graphics Controller
• 3U VPX (VITA 46) module
• SATA, DVI/HDMI, XMC expansion, USB
and dual 1 Gbit Ethernet interfaces.
• Compatible with multiple VITA 65
OpenVPX slot profiles.
• Full Trusted Computing Group (TCG)
Trusted Platform Module (TPM) Version
1.2 compatibility.
• Conduction or air cooling.
• PMC/XMC/DXM site.
• 3U VITA 65 OpenVPX.
• Rugged/conduction cooled versions.
Dynatem
Mission Viejo, CA
(800) 543-3830
www.dynatem.com
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in this section and more at
www.intelligentsystemssource.com
30
COTS Journal | July 2015
• Up to 8 Gbytes of DDR3L-1600 ECC
SDRAM in two channels. (16 GB of
DDR4 in Q4).
• XMC site; x8 PCIe backplane fabric
interconnect/
• Two 10 Gbit Ethernet ports and Four
Gbit Ethernet ports and; 4 SATA ports;
XMC (P16) SATA port for storage
mezzanine.
Extreme Engineering Solutions
Middleton, WI
(608) 833-1155
www.xes-inc.com
• Single slot 3U VPX single board
Computer.
• 5th gen Core i7 ‘Broadwell’ quad core
processor.
• Two channels DDR3L SDRAM up to
16 Gbytes.
• Up to 32 Gbytes NAND flash.
• 2x 10GBASE-T ports; 1x DVI port; 3x
SATA ports ; 2x COM ports; 4x USB
ports; up to 8x GPIO.
• Five levels of ruggedization (convection
and conduction cooling variants).
• AXIS and deployed test software.
GE Intelligent Platforms
Charlottesville, VA
(800) 368-2738
defense.ge-ip.com
DATA SHEET | OpenVPX SBCs Roundup
2.4 GHz Xeon-based 6U VPX Server
Features Full Ruggedization
6U OpenVPX Board Marries QorIQ and
Dual Virtex-7 FPGAs
3U SBC Sports 8-core Broadwell DE
Intel Xeon D Processor.
General Micro Systems VPXCO300
"Mongoose" is a rugged 6U VPX server
designed to provide the highest level of
server-class performance possible in a fully
ruggedized, conduction-cooled, 6U-8HP
Open VPX module operating up to -40°C to
+85°C (0°C to +55°C standard). The board
supports 10 physical CPU cores with HyperThreading for a total of 20 logical cores,
each operating at up to 2.4GHz.
Interface Concept’s IC-FEP-VPX6b
board is controlled by a QorIQ T1042
quadcore supporting four integrated 64bit e5500 Power Architecture processor
cores with high-performance data path
acceleration architecture (DPAA) and
network peripheral interfaces required
for demanding The boards two FPGAs are
directly interconnected via 8 GTH lanes
and 35 LVDS signals.
The Ensemble LDS3506 from Mercury
Systems is a dense, 3U processing OpenVPX
building block for high-compute, SWaPconstrained applications with a large
front-end, low-latency FPGA capability that
is ideally suited to EW, SIGINT and EO/IR
sensor chain applications. It blends the latest
general processing devices from Intel and
most capable FPGA resources from Xilinx.
• Intel Xeon Ivy Bridge-EP CPU with 10
cores, each operating up to 2.4GHz.
• QorIQ processor T1042, e5500
quad core.
• Supports up to 128 Gbytes of DDR3
memory.
• Up to 4 Gbytes of DDR3L SDRAM
with ECC.
• 2x 10 Gbit Ethernet ports; 4x USB 3.0
and 10x USB 2.0 ports; 5x SATA ports;
Full HD-audio support; 2z serial ports
with RS-232/422/485 and 8x general
purpose I/O lines.
• VPX 6U / 4HP 1” board compliant with
6U module definitions of the VITA 46.0
standard.
• Fully compliant to OpenVPX 6U, VITA
46/47/48 standards.
• Fully compliant to MIL-STD-810G, MILS-901D and DO-160D.
• Operates at standard temp 0°C to +55°C
or extended temp -40°C to +85°C.
General Micro Systems
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
(909) 980-4863
www.gms4sbc.com
• Available in air-cooled and conductioncooled grades.
• Two Xilinx Virtex-7 XC7VX690T FPGAs.
• 4 PCIe x4 ports; GTH ports; General
purpose I/Os; 3 QorIQ Serdes; 4
Ethernet ports; 1 RS485/RS232 port; 2
USB 2.0 ports; FMC links.
Interface Concept
Quimper, France.
+33 (0)2 98 57 30 30.
www.interfaceconcept.com
• 3U OpenVPX compliant VITA 65/46/48
(VPX-REDI) module.
• 8-core Broadwell DE Intel Xeon D family
server-class processor.
• Xilinx UltraScale FPGA with dual x4
PCIe data plane and Ethernet control
plane.
• 256 Gflops peak processing power in a
single slot.
• Dual 10 Gbit Ethernet interfaces
for sensor I/O or inter-processor
communication.
• x8 PCIe expansion plane for additional
I/O or offload.
• Air-cooled (lab), conduction-cooled and
Air Flow-By package options.
Mercury Systems
Chelmsford, MA
(978) 967-1401
www.mrcy.com
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in this section and more at
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COTS Journal | July 2015
31
COTS
PRODUCT GALLERY
X6-1000M
PMC/XMC Module with Two 1 GSPS 12-bit A/Ds, Two 1 GSPS 16-bit
DACs, Virtex 6 FPGA, 4 GB Memory and PCI/PCIe.
High-performance FMCs in various types
X6-250M
• A/D & D/A FMCs – up to 5.7 GSPS, multiple resolutions
PMC/XMC Module with Eight 250 MSPS 14-bit A/Ds, Virtex6 FPGA, and 4 GB Memory.
PEX6-COP
PCI Express Desktop/Server Coprocessor with Virtex6 FPGA computing core and
FMC IO site.
• RF FMCs – Wideband transceivers & more
• Networking FMCs – dual or quad port, to 40 GbE speeds
VadaTech – Redefining Performance Density!
Phone: (702)896-3337
Web: www.vadatech.com
Innovative Integration
Phone: (805) 383-8994 Email: sales@innovative-dsp.com
Web: www.innovative-dsp.com
intelligentsystemssource.com
WE ASSURE YOU HIT A
BULLSEYE EVERYTIME...
2U server
with EXTREME
power + cooling
XIOS 2U has:
WITH JUST A
COUPLE CLICKS.
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COTS Journal | July 2015
• Ten slots (PCIeGen2 x8) in a 2U chassis
• 45W per slot with high-volume cooling
• 1-2 Xeon processors
• 1-4 removable disks
See more at edt.com
Shared Memory Network Interfaces
Introducing a Gigabit Speed, Low Latency, Shared Memory
Network for Deterministic Applications
• 2.125 Gbps optical loop
network
• Single-mode and multi-mode
optical interfaces supported
• Up to 256 Shared Memory
Network Nodes
• Sustained data rates up to
200 Mbyte/Sec
• Up to 256 MB of Shared
Memory
• Device drivers for Windows,
VxWorks, Linux, and LabVIEW
www.aviftech.com/sharedmemory
...with flexible hardware options and complete software support
PCI
PCI Express
AIT is a division of
PXI Express
XMC
COTS
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in this section and more at
PRODUCTS
www.intelligentsystemssource.com
Platform Enables Blending of PCI Express
or Microserver Cards
Artesyn Embedded Technologies has launched the MaxCore
platform, which enables users to mix Artesyn microserver cards,
media processing acceleration PCI Express add-in cards, and
third-party PCI Express cards, with enabling and third-party
application software to create rack-mount appliances quickly
and easily. The MaxCore platform integrates a highly dense and
versatile hardware architecture, which can accommodate up
to 30 Intel Xeon processor D devices in a 3U enclosure, with
cloud infrastructure and management software based on open
technologies.
Traditional rack-mount servers assume a single host processor
with a small number of PCI Express IO cards, or multiple
independent server nodes with no or minimal local IO extension
capability. The MaxCore platform can be flexibly configured to
support any combination of up to 15 Artesyn microserver cards,
media acceleration add-in cards or third-party PCI Express cards,
connected without cables. Based on new PCI Express switching
technology called ExpressFabric, the solution enables developers
to implement multiple connected servers within the same
enclosure. The integrator can create several independent server
domains in the
same enclosure,
multiple ‘cloudsin-a-box,’ or can
allow independent
processors to share PCI
Express cards, such as a
network I/O cards, which
is not usually supported in computing architectures. Housed
in a 3U rack-mountable enclosure, Artesyn’s MaxCore platform
can operate from a 90-264 VAC or -48 VDC power source, and
features redundant hot-swappable cooling fans and power
supplies, making it suitable for deployment in telecom central
office, network data center or IT equipment environments.
Artesyn Embedded Technologies
Tempe, AZ
(888) 412-7832
www.artesyn.com
COM Express Type 6 Module
Sports 5th Gen Intel
Core Processor
High Efficiency Quarter
Brick DC-DC Converter
Provides 150 W
Axiomtek has launched
CEM880. The COM Express
Type 6 module features
5th generation Intel Core
processor (H-processor line),
one onboard 4 Gbyte extended
temperature DDR3L chip, and
one 204-pin SO-DIMM DDR3L
socket supporting up to 8 Gbytes. Following the latest PICMG
Rev 2.1 specification, the Axiomtek CEM880 is designed for serial
signaling protocols, including one PCIe x16 v3.0, eight PCIe x1, four
SATA-600 with Intel Smart Response Technology, 1 GB Ethernet
supporting Wake-on-LAN, HD audio, one LPC interface, one SPI
interface, 4 channels in and out Digital I/O, eight USB 2.0, and four
USB 3.0. Furthermore, hardware monitor, TPM 1.2, SMBus and
Watchdog Timer are supported as well.
Calex has announced the
introduction of the QSW DC/
DC converter. The QSW offers
a wide 9 to 36 VDC input range
with an isolated, precisely regulated
12 Volt output. The QSW achieves efficiency of 93
percent through the use of high efficiency synchronous rectification,
advanced electronic circuitry, packaging and thermal design.
The QSW operates at a fixed frequency and follows conservative
component derating guidelines. The 93 percent efficiency rating
eases the job of thermal management given the high power density
of the compact 2.39- x 1.54- x 0.50-inch quarter brick package. This
level of efficiency is unprecedented in a 9 to 36 VDC input quarter
brick.
Axiomtek
City of Industry, CA
(626) 581-3232
www.axiomtek.com/us
34
COTS Journal | July 2015
Calex
Concord, CA
(925) 687-4411
www.calex.com
COTS PRODUCTS
XMC Board Pair Supports 10 Gbit Ethernet and
6 Gbps SAS/SATA
Concurrent Technologies has released two XMC modules to
provide integrators with a method of introducing 10 Gigabit
Ethernet or 6 Gbps SAS/SATA ports into their existing or future
systems. XMC modules are widely used to add functionality to
a range of modular, open standards based form factor boards
including VPX, VME and CompactPCI within the defense, security,
telecommunications, scientific and industrial markets.
For applications needing high speed networking connectivity,
XM530/x22 (shown) provides two 10 Gigabit Ethernet ports. This
module supports rear I/O connectivity making it suitable for
deployment in harsh environments where boards are typically
mounted inside a rugged enclosure with all external connectivity
through suitable grade connectors. The conduction cooled version
of XM 530/x22 is certified for operation between -40°C and +85°C,
has a conformal coating for protection and has been tested to
survive harsh levels of shock and vibration.
XM SA1/001 is an XMC module with the capability to connect
to four external SAS or SATA 6 Gbps drives via a convenient front
panel connector. A typical use would be to mount XM SA1/001
on a Concurrent
Technologies’ processor
board giving the combined
solution the ability to
connect to the latest, high speed
drives without the need for any
rear transition modules. XM SA1/001
is expected to be used in a range of data recorders, database
management and video security systems.
Concurrent Technologies
Woburn, MA
(781) 933-5900
www.gocct.com
MIL-STD-1553
RIGHT ON TARGET
STANAG3910/EFEX
Avionics Databus
Solutions
ARINC429
AFDX®/ARINC664P7
Fibre Channel
ARINC825
ARINC818
Modules – Software – Systems
Solving all your
Avionics Databus Needs –
Right on Target.
www.aim-online.com
AIM Office Contacts:
AIM USA LLC - Trevose, PA
salesusa@aim-online.com
AIM GmbH - Freiburg
sales@aim-online.com
AIM GmbH - Munich Sales Office
salesgermany@aim-online.com
COTS Journal | July 2015
35
COTS PRODUCTS
Oscillator Boasts 3,650 MHz Operation and
Excellent Linearity
Stackable FPGA Solution Mixes
PCIe/104 OneBank and FMC
Sundance has taken full advantage of the
current generation of lowest-cost Xilinx Artix-7
family, integrating four-lanes of Gen2 PCIExpress and re-programmable logic using the
free Xilinx Vivado 2015 tools and designed
it onto the latest PC/104 form-factor, called
OneBank. The EMC2-7A can use commercial,
industrial or automotive graded Artix-7 FPGAs
and is complimented with 1 Gbyte of DDR3
local storage, 32 Mbytes of Flash memory
for storage/configurations and has 68x free
differential I/O pins which are routed to a
VITA57.1 FMC-LPC high-speed connector for
bespoke interfaces.
The EMC2-7A introduces two new
dimensions of modularity to the PC/104 world
with the introduction of a ‘cable-less-breakout’ concept and upgradeable SoM (Systemon-Modules). The ‘break-out’ solution removes
the requirement for cabling from the EMC2 to
the external world, and is implemented using
the 100-way Samtec Razor Beam self-mating
connector solution that breaks out the I/O to
a low-cost connector board. The SoM modules
are 40mm by 50mm and are also available
without the EMC2 Carrier for integration into
custom-unique solutions. Pricing for 1+ unit of
EMC2-7A100 with the Artix-7-100 FPGA starts
at US $1250.00; 100+ units below $650.
Sundance Multiprocessor Technology
Chesham. UK
+44 1494 793167
www.sundance.com
Crystek's CVCO55CC-3650-3650 VCO with a
control voltage range of 0.5 V to 4.5 V. This VCO
features a typical phase noise of -108 dBc/Hz at 10
KHz offset and has excellent linearity. Output power
is typically +7 dBm. Engineered and manufactured in
the USA, the model CVCO55CC-3650-3650 is packaged
in the industry-standard 0.5- x 0.5-inch SMD package.
Input voltage is typically 8.0V, with a typical current
consumption of 35 mA. Pulling and Pushing are minimized to 1.0 MHz and 0.2 MHz/V,
respectively. Second harmonic suppression is -15 dBc typical.
Crystek
Ft. Myers, FL
(239) 561-3311
www.crystek.com
FMC Board Marries Eight ADC
Channels, 8 DAC Channels
Innovative Integration has announced
the FMC-Servo, a module featuring eight
simultaneously sampling A/D and DACs
with a flexible, low-jitter programmable
time base. The key benefit of the FMCServo is the ability to create high-end
system solutions in which a portion of a
sophisticated control algorithm is embedded in an FPGA, which performs high-speed
computations at the sample rate, while the remainder of the algorithm is performed
by a microcontroller. Low latency, fast-settling successive-approximation A/Ds
and DACs support real-time servo control applications. The programmable, highresolution input range supports direct interfacing to many sensors, while the buffered
outputs are capable of directly driving many transducers. Front panel digital IO can be
also be used as PWM or process controls. The FMC-Servo clock and trigger controls
include support for consistent servo loop timing, counted frames, software triggering
and external triggering.
Support logic in VHDL is provided for integration with FPGA carrier cards. Specific
support for Innovative carrier cards includes integration with Framework Logic
tools that support VHDL and Matlab developers. The Matlab BSP supports real-time
hardware-in-the-loop development using the graphical block diagram Simulink
environment with Xilinx System Generator for the FMC integrated with the FPGA
carrier card.
Innovative Integration
Simi Valley, CA
(805) 578-4260
www.innovative-dsp.com
FIND the products featured
in this section and more at
www.intelligentsystemssource.com
36
COTS Journal | July 2015
COTS PRODUCTS
Data Recorder Supports Four Independent Serial FPDP Links
Pentek has introduced a new addition
to the Talon Value Series of recorders, the
Model RTV 2602 Serial FPDP recording and
playback system. This new recorder extends
the Talon Value Series of rackmount recorders
that are optimized for laboratory operating
environments. The RTV 2602 supports up
to four independently clocked Serial FPDP
links using copper or optical cables with
single-mode or multimode fiber with flexible
baud rate selection to support virtually all
popular Serial FPDP interfaces. It is capable
of both receiving and transmitting data
over these links and supports real-time data
storage to disk and playback from disk. Up
to four channels can be recorded or played
back simultaneously with an aggregate rate
of up to 400 Mbytes/s. Providing 4 Terabytes
of data storage, the six enterprise-class,
hot-swappable front-panel disk drives can be
easily replaced by empty drives when full.
All Talon recorders are built on a Windows
7 Professional workstation and include
Pentek’s SystemFlow software, featuring a GUI
(graphical user interface), signal viewer, and
API (Application Programming Interface). The
GUI provides intuitive controls for out-of-thebox turn-key operation using point-and-click
configuration management. Configurations are
easily stored and recalled for single-click setup.
User settings to configure data format
for the signal viewer provide a virtual
oscilloscope and spectrum analyzer to
monitor signals before, during and after
data collection. The C-callable API allows
users to integrate the recorder control into
larger application systems. The Talon RTV
2602 Value Series recorder starts at $19,495.
Optional GPS time and position stamping
and IRIG-B time stamping are available.
Connector options include SFP+ copper, LC
single-mode optical or LC multi-mode optical.
Pentek
Upper Saddle River, NJ
(201) 818-5900
www.pentek.com
The industry’s
most trusted
and widely used
USB interfaces
Portable Avionics Databus Interfaces
A reliable USB interface from Astronics
Ballard Technology does it all – databus test,
· MIL-STD-1553, EBR 1553
· ARINC 429, 708, 717
· Serial, Discrete
analysis and simulation. Use it in the lab or
in the field – it’s fully powered by a single
USB port. Simply connect it to any available
laptop, desktop or tablet PC and it’s ready to
go. Add our CoPilot® interactive software
for a complete easy-to-use solution.
NEW models with multiple protocols
mean the best is now even better!
Get the best solution –
all the protocols and channels
you need in a single device
www.ballardtech.com/USB
or call 425-339-0281
AS9100 / ISO 9001 Registered
ABT_Jet_COTS_Half-Page-Island.indd 1
4/10/2015 12:28:07 PM
COTS Journal | July 2015
37
COTS PRODUCTS
Multifunction Software Defined Synthetic
Demos Tech Insertion
RADX Technologies demonstrated
the technology insertion capabilities of
the LibertyGT family of Modular, COTS,
Multifunction Software Defined Synthetic
Instruments (SDSI) at IEEE IMS2015 by
demonstrating the insertion of a National
Instruments PXIe-5668R 26.5 GHz Vector
Signal Analyzer into a RADX LibertyGT 1211B
(LGT1211B). This effectively extended the
system’s upper measurement frequency range
from 6 GHz to 26.5 GHz, with no impact on
user developed Test Program Sets (TPS) or
other user applications.
Developed in collaboration with National
Instruments, the LGT1211B is designed to
replace multiple “boxed” RF and microwave
test and measurement (T&M) instruments
to dramatically reduce T&M Total Cost of
Ownership (TCO) while simultaneously
improving measurement throughput, the
LGT1211B supports high-performance,
high-throughput wireless communications,
and T&M applications with a stimulus and
measurement frequency range between 100
kHz to 6 GHz.
The LGT1211B’s modular architecture
combines an extensive library of RADX COTS
Realtime Measurement Science Firmware and
Software (MSFS) with a powerful collection of
COTS NI PXI modules and LabVIEW system
design software — all housed in a RADX
patent-pending integrated, field-serviceoptimized benchtop PXIe enclosure equipped
with a comprehensive RF Interface Unit (RFIU),
Internal Connector Panel (ICP) and 1080p HD
touchscreen display. The LGT1310B prototype
demonstrated at IEEE IMS2015 includes the
NI PXIe-5668R 26.5 GHz VSA that extends
the upper measurement frequency range
of the system to 26.5 GHz, will be officially
announced in the near future. The LGT1311B,
which will include extended measurement and
stimulus frequency ranges above 6 GHz, will
also be announced in the near future.
RADX Technology
Palo Alto, CA
(765) 481-1430
www.radxtech.com
38
COTS Journal | July 2015
Military DC-DC Power SuPPlieS
VITA 62 Compliant
High Efficiency
Field Proven
 VITA 62 Compliant
 High efficiency: 90% at full load
 3U: 500W total output power
 6U: 1000W and 800W total output power
 Active current share through backplane
 MIL-STD-461F, MIL-STD-704, and
MIL-STD-810G Compliant
 Qualified to the most stringent
VITA-47 levels
Made in the United States of America.
1-978-849-0600 www.SynQor.com/C2
COTS PRODUCTS
FPGA Accelerator Card
Delivers Sustained 3
Teraflops Performance
PrXMC Board Sports Atom Bay
Trail CPU and Optional
Cisco Routing
Nallatech has announced
the 510T, an FPGA coprocessor designed to
deliver ultimate performance per watt for compute-intensive
datacenter applications. The 510T is a GPU-sized 16-lane PCIe
3.0 card featuring two of Altera’s new floating-point enabled
Arria 10 FPGAs delivering up to sixteen times the performance
of the previous generation. Applications can achieve a total
sustained performance of up to 3 Teraflops. The 510T is available
with an unprecedented 290 Gbyte/sec of peak external memory
bandwidth configured as eight independent banks of DDR4 plus
an ultra-fast Hybrid Memory Cube (HMC). The FPGA’s on-chip
memory bandwidth is 14.4 Terabytes/s.
Curtiss-Wright
Defense Solutions has
introduced a new high performance,
low-power quad-core Intel Atom (“Bay Trail”)
E3845-based XMC Processor Mezzanine SBC. With a typical power
consumption of only 15 W, the XMC-120 can be hosted on any 3U
or 6U VPX module with an available VITA 42 XMC mezzanine site,
such as an SBC, DSP processor, or VPX carrier card, to provide a
single-slot compute solution. The XMC-120 is also available preintegrated with the Cisco Systems 5921 Embedded Services Router
(ESR) Software, enabling system designers to deploy a single-slot
solution that combines both Cisco network routing and Intel multicore processing.
Nallatech
Camarillo, CA
(805) 383-8997
www.nallatech.com
Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions
Ashburn, VA
(703) 779-7800
www.cwcdefense.com
COTS and
Safety Certifiable
Want to save time and money on safety-critical programs ?
CES offers COTS boards and boxes designed according to RTCA DO-178C / DO-254
and delivered with off-the-shelf certification evidences to meet Design Assurance
Level C (or below). Our COTS safety-certifiable products rely on 15 years of DAL
experience and in-service DAL-A-certified products expertise. From board to system
level, our products are designed following a top-down approach ensuring a seamless, safe and secure integration.
www.ces-swap.com/safety-certifiable
40
COTS Journal | July 2015
MFCC-8557 - Safety Certifiable processor XMC
COTS PRODUCTS
30W 1- x 1-inch DC-DC Converters
Offer 4:1 Input Range
Mini-ITX SBC Serves Up Intel
Atom Braswell SoC
TDK Corporation has
announced the TDK-Lambda
30W CCG30G series of DC-DC
converters. Operating over a 4:1 input
range, these highly efficient products
are enclosed in a 1 inch by 1 inch six-sided
shielded metal case. The CCG30S is available with 3.3V, 5V, 12V
or 15V outputs and can operate from either a 9 to 36Vdc or 18
to 76Vdc input. The wide range enables inventory reduction
programs as the converters can operate from either 12V and 24V
or 24V and 48V nominal inputs without the need to stock two
parts. With operating efficiencies of up to 91 percent, the CCG30S
series will operate in ambient temperatures from -40 to +85
degrees C.
WIN Enterprises has announced
the MB-73400 featuring the Intel Atom
Braswell System on a Chip (SoC). MB73400 is a thin Mini-ITX form factor
capable of supporting a wide range of
low-profile OEM devices. It features
strong serial I/O (1x RS232/422/485 and 5x RS232 through pin
headers), and two Gbit Ethernet LAN links. Memory includes
two DDR3L SO-DIMM s with up to 8 Gbytes of DRAM. Other I/O
provided are 2x HDMI/24-bit LVDS, 1x SATA III, 4x USB 3.0, 2x USB
2.0 and 2x Mini-PCIe sockets. The board comes with a choice of
three Intel Atom Braswell processors that range in performance
from 2.0 to 2.4 GHz.
TDK-Lambda Americas
San Diego, CA
(619) 628 2885
www.us.tdk-lambda.com/lp
WIN Enterprises
Andover, MA
(978) 688-2000
www.win-ent.com
WHEN LEADERS TALK...
The medical device market is going through some rapid
changes. We witness new happening at the same time.
What better way to understand the dynamics of the
market than to hear directly from the leaders! At the
Medical Panel track, we have invited leading medical
device companies, FDA and IP expects, wireless technologists and VC to share their visions. You will learn
from the best and have a chance to interact with them
in the 90 minute session.
Get involved…interact with the leaders!
DR. CARLOS NUNEZ
SVP of Medical Affairs for
BD Medical
CLINT MCCLELLAN
Founder and President of
Indie Health and former
President of Continua
Health Alliance
IRFAN A. LATEEF
Partner, Knobbe Marten.
Specializing in IP matters
for the medical and
technology markets.
RTECC SAN DIEGO
August 25, 2015 at the
San Diego Del Mar Marriott
ENRIQUE SALDIVAR,
SHEP BENTLEY
recognized leader
MD, MSBME, PHD Industry
on matters associated
Director, Wireless Health
Program of Case School
of Engineering
JACK YOUNG
Senior Director,
Qualcomm Ventures,
General Partner
dRX Capital.
with the Food and Drug
Administration
JAE SON, PH.D.
President & CEO of Pressure Profile
rtecc.com/medtalk
COTS Journal | July 2015
41
COTS PRODUCTS
Atom-Based, Fanless Embedded
Box PC is IP67 Capable
Extreme Engineering Solutions has
announced the XPand6903, a rugged, sealed,
compact, fanless, embedded box PC utilizing
the Intel Atom E3800 family processor. The XPand6903
is designed specifically for Industrial PC (IPC), Human Machine Interface
(HMI), industrial automation, military, and transportation applications. The
sealed, IP67 capable design makes it ideal for environments where exposure
to high humidity, moisture, or harsh chemicals is a concern. The XPand6903
includes DIN rail mounting hardware to simplify installation.
The Intel Atom E3800 family processor offers up to four cores at 1.91
GHz. Internal solid-state storage is included for the operating system
and application. Each of the two VGA video connectors has a USB link
that supports the connection of a touch screen with a single cable. The
XPand6903 provides additional connectors for Gigabit Ethernet, USB,
and RS-232/422 serial ports. Other I/O options for the XPand6903 also
are available, such as WLAN, cellular, GPS, DVI-D, and CAN bus. The
XPand6903's power input supports a wide range of input voltages, from 12 to
28 volts. Additional power input voltages also may be supported by request.
Extreme Engineering Solutions, Middleton, WI
(608) 833-1155. www.xes-inc.com
42
COTS Journal | July 2015
XMC Serves Up
UltraScale FPGA and 8
Gbytes DRAM
Alpha Data has
announced the ADMXRC-KU1 is a high performance
reconfigurable XMC (compliant to VITA Standard
42.0 and 42.3) based on the Xilinx UltraScale range of
platform FPGAs. The ADM-XRC-KU1 features enhanced
system monitoring, which allows the board to be
managed by PCI Express or via USB. The board has builtin DMA engines, contained in the always-up PCIe host
interface. The ADM-XRC-KU1 features 8 Gbytes of DDR4
memory in four independent banks, 20nm ASIC-class
FPGA with up to 1.2 million logic gates, GTH max line
rate of 16.375 Gb/s, LVDS max rate of 1600 Mbits/s, and
can be ruggedized for conduction-cooled systems.
Alpha Data
Denver, CO
(303) 954-8768
www.alpha-data.com
A32_COTSJour2.25x9.875_A32.qxd 6/2/15 3:03 PM
COTS PRODUCTS
DC-DC Converters
Exerciser Helps Boost Power Efficiency of PCIe Devices
A new protocol exerciser offers a broad range of PCIe test tools for
validating Gen1, Gen2 and Gen3 operation for all lane widths up to
x16. The U4305B PCI Express protocol exerciser tools from Keysight
Technologies address PCIe developers’ needs, including providing ways to
test new technologies like Non-Volatile Memory Express (NVMe) and L1
substate operation.
The U4305B exerciser is designed to verify these low-power
implementations. A built-in test bench allows users to generate
automated tests of PCIe or NVMe operations. The test bench comes with
scripts that validate the operation from ASPM or PCI-PM L1 substates.
These prewritten tests exercise each state to provide pass/fail results that report on control
register operation as well as operation of each L1 substate entry/recovery. Engineers can
configure the Keysight U4305B exerciser to provide subprotocol layer test and debug for legacy
and next-generation PCIe devices. The U4305B exerciser for PCIe is an advanced traffic
generator that developers can use to send and respond to TLP, DLLP and physical-layer
packets to stimulate PCIe devices and systems. Prices start at $24,793.
High Voltage
to 500 VDC Out
High Power
to 50 Watt s
NEW HiQP Input
Voltage Available!
125-475 VDC Input
Regulated/Isolated
QP
HiQP
Series Isolated
Keysight Technologies, Santa Rosa, CA. (800) 829-4444. www.keysight.com
12-bit 80 Msample/s PCI Express Digitizer
Operates on 4 Channels
A new high-speed PCI Express digitizer features four
simultaneously sampled 80 MS/s input channels with 12-bit
resolution, 40 MHz bandwidth, and up to 1 GB DDR3 onboard
memory. The PCIe-9814 from Adlink Technology delivers
compellingly accurate high dynamic performance in 76 dB SFDR,
64 dB SNR, and -75 dB THD, with up to 640 MB/s data streaming
and value added functionality, enhanced price/performance, and
maximum optimization for radar testing, power management monitoring, and non-destructive
testing.
The PCIe-9814’s 80 MS/s sampling and 40 MHz signal bandwidth easily meet the requirements
of medium frequency (0.1mHz to 30mHz) radar signal reception from IF radar receivers. The PCIe9814 provides external digital trigger input for synchronous trigger radar signaling, while three
extra synchronous digital inputs receive radar synch pulse signals or GPS IRIG-B code to support
radar signal markers or synchronous time stamping used in radar testing. The PCIe-9814’s FPGAbased 31-order FIR digital filter supports noise reduction when signal content is 20 MHz or less.
Adlink Technology, San Jose, CA. (408) 360-0200. www.adlinktech.com
Probe Adapter Enables Full Speed Debugging
of NAND Flash BGAs
A new Probe Adapter which allows high-speed testing
of NAND Flash while accessing the signals using testers via
test pads. Features of the PB-BGA132E-NANDFLASH-01from
Ironwood Electronics include shortest possible trace length for maximum speed, low inductance,
low capacitance, blind and buried via PCB design technology. This probe adapter is designed to
interface 1mm pitch Ball Grid Array packages to SMT pads on the target PCB while bringing the
signals out for probing.
Ironwood’s PB-BGA132E-NANDFLASH-01 Probe Adapter consists of rigid flex PCB with solder
balls on the bottom side. The probe adapter can be soldered to the target system board in place
of BGA132, 1mm pitch, 11x17 array, 12mm x 18mm body using standard BGA soldering methods.
NAND flash can be soldered on the top side of probe adapter that employs a flex wing design to
deliver all data, address, control, and other signals to test pads on 0.4mm centers. The flex wing test
pads are interfaced to logic analyzer or other test equipment using appropriate cable connector.
The PB-BGA132E-NANDFLASH-01 adapter is priced at $2,400 in quantities of 1 to 10 parts.
Ironwood Electronics, Eagan, MN. (952) 229-8200. www.ironwoodelectronics.com
Standard Input Ranges
5, 12, 24, 48 &
Now HiQP! 125-475 VDC
High Voltage, Isolated Outputs
5 VDC-500 VDC
to 50 Watts, Efficiency to 90%
Consult Factory for Custom Modules:
Available to optimize your designs,
Special Input or Output Voltages Available
Miniaturized Size package:
2.5" x 1.55" x 0.50"
Safe: Short Circuit, Over/Under
Voltage, and Over Temp. Protected
Options Available: Expanded Operating
Temperature, -550C to +850C Environmental
Screening, Selected from MIL-STD-883
Ruggedized for Operation in
Harsh Environments
External Bias Control: For Charge
Pump Applications
Rely on Pico for Thousands of
ULTRA Miniature, High Reliability
DC-DC Converters, AC-DC
Power Supplies, Inductors
and Transformers
www.picoelectronics.com
E-Mail: info@picoelectronics.com
PICO Electronics,Inc
Call
800-431-1064
.
143 Sparks Ave, Pelham, NY 10803-1837, USA
COTS Journal | July 2015
43
COTS
ADVERTISERS INDEX
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Intelligent Systems Source is a new resource that gives you the power to compare, review and even purchase embedded computing products
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Index
www.intelligentsystemssource.com
CompanyPage# Website
CompanyPage# Website
Acromag..............................................38....................................acromag.com
EDT......................................................32............................................ edt.com
AIM......................................................35.................................aim-online.com
Inteligent Systems Source................32, 45........intelligentsystemssource.com
Avionics Interface Technologies..........33.....................................aviftech.com
Mercury Systems, Inc. .........................7........................................... mrcy.com
Ballard Technology..............................37.........................ballardtech.com/usb
One Stop Systems, Inc. ....................25, 42..................... onestopsystems.com
CES.....................................................40...................................ces-swap.com
Pentek, Inc...........................................5........................................pentek.com
Clary...................................................47.......................................... clary.com
Phoenix International Systems, Inc. .....4..................................... phenxint.com
CM Computer......................................48.............................. cmcomputer.com
Pico Electronics, Inc............................43..........................picoelectronics.com
COTS Product Gallery..........................32.........................................................
RTD Embedded Technologies, Inc. .......2..............................................rtd.com
CP Cases Inc........................................4......................................cpcases.com
RTECC.................................................16..........................................rtecc.com
Critical I/O..........................................27....................................criticalio.com
SynQor.................................................39....................................... synqor.com
Dynatem..............................................17.................................... dynatem.com
Trenton Systems, Inc. .........................23......................... trentonsystems.com
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.
COMING NEXT MONTH
Special Feature: Pre-integrated Systems Address Technology Readiness Demands
In parallel with the trend toward rugged box-level systems is another trend
toward “pre-integrated subsystems.” These are defined as a set of embedded
computing and I/O boards put together and delivered as a working system to
provide a certain function but intended to be used in a military customer’s
larger system. These help feed the military’s desire for complete systems that
are at a high TRL (Technology Readiness Level). Some of these are functionspecific, whereas others are more generic computing/networking platforms.
This section explores the forces driving this trend and the trade-offs between
the two types of systems.
Tech Recon Signal Chain: Signal Chain: Rugged Storage: From RAID to SSDs
Throughout 2015 our Tech Recon feature delivers a series of sections that
follow a sequential path hitting all the key technologies that are part of
a signal chain. The August Signal Chain section looks at how as military
systems continue to rely more and more on compute- and data-intensive
software, the storage subsystem is now a mission-critical piece of the signal
chain. This part 2 on the storage topic looks at the spectrum of storage
solutions from SSDs to RAID systems.
44
COTS Journal | July 2015
System Development: Space-Qualified Electronics and Subsystems
With the Space Shuttle program no more and the commercial space industry
taking the baton, the space electronics industry is in a period of transition.
Feeding those systems, space-based semiconductors and board-level systems
must be capable of withstanding everything from intense radiation due to
high-energy atoms to bombardments from neutrons and other particles.
Articles in this section explore the radiation concerns facing space designers,
and update readers on radiation-hardened boards and subsystems as well as
ASICs, FPGAs and power components designed for those applications.
Data Sheet: COM and COM Express Boards Roundup
The Computer-on-Module (COM) concept has found a solid and growing
foothold in military embedded systems. COM Express adds high-speed
fabric interconnects to the mix. COM boards provide a complete computing
core that can be upgraded when needed, leaving the application-specific
I/O on the baseboard. This Tech Focus section updates readers on these
trends and provides a product album of representative COM and COM
Express products.
www.intelligentsystemssource.com
July Product Spotlight
HDB8228 HDEC Series
Midsize Backplane –
More Bandwith,
lower latencies
High-Density Backplane of the Month
Intelligent Systems Source (ISS) recognizes the Trenton Systems for its revolutionary new HDEC Backplane design . ISS is proud to help introduce the HDB8228 HDEC Series Midsize Backplane. Supporting
up to eight PCI Express option cards and one dual processor is the building block for scalable military
and industrial computers. Learn more at www.trentonsystems.com/
Routing PCIe links directly to a backplane’s option card slots eliminates PCIe switch hops between the
SHB and any of the system plug-in cards. Eliminating switch hops can provide a 15.3% average bandwidth gain per option card slot compared to previous generation PICMG 1.3 backplane designs. Compared to the 32GB/s aggregate slot bandwidth of a similar previous generation backplane design, the
switchless design of the HDB8228 HDEC Series midsize backplane delivers a 5x bandwidth increase for
an amazing 160GB/s of aggregate slot bandwidth!
For the entire backplane line: www.trentonsystems.com/backplanes
COTS Journal’s
MARCHING TO THE NUMBERS
2016
OVER 30,000
Year NAVAIR expects to conduct a test
launching the first manned aircraft off the
future USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) using
its Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System
(EMALS). June 16 marked the successful launch of the first test sled from the starboard bow
catapult using EMALS. Hurling the dead-load sleds, which represent different aircraft weights,
marks a significant testing milestone for the first new aircraft launch technology employed by
the Navy in more than 60 years. The ship’s test data will be compared to land-based test data,
and after adjustments, becomes the basis for test launching the first manned aircraft next year.
110.4 Million
$
Worth of the contract the U.S. Army
awarded BAE Systems to convert 36
M88A1 recovery vehicles to the M88A2
Heavy Equipment Recovery Combat Utility Lift Evacuation Systems (HERCULES)
configuration. The fleet of ABCT vehicles is
getting heavier, making it increasingly important that the recovery fleet is upgraded
to support it. The HERCULES, which provides recovery support to soldiers in the
field, is the only vehicle able to recover the
M1 Abrams tank and the heaviest mineresistant ambush protected (MRAP) variants in a combat environment.
24.25Billion
$
Value that the global electronic warfare market is
expect to reach by 2020 according to a new market research report, now available on ASDReports
“Electronic Warfare Market by category, by technology, by Platforms (Airborne, Naval, Land, Unmanned), and by Geography - Forecast & Analysis to 2014 - 2020”. Starting in 2014 at $17.72
billion this market is expected to register a CAGR of 5.37%, to reach $24.25 Billion in 2020. The
analysis includes the competitive scenario and geographic trends and opportunities in the
United States, Europe, China, Canada, and Brazil.
46
COTS Journal | July 2015
Multiple times the acceleration of gravity at
which test projectiles were launched during
tests of General Atomics Electromagnetic
Systems’ (GA-EMS) 3 megajoule Blitzer electromagnetic railgun. The week of test activity included marking the 100th successful
launch from the railgun. Projectiles with onboard electronics survived the railgun launch
environment in four consecutive tests. The
electronics on-board the projectiles successfully measured in-bore accelerations and
projectile dynamics, for several kilometers
downrange, with the integral data link continuing to operate after the projectiles impacted the desert floor.
Milliseconds
Speed at which solid launch abort motor
can transport a spacecraft crew far from
harm’s way should the need arise. Orbital
ATK has signed a $98 million agreement
with Lockheed Martin to provide the just
such a launch abort motor for the Orion human spaceflight capsule’s Launch Abort System (LAS). The Orion spacecraft will launch
aboard NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS),
enabling humans to explore new deep space
destinations. If an emergency were to occur at
the launch pad, or during lift-off and ascent,
the abort system would rapidly lift the capsule and crew away from the rocket.
MILITARY GRADE
UNINTERRUPTED
POWER
Clary’s UPS systems are uniquely designed for the
harsh environments of military applications
Read how Clary stacks up.
Visit www.clary.com
Clary UPS solutions deliver unmatched performance to ensure that essential
• True on-line double conversion
UPS systems
military technology never fails as a result of power quality. Clary provides
• Reliable continuous digital power
a range of high performance UPS solutions designed and manufactured to
• Built to operate in harsh
environments including
temperatures from -50°C to +74°C
meet the exacting specifications of the military. In fact, Clary military products
are currently being used in many US Navy, US Marines, USAF, US Army and
US Coast Guard applications, and are fielded in shipboard and land based
environments both fixed and mobile.
Tel: 800-442-5279 • sales@clary.com • www.clary.com
• Meets military standards for
shock and vibration
COTS ATR CHASSIS
31
MODELS
MILITARY
FULL RANGE OF HIGH PERFORMANCE ENCLOSURES
› ALL 3U & 6U MODULE FORMATS / VITA BUSES SUPPORTED
› EXTENSIVE PSU POWER SUPPLY & BACKPLANE COMBINATIONS
› CHASSIS THERMAL ANALYSIS & TESTING FIGURES AVAILABLE
VME, cPCI & VPX
(10khz-10mhz) - ce101 115v
(60hz-10khz) - ce101 28v
(60hz-10khz) - cs101 (30hz10khz) - cs101 (30hz-150khz)
- cs114 (10khz-400mhz)
- cs115
(impulse
excitation)
��L�NT
���ra�i��
- cs116
khz-100mhz)
n� (10
�x���n��
f�� ��
S��L�D, c�nt���n�n� ���� (��i�e� f��
- re101
rod navy
fixed
m���n�
p�rt
�! & af
(30hz-100khz) - re102 rod
�us�, �e� fo�, ���i�i��, et�)
navy fixed & af (10khz-30ghz)
- re102
rod navy fixed & af
�M-ATR-35/SEF-20�P
(10khz-30mhz) - re102-3 rod
navy fixed & af (2mhz-30mhz)
- re102-3 bilog navy fixed &
af (30mhz-1ghz), h. - re10220 ����e�ic����
3 bilog navy fixed & af (1ghz�e��e� �ea� ���e�
18ghz), h. - re102-3 bilog
�n�e�ra�e�!
navy fixed & af (30mhz-1ghz),
(n� p��loa� �i��)
v. - re102-3
bilog ��P�:
navy fixed
�A�GET
& af (1ghz-18ghz),
v. - rs101
- S��m����e�
- W�r���p�
(30hz-100khz)
- rs103 (2mhzSta�i�n�
18ghz)- -Gr��n�
high temperature
B��
��
T��k�
(m.501.4) - low temperature
- A�i��ic� & �AV�
(m.502.4) -- temperature
A�ro�pa�� ...shock
(m.503.4) - humidity (m.507.4)
- shock (m.516.5)high temperaM��n��n�n�� ����
ture (m.501.4) - low tempera���l�� & f�r�e�!!
ture (m.502.4) - temperature
º
�PTR
shock (m.503.4) - humidity
º
(m.507.4) - shock (m.516.5) Platf��� co�� ba��acceleration (m.513.5) - al�la�� �� �e����e� .
titude (m.500.4) - vibration
T���m���� is�la�e�
M��n��n� Tr��
(m.514.5) - salt fog (m.509.4)
c�� �� u�e� .
ce102 115v
(10khz-10mhz)
E�h�n�e� -na��r��
��� c���ec�i��
- ce102
28v
(10khz-10mhz)
���fl�� ��r�u��
�i��
p����
���e�
- ce101 115v (60hz-10khz)
�����l�
- ce101 28v (60hz-10khz)
5-SLOT: 180W
- cs101 (30hz-10khz)cs101
M��. �ec����n�e� P��loa� P���� �is��pa�i��
(30hz-150khz) - cs114
@ �5ºC �����n� (c�r�-r��� D�lt�-T 30ºC) f��
7-SLOT: 220W
(10khz-400mhz) - cs115
��L-S�D-810F Hi�� T���. c����i�n��
(impulse5-SLOT:
excitation)
12-SLOT: 300W
140W - cs116
(10 khz-100mhz) - re101 rod
navy fixed & af (30hz-100khz)
- re102 rod navy fixed & af
(10khz-30ghz) - re102 rod
navy fixed & af (10khz-30mhz
- re102-3 rod navy fixed & af
(2mhz-30mhz) - re102-3 bilog
navy fixed & af (30mhz-1ghz),
h. RE102-3 BILOG Navy Fixed
FIRST FREE-AIR ATR SERIES, HEAD TO HEAD PERFORMANCE
FORCED AIR HEAT EXCHANGER MODELS
VS .
DIMENSIONS ATR SPECS
H/ 256 mm
W/ 240 mm
D/ 425 mm
7 slot 6U
PSU - 650W
all AC/DC inputs
∆T: 30 C
TPP: 225W 0.13 C/W
6U
3U
MIL-STD-810F & MIL-STD-461F CERTIFIED FOR IMMEDIATE DEPLOYMENT
T�� �ea��n� ATR m��ufac�����
WWW.CMCOMPUTER.COM
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True Military COTS Products