COTS Journal

The Journal of Military Electronics & Computing

Tech Focus: XMC and FMC Boards Roundup

Graphics Processing Enters the System-on-Chip Realm

PLUS:

Networking and Video Solutions Revamp Situational AwarenessVolume 15 Number 12 December 2013 cotsjournalonline.com

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CONTENTS Departments

Digital subscriptions available: cotsjournalonline.com

TECHNOLOGY FOCUSXMC and FMC Boards

28 XMCs and FMCs Fit the Mold for Todays Modularity Needs Jeff Child30 XMC and FMC Boards Roundup

SYSTEM DEVELOPMENTSituational Awareness: From Command to Soldier Level

22 LTE Networking Aids Battlespace Visualization Systems Ray Adensamer, Radisys

Harry Jensen, Radisys

TECH RECONSystem-on-Chip Processors Do Military Duty

18 High-Performance Graphics Processing Pushes SoCs toward Military Dan Joncas, CoreAVI

Kelly Gillilan, AMD Embedded Solutions

SPECIAL FEATURETech Advances in UAV Recon Platforms

10 Reconnaissance Solutions Advance among All UAV Sizes Jeff Child

6 Editorial Technology Shines Through

8 The Inside Track

34 COTS Products

40 Annual Article Index

50 NEW! Marching to the Numbers

Coming in JanuarySee Page 48

December 2013 Volume 15 Number 12

COTS (kots), n. 1. Commercial off-the-shelf. Terminol-ogy popularized in 1994 within U.S. DoD by SECDEF Wm. Perrys Perry Memo that changed military industry purchasing and design guidelines, making Mil-Specs acceptable only by waiver. COTS is gener-ally defined for technology, goods and services as: a) using commercial business practices and specifications, b) not developed under government funding, c) of-fered 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 customers unique requirements.Ant. When applied to the procurement of electronics for the U.S. Military, COTS is a procure-ment 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.

The Journal of Military Electronics & ComputingThe Journal of Military Electronics & ComputingThe Journal of Military Electronics & Computing

Reconnaissance Solutions Advance among All UAV Sizes10

On The Cover: The Global Hawk UAV carries a variety of ISR sensor payloads that enable commanders to gather near real-time imagery and use radar to detect moving or stationary targets on the ground. The system also provides airborne communications and information sharing payloads. In September, Northrop Grummans portfolio of large UAVs achieved a milestone of 100,000 flight hours, more than 88 percent of which were logged by Global Hawk. (Photo courtesy of Northrop Grumman Corporation)

4 COTS Journal | December 2013

PublisherPRESIDENT John Reardon, [email protected] Jeff Child, [email protected] EDITOR/ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Sandra Sillion, [email protected] EDITOR Johnny Keggler, [email protected] EDITOR Clarence Peckham, [email protected] EDITOR Rochelle CohnArt/Production ART DIRECTOR Jim Bell, [email protected] DESIGNER Michael Farina, [email protected] WESTERN REGIONAL SALES MANAGER Mike Duran, [email protected] (949) 226-2024MIDWEST REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL SALES MANAGER Mark Dunaway, [email protected] (949) 226-2023EASTERN REGIONAL SALES MANAGER Jasmine Formanek, [email protected] (949) 226-2004BILLING Cindy Muir, [email protected] (949) 226-2000


COTS Journal

HOME OFFICE The RTC Group, 905 Calle Amanecer, Suite 250, San Clemente, CA 92673 Phone: (949) 226-2000 Fax: (949) 226-2050, www.rtcgroup.com

EDITORIAL OFFICE Jeff Child, Editor-in-Chief 20A Northwest Blvd., PMB#137, Nashua, NH 03063 Phone: (603) 429-8301

PUBLISHED BY THE RTC GROUP Copyright 2013, The RTC Group. Printed in the United States. All rights reserved. All related graphics are trademarks of The RTC Group. All other brand and product names are the property of their holders.

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COTS Journal | December 20136

Jeff Child, Editor-in-ChiefEDITORIALCOTS

Technology Shines ThroughINTEGRITY Multivisor technology, the integrated solution called LifeRing operates on IP-based PCs, smartphones and tab-lets. It lets all users view the position and status of all other users, and can digitally collaborate and interface to legacy Military C3I (Command, Control, Communications and Intelligence) systems. Devices are preprogrammed with Green Hills Softwares INTEG-RITY Multivisor security technology.

In another software offering at MILCOM, Wind River show-cased its VxWorks MILS Platform powering General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems Secure Network Architecture and Processing (SNAP) solution. SNAP is an open architecture multilevel secure (MLS) infrastructure for collaborative tactical network operations.

At the hardware and system level, traditional board-level suppliers are continuing to expand up the food chain with not only box-level systems, but systems that are getting ever closer to complete application solutions. Along those lines, VadaTech introduced an application-focused system product, announcing its first application-ready platform (ARP) at the show. The ARP is a preconfigured system platform that is suited for Mil/Aero ap-plications requiring front-end deterministic processing and high data rates. The ARP200 Application-Ready Platform for Mil-sen-sor processing uses five AMC515 FPGAs, one AMC713 Freescale PowerPC P5020 processsor, one MicroTCA Carrier Hub (MCH) and one power module.

Shifting gears, I want to express my heartfelt thanks to my longtime friend, mentor and partner for many years on COTS Journal: Pete Yeatman. As Pete moves on to other pursuits, I cant help but consider his great accomplishment of starting COTS Journal in 1998 along with Warren Andrews and John Reardon. That launch was aided by none other than the father of the COTS movement himself: former Secretary of Defense, Dr. William Perry. And Pete was instrumental in fostering that relationship with Dr. Perry. That was years before I took leadership of the mag-azine in 2005 and was given the rare luxury of working for what had already become the leading publication in our industry. It was Pete who guided COTS Journal to that place and kept us there throughout these 15 years of success. Fortunately for me, Pete has promised I can keep him on speed-dial for whenever I need his wisdom and sage advice. Im thankful for the privilege of working alongside you Pete. Maybe Ill call you right now

Last months MILCOM show in San Diego was decidedly slower than years past. Having been a strong presence at the leading military communications technology confer-ence for several years now, our COTS Journal team has a lot to compare it to. In some ways the state of the show was a micro-cosm of whats happening in the military electronics and com-puting industry. The booths of prime contractors were somewhat scaled backmuch like the corporations themselves. Whereas in contrast, the technology supplier companies from our embedded computing industry were in some cases at their best, excitedly showing off products and technology precisely suited for todays military system developer customer. Among these were even a startup or two, and companies just now coming out of their mar-keting shell.

Though smaller this year, MILCOM is destined to have a bright future. The focus on communications and networking makes it inherently a technology-driven show, and its a technol-ogy area that fits neatly into the needs of a more C4ISR-focused DoD. For our part, we made the most of the presence of smart embedded industry folks at the show by doing several video in-terviews at our booth. Look for those online soon. A question that came forward in many of those interviews was the notion of what role todays consumer devicessmartphones, tablets and so onplay in todays military comms continuum.

While some of that falls into more of the Information Tech-nology (IT) side of military technology, it does affect the rugged deployed networking gear that supports any such end device. Re-gardless of how it all pans out, its clear that the demand is high for the users of the technology. Your average 20-year-old is ultra fa-miliar with the capabilities of todays average smartphonemuch more than us 40-somethings. Telling that same 20-year-old thats joined up to serve in the military that theres no device remotely like that available for him or her to use as a warfighting tooltheres something wrong with that scenario. The good news is that there were real steps forward among some of the technology and product announcements at MILCOMand these spanned across the system, chip and software levels.

One of the most direct announcements at MILCOM along those lines was from Green Hills Software and Advanced Ground Information Systems (AGIS). The two firms teamed up to craft a mobile military tactical operations center on trusted Android smartphones and tablets. Built with Green Hills Softwares

2013 GE Intelligent Platforms, Inc. All rights reserved.All other brands or names are property of their respective holders.

GE Intelligent Platforms

The more real-time data your ISR system sees, the better we look. Whether your goal is to develop new ISR func-tionality or increase the resolution of existing technology, the success of your project depends on its ability to exploit the vast amount of real-time data being gathered by cameras and sensors. GE Intelligent Platforms offers more COTS or custom choices in rugged, real-time data processing solutions using multiprocessor, GPGPU or many core processor technology than any other provider of COTS embedded computing products.

We have leveraged these same ISR visualization technologies in GEs new 360 Situational Aware-ness systems. These solutions were designed to

provide warfighters in ground vehicles with the highest degree of protection and information gathering capabilities with real-time stitching and panning of video and sensor feeds. Let us demon-strate how this or our other image processing and exploitation capabilities can be used to get your ISR program deployed sooner.

To learn more about ISR solutions from GE Intelligent Platforms, please visit our ISR Visualization website:

defense.ge-ip.com/isrIPS5100 High Performance 360 Situational Awareness

Visualization System.

1213 COTS GE ISR ad.indd 1 12/3/13 4:17 PM

2013 GE Intelligent Platforms, Inc. All rights reserved.All other brands or names are property of their respective holders.

GE Intelligent Platforms

The more real-time data your ISR system sees, the better we look. Whether your goal is to develop new ISR func-tionality or increase the resolution of existing technology, the success of your project depends on its ability to exploit the vast amount of real-time data being gathered by cameras and sensors. GE Intelligent Platforms offers more COTS or custom choices in rugged, real-time data processing solutions using multiprocessor, GPGPU or many core processor technology than any other provider of COTS embedded computing products.

We have leveraged these same ISR visualization technologies in GEs new 360 Situational Aware-ness systems. These solutions were designed to

provide warfighters in ground vehicles with the highest degree of protection and information gathering capabilities with real-time stitching and panning of video and sensor feeds. Let us demon-strate how this or our other image processing and exploitation capabilities can be used to get your ISR program deployed sooner.

To learn more about ISR solutions from GE Intelligent Platforms, please visit our ISR Visualization website:

defense.ge-ip.com/isrIPS5100 High Performance 360 Situational Awareness

Visualization System.

1213 COTS GE ISR ad.indd 1 12/3/13 4:17 PM


INSIDE TRACKThe

Advanced Thermal Batteries Contracted for Lockheed Martin Battery System Work

Advanced Thermal Batteries has been awarded a multimillion dollar contract from Lockheed Martin Company, Dallas, TX, for the qualification of a thermal battery system. ATB has been working with US prime defense contractors since 2006. This major award from Lockheed Martin acknowledges ATB as a key supplier of high-performance thermal batteries to the defense industry. As the requirements for advanced technologies continue to progress, ATB will strengthen its position of leadership in the thermal battery industry.

ATBs quality system is AS9100C certified. For over seven years, ATB has been pro-viding advanced thermal battery solutions for missiles, rockets and launch vehicles to the Defense

Industry, Aerospace Industries and to Defense Laboratories. ATB continues to invest heavily in research and development to keep its technology leadership position and offers the widest range of thermal battery tech-nologies, including improvement of its patented LAN anode, which enables ATB to optimize the bat-terys performance, while offering competitive pricing.

Advanced Thermal Batteries Cockeysville, MD (410) 568-2238. www.atb-inc.com.

Mercury to Provide Radar Subsystems for Patriot Air and Missile Defense Systems

Mercury Systems announced it received $3.3 million in follow-on orders from Raytheons Integrated Defense Systems to provide OpenVPX-based radar

subsystems and spares for the Patriot Air and Missile Defense System. The orders were booked and shipped in the companys fiscal 2014 first quarter. Mer-cury has been a key supplier of OpenVPX-based radar subsys-tems for Patriot and continues to deliver best of breed technologies and rapid deployment services that improve nearly every aspect of the system.

Patriot is a long-range, high-altitude, all-weather system that is regularly and rigorously tested with U.S. Army oversight under real-world conditions (Figure 2). The system can counter threats from tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and advanced aircraft, and is continuously up-graded to keep ahead of evolving threats.

Mercury Systems Chelmsford, MA. (866) 627-6951. www.mrcy.com.

Figure 1

An F-16 Fighting Falcon participates in a training sortie during the Green Flag-West 13-2 exercise in November over Nevada.

Curtiss-Wright Controls announced that it has received a contract from Lockheed Martin Aeronautics to supply its COTS-based rugged Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) Switch technology for use in upcoming F-16 fighter jet upgrade programs for the United States Air Force (USAF) and other nations (Figure 1). The first of the upgrade programs is for the Taiwan Air Forces F-16 aircraft fleet. Under the agreement, Curtiss-Wright Controls Defense Solutions division will provide Lockheed Martin with its SMS-652 SwitchBox rugged GbE Switch product. The initial contract is valued at approximately $3 million, and shipments are scheduled to begin in the first half of 2014. The estimated potential value of the contract is approximately $8M over the life of the additional upgrade programs.

The SMS-652 SwitchBox is a powerful open-standards-based GbE network switch designed for rugged military systems. This cost-effective, compact COTS subsystem eases and speeds the process of integrating modern digital networked architectures into military platforms. The SMS-652 SwitchBox reduces design risk and shortens development sched-ules for bringing network-enabled operations to new and legacy airborne, ground combat and unmanned platforms. The Defense Solutions division will manufacture the products covered by this agreement at its Ottawa, Canada facility. The products will be shipped to Lockheed Martin Aeronautics in Ft. Worth, Texas.

Curtiss-Wright Controls Defense Solutions Ashburn, VA. (703) 779-7800. www.cwcdefense.com.

Curtiss-Wright Gigabit Ethernet Switch Tapped for F-16 Upgrade

Cubic Defense Systems Awarded Contract for Virtual Training System

Cubic Defense Systems was awarded a $10 million contract with the U.S. Army Reserves to provide its Engagement Skills Trainer (EST 3000) virtual train-ing system, simulated weapons and services. EST 3000 trains marksmanship, offensive and defensive collective, and shoot-dont shoot judgmental firing

Figure 2

Patriot is a long-range, high-altitude, all-weather system that is regularly and rigorously tested with U.S. Army oversight.

9December 2013 | COTS Journal 9

INSIDE TRACKThe

skills. The EST 3000 is a portable system that leverages the training capabilities provided by the EST 2000 U.S. Army-certified system. EST 3000 will provide the U.S. Army Reserves with enhanced fundamentals of marksmanship capabilities through immediate feedback efficiency indicators (trigger pressure, pitch, cant) and 3D targets.

The system uses high-fidelity game engine graphics that pro-vide realism to marksmanship and collective scenarios. This overall simulation capability will allow Reserve Soldiers to increase their training effectiveness with reduced time and cost, and sup-ports the overall Army Reserves training strategy. The EST 3000 allows their soldiers to familiarize at home station before deploying to a weapons range, which lowers their costs by reducing their time on ranges, while increasing their overall weapons qualifications. The EST 3000 will play a signifi-cant role in preparing the soldiers of the Army Reserve in meeting the challenges of todays threats.

Cubic Defense Systems San Diego, CA. (858) 277-6780. www.cubic.com.

Northrop Grumman Contracted to Sustain Joint STARS Fleet

The U.S. Air Force awarded Northrop Grumman a $178 million contract to continue sus-taining the services entire E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (Joint STARS) aircraft (Figure 4). The contract is a continuation of Northrop Grummans Total System Sup-port Reliability (TSSR) program, which was first awarded in 2000. Through the TSSR program, Northrop Grumman is responsi-ble for the logistics, engineering,

training, mission support, supply chain and depot maintenance support of the Joint STARS fleet at Robins Air Force Base, GA, and forward operating loca-tions overseas. The program has maintained superior performance ratings throughout the contracts 13-year history.

By affordably extending the life of the aircraft, Joint STARS remains the worlds premier airborne battle management and command and control system. Sustainment ensures that the platform remains relevant and continues delivering this criti-cal capability to warfighters. In addition to work at Robins Air Force Base, TSSR is supported by key personnel at the Northrop Grumman Manned Aircraft Design Center of Excellence in Melbourne, FL, the Lake Charles Maintenance and Modification Center, LA, and more than 30 major suppliers across the United States.

Northrop Grumman Los Angeles, CA. (310) 553-6262. www.northropgrumman.com.

General Dynamics Manpack Radios in the Arctic Circle Connect with MUOS Satellites

Two General Dynamics C4 Systems-developed AN/PRC-155 two-channel Manpack radios successfully completed secure voice and data calls from Alaska and the Arctic Circle, using the Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) waveform to connect with the MUOS satellite and ground communications network. The dem-onstrations success is a significant operational milestone for the PRC-155 Manpack radio.

Exposed to sub-freezing temperatures and blistering arctic winds, the PRC-155 Manpack radio is the first and only mili-tary radio to deliver secure voice and data connectivity with the MUOS system from the highest latitudes on the planet. The demonstration took place in mid-October and covered a number of realistic operational scenarios that included fixed-site locations around Anchorage and Barrow, Alaska and aboard aircraft flying throughout the Arctic Circle. During the demonstration, the PRC-155 two-channel radio completed multiple one-to-one voice and data calls as well as conference calls connecting more than five participants. Reaching the MUOS satellite communications network from high latitudes is particularly challenging due to the physics associated with how radio signals reach the MUOS satel-lites in geosynchronous orbit around the equator.

General Dynamics C4 Systems Scottsdale, AZ. (480) 441-3033. www.gdc4s.com.

Figure 3

The contract to continue sustaining the services entire E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (Joint STARS) aircraft is a continuation of Northrop Grummans Total System Support Reliability (TSSR) program, which was first awarded in 2000.

Figure 4

AN/PRC-155 two-channel Manpack radios successfully completed secure voice and data calls from Alaska and the Arctic Circle.

SPECIAL FEATURE

COTS Journal | December 201310

Tech Advances in UAV Recon Platforms

December 2013 | COTS Journal 11

Jeff ChildEditor-in-Chief

High-bandwidth sensors on UAV Reconnaissance plat-forms are bringing in a deluge of data. Technology up-grades of existing UAV platforms and payloads will see more activity as decision makers move toward improving already deployed UAVs while limiting development of new ones. Those trends are positive ones for the embedded computing industry, as they roll out new integrated box-level systems with the proper size, weight and power (SWaP) for UAV requirements.

For many years the design approach in the large UAV seg-ment has been to employ multiprocessing with arrays of big slot-card board systems based on general-purpose processors. This is being replaced with more integrated boards sporting FPGAs. In recent years, stand-alone function-specific box-level systems are in some cases replacing traditional slot-card implementations. Box-level consolidation of that kind impacts the radar, imaging processing and communications capabilities of large UAVs by al-lowing more functionality in the same space.

As system developers pack more capacities into UAV payloads, the recon functionality of all types of UAVs is moving to whole new levels.

Reconnaissance Solutions Advance among All UAV Sizes


SPECIAL FEATURE

In early March Northrop Grumman an-nounced completing successful exchange of radar data during a flight test involving the U.S. Air Forces E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (Joint STARS) and the RQ-4B Global Hawk Block 40 unmanned aircraft system (Figure 2). The demonstration was conducted Feb. 25. The exchange was the first collaborative effort to stream ground moving target radar data from a Global Hawk Block 40 to a Joint STARS aircraft. Information can then be relayed from Joint STARS to ground forces. The flight successfully demonstrated the interoperability of both platforms to po-tentially improve and expand surveillance capabilities for deployed forces.

Global Hawk carries a variety of intel-ligence, surveillance and reconnaissance sensor payloads that allow military com-manders to gather imagery and use radar to detect moving or stationary targets on the ground. Joint STARS is an airborne bat-

Operations Facility in Adelanto, CA on October 11th and landed 45.3 hours later.

IGE was developed by GA-ASI on In-ternal Research and Development (IRAD) funds to demonstrate the increased endur-ance potential and higher payload capacity with minor modifications to the existing Block 1 Gray Eagle platform. The Army Unmanned Aircraft Systems Project Of-fice is supporting testing of the aircraft by funding two demonstration flights this year that are designed to validate the enhanced capabilities. The first endurance test was performed with the aircraft in a Reconnais-sance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition (RSTA) configuration. During the second demonstration, which is planned for later this year, IGE will carry a wing-mounted external payload and weapons.

Global Hawk Data ExchangeThe largest UAV, the Global Hawk,

continues to push capability boundaries.

Meanwhile the control and payload electronics aboard Small UAVslike the Raven, Integrator, Shadow and Waspface some of the most rigorous size, weight and power restrictions. At the same time, new small UAV platforms and upgraded ver-sions of existing platforms are in the process of testing and development. UAV system developers strive to enhance UAVs with ever more autonomy and more powerful sensors.

Army Sponsored Gray Eagle TestAmong the most significant advances

in mid-sized UAVs is the completion of the Improved Gray Eagle (IGE) aircraft, a next-generation derivative of the combat-proven Gray Eagle Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) (Figure 1). In October, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems announced the successful completion of the first of two planned U.S. Army endurance demonstra-tion flights when its Improved Gray Eagle lifted off from GA-ASIs El Mirage Flight

Figure 1

The Improved Gray Eagle (IGE) was developed by GA-ASI on Internal Research and Development (IRAD) funds to demonstrate the increased endurance potential and higher payload capacity with minor modifications to the existing Block 1 Gray Eagle platform.

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SPECIAL FEATURE

The intent of the TERN program is to produce a low-cost, large-scale TERN pro-totype vehicle over the course of three de-velopment phases that would demonstrate automatic launch and recovery and key technologies required by a TERN objective system. The mission performance goals for the operational TERN system are compa-rable to emerging land-based MALE UAV capabilities. The ultimate goal for a TERN objective system air vehicle is to enable persistent ISR capabilities with payloads of 600 pounds while operating up to 900 nau-tical miles from a host vessel. The TERN objective system is intended to operate from multiple ship types, including Littoral Combat Ship 2 (LCS-2) class ships, and in elevated sea states.

Small UAVs Doing Big ImagingIn another example of Small UAV

technology taking on bigger duties, last fall QinetiQ North America (QNA) did a demonstration of its Small Multi-Spectral Imager (sMSI) during its first flight test in Imperial County, CA. QNAs sMSI is a compact, lightweight, low-power camera that supports a variety of applications, such as improvised explosive device detection,

tle management and command and control platform that conducts ground surveil-lance of fixed and moving ground targets to develop an understanding of the enemy situation and support location, tracking, targeting and attack operations.

Long Endurance Small UAVsLong endurance recon missions may

no longer be just relegated to large and me-dium UAVs.

Small UAVs may be sharing the load too. Early in November AeroVironment announced that it was selected by the De-fense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to provide its market-leading expertise in unmanned aircraft systems to-ward the development of a new category of this technology. AeroVironment will work as the prime contractor with DARPA on the Tactically Exploited Reconnaissance Node (TERN) Program to develop a me-dium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) UAS designed to operate from small ships to provide persistent intelligence, surveil-lance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabili-ties. Sierra Nevada Corporation will sub-contract to AeroVironment on the project, which is valued at $2.3 million

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Figure 2

The Block 40 Global Hawk completed its first full system flight with the MP-RTIP sensor at Edwards Air Force Base, CA in July 2011.

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onto UAVs to prepare for real-world mis-sion support. Test altitudes were 400, 1,200 and 3,000 feet, consistent with mission al-titudes for small UAVs. One sMSI with a normal field of view and one sMSI with a wide field of view were flown simultane-ously, along with a standard electro-optical camera for comparison.

AeroVironmentMonrovia, CA.(626) 357-9983.www.avinc.com.

AAI Hunt Valley, MD.(410) 666-1400.www.aaicorp.com.

General AtomicsSan Diego, CA.(858) 455-3000 .www.ga.com.

InsituBingen, WA.(509) 493-8600.www.insitu.com.

Northrop GrummanLos Angeles, CA.(310) 553-6262. www.northropgrumman.com.

demonstration was conducted to verify the sMSIs ability to discriminate and identify various targets from specific altitudes, and to assess the custom 55 millimeter optical systems performance.

Three real-time, multi-spectral pro-cessing modes were used to determine which modes work best for each type of tar-get. The teams next step will be to conduct new flight tests with the sMSI integrated

camouflage detection and oceanographic/environmental sensing (Figure 3). The sMSI is the latest innovation in QNAs long history of developing and integrat-ing MSI cameras onto a variety of plat-forms and systems. In the demo flight, the sMSI correctly identified all targets from various altitudes up to 3,000 feet, includ-ing simulated land mines, disturbed earth, camouflage and electrical wire targets. The

Figure 3

The Small Multi-Spectral Imager (sMSI) is a compact, lightweight, low-power camera that supports a variety of applications, such as improvised explosive device detection, camouflage detection and oceanographic/environmental sensing.

Untitled-4 1 3/28/13 1:32 PM

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TECH RECON

Every incremental gain in processing performance for graphics-intensive avionics applications unlocks cor-responding boosts in situational aware-ness and responsiveness for pilots and UAV operators. As aircraft control panels evolve to include advanced synthetic vision and video overlay capabilities displayed in photo-realistic 3D clarity, operators in-tuitive understanding of the flying envi-ronment is naturally enhanced (Figure 1). This yields clear advantages in air transport, combat and surveillance applications while helping to provide greater overall safety.

Historically, the development of new x86 and discrete graphics processing plat-forms has been driven primarily by the commercial marketplace, fueled by con-sumer demand for ever-faster, multimedia-optimized PCs, tablets and gaming sys-temsand the back-end IT and Internet infrastructure that powers the online appli-cations and services ecosystem. As a result, the vast majority of military and aerospace display systems operate with time- and space-partitioned real-time operating sys-tems (RTOSs) and graphics drivers that are not supported by the processor manufac-turer. And unlike drivers used in consumer markets, the graphics drivers used in high-reliability environments must be rigorously

Dan Joncas, Vice President, CoreAVIKelly Gillilan, Product Marketing Manager, AMD Embedded Solutions

As cockpit displays and UAV ground control systems climb toward ever more sophisticated graphics and video requirements, graphics-based SoC technologies and OpenCL are smoothing the way.

High-Performance Graphics Processing Pushes SoCs toward Military

System-on-Chip Processors Do Military Duty

Figure 1

Aircraft control panels are evolving to include advanced synthetic vision and video overlay capabilities displayed in photo-realistic 3D clarity.

19December 2013 | COTS Journal

designed and tested in conformance with industry-recognized safety standards and include support for the target systems RTOS.

Third Parties Step InThe hard work of ruggedizing and

ensuring certification conformance for processors used in mil/aero applications, therefore, typically falls to third-party spe-cialistsand the requirements in these do-mains are exacting. Specialists such as Co-reAVI, for example, go to extreme lengths to achieve the highest possible levels of integrity by providing European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and Federal Avia-tion Administration (FAA) certification packages to allow the processors to be used in avionics applications. In addition, the processors are made available over an ex-tended lifespanup to 20 yearswhich is far beyond the standard commercial pro-cessor lifecycle. Able to be used in these safety-critical applications, each processor is assigned a unique serial ID with lot/date information and tracked from manufactur-ing to use, undergoes extended tempera-ture screening, and is maintained with 24/7 security and control of environmental stor-age conditions for the length of production.

Packaged with specialized software drivers and conformant with applicable certification requirements, these proces-sors are provided to customers developing the worlds most advanced graphics appli-cations and may ultimately be called upon to power an entire generation of critical avionics systems.

Performance Gains with SoCsAs these specialized, long-lifecycle pro-

cessor management strategies have evolved, so too have the processors themselves. Graphics-intensive avionics systems are in-creasingly transitioning away from FPGA and DSP platforms in favor of more versatile, higher-performing embedded GPUs that are optimized to handle high-speed mul-timedia processing as well as the massively parallel processing required for tasks such as radar processing, object recognition and video manipulation. To date, these GPUs have been deployed in avionics display sys-tems via ad hoc heterogeneous CPU+GPU chipsets, which rely on the CPU to interface with the GPU via a North Bridge connec-

tion, sending calls to the GPU to invoke code running on the coprocessor that then sends results back to the CPU. But this serial data processing approach can add memory latency, which can affect RTOS enablement while also introducing design penalties cen-tric to power consumption and board space.

The recent introduction of the new system-on-chip (SoC) processor architec-ture, which features the silicon-level inte-

gration of CPU, discrete-class GPU and I/O controller on a single die, is a significant development for high-performance avion-ics display systems (Figure 2). With the SoC architecture, the CPU is tasked with scalar processing including storage, networking and memory processing while simultane-ously running the operating system, appli-cations and user interface. Meanwhile, the on-die GPU offloads graphics processing

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TECH RECON

vironments, and can facilitate the porting of legacy safety-critical applications while accommodating the FAA-mandated DO-178C certification process for ensuring re-liable graphics drivers for instrumentation, navigation and controls.

Meanwhile, OpenGL ES (Embedded Systems) is emerging as the leading software interface and graphics library for rendering sophisticated 3D graphics on embedded avi-onics devices, exploiting the full program-mability of shaders by giving developers the ability to write vertex and fragment shaders, and implement advanced rendering tech-niques such as per-pixel lighting, particle systems and projective texturing.

New Face of Avionics PlatformsThe accelerating adoption of OpenGL

and its variants reflects a growing interest among the mil/aero developer community in promoting the development of open standards for avionics systems. The Future Airborne Capability Environment (FACE) Consortium, managed by The Open Group and promoted by the U.S. Naval Air Sys-tems Command (NAVAIR), is indicative of this trend. The FACE technical standard is designed to standardize approaches for us-ing open technologies and interfaces within avionics systems, and promotes software portability, interoperability and reuse. Like OpenGL, FACE ultimately aims to speed the delivery of technical innovation into the field and lower implementation costs via a highly flexible, open standard model.

Using open development tools such as OpenGL to unlock the full potential of new SoC-based avionics systems, designers are equipped to achieve new levels of parallel processing performance that can enable sig-nificant gains in graphics and visualization capabilities. This performance advantage can be sustainedand often improved, with performance headroom to spare in many implementationsover a 20-year lifecycle with the proper long-term processor man-agement and supply strategies in place.

AMD Corp.Sunnyvale, CA.(408) 749-4000.www.amd.com/embedded-systems.

OpenGL Safety Critical ProfileThe OpenGL SC (Safety-Critical)

profile is specifically defined to meet the unique needs of safety-critical markets such as avionicsit simplifies certification pro-cesses, ensures a deterministic approach, enables a small footprint for real-time en-

using SIMD parallel processing, driving HD displays with great efficiency. Data paral-lel processing can be offloaded from the CPU to the GPU, freeing up the CPU for compute, memory and I/O requests. This fully optimized data path, further boosted via shared access to the memory control-ler, reduces processing latency and helps to improve real-time video and graphics pro-cessing performance in avionics display ap-plications.

The consolidation of CPU, GPU and I/O controller onto a single chip naturally streamlines system size and accelerates de-sign cycles while lowering bill of materials (BOM) costs through a reduction in board layers and components. Low-power SoCs such as the AMD Embedded G-Series SoC platform can also help enable fanless designs, further driving down system costs, reduc-ing system noise and weight, and improv-ing system reliability by helping to eliminate the failure points inherent to moving parts (Figure 3). Other key SoC features include enterprise-class error-correction code (ECC) memory support and a variety of power/performance options, including the ability to scale power/performance dynamically for greater power management control by clock-ing the CPU and GPU up or down as needed.

Ease of Programming with OpenGLIn order for designers of graphics-driven

avionics systems to most effectively take ad-vantage of the increases in parallel process-ing power provided by SoCs, their programs must be written in a scalable fashion so as to run on the widest possible range of systems without coding modification. Open develop-ment tools like OpenGL and its variants are playing a major role in this effort.

OpenGL, the cross-platform open API for hardware-accelerated rendering of 2D and 3D computer graphics, is a natural complement to SoCs parallel processing capabilities, introducing the ability to run sophisticated, massively parallelized algo-rithms to render stunningly crisp graphics and video for high-performance visualiza-tion applications such as primary flight displays and mission computer systems. OpenGL can also take advantage of SoCs native hardware acceleration capabilities, which helps maximize processing perfor-mance while minimizing strain on the CPU.

Figure 2

Moving from CPU+GPU+Chipset to APU+Chipset to SoC is a significant development for high-performance avionics display systems.

Figure 3

Low power SoCs such as the AMD Embedded G-Series SoC platform can also help enable fanless designs, further driving down system costs, reducing system noise and weight, and improving system reliability by helping to eliminate the failure points inherent to moving parts.

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SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT

In todays battlespace, communica-tions technology is a key component of military success. Combat soldiers who can understand surrounding situa-tions and react quickly have an advantage over the enemy. This entails having real-time complete situational awareness (SA). At all times, soldiers need to know where they are, who their targets are and where those targets are located. To achieve this, the military must leverage the success of commercial communications technolo-gies to deliver battlespace visualization.

Commercial Communication Technologies

During the past ten years the mili-tary has begun implementing COTS communications technologies, leading to rapid advances in command and control (C2) capabilities. However, military mo-bile communication networks and video networking technologies must evolve to keep up with the innovations occurring in the commercial space. Figure 1 shows an illustration of the advances of com-mercial communications and military communications (Joint Tactical Radio System) technologies.

Todays soldiers already use smart-phones and tablets in their personal life to view YouTube and other video content over Long Term Evolution (LTE) net-works. In contrast, todays military wire-less video communication technologies are slower, unwieldy and inefficient. LTE offers soldiers a clear advantage when it comes to two-way communications, de-livering lower latency, faster speeds and a more efficient architecture than the latest wireless military network technologies. Using COTS smartphones or tablets to connect troops in an LTE military net-workrather than limiting them with clunky, proprietary line-of-sight RF or bandwidth-constrained satellite trans-missions systemswill ultimately lead to enhanced situational awareness.

In addition, advances in commercial video media processing capabilities can deliver significant benefits for military communications. Media processing en-ables the delivery of rich media services, such as video conferencing, mixing in se-curity camera feeds and overlaying maps and text. The combination of mobile LTE technologies, commercial smartphone and tablet devices, and video media pro-

cessing and mixing capabilities will de-liver enhanced battlespace visualization.

Battlespace Visualization Requirements

Battlespace visualization provides combat soldiers with a tactical advantage by enabling complete situational aware-ness. This includes the improved ability to observe, orient, decide and act, or OODA. There are four requirements to maximiz-ing the OODA process. The first is to leverage commercially available Radio Access Network (RAN) and conferenc-ing technology to deliver improved com-munication capabilities, along with cost savings. The next is to use commercially available smartphones and tablets where appropriate to deliver terminal cost sav-ings. The third is to capture and commu-nicate pertinent data to decision makers and troops on the ground quickly. And the final requirement is to show the right data, to the right people, at the right time.

LTE networks, with the latest broad-band technology (LTE-Advanced), can deliver up to 1 Gbit/s of data, making it an ideal network to deploy at the tactical edge of combat areas. Using LTE-ready

Ray Adensamer, Senior Product Marketing Manager, RadisysHarry Jensen, Director of Operations, Aerospace & Defense, Radisys

By leveraging commercial LTE and video conferencing technologies, system developers can deliver real-time situational awareness.

Situational Awareness: From Command to Soldier Level

LTE Networking Aids Battlespace Visualization Systems


SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT

For more information: www.ces.ch

Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, CES - Creative Electronic Systems SA has been designing and manufacturing complex high-performance avionic, defense and communica-tion boards, subsystems and complete systems for thirty years (such as ground and ight test computers, ground station subsystems, radar subsystems, mission computers, DAL A certied computers, video platforms, as well as test and support equipment). CES is involved in the most advanced aerospace and defense programs throughout Europe and the US, and delivers innovative solutions worldwide.

VPP-8112Multi-purpose video processor XMC with audiosupport: stand-alone XMC for all yourembedded video and audioprocessing needs, including capture,compression, decompression, overlay andcucustom processing, with integrated SATA, Ethernet and USB.

SAFE TECHNICAL SOLUTIONSfrom CES

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Figure 1

Shown here are the advances of commercial communications and military communications (Joint Tactical Radio System) technologies.

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SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT

manned Aerial Vehicle), while the EPC re-sides on a centralized platform at the com-mand center. This deployment model is ideal when communications between sol-diers and the command center is critical. A single EPC can manage many eNodeB nodes. Hence, this model provides scal-ability for hundreds of troops in the field.

The scenario on the right showcases the eNodeB and the EPC both hosted inside a UAV, thereby delivering a com-plete LTE communication network on the UAV. Combining the eNodeB with the EPC achieves impressive low-latency communication between soldiers, as it eliminates latency associated with the satellite link. However, this deployment model supports fewer soldiers or video surveillance endpoints.

Video Conferencing for Situational Awareness

In combination with the RAN and EPC, commercial IP Multimedia Subsys-tems (IMS) provide the service delivery architecture for battlespace visualization. IMS is an industry standard for sup-porting and delivering multimedia com-munication applications. In addition, the IMS is where the video conference logic, signaling and video media mixing are completed for the network. Figure 3

field hardware and software solutions, sol-diers can enhance their SA with real-time information from their commanders, in-cluding video, pictures and data. When troops can see exactly what their com-manders are directing them toward, they are safer and better equipped to perform as a highly functioning unit. In addition to higher speeds and lower latency, LTE of-fers numerous advantages for battlespace communications. The all-IP network is standards-based, allowing the military to take advantage of a large ecosystem of vendors, keeping network costs affordable and enabling interoperability.

Two Key Function GroupsTwo key functional groupings ex-

ist within an LTE network: the Radio Access Network (RAN) eNodeB, which handles the air interface and conver-sion to a wired network; and the Evolved Packet Core (EPC), which manages call routing and switching. These LTE func-tional blocks can be deployed in various locations to meet the requirements of the military application and communication priorities. The following image highlights two deployment models that address the varying requirements of combat soldiers.

In the scenario on the left in Figure 2, the eNodeB resides on the UAV (Un-

Untitled-6 1 9/26/13 9:30 AM

Figure 2

In this Multiple LTE architecture deployment model, on the left, the eNodeB resides on the UAV, while the EPC resides on a centralized platform at the command center.

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SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT

intensive than the continuous presence mode, allowing an MRF to support more endpoints than it can with troops using continuous presence.

The continuous presence mode de-livers multi-pane (four-split and six-split) displays of up to H.264 HD 720p. It provides soldiers with a more immersive experience than voice-activated switch-ing offers. Continuous presence mode supports OODA by building composite displays with UAV streaming video cam-era feeds, map and data feeds, combined with videos from soldiers discussing the tactical situation as a combat team. Each participant in a video conference can have their own custom display pertinent to the information they deem most es-sential. Figure 5 shows an example of a H.264 continuous presence mode with six-split display.

Battlespace Visualization Advantage

There are many ways for LTE ar-chitecture and video conferencing to be deployed in a military environment to deliver SA. The LTE eNodeB and EPC could be deployed for a Hummer ve-hicle in the field, or alternatively, in a UAV overhead. Streaming video feeds from various individuals and from UAV cameras are received for each endpoint device, and then mixed together in the MRF and optimized for each soldiers

12000 MRF or Software MRF, can meet the video processing requirements for battlespace visualization.

The Application Server (AS) con-trols the MRF. This server works on the signaling layer, communicating signaling with various endpoints and executing the video conference application logic. This programmability allows the conferenc-ing application to provide a unique video conference mix, using different screen resolutions and bit rates as required for each participant. Commercial confer-encing application servers could be up-graded to meet military communication and security requirements, or a defense contractor could develop their own mili-tary conferencing applications. These ap-plications would control the MRF equip-ment by using open protocol standards, such as Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), or the Media Server Markup Language (MSMLRFC 5707), a feature-rich MRF control language based on eXtensible Markup Language (XML).

The MRF provides video conferenc-ing modes and functionality for bat-tlespace communications. The two MRF modes are voice-activated switching and continuous presence. In voice-activated switching mode, each user views a single surveillance video or current speaker. This mode is ideal for devices with small screen sizes or legacy devices with limited bandwidth. It is also less computationally

shows an end-to-end LTE network ar-chitecture, including the RAN, EPC and IMS. The IMS has two key elements that deliver a video conferencing solution: the Media Resource Function and the Application Server.

The Media Resource Function (MRF) is where the processor-intensive video packet processing occurs. In a battlespace situation, video feeds from a variety of infantry cameras, aerial or central command data feeds are routed through the network to the MRF. At the MRF, the video and audio packet streams are mixed together and sent back out to the soldiers. Commercial MRF products available today, such as Radisys MPX-

IMSUser

Equipment

UserEquipment

Radio AccessNetwork

Evolved Packet Core Policy Control IP Media Subsystem

HomeeNodeB

MobilityManagement

Entity

Policy &ChargingRoutingFunction

Policy &ChargingRoutingFunctionLTE Security

GatewaySecurityGateway

PacketGateway

eNodeB

ApplicationServer

Media ResourceFunction

Internet

Figure 3

Shown here is an end-to-end LTE network architecture, including the RAN, EPC and IMS.

Figure 4

This example shows an H.264 continuous presence mode with six-split display.


SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT

terminal constraints and information re-quirements. For example, a dismounted soldier can utilize a ruggedized tablet to view a multi-plane display of various de-cision makers, other infantry, video feed from maps and UAV cameras. This infor-mation can also be transported via satel-lite to Navy ships and regional command centers. In another example, a soldier in the field can use a monocle video display rendered from a small-form factor Intel processor he carries on his back, provid-ing increased situational awareness from his commanders. The EPC network in-cludes wireless backhaul via satellites or other means to the centralized command center, or to a navy ship in regional com-mand centers.

The key building block technolo-gies addressed so fareNodeB, EPC and IMSare largely commercially available software modules. A battlespace video conferencing application can be custom-ized from commercially available solu-tions to meet military information and security requirements. Together, these software components can be integrated with the appropriate hardware platform. For example, AdvancedTCA (ATCA) provides a large-capacity, large-scale platform for a Navy ship or command center. In contrast, a small ATCA chas-sis or rackmount server can be scaled for Hummer command vehicles, while small COM Express platforms can fit in an in-fantry backpack or inside a UAV.

Asymmetric Warfare EraThe last decade has shown that war-

fare has shifted from battles between na-tion states to asymmetric confrontations with agile unconventional enemies that use simple, yet sometimes very effective communication techniques. Improving ongoing military success requires the abil-ity to improve SA on the battlespace, pro-viding soldiers with better, more current information, to observe, orient, decide and actOODA.

Commercial LTE and video confer-encing technologies provide countless advantages over traditional military wire-less networks. Commercial LTE technolo-gies fulfill the high-capacity, low-latency, two-way video communication needs of

the military. IMS video conferencing ar-chitectures, based on commercial MRF controlled by military conferencing appli-cations, can provide customized, person-alized and relevant information for each battlespace participant.

RadisysHillsboro, OR.(503) 615-1100.www.radisys.com.

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TECHNOLOGY FOCUS

XMCs are becoming entrenched as the natural successor to PMC as the leading mezzanine form fac-tor in military applications. Meanwhile fabric-based Processor XMCs allow mil-itary system integrators to swap out just the computing core and leave the base board unchanged. When a proposal for standardizing Gbit serial switched fab-rics infiltrated the embedded computing community in 2002, XMC was created as a natural extension of that technology to PMC. Defined under VITA 42, the XMC specification extended the PMC card by adding new connectors to support giga-bit serial interfaces plus list of alternative I/O standards. XMCs also match well with the emerging OpenVPX architec-ture leveraging the same switched fabric technologies as that system specification. The modularity and performance of the XMC form factor fit well with the needs of sensor payloads such as those aboard the MQ-9 Reaper UAV (Figure 1).

Like VME itself, XMC continues to evolve with technology. VITA 42.0 is the base specification that includes general information, reference and in-heritance documentation, dimensional specifications, connectors, pin number-ing and primary allocation of pairing and grouping of pin functions. XMCs

can be single- or double-wide modules that use a pin-socket connector with 114 pins arranged in a 6 x 19 array. A single width XMC can have one or two connec-

tors with pin functions. A double-width XMC can have up to four connectors.

The VITA 42.0 base specification does not dictate signal types, data rates,

Jeff Child, Editor-in-Chief

On the coattails of the success of their predecessor PMCs, todays XMCs offer fabric-based performance that keeps pace with advanced military processing and bandwidth requirements. FMCs follow up with an FPGA-centric smaller form factor solution.

XMCs and FMCs Fit the Mold for Todays Modularity Needs

XMC and FMC Boards

Figure 1

The MQ-9 is a larger, heavier and more capable aircraft than the earlier MQ-1 Predator; it can be controlled by the same ground systems used to control MQ-1s.


TECHNOLOGY FOCUS

protocols, voltage levels or grouping for these signals. Instead, it wisely leaves that up to the several sub-specifications that follow, allowing XMCs to evolve as new standards emerge. In fact, contrary to the fundamental mission of support-ing serial interfaces, the first sub-speci-fication, VITA 42.1, defines these same pins for Parallel RapidIO.

While VITA 42.1 is approved and fielded, few vendors have embraced this standard and have instead opted for the more popular serial protocols. VITA 42.2, 42.3 and 42.4 define true serial switch fabric protocols for Serial RapidIO, PCI Express and HyperTrans-port, respectively. VITA 42.5 defines the popular Xilinx Aurora protocol for use in XMC.

There can be little doubt that FPGAs have become entrenched as the preferred method to combine multiple I/O func-tions and their associated conversion and processing functions on the FPGA. Providing a platform for this approach, VITA 57, the FPGA Mezzanine Card (FMC) specification, made its debut a couple years back. About half the size of a PMC mezzanine module, FMCs provide a small footprint, reduced I/O bottlenecks, increased flexibility and reduced cost through the elimination of redundant interfaces.

In an FMC PlugFest conducted in 2012, the community first used the FMC Check, which consists of the VITA 57.2 metadata specification combined with Cloud-based builder and checker tools. The VITA 57.2 metadata specification defines, in a structured form, the key design parameters for FMC modules and FMC carrier cards per the ANSI/VITA 57.1 FPGA Mezzanine Card base specification. FMC Check tools enabled the sponsors to facilitate the testing pro-cess used during the PlugFest. The mile-stone was a chance for the suppliers of FMC modules and FMC carrier cards to work together to test the interoperabil-ity of products. The FMC specification defines a low profile design that can be used to supplement popular industry standard slot card, blade and moth-erboard form factors, including VME, VPX, CompactPCI, AdvancedTCA, Mi-

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croTCA, PCI, PXI, and many other low profile motherboards. FMC connectors support up to 10 Gbit/s transmission with adaptively equalized I/O. They sup-port single ended and differential signal-ing up to 2 Gbits/s.

Two defined sizes are part of the FMC specification and are referred to as a single width and a double width mod-ule. The single width module has a width

of 69 mm and the double width module has a width of 139 mm. The depth of both is 76.5 mm. The FMC mezzanine module uses a high-pin count 400-pin high-speed array connector, HPC. A mechanically compatible low-pin count, LPC connector with 160 pins can also be used with any of the form factors de-tailed in this standard.


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XMC Board Serves Up Kintex-7 FPGA

Alpha Data offers the ADM-XRC-7K1, part of a range of new products based on 28nm Xilinx 7 series FPGA technology. The ADM-XRC-7K1 is a high-performance reconfigurable XMC with PCI Express Gen2 interface, external memory and flexible front-panel IO options. The 7K1 is the latest in the highly successful line of PMC and XMC products from Alpha Data, an Alliance Program certified member with over a decade of experience with Xilinx. The card combines high performance with ease-of-use and excellent reliability, with a particular emphasis on ease-

of-migration from earlier generations of FPGAs, enabling customers to benefit from the features of the Kintex-7 device with minimal effort or risk.

The PCI Express bridge includes four DMA channels and is contained in a separate device, freeing the logic in the FPGA and allowing on-the-fly reconfiguration. For maximum flexibility, a bypass option allows users to place the PCI Express endpoint directly in the FPGA. Front panel I/O is provided through the XRM interface. Alpha Data produce a wide range of XRM modules giving options including optical I/O, CameraLink, high-performance DACs and ADCs.

The 7K1 is available to order immediately, in both Kintex-7 325T or 410T FPGA configurations. It ships with a comprehensive Software Development Kit (SDK), including example designs and software drivers. The board is also available in industrial grade, air- or conduction-cooled variants, making it ideal for use in a wide range of markets and applications.

Alpha DataDenver, CO.(303) 954-8768.www.alpha-data.com.

Graphics XMC and PMC Enable Dual Processing of Independent Video Streams

Mezzanine modules remain an ideal solution for mixing and matching functions on military embedded computing systems. Aitech Defense Systems has expanded its family of M59x graphics boards designed for a wide variety of rugged avionics applications with the M595 PMC and M597 XMC. These high-performance, rugged boards simultaneously drive two independent video streams in a wide variety of graphics and output formats for flexible video input and frame grabbing formats to meet users specific application needs. Both single-width mezzanine boards integrate

multiple supporting 2D/3D hardware engines. This includes LVDS, SDI, HDI, SMPTE 292 and H.264, and graphics languages including DirectX, OpenGL and OpenCL.

The new M595 and M597 use the advanced AMD/ATI E4690 graphics processing unit (GPU) operating at 600 MHz with a 512 Mbyte on-chip GDDR3 SDRAM frame buffer. The E4690 enables multiple video outputs from its native video ports and eliminates the need for external transmitters or encoders. It works with an integrated, onboard FPGA to support a wide variety of additional video output formats, overlay, underlay and keying features as well as multiple video input formats and signal conditioning options. The M595, a dual-head display XMC, transfers graphics and video to the host system via a high-speed eight-port PCIe link. Interfaces include two RGBHV (CRT) channels, an HDTV/TV out port, an LVDS channel and four single-link DVI/HDMI/DP channels through the E4690. Both of these DO-178/DO-254-certifiable mezzanine products are available in vibration- and shock-resistant versions as well as in conduction-cooled and air-cooled versions and to commercial, rugged and military specifications with a maximum operating temperature range of -55 to +85C.

Aitech Defense SystemsChatsworth, CA.(888) 248-3248.www.rugged.com.

10 Gbit Ethernet XMC Targets Real-Time Needs

Acromags XMC-6260-CC pairs a high-performance Chelsio T4 purpose-built multi-protocol processor with two channels of 10GbE connectivity. This combination maintains maximum 10GbE performance to meet the needs of data-intensive real-time applications. A PCI Express v2.0 8 host interface provides a high-speed connection to the system processor. With support for 5 Gbit/s data rates, the PCIe interface delivers up to 32 Gbit/s of bandwidth to the server. This connection accommodates stateless offloads, packet filtering (firewall

offload) and traffic shaping (media streaming). The XMC-6260-CCs TOE ASIC has

hundreds of programmable registers for protocol configuration and offload control. As a result, the XMC-6260-CC can offload TCP processing per connection, per server, per interface. It can also globally and simultaneously tunnel traffic from non-offloaded connections to the host processor for the native TCP/IP stack to process. Additionally, the XMC-6260-CC provides a flexible zero-copy capability for regular TCP connections, requiring no changes to the sender, to deliver line rate performance with minimal CPU usage.

The XMC-6260-CC integrates a high-performance packet switch, which allows switching of traffic from any of the input ports to any of the output ports (wire-to-wire), and from any of the output ports to any of the input ports (host-to-host). Compatibility Acromags XMC-6260-CC provides guaranteed interoperability and compatibility with the full Ethernet standard.

AcromagWixom, MI.(248) 295-0310.www.acromag.com.

XMC and FMC Boards RoundupTECHNOLOGY FOCUS:




Analog I/O XMC Card Sports Xilinx Kintex-7 FPGA

Curtiss-Wright Controls Defense Solutions (CWCDS) has announced the XF07-518 Analog I/O XMC, the newest member of its expanding family of Xilinx Kintex-7 FPGA-based XMC cards for high-end defense and aerospace applications. At 500 Msamples/s at 14-bit, the XF07-518 delivers the rugged embedded markets fastest 14-bit ADC technology with the latest generation Xilinx FPGA to process and communicate the resulting data.

The new XF07-518 is a high-speed quad-channel 500 Msample/s analog input XMC

(ANSI/VITA 42) mezzanine card. It features an onboard user-programmable Xilinx Kintex XC7K325T FPGA for combining data acquisition and user algorithms. With its four channels of direct high-speed analog I/O and next-generation FPGA processing, the XF07-518 is ideal for demanding applications including radar and imaging processing and test equipment in the commercial and defense markets.

The XF07-518 supports two banks of 128 Mx16-bit DDR3 SDRAM, each directly connected to the FPGA. As each memory bank is independently connected to the FPGA, there is great flexibility in how they may be used. Each memory bank supports read or write bandwidths greater than 2 Gbytes/s. The XF07-518 supports a x4/x8 PCIe channel through the primary XMC P15 connector using the FPGAs built-in PCIe end-point block. Alternatively, with customer HDL development, the XMC P15 can be used to provide user-defined protocol support over the data links, such as Aurora, for higher bandwidth and lower latency operation.

Curtiss-Wright Controls Defense SolutionsAshburn, VA.(703) 779-7800.www.cwcdefense.com.

XMC Serial Adaptor Has Three RS-232 Ports

Concurrent Technologies provides the XM RS1/20x, a low-power asynchronous serial communications adaptor supporting either the industry standard RS-232 interface, RS-422 differential interface or the RS-485 multi-drop interface. The product is ideally suited to expand upon the number of serial ports of the host processor board and can be used in a wide range of industrial, telecommunication, commercial, financial and defense applications.

The XM RS1/20x is a single-size card and is compliant with the XMC (Switched Mezzanine

Card) specification; it can be installed onto XMC sites on appropriate host boards such as Concurrent Technologies 2nd Generation Intel Core i7-based VME, VXS, CompactPCI and VPX boards. Like the XM RS1/20x, Concurrent Technologies range of XMC host boards are available in commercial and extended temperature versions, and some are available in ruggedized, conduction-cooled or air-cooled versions.

The XM RS1/20x interfaces to the host board via an x1 PCI Express link on the XMC bus. The front panel provides three RS-232 ports via industry standard 9-way micro D-type connectors. Rear I/O, via P4, can optionally support an additional four RS-232 or RS-422/485 ports dependant on variant. All serial ports provide TXD, RXD, CTS, RTS, DCD, DSR, DTR and RI signals. To simplify the boards integration, many popular industry standard operating systems are supported including Windows XP, Windows XP Embedded, Windows 7, Windows Embedded Standard 7 and Linux.

Concurrent TechnologiesWoburn, MA.(781) 933-5900.www.gocct.com.

FMC Serves Up Floating Point Coprocessor Solution

Military signal processing technology faces some vexing trade-offs. Processing improvements always seem to come at the expense of increasingly ridiculous power consumption, which in turn creates burdensome cooling problems. Taking aim at that problem, BittWare offers the Anemone floating point coprocessor chip for use with Alteras high-performance FPGAs. OEMd from Adaptevas new Epiphany architecture, BittWares Anemone chip is a scalable, true C-programmable, floating point engine that enables novel solutions

for complex and evolving signal processing applications.

Each Anemone features 16 processors, providing 32 Gflops of floating point processing while consuming only 2 watts of total chip power. Multiple Anemones can be gluelessly connected, thereby scaling to create compute blocks of up to 4096 processors providing 8 Tflops of floating point performance. The Anemone features an internal high-throughput mesh network, with separate data paths for on-chip and off-chip communications. Each eCore processor has a multi-channel DMA engine to support background data movement over the eMesh. Total on-chip, inter-core bandwidth is 128 Gbytes/s full duplex, with an additional 8 Gbytes/s of off-chip bandwidth. Each router node can simultaneously sustain full-duplex transfers on all ports, with automatic routing based on global addressing. The Anemone is available from BittWare on standard COTS boards, including FMC (VITA 57) (shown), AdvancedMC (AMC), VPX (VITA 46/48/65) and PCI Express (PCIe) slot cards.

BittWareConcord, NH.(603) 226-0404.www.bittware.com.

XMC AND FMC BOARDS ROUNDUP




FMC Module Provides Four 310 Msample/s A/D Channels

Innovative Integration offers the FMC-310, a high-speed digitizing and signal generation FMC I/O module featuring four 310 Msample/s A/D channels supported by sample clock and triggering features. Receiver IF frequencies of up to 155 MHz are supported. 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/Verilog 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 are integrated within the FPGA carrier card.

The card can be AC or DC coupled. It provides sample clocks and timing and controls, external clock/reference input and programmable PLL. Also included are a 10 MHz, 0.5 ppm reference, integrated FMC triggers and power monitor/controls. Compatible to VITA 57.1, the high pin count card requires no SERDES. Power is 6W typical (AC-coupled inputs). The card offers conduction cooling per VITA 20 subset and boasts environmental ratings of -40 to 85C 9g RMS sine, 0.1g2/Hz random vibration.

Innovative IntegrationSimi Valley, CA.(805) 578-4260.www.innovative-dsp.com.

Avionics XMC Module Saves Space, Weight, Power and Cost

A multi-protocol embeddable avionics module is specifically designed to save valuable space, weight and power as well as deliver greater cost-effectiveness and higher reliability in avionics labs, simulators and embedded applications. Featuring both MIL-STD-1553 and ARINC 429 protocols on a single XMC form factor board, the RAR15-XMC from GE Intelligent Platforms is used in a broad range of avionics applications.

Featuring advanced API software for Windows 7, Vista, XP (32- and 64-bit), Linux, Integrity and VxWorks that reduces application development

time, standard features of the RAR15-XMC include 8 Mbytes of RAM and 64-bit message time tagging. Also featured are extensive BC and RT link-list structures, error injection/detection, automatic/manual RT status bit and mode code responses, along with advanced BC functionality. The RAR15-XMC bus monitors provide superior error detection and 100% monitoring of fully loaded buses. Four dual-redundant MIL-STD-1553A/B Notice II channels, ten ARINC 429 receive channels and eight ARINC 429 transmit channels are provided by the RAR15-XMC. Onboard firmware and large data buffers, together with the advanced API, contribute to a very high level of flexibility in monitoring and generating ARINC bus traffic.

GE Intelligent PlatformsCharlottesville, VA.(800) 368-2738.defense.ge-ip.com.

12-Channel High-Speed CAN Bus Rides PMC / XMC

Extreme Engineering Solutions has announced the XPort9200, a conduction- or air-cooled XMC or PMC with 12 high-speed ISO 11898-2 CAN bus channels. The XPort9200 is the industrys first CAN bus XMC, and it triples the number of CAN bus channels previously available from any COTS conduction- or air-cooled PMC module. All 12 isolated CAN bus 2.0A and 2.0B-compliant channels support speeds up to 1 Mbit/s and can be accessed through the PMC P14, XMC P16, or front panel connector.

The XPort9200 can be mounted on any module that supports an air-cooled or conduction- cooled (VITA 20) XMC / PMC site. This enables access to at least 12 high-speed CAN channels for a significant number of COTS VPX, VME, CompactPCI (cPCI) and system-level products, including the X-ES 4th gen Intel Core i7 processor-based 3U VPX XPedite7570 and 3U cPCI XPedite7530.

When configured as an XMC, the XPort9200 supports a VITA 42.3-compliant x1 PCIe interface through its XMC P15 connector and routes all 12 CAN bus channels to its XMC P16 connector. When configured as a PMC, the XPort9200 supports a 32-bit PCI interface through its PMC P11 and P12 connectors and routes all 12 CAN bus channels to its PMC P14 connector. Front panel I/O and on-card termination are also available as a configuration options. The XPort9200 eases system integration by utilizing industry-standard NXP SJA1000-compatible CAN controllers.

Extreme Engineering SolutionsMiddleton, WI.(608) 833-1155.www.xes-inc.com.

XMC AND FMC BOARDS ROUNDUP




XMC Adapts 2.5-Inch SATA MediaTechnobox offers the 7008 2.5-inch SATA

XMC Adapter, a card that enables any system that accepts XMC modules to easily add a SATA drive, or multiple drives with multiple adapters. The 7008 employs a Silicon Image SI3132 bridge that presents a Gen 2. (3.0 Gbits/s) interface for the installed SATA device. The path from the S3132 to the host is a 1X (2.5 Gbits/s) PCI Express interface. An onboard BIOS, resident in flash memory, supports boot up configuration. A green status LED on the printed circuit board conveys the activity of the hard drive.

The physical SATA connector on the 7008 is carefully positioned to assure that the mounted

media does not violate the XMC component envelope. And steel mounting rails allow for secure, robust installation. End users can source and install an HD or SSD of their choice or specify turnkey assembly by Technobox.

TechnoboxWest Berlin, NJ.(856) 809-2306.www.technobox.com.

XMC Graphics Cards Offers Dual HD-SDI or DVI Video Inputs.

Tech Source has introduced its Condor 2106x XMC graphics card with factory configured dual HD-SDI or DVI video inputs. Designed for use in military/avionics embedded applications such as for 360 airborne reconnaissance or UAVs, the Condor 2106x features two high definition serial digital interface (HD-SDI) inputs, which reduce cabling/weight for airborne applications. Further, the HD-SDI inputs are in the form of raw uncompressed frames so no video quality is lost due to compression and very low latency is achieved. Decoding, scaling, stitching and format

conversions can be processed in the GPU with minimal CPU impact and an API is provided for customer integration.

The Condor 2106x is designed for seamless integration with most SBCs on the market and supports two outputs at a time from the front panel. It has two mini DisplayPort connectors so that customers can get either DVI or VGA off the front panel rather than needing two separate boards or using non-standard connectors. The card also supports two RGB (STANAG 3350B, RS-343), one VGA or one TV(NTSC/PAL/RS-170) output. The mini DisplayPort adapter is retained by a custom bracket so that it does not become unplugged through vibrations and shock.

The mezzanine card also supports various other video input formats including two HDMI/DVI or one 3G-SDI. It is also optionally available as a capture card onlywithout the GPU/video outputs and the power consumption can be reduced to a maximum of 10W.

Tech SourceAltamonte Springs, FL.(407) 262-7100.www.techsource.com.

Two-Channel Analog RF Tuner Suited for Comms and Radar

Pentek has announced the newest member of its Bandit family of RF modules. The Model 7120 2-channel analog RF tuner accepts RF signals over the range of 400 MHz to 4 GHz, amplifying, filtering and downconverting them to an IF signal suitable for A/D conversion by any of several Pentek signal acquisition modules. The Model 7120 is packaged in a shielded PMC/XMC module with front panel connections for easy integration into RF systems without the use of an external tuner.

The 7120 accepts RF signals on two front

panel SSMC connectors. Low noise amplifiers are provided along with two programmable attenuators allowing downconversion of input signals ranging from -60 dBm to -20 dBm in steps of 0.5 dB. The Model 7120 input frequency is programmable across the 400 to 4000 MHz band with a tuning resolution of less than 100 KHz.

The Model 7120 includes a programmable low noise LO frequency synthesizer. It accepts a 10 MHz reference from either a front panel reference input, or from or an onboard 10 MHz oven controlled crystal oscillator, which provides an exceptionally precise frequency standard with excellent phase noise characteristics. Output is provided as baseband

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