Innovators Awards 2019 Military and Aerospace Electronics Intelligent Aerospace

Estimated reading time: 14 minutes

The Unattended Network Storage (UNS) rugged network-attached storage from Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions helps prevent unauthorized access to classified information if the unattended platform is lost or stolen. It uses a DAR Type-1 encryptor that is planned to be certified for unattended operations of classified data Top Secret and below. Designed for high-speed data storage, the UNS combines more than 2 gigabyte-per-second data transfers with 32 terabytes of encrypted data storage on a rugged removable storage module (RSM). The RSMs ease the transport of data-at-rest between unmanned platforms and base stations for post-mission analysis. The encryptor uses Pre-Placed Keys (PPK) that are filled in Black Key format. The use of symmetric PPKs enables the same key to be loaded onto multiple encryptors so that data can be encrypted onto an RSM in one location for decrypting later at another location.

The TTC nREC-7000 10 Gigabit Ethernet airborne network flight test recorder from Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions is a small data recorder for aircraft with very limited room to install systems. It captures current and future high data rates, and can record at speeds as fast as 1,800 megabits per second. Captured data is stored in dual hot swappable RMM cartridges, supporting as much as 12 terabytes of data per recorder unit. It’s compact design and ability to operate in harsh environments makes it suitable for demanding applications requiring high speed recording such as flight test and high-speed camera data acquisition.

The MPU5 mobile ad hoc networking (MANET) radio from Persistent Systems LLC in New York City offers a scalable Wave Relay MANET that can keep adding hundreds of nodes without collapsing under the weight of routing protocols. It also doesn't require external infrastructure or a vulnerable master node, so it is peer-to-peer and doesn't run into the video transmission hiccups or reconfiguration demands when nodes join and leave the network. The MPU5 offers The ability to tie together multiple, geographically dispersed MANET bubbles via 4G or Satcom, and has field-swappable RF band modules that allow the MPU5 to switch to different frequency ranges on the fly, giving users unparalleled flexibility. It is an integrated radio-over-IP (RoIP) capability, which via a simple tether, pulls third party legacy radios into the Wave Relay network without requiring a non-rugged vocality box, extra power, and configuration management overhead.

The Type E37 all-metal dual concentric encoder from Elma Electronic comes standard with either IP60 or IP68 front panel sealing and meets MIL-STD-202G for electrical, shock, and vibration. These features provide critical ruggedness for defense applications with a long life. The dual concentric design takes up the same geography as a single encoder for use in small, crowded or space-limited applications. Available in standard resolutions of with 16 or 32 detents, the outer and inner shafts each have selectable resolution options and a variety of selectable turning torques. Push-button torques of up to 14N are standard. Standard rotational life ratings are up to 1M revolutions; vertical and horizontal PCB orientations are standard. Routine applications include avionics data communications, navigation controls, inter/intra aircraft intercom systems and two-way radios.

The RVG-MS1 multi-sensor rugged video gateway from Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions provides a low latency video processing and distribution system that enables the operator to select from a range of operational views, with the touch of a button, via an on-screen graphical user interface (GUI). This rugged COTS-based video management solution is designed to increase warfighter effectiveness and help drive mission success, The range of image configuration options include flexible picture in picture (PiP) and window overlays, while video streaming and blending capabilities provide additional end-user functionality. Furthermore, the RVG-MS1 acts as an Ethernet gateway, facilitating streaming video off platforms built to the latest vehicle architectures, such as VICTORY or GVA.

The coherent, multi-channel, direct digitization system from Mercury Systems supports rapid channel count scaling through adoption of the OpenVPX standard at the board level. This allows for easy configuration simply by selecting the specific COTS modules for a given application. By incorporating Mercury’s industry-leading COTS hardware, the data rates, bandwidths, and number of channels can be easily optimized for your specific application. Standard features include direct digitization to L-band, full coherency, and a scalable channel count. In order to provide maximum pulse edge alignment, the system uses a proprietary algorithm that accounts for any hardware-level timing variation. The system is also fully compatible with Mercury’s OpenVPX microwave transceivers to provide spectrum superiority across the standard electronic warfare bands.

The Elma Open System (ELOS) CompactPCI Serial system from Elma Electronic is a small-form-factor modular computing platform for rugged defense and rail transportation applications. The ELOS extensible chassis and internal building blocks allow for a range of system configurations. Respectable data rates of 12 gigabits per second serve as a nice performance mid-range solution for many defense applications which require higher signal speeds compared to VME and CompactPCI but less than that supported by OpenVPX. System designers faced with technology roadblocks due to the limited capabilities of VME and CompactPCI may now apply their Eurocard architecture experience in switching to CompactPCI Serial.

Liquid Flow-Through Test & Development Platform for 6U OpenVPX Cards from Elma Electronic is for increasingly power-hungry 6U OpenVPX modules that require ambitious cooling. Most test and development platforms are designed only to accommodate standard, air-cooled card modules. This often means that two sets of boards must be purchased: one air-cooled set for lab testing and development, and another set for final deployable unit testing. Elma's platform enables testing of deployable boards in a lab environment. Elma Electronic’s long-standing expertise in packaging solutions for extreme environments led to the creation of the VITA 48.4 LFT test and development chassis.

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