For both next-generation and Current Force military vehicles, the pressure is on to find ways to meet the trickier cooling, shock and vibration problems that emerge when more computing gear is packed into those vehicles. As a result, the challenges facing developers of today’s military vetronics (vehicle electronics) are dramatically more complex than vetronics of a decade ago. The sophistication of onboard communications and control electronics is expected to multiply. Even the term “vetronics” is now starting to become obsolete because it connotes a focus on electronics and not the embedded computing and networking that are the staples of today’s systems.

An added challenge for vetronics designers was introduced with the Army’s directive to armor all tactical vehicles to protect our soldiers from weapons such as Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs) and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). The added weight of that armor dramatically reduces the weight budget left over for the onboard electronics. As a result, many system designs had to go back to the drawing board and integrate into a much smaller volume.

Rugged Box-Level Systems

One general trend that’s aided the drive for reducing the size and weight of vehicle-based embedded computing systems is a move toward stand-alone rugged boxes. Embedded board vendors are adding stand-alone rugged box-level systems to their military market offerings. These complete system boxes–which often support standard form factor boards inside them–provide a complete, tested and enclosed computing solution that eliminates complex integration chores for customers.

Currently there’s about a dozen or more vendors that have some sort of stand-alone rugged box-level system in their offerings–many even have whole product lines in that category. Among these are Advantech, Aitech Computers, Ampro Computers, AP Labs, Curtiss-Wright, DRS Technologies, General Micro Systems, GE Fanuc Embedded Systems, Macrolink, MEN Micro, Octagon Systems, Parvus, Quantum 3D, Rave Computer, RTD Embedded Technologies, Tracewell Systems, VersaLogic, VMETRO, WIN Enterprises and WinSystems.

Exemplifying this trend toward stand-alone rugged boxes, RTD Embedded Technologies makes box-level PC/104-based systems qualified for demanding applications like military vehicles. RTD’s rugged HighRel line of systems is built using frames milled from solid aluminum blocks to exacting specifications ensuring that the solution is rugged and reliable. Frames for thermally sensitive components have internally milled heat sinks and embedded heat pipes to move heat to the outside walls of the enclosure, allowing operation from -40° to +85°C without the use of active cooling. Optional shock-mount bases withstand specific shock and vibration specifications.

RTD’s IDAN box-level product consists of any RTD PC/104, PC/104-Plus, or PCI-104 boards mounted in its own frame and wired to the standard PC connectors on that frame, thus eliminating the need for module-to-module wiring inside the case. This solution maintains PC/104’s modularity and lets system designers configure a system as rapidly as one would configure a stack of boards. The product line is also available in a watertight version, HiDANplus, (Figure 1) with environmental sealing and EMI suppression O-rings coupled with MIL I/O connectors. HiDANplus does inter-module communications via a custom wiring harness that is enhanced by an internal 100 pin stackable signal raceway.

Gladiator Tactical UGV

Last fall Quantum3D’s Thermite was tapped for the U.S. Marine’s Tactical UGV called Gladiator (Figure 2). Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) National Robotics Engineering Center selected the Quantum3D’s Thermite Tactical Visual Computer (TVC) and IData Human-Machine Interface (HMI) Software Tool Suite as key components for the U.S. Marine Corps Gladiator Tactical Unmanned Ground Vehicle (TUGV) Operator Control Unit.

The Thermite TVC was chosen for its light weight, small form factor, ease of mounting, long battery life and advanced computational, storage, video and 2D/3D graphics capabilities. Those factors–coupled with its support for a variety of display devices–enable the Gladiator OCU to meet its mission objectives, including interactive mission planning. With its IData-based HMI, the Gladiator OCU will provide tele-operators with an intuitive user interface that supports 2D/3D graphics, live video display and digital maps with MIL-STD-2525B Symbology for both the Gladiator platform and its mission payloads.