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AdvantechSturdy electronic enclosures built for the rigors of high stress military applications.
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PC/104 Tightens Ties Between Board and Box-Level Computing
The list of military programs using PC/104 in the airborne, marine, handheld and vehicular arenas continues to lengthen. Military system developers select PC/104—and its widerRead More...
All Articles
Transition Talk
Earlier this month I had the unique privilege of attending an invitation-only luncheon with Secretary of Defense Robert Gates as the guest of honor/keynote speaker. The luncheon wasRead More...
Simultaneous Multiaxis Vibration Test: Vital for Rugged Box Systems
The words “simultaneous” and “multiaxis” are important when specifying a dynamic (vibration and shock) test for rugged box-level systems. The new Test Method 527 (multi-exciterRead More...
Committing Heresy
Since the invention of the integrated circuit—and every evolution in chip density and capability—there have been the Chicken Littles that claim this evolution means the death ofRead More...
Caged Cards versus Rugged Box-Level Systems
Companies in the military and aerospace industries compete for business, but they are united in the goal of providing our warfighters the best possible advantage. In aircraft andRead More...
COTS Products
Qseven-Based Carrier/SBC Duo Rolls The Qseven connector scheme leads the way on the notion of combining a variety of I/O technologies onto one connection. Supporting that standard,Read More...
Case Study: Box-Level System Undergoes MIL-STD-901D Shipboard Test
Over the last few decades, embedded computers based on desktop PC electronics have penetrated the defense market. Interest is now building for shipboard PCs that can withstandRead More...
Minimizing UAV Payloads with Ultra-Compact Computing
New generations of defense imaging systems, using sophisticated sensor technologies, generate invaluable information for modern warfare. Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) and laser radarRead More...
Rugged Box-Level Systems Expand Their Sphere of Influence
Within the last two years the concept of “Stand-Alone Rugged Boxes” has become a fixture in this market. The trend has now broadened out to include a larger contingent of smaller formRead More...
Stand-Alone Rugged Boxes Fine-Tune their Feature Sets
A trend has been building in the past couple of years where traditional embedded board vendors are adding stand-alone rugged box-level systems to their military market offerings. TheseRead More...
Stand-Alone Rugged Boxes Come into their Own
Technology developments that reduce complexity and enhance usability are always a welcome addition to military applications. That need is being fueled by the increasing availability ofRead More...
Technology Focus: Rugged Box-Level Systems Roundup
Small Core Duo Box Has PC/104 I/O Expansion The concept of the “stand-alone rugged” box has infiltrated the military embedded market in a big way. The latest example is ACCES I/ORead More...
Rugged Computing Takes Center Stage in Military Vehicles
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 computingRead More...
Stand-Alone Box Trend Broadens and Deepens
A couple years ago COTS Journal coined a new term to describe a trend steadily gaining steam for the past seven or so years. The term is “Stand-Alone Rugged Boxes” and it applies toRead More...
Fabric-Based Strategy Doubles Up on UAV Payload Functions
In recent years, the aerospace industry, particularly in the military market, has seen the proliferation of UAV in a variety of end-use applications. The applications now includeRead More...
Thermal Challenges Throw Curves onto the Path of Faster
Modern military applications continue to push the performance envelope while still demanding the lowest possible power dissipation. At the same time, the embedded computers in thoseRead More...
Direct Spray Cooling Widens Choices in Harsh Airborne Environments
There’s no doubt that demand is on the rise for ever more computing density. Military platforms such as radar and image processing, electronic warfare, signal processing, command andRead More...
MicroTCA and AMC Team for Military Duties
For the first time since the introduction of VME 25 years ago, an embedded computing architecture is emerging that is capable of serving a broad cross section of market segments:Read More...
COTS Products
Advanced Low-Power PMC Supports Dual Graphics Heads A blend of graphics and video performance is vital for advanced sensor fusion, image/frame capture and recording inRead More...
COTS Products
Tiny SMD Fuse Approved for Space Applications Reliability and ruggedness take on a whole new meaning for electronics used in space applications. There’s no repair truckRead More...
Cots Products
20-Inch 2U Chassis for Trenton 32 Gbyte Boards The days when military system developers did everything themselves are long gone. They’d much rather find building blocks to pieceRead More...
Military I/O Solutions Blend Functions and Fabrics
While the basic challenges of military I/O haven’t changed—it’s still all about linking the analog world of sensors, actuators, motors and so on, with the digitalRead More...
Computing, Power and Networks Take Priority in Mil Vehicle Modernization
For several years now, any discussion about the future of military vehicles revolved around the Army’s massive Future Combat Systems program. All that officially changed late lastRead More...
COTS Products
BGA Adapters Adapt 0.50 mm Devices to 1.00 mm Boards Keeping up with and mitigating the impact of component obsolescence is a constant challenge in the military industry. ICs oftenRead More...
Rugged Box Systems Tighten Their Military Focus
Over the past couple of years, traditional embedded board vendors have been adding stand-alone rugged box-level systems to their military market offerings. These complete systemRead More...
Rugged Stand-Alone Box System Roundup
Rugged System Features Military Connectors The stand-alone rugged box trend has touched nearly every corner of the military embedded computer market. ADLINK Technology, for its part,Read More...
Common Computing Architecture Wins for UAV Programs
The use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in the military has skyrocketed as UAVs have proventheir military worth in Afghanistan and Iraq. UAVs are credited with saving soldiers'Read More...
Xeon Multicore System Serves Up 10 Gbit LAN
Xeon Multicore System Serves up 10 Gbit LAN The challenge in multiprocessing systems is keeping the processors fed by moving data between them quickly. With just that in mind, WINRead More...
Conduction-Cooled ATR 6U VPX Platform Provides High Thermal Performance
Conduction-Cooled ATR 6U VPX Platform Provides High Thermal Performance A new conduction-cooled ATR 6U VPX platform provides an extremely high level of environmental protection whileRead More...
Fanless Box Computer Targets Mobile Extreme Apps
Fanless Box Computer Targets Mobile Extreme Apps A new rugged box computer complies with the EN 50155 railway standard, fulfills IP67 and has an E1 approval from the German FederalRead More...
Ethernet Switches Connect With Military Needs
The success of net-centric warfare is dependent on fast, secure communications technology—specifically Ethernet. To meet the military’s demands for Ethernet-enabled vehicles, there isRead More...
Lightweight Rugged Systems Blend Convection Cooling, Expanded I/O
Aitech Defense Systems offers the NightHawk RCU, an extremely rugged, compact Intel Atom-based, self-contained control unit that weighs only 4.5 pounds, almost half that of similarRead More...
Rugged Atom-based Fanless Box PCs Is Rich with I/O
Rugged box-level computing systems are proliferating in a variety of processor platforms, and the Atom is no exception. With that in mind, the Industrial Automation Group ofRead More...
Fanless Core 2 Duo Embedded Computer Targets Harsh Environments
Cooling with fans is a deal breaker for military systems. Fans are an unacceptable point of failure as well as unsuited to harsh environments. Feeding such needs, Sealevel's RelioRead More...
Box-Level Server Offers Built-in Carrier Card for I/O
The trend toward stand-alone box systems has swept through the military market. The latest from Acromag is the Model IOS, an Industrial PC that features an internal carrier card toRead More...
Vehicle Server Delivers Multicore Processing and Modular I/O
Box-level computers are becoming a mainstay in the defense market. Parvus has announced availability and feature enhancements for its DuraCOR 810-Duo rugged multicore mission processorRead More...
Multicore Networking Platform Provides 10 Gbit LAN Performance
Net-centric technology is a critical aspect of today's military operations. A 2U server-grade platform uses Intel 5300 Series technology to provide 10 Gigabit Ethernet (2x) and supportRead More...
Many Factors Influence Slot-Card vs. Module Choice
Military embedded system designers are always eager to take advantage of new technologies and emerging industry standards once a critical mass of acceptance is achieved and a clearRead More...
Deployed Applications Embrace System-Level Rugged Solutions
Despite their technical sophistication, defense electronics systems must deliver uncompromised performance under difficult environmental conditions, including excessive heat, humidity,Read More...
Slot-Card Systems Vie with Rugged Box Solutions
There’s no doubt that there has been a change occurring in the military embedded computing industry over the past five years or so. At the heart of that change is the risingRead More...
PCIe-over-Cable Products Offer Cost-Effective Solutions
PCI Express is the only bus that can effectively extend over cable without requiring software conversion and thus incurring increased overhead and latency. That means what happensRead More...
The Inside Track
Northrop Grumman to Upgrade Integrated Bridge Systems for Nimitz-Class Carriers Northrop Grumman Corporation has been awarded a contract to provide Scalable Integrated Bridge SystemsRead More...
Transitions and New Realities Shake Up U.S. Manned Space Program
Here we are again at a crossroads of National manned space policy—the most significant since the transition from the Apollo/Saturn to the Space Shuttle. The Space Shuttle program isRead More...
Ethernet Ascends as 1553 Gets Boxed In
The great dilemma with military I/O technology is accommodating the needs of legacy interface schemes while meeting the performance needs of next-generation computing and electronicRead More...
Graphics and Video Advances Feed Situational Awareness Needs
Leveraging cutting-edge graphics chips developed for the demanding gaming market, military graphics subsystems are now able to offer complex video and graphics functionality in highlyRead More...
Rugged Industrial Server Offers Complete System Solution
Crystal Group has announced the newest addition to the Crystal Group server family, the IS100- Rugged Industrial Server. The IS100 1U Server is the first product in Crystal’s newRead More...
Atom Processor Featured in Fanless Box Computer
A fanless box computer for embedded applications supports the new generation of Intel Atom processors that includes the dual-core Intel Atom processor D510 and single-core Intel AtomRead More...
6.5-Inch and 15-Inch Touch Screen Panel PCs for HMI Apps
Two new fanless touch screen panel PCs feature durability with IP65-compliant LED backlit panels that can withstand temperatures of -200° to 600°C. Device interactivity is assured withRead More...
Pre-Integrated Systems Move Up the Solution Food Chain
The rising trend toward stand-alone rugged box systems continues to pervade the military embedded computing industry. These box-level systems often resemble the end deliverableRead More...
New DoD Goals Boost Preconfigured Subsystem Opportunities
Recent changes in the U.S. military’s mission strategy—following the change of administrations, and reflected in the DoD’s new budget—are shifting the military procurement landscape.Read More...
Multiple Vendor Fairy Tale
Even the military is following the trend of consumer electronics—more functionality, smaller, less power and cheaper. The only problem is that the military can’t accept a “use it forRead More...
