Ethernet is a family of frame-based computer networking technologies for local area networks (LANs). The name comes from the physical concept of the ether. It defines a number of wiring and signaling standards for the Physical Layer of the OSI networking model, through means of network access at the Media Access Control (MAC) /Data Link Layer, and a common addressing format.
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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...
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The Inside Track
Parvus Awarded Follow-on Contracts for USMC EFV Subsystems Parvus has received new contracts from General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) in support of the U.S. Marine Corps’Read 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...
PXI, VXI and LXI Boards Roundup
16-bit PXI Digitizers Boast up to 40 MS/s Sampling High-channel count and simultaneous sampling are the watchwords for a variety of military test applications. Feeding those needs,Read More...
MicroTCA Gaining Ground in Military Applications
Deeply rooted in VME and CompactPCI platforms, military embedded design is undergoing a noticeable shift. Modern warfare initiatives are driving designers to find more bandwidth, whileRead More...
PCI/104-Express, PC/104 and EPIC SBCs Roundup
SBC Provides Right-Sized PC/104 Solution PC/104 has always shined in defense applications that need a modest amount of computer power. Adlink Technology has released the AmproRead More...
Military I/O Solutions Look Beyond 1553
Tried and true I/O schemes, such as MIL-STD-1553 and ARINC 429, remain popular for pure control applications. But they’re bandwidth-limited by today’s standards. A slew of multipurposeRead 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...
FPGAs Take On Expanded Processing Roles
Once used merely as glue logic, FPGAs are now complete systems on a chip. And now that many of them even have general-purpose CPU cores on them, the military is hungry to use FPGAs toRead More...
COTS Products
Quad-Core Intel Xeon-Based VME SBC The multicore trend has swept through the military embedded computing industry, and military system developers are embracing it with open arms.Read More...
Multicore Boards Roundup
6U CompactPCI Boards Sport Quad Core Xeons The multicore trend has hit all levels of processor families, and the Xeon is no exception. Concurrent Technologies has released theRead More...
Rugged Subsystems Fuel Net-Centric Warfare Needs
Network-Centric Warfare (NCW) has become the U.S. Military’s central concept for battlefield operations for the 21st century. The success of net-centric operations depends on theRead More...
Information Overload and Ducks
If you look at the role of military embedded computing systems today, the analogy of a duck coasting along the water comes to mind. The movement of a duck across a pond looks smoothRead More...
Deterministic Version of Ethernet Offers Real-Time Performance at Low Risk
Ethernet enjoys tremendous success in a variety of different commercial and industry applications. It has limitations as a deterministic communication interface when applied to criticalRead More...
ATCA Finds Niche Where Military and Telco Needs Align
Similar to most commercial industries, the military is under constant pressure to keep costs contained, while preserving the highest levels of availability in its mission-criticalRead More...
COTS Products
3U cPCI Board and Rack Family Satisfies Extreme Thermal Needs CompactPCI, particularly in its 3U flavor, is no longer the new kid on the block in the military market. It’s paidRead More...
Networking and Comms Evolve into Game-Changing Military Resources
Continuing an accelerating DoD-wide effort over the past decade, the next generation of technology development for military networking and communications is headed toward a goal ofRead More...
Small Form Factor Realm Churns out Boards and Standards
Small embedded computers—in both standard and non-standard form factors—are in high demand for military applications that are extremely space- or weight-constrained or whereRead More...
Atom-Based Series of Fanless, Cable-Free Rugged I/O Platforms
Atom-Based Series of Fanless, Cable-Free Rugged I/O Platforms A series of rugged and fanless I/O platforms based on the Intel Atom N270 are targeted for providing rugged I/O solutionsRead More...
1U Rackmount Servers Feed High-Density Computing Needs
Government organizations deploy a vast array of servers for mission-critical applications in a wide variety of networks—including enterprise computing, field operations, command andRead More...
AMCs Expand MicroTCA's Military Potential
Modern warfare systems must expertly blend issues of ruggedness, flexibility, mobility and high-end processing with the need for standards-based solutions that can be developed andRead More...
1U Rackmount Boards Serve Up a Diverse Array of Solutions
1U Blade Server computing solutions and other 1U rackmount boards are rapidly finding a niche in a variety of military applications such as SATCOM-On-the-Move systems. Now thatRead More...
Data Distribution Service and MILS: A Powerful Combination
There are some unique benefits to using Data Distribution Service (DDS) publish-subscribe middleware within the Multiple Independent Levels of Security (MILS) architecture. Both MILSRead More...
PXI, VXI and LXI Boards Each Find Their Instrumentation Strengths
At one time, it took a whole rack of test gear to implement military and aerospace test systems. Now that same functionality can be built using standards-based instrumentation andRead More...
SUMIT Interconnect Spec Revamps Small Form Factor Landscape
Designers of high-performance embedded systems need to incorporate growing numbers and types of I/O in smaller and smaller off-the-shelf and semi-custom boards, while keeping theirRead 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...
Case Study: Revving up VPX for 10 Gbaud Operation
VPX has become the de facto standard for the current generation of military embedded computing platforms. These systems include high-speed serial fabrics such as Serial RapidIO, PCIRead More...
COTS Products
VME SBC Serves Up Low Power Core 2 Duo The Core 2 Duo has become among the most prevalent CPUs in new embedded computer designs in the past couple of years. Its mix of performance andRead 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...
Dual Fast Ethernet PMC uses USM Form Factor
Dual Fast Ethernet PMC Uses USM Form Factor MEN Micro’s Universal Submodule (USM) concept implements a board’s desired functionality through one or more IP cores in an FPGA. TheRead More...
Cluster Computing Suits Up for Aircraft Duty
Surveillance aircraft may represents just a small slice of the overall military defense market, but they exemplify many of the challenges facing the rackmount system designer.Read More...
Pre-integrated Subsystems Curb Costs, Speed Deployment
To meet burgeoning demand, developers of off-the-shelf rugged computing platforms are including a variety of features and services to enhance usability, reduce complexity and increaseRead More...
FPGA-based Ethernet Module Sportsa High-Capacity Switch-IP
FPGA-Based Ethernet Module Sports a High-Capacity Switch-IP An industrial Ethernet module (IEM) implements a cost-efficient and flexible solution to adapt to various IndustrialRead 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...
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...
Serial FPDP Board Roundup
VME Card Provides 24 Serial FPDP Channels Using FPGAs in conjunction with the Serial FPDP (sFPDP) interconnect makes for a powerful combination. Such a solution has enormousRead More...
ATCA and 10 GbE Primed for Military Service
A significant change in the military equipment market is a shift in focus for equipment development. Electronic warfare driven by C4ISR is gaining favor over big-ticket weaponsRead More...
Fanless, Ethernet Switches Offer Maintenance-Free Operation
Fanless, Ethernet Switches Offer Maintenance-Free Operation Mission-critical defense applications can’t tolerate their network links going down. Serving such needs, MEN Micro hasRead 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...
MicroTCA Carrier Hub Family Supports Four Fabric Types
MicroTCA Carrier Hub Family Supports Four Fabric Types MicroTCA is finding a niche in military applications—particularly those focused on marrying high-speed fabric interconnectsRead More...
New Solutions Attack the Defense Industry’s Most Compute-Centric Problems
There's a trend that should be obvious, but is often overlooked at higher echelons of the defense industry: More and more of system functionality is now implemented as software runningRead More...
Ethernet Switch Boards Roundup
Rugged 10 Gbit Ethernet XMC Sports Dual Front-Panel Interfaces The military has completely embraced Ethernet both as a network technology and as a fabric interconnect scheme.Read More...
COTS Products
3U VPX SBC Sports Freescale MPC 8640D Processor There have been only a handful of SBC vendors so far that have rolled out VPX products. The ones that jumped on board haveRead 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...
Switch Ethernet Stakes Claim as Embedded Interconnect
Ethernet switch boards have won a place as a critical building block for a variety of military programs. Once used only as a pure networking solution for command and control systemsRead More...
Fresh Start and Net-Centric View Drive Vehicle Modernization
It’s taken some time, but the defense industry seems to be over the shock of life beyond the Army’s Future Combat Systems program. For over a decade FCS was an inherent part of anyRead More...
Scope Series Expands to Include 4 Channel and 40 MHz Models
Scope Series Expands to Include 4 Channel and 40 MHz Models Military systems continue to demand faster protocols and signaling bandwidths. That keeps the pressure on testRead More...
Mission-Critical Apps Blend Benefits of ATCA and Service Availability
The increasing use of computer systems in the military and aerospace world and the escalating complexity of applications are placing new demands for continuous operation onRead More...
Deployable xTCA Platforms Fuel Net-Centric Application
Broad new military initiatives such as the U.S. Navy’s (CANES) Consolidated Afloat Networks and Enterprise Servers, Brigade Combat Team Modernization, (JTRS) Joint Tactical RadioRead 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...
cPCI Gbit Ethernet Switch Supports Failsafe Operation
Ethernet, both as a networking technology and as a high-speed interconnect fabric, has won its way into the mindshare of military system developers. GE Intelligent Platforms hasRead More...
ATCA Evolves its Niche in Mil/Aero Systems
In the past decade, open-standards solutions such as ATCA have moved from hypothetical to accepted options for mil/aero market segments. Making impressive inroads, modular technologiesRead More...
Power over Ethernet Compact Vision System
A new compact vision system is based on the Intel Core2 Duo P8400 processor. The EOS-1000 from Adlink Technology provides four independent Power over Ethernet (PoE) ports withRead More...
Gigabit Ethernet Switch Rides 3U CompactPCI
Ethernet is now firmly entrenched in the mindshare of military system developers. It’s useful both as a networking technology and as a high-speed data plane interconnect fabric.Read More...
OpenVPX Module Sports Eight-Core P4080 Processor
Extreme Engineering Solutions has announced the XPedite5470, a high-performance 3U OpenVPX single board computer with Freescale QorIQ P4080 processor. XPedite5470 provides a newRead More...
Ethernet Switch Boards Roundup
10 Gbit Ethernet XMC Provides Dual Front-Panel Interfaces The military has completely embraced Ethernet both as a network technology and as a fabric interconnect scheme. With that inRead 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...
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...
OpenVPX: Cards Dealt, Ready to Play
Hailed as the next-generation fabric-based slot card standard, VPX has had a few rocky years getting started. But over the last year and a half, the goal of bringing together advancedRead More...
Module Links MIL-STD-1553 to Gigabit Ethernet
The conflict between the needs of net-centric communication and the current situation where the vast majority of basic military equipment interconnects via MIL-STD-1553 can be easilyRead More...
Five Game-Changer Technology Trends Facing the Military
Compute-density has become the mantra for many of today's advanced military programs. More and more of system functionality is now implemented as software running on single boardRead More...
MicroTCA Evolves to Serve Rugged Military Designs
Developed to handle the extreme environmental demands of the telecommunications arena, MicroTCA provides military designers with a flexible embedded building block, offering scalableRead More...
The Inside Track
General Dynamics C4 Systems Taps GE Network Gear for BCT Modernization GE Intelligent Platforms has received the first in a series of orders that are expected to total approximatelyRead 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...
6U Open VPX Intel Quad-Core-based SBC Sports 24-port Ethernet
This year has turned out to be the year of OpenVPX with more new products rolling out than ever before. For its part, Dynatem is now shipping the VPQ, a 6U SBC based on the 6U VPXRead More...
6U OpenVPX 10 Gbit Ethernet Switch Targets ISR and C4I
OpenVPX is perfectly suited to handle the huge processing demands of today’s ISR and C4I applications. GE Intelligent Platforms has announced the NETernity GBX460 rugged 6U OpenVPXRead More...
Deep Packet Inspection FPGA Net Accelerator Rides PCI Express
The PCIe-180 FPGA network accelerator card from Nallatech is capable of real-time deep packet inspection and processing of 10 Gbit Ethernet traffic. The card can dynamically switchRead More...
Silicon Valley’s Still Got It
For a technology geek like me, there’s something special about Silicon Valley that’s undeniable. Aside from the northeast where I’m from and have my roots, that area of northernRead More...
ATCA Base Switch Blade Provides 24 Gbit Ethernet Ports
ATCA has carved out a respectable niche in the military where high-density computing and net-centric communications are a priority. A 24-port GbE AdvancedTCA (ATCA) Multilayer BaseRead More...
Unified Approach Paves New Path for Military Data Storage
Data storage is an increasingly important component of many military embedded systems. In particular, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) systems generate large volumesRead More...
Ethernet Becomes Entrenched as Military System Interconnect
Ethernet is becoming entrenched as a favorite interconnect fabric in compute-intensive applications like sonar, radar or any application that networks sensor arrays together. SystemRead More...
OpenVPX Strengthens Its Hand for Military Embedded Designs
Military system developers have long faced a conflicting desire to harness the latest and greatest computing technologies versus the need to mitigate the risks inherent in banking onRead 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...
Ethernet Emerges as Mature Choice among High Speed Interconnects
Ethernet could arguably be called the military’s favorite interconnect fabric in compute-intensive applications like sonar, radar or any application that networks sensor arraysRead More...
COTS Journal’s OpenVPX Solutions Center
Rugged 6U VPX SBC Has Integrated Onboard I/O Resources Aitech Defense Systems has introduced a rugged 6U VPX SBC that offers the selection between PCI Express and Serial RapidIO.Read More...
XMCs and Processor XMCs Roundup
XMC Marries Virtex-5 FPGA, PCIe and Deep Memory A set of mezzanine modules from Acromag features a configurable Xilinx Virtex-5 FPGA enhanced with multiple high-speed memory buffersRead More...
Serial FPDP Provides Throughput Advantages for Sensor I/O
Military embedded systems have started to use standard network interfaces for all types of communication. By embracing network-based architectures, new systems are inherentlyRead More...
Bridging 1553 to Ethernet Networks Paves Future of Avionics
Modern avionics systems find switched Ethernet the dominant network architecture with MIL-STD-1553 (1553) and ARINC implemented for high reliability and legacy communications.Read More...
