Rugged AMC/MicroTCA solutions have already been proven for federal applications

At Milcom in October 2007, a military prime contractor presented a flyer on an application using a modified MicroTCA AMC form factor with wedge locks and conduction cooling. The flyer (Figure 1, courtesy BAE Systems: BAE Systems Worst-Case Operational Vibration Test; advanced mezzanine card connector vibration test report for WIN-T JC4ISR radio, 2007) illustrates environmental qualification test data in the process of being released for the application, in addition to how a modified MicroTCA AMC form factor can survive in a rugged environment.

Figure 1 (click graphic to zoom by 2.2x)

In addition, at the MicroTCA Summit in May 2008, during a presentation titled ìDeep Packet Processing with Multi-Threaded-SoC Enabled Blades,î W. Joel D. Johnson, the Software Defined Radio (SDR) Digital Transceiver Program Lead at Harris Government Communications Systems Division, presented application information on a Software Defined Radio (SDR) based Mobile Ad-hoc Network (MANET), providing a mobile ad hoc mesh network for IP-based voice, data, and video services. See Figure 2, courtesy Harris Government Communications Systems Division.

Figure 2 (click graphic to zoom by 2.0x)

This application used the MicroTCA AMC form factor that was ruggedized by the prime contractor for harsh environments, combined with a special thermal design for heat removal via conduction to the chassis, structural design for vibration control, a connector for corrosion-fretting control, and removal of faceplate for size and weight control.

Rugged MicroTCA early applications

For several years, federal contractors have been using AdvancedTCA systems with AMC modules for military communications systems, primarily in benign environments. These AMC modules can easily be used in MicroTCA systems while preserving investments in hardware and software.

As a result, several federal contractors have been developing and integrating MicroTCA systems for smaller edge applications. Much of this is still in the engineering labs at the federal contractors, using commercial grade MicroTCA chassis and modules. NDA and ITAR restrictions prevent disclosure of details, but the broad outline of these applications include:

• Network-centric warfare/battlefield communications
• Ground mobile radio - SDR, WiMAX 802.16 D & E
• Mission computers
• Wireless war fighter communications
• Communication command centers
• Unmanned vehicle communications and coordination (command and control)
• Intelligence systems
• Broad secure communication platforms
  
  • Monitoring and surveillance
  • Mobile and fixed
• Various surveillance systems and equipment
• Navy open architecture
• Shipboard systems (radar, sonar, navigations)
• Benign naval weapons targeting & control
• Commercial communications
• Base stations SDR, WiMAX 802.16 D & E
• Emergency response
• Early responder
• Homeland emergency communications
• Industrial communications
• Mining, energy networking, automation and industrial networking

Some of these applications are now moving from the lab to field trials on both ground vehicles and aircraft using variants of Hybriconís rugged MicroTCA ATR chassis. In most cases, full deployment awaits availability of ruggedized versions of the modules per PICMG MicroTCA.1. Fortunately, this availability is quickly approaching. These applications include:

• Secure mobile communications for military ground vehicles and military aircraft
• Broadband communications network for commercial aircraft
• Mobile ad-hoc IEEE 802.16E based WiMAX base stations for government and military ground vehicles and aircraft

Initial applications are largely communications-centric, which is not surprising given MicroTCAís roots in AdvancedTCA. As the ecosystem of modules broadens, this will branch out into other applications such as signal processing.

The role of PICMG industry specifications

Many federal applications require extended temperature operation and/or extended shock and vibration tolerance. PICMG is now in the process of standardizing ruggedized levels for MicroTCA modules and chassis. Completion of these industry standards is a key element for widespread adoption of MicroTCA in rugged applications. Purely commercial grade MicroTCA modules can take us only so far; more rugged versions are needed to broaden adoption.

PICMG MicroTCA.1

PICMG MicroTCA.1 is rugged air-cooled MicroTCA, with extended temperature ranges and extended shock and vibration based on IEC standards as well as ANSI/VITA 47 rugged levels for military/aerospace applications.

PICMG MicroTCA is aimed at commercial/industrial extended temperature environments and high shock and vibration environments such as outdoor telecom, mobile, and transportation applications. This level of ruggedization can be extended using packaging cocooning techniques such as shock and vibration isolation and heat exchangers for more demanding military/aerospace applications. PICMG MicroTCA.1 is nearing completion, and vendors are expected to roll out compliant products this year.

PICMG MicroTCA.2

PICMG MicrotCA.2 is focused on creation of standardized rugged conduction-cooled MicroTCA. The intent of PICMG MicroTCA.2 is to extend the temperature/shock/vibration ranges as far as possible, based on ANSI/VITA 47 rugged levels for military/aerospace applications, while preserving AMC/MicroTCA connector compatibility. This will include extensive testing to prove viability of the solution in the intended environments as part of the specification development. PICMG MicroTCA.2 will be a key enabler for rugged military applications as well as nonmilitary applications requiring conduction cooling.

Conclusion

For the first time since VME was introduced 25 years ago, another standard has surfaced that could change the landscape of embedded computing across all industry segments. MicroTCA is emerging as the embedded computing architecture that is able to serve a broad cross-section of market segments, with applications spanning commercial, industrial, medical, telecommunications, and federal markets.

For rugged applications, PICMG is in the process of developing two new specifications aimed at enabling ruggedized versions of MicroTCA for industrial applications as well as federal applications. These developments will enable MicroTCA to become a major player in a wide range of markets.

Robert Sullivan is Vice President and Corporate Director of Technology, having joined Hybricon in 1997. He is responsible for keeping abreast of industry technology trends, setting technical direction for the company, and defining technical approaches and solutions to solve challenging problems for Hybriconís key customers. He is active on both VITA/VSO and PICMG technical standards committees. At Hybricon, Robert has led major programs for communications, military, and industrial applications.

Robert has over 30 yearsí experience in the design of high performance instrumentation and systems, serving as Chief Engineer at Analogic Corporation and as both Director of Engineering and General Manager at GenRad Inc. He holds a number of patents in the design of high performance systems, and has authored various technical papers and magazine articles. His technical background includes system design, high precision DSP-based instrumentation (to 20 bits, 120dB SNR), and high bandwidth DSP-based instrumentation (to >1 GSPS). He received his MS degree in Electrical Engineering from Northeastern University.

Clayton Tucker is a Senior Business Development and Marketing Manager for the Embedded Computing business of Emerson Network Power. In his current role, he is responsible for creating and directing program, product and marketing strategies for multiple product portfolios within the MicroTCA, VME, CompactPCI, and Processor Mezzanines departments.

A market expert in the military, aerospace and medical industries, Clayton is a recognized speaker at industry conferences and is an active author publishing articles on embedded computing. He is the recipient of multiple Motorola Silver Quill awards for his published articles and industry presentations.

Clayton joined Emerson Network Power with the acquisition of Motorolaís Embedded Communications Computing group in January 2008. Beginning his career with Motorola as a product marketing manager in 1995, he has served various other roles with increasing responsibility, including:Senior Marketing Strategic Roadmap Manager; Global Segment Manager, Embedded Mmedical Technologies; and Operations Marketing Manager. He received a Chairmanís Award in 2000 for his contributions to the company. Clayton holds a Bachelorís degree in Business Administration with an emphasis on Marketing Management from Northern Arizona University.