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December 01, 2022
For greater than ten years, the academic, industrial, and hobbyist markets have embraced the small-form-factor Raspberry Pi single-board pc (SBC) as a most popular low-cost, low-power instrument that lowers the barrier for deploying intelligence and connectivity nearly wherever that creativeness directs. The result’s a ubiquitous platform, with greater than 45 million models offered. At this time, these tiny playing cards are serving to to make the Web of Issues (IoT) idea a actuality.
In the meantime, Joint All-Area Command and Management (JADC2), the U.S. Division of Protection (DoD) imaginative and prescient for the netcentric battlefield, scales all the way in which from the cloud – making all information sharable – right down to the bottom stage the place that information must be collected and distributed.
The JADC2 aim is for all platforms to be clever and linked to the community utilizing a Modular Open Methods Strategy (MOSA). That directive requires cost-effective options in a kind issue that may function means out on the tactical edge. Such functions usually require a totally built-in rugged mission pc constructed with OpenVPX playing cards. In loads of instances, nevertheless, a “good-enough” stage of processor efficiency and I/O characteristic set is all that’s wanted. For dimension, weight, energy, and value (SWaP-C)-constrained functions, a military-grade Raspberry Pi-based mission pc defines an entire new class of answer for intelligence and connectivity on the tactical edge.
Already in its 4th technology, the Raspberry Pi SBC combines surprisingly good processor efficiency with many I/O choices that allow system designers to consider networked linked processing extra when it comes to a “widget” that may be positioned nearly wherever to unravel small issues. It offers protection system designers with a brand new instrument; one not designed for a selected utility, however because of its minimal SWaP-C burden, one applicable for an enormous variety of functions. Due to its small dimension, affordability, and low-power consumption profile, this small SBC can drive new functions but undreamed of.
To make that imaginative and prescient a actuality, the Raspberry Pi system must be out there in a military-standard certified environmental bundle in a position to survive in battlefield situations. The excellent news is that rugged industrial variations of the SBC can be found and utilized in innumerable functions. The subsequent step is to carry the commercial model as much as navy requirements in order that it may be sealed, immersed, hosed down, or mounted externally as required. What’s extra, the brand new technology of engineers getting into the protection market is already acquainted with the platform. These so-called “digital natives” have been uncovered to the Raspberry Pi computing platform all through their training – in some instances as early as elementary college – in STEM programs.
Take into account a number of examples of how a military-grade Raspberry Pi mission pc can be utilized within the discipline: When an older legacy interface, akin to a serial port, must be modernized to Ethernet, the Raspberry Pi might be positioned on the platform as near the system as wanted, offering an interface bridge whereas decreasing cabling. Finally, when that legacy system is changed, the Raspberry Pi unit might be repurposed for one more utility. In one other instance, contemplate what number of issues within the battlefield right this moment will not be monitored or outfitted with processing energy. With Raspberry Pi, intelligence and community connectivity might be simply added to absolutely anything within the battlefield.
To assist notice the imaginative and prescient of readily distributing and integrating MOSA embedded computing nearly wherever a system designer needs, Curtiss-Wright developed the Parvus DuraCOR Pi. (Determine 1.) The ultra-small-form-factor unit is predicated on the commercial Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 (CM4). It weighs 0.50 kilos and measures 1.20 by 2.49 by 3.34 inches (30.5 by 63.2 by 84.8 mm). With built-in wired Ethernet interface and assist for WiFi and Bluetooth (each of which might be disabled), MIL-STD-38999 connectors, a mil-grade energy provide, and a sealed IP67 chassis, the unit meets stringent MIL-STD/DO-160 environmental requirements. I/O enlargement is supported through a typical RPi 40-pin HAT [hardware attached on top] connector, and its versatile enlargement ring system allows extra module rings to be stacked on prime of the unit housing. The unit is 100% appropriate with the Pi Improvement Ecosystem and runs all software program developed for the RPi working atmosphere, akin to NSA STIGd Raspbian Linux, VxWorks, Home windows IoT Core, and the like.
[Figure 1 | The Parvus DuraCOR Pi is the first ultra-small-form-factor rugged mission computer to support the Raspberry Pi ecosystem with support for the Hardware Attached on Top (HAT) expansion ecosystem.]
For those who solely knew of Raspberry Pi as a hobbyist toy platform, the introduction of true military-grade variations will alter your personal imaginative and prescient of how SWaP-C computing primarily based on a ubiquitous MOSA platform can drive battlefield IoT.
David Jedynak is chief know-how officer and Technical Fellow for Curtiss-Wright Protection Options.
Curtiss-Wright Protection Options https://www.curtisswrightds.com/
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