MicroTCA Makes WIN-T Muster

By Ernie Bergstrom, Crystal Cube Consulting

Most military programs for modernizing the battlefield are based on IP networks. MicroTCA is definitely a wise platform selection for such applications, because it offers the basic IP network configuration. MicroTCA can also offer the high bandwidth, increased computing power, and small form factor required by network-centric designs. Unfortunately, the bad news for suppliers is that military programs take a long time to reach volume production.

The Army’s Warfighter Information Network – Tactical (WIN-T), which is based on IP, uses MicroTCA in its systems, with each blade providing a standard network connection. One reason for this choice is that the software required with MicroTCA is simpler than with the older VME or CompactPCI. A decisive benefit that the Army sees with MicroTCA’s 3U form factor is its ability to provide the required processing power and bandwidth at reduced size and power. VME and CompactPCI require a 6U form factor, which is a problem for field systems that are both space and weight-limited.

MicroTCA allows contractors to meet changing requirements by basing specialized applications on a consistent, validated, and scalable system architecture that is available out of the box. The cry for COTS by the DoD is real! The adoption of MicroTCA not only speeds up development, but it also helps contractors eliminate costly steps at the front end of the process.

The ability to serve multiple applications will become even more important as MicroTCA becomes pervasive, since it will allow the military to reap the cost benefits of volume manufacturing. The ruggedization efforts led by PICMG’s standards committee has driven extensive shock and vibration testing, as well as conduction cooling solutions from leading vendors. And it continues to demonstrate the suitability of COTS MicroTCA and AdvancedMC building blocks for ruggedized military communications and computing applications, including WIN-T.

BAE has already done groundbreaking work with the WIN-TJC41SR radio proof of concept design, showing the value of adopting MicroTCA and AdvancedMC in military applications. BAE has demonstrated the suitability of AdvancedMC for WIN-T radio applications by performing rigorous vibration tests on commercially available edge connectors.

MicroTCA-based COTS building blocks can change the way the industry looks at network nodes, allowing contractors to add applications to AdvancedMCs and assemble systems for test while dramatically shortening the development cycle. Reliance on pre-validated, ruggedized systems can remove substantial overhead at the front end, the most expensive part of any development effort.

Army programs such as WIN-T are interested in WiMAX radio applications because they can deliver broadband services for both fixed and mobile devices. The dynamic creation and maintenance of mobile networks will allow the transfer of true battlefield situational information between the rear echelon and advancing troops. WiMAX AdvancedMC modules, which several vendors are now producing, will make MicroTCA the platform-of-choice for field deployment.

Ernie Bergstrom is founder and president of Crystal Cube Consulting and a Contributing Editor to the ATCA Newsletter. His report entitled, “MicroTCA Fits into Smaller Places to Grow a Bigger Market” is available at http://www.crystalcubeconsulting.com/English/Reports/MicroTCA_Fit_Smaller_Places_Grow_Market.html You can reach him at ernie@atcanewsletter.com.