Defense & Security Technology
Overview
This presentation will provide attendees with a better understanding of how small form-factor Computer-on-Modules (COM) products are being used, along with an explanation of the advantages of using standards-based application-ready solutions. A detailed look at a typical product's feature offering and its use case in an application-ready system will be analyzed. This will provide insight into the main features and benefits that these products offer and how they can be applied in UAV platforms.
Systems engineers understand that it is not practical to add more equipment onto an unmanned vehicle, but they are challenged with increased demand for more sensor capability, or have to change or update the sensor array based on specific mission profiles. This challenge, along with an increased need for localized analytics, increases the necessity for a compact and modular-open-standard high-performance module or system. By utilizing small form-factor standards like COM Express, systems engineers can be sure they are leveraging the latest advances in technology to meet these challenges.
Using these off-the-shelf solutions also meets the military's standardized acquisition strategy and helps to ensure that programs stay on track and meet budget constraints. Many of these products are already available for extended operating temperature range, high shock & vibration tolerance and, if bundled into application-ready systems, have certifications to meet typical military rugged environments.
Key Takeaways
- Understand how designing and using COM Express modules with long life-cycle support provides a path forward and significant advantages for balancing thermal, processing, graphics, and size requirements when compared to other options
- Discover the basic design issues that are eliminated and how total cost of ownership is reduced with pre-validated modules and application-ready systems
- Learn about ongoing developments in the standardization community and technology advances that ensure that this ecosystem will provide cutting-edge standards-based solutions to design challenges now and into the future
Speaker
RJ McLaren is the Manager for Standard Products at Kontron Military and Commercial Aerospace Business Unit, and has over 10 years of experience in the electronic manufacturing industry. His particular focus is explaining technology trends and their use to help guide customers in the early stages of product development using application-ready, standards-based products developed from PICMG and VITA industry specifications like VPX, xTCA, cPCI, VME, COM, etc. RJ brings together customer needs and market trends to help develop Kontron's ruggedized product roadmap and technology for next-generation standards-based solutions. He has authored and presented technology training materials and whitepapers at various industry tradeshows and events. RJ has worked previously as the Systems Architect, Systems Product Manager and Communications Segment Manager for Schroff NA. Other roles have included Systems Project Engineer, Program Manager and Application Engineering. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering and a Masters in Business Administration.
