SOSA-aligned mission computer increases performance, saves space
Believed to be the first SOSA (Sensor Open Systems Architecture) -aligned, DAL-certifiable, 3U OpenVPX mission computer, the avionics modular mission platform (AMMP) is an open standards-based system from Mercury Systems. It delivers up to 40x more performance than current generation computers while saving space, power and costs, said the company.
It features Intel Core i7 safety-certifiable processors which contribute to the performance increase while drawing 50 per cent less power, claimed Mercury.
By leveraging AI and autonomous capabilities, this modular, scalable mission computer improves decision accuracy and response times for pilots, said Mercury. “Safety-certified flight mission computers are often built with custom or proprietary architectures that make them difficult and expensive to maintain and upgrade,” said Jay Abendroth, vice president, Mercury Mission. The AMMP system offers the commercial processing, DAL-A artifacts and alignment with the sensor open systems architecture (SOSA) specification, he explained. The platform also aligns with the US Department of Defence’s need for open mission systems supporting their modular open systems approach (MOSA) mandate, Abendroth added.
The AMMP is purpose-built to support real time, safety-critical applications such as mission management, sensor fusion / processing, surveillance, 5G communications and artificial intelligence (AI). The computer integrates Mercury’s BuiltSAFE commercial off the shelf (COTS) multi-core single board computers (SBCs), avionics I/O, video processing and software. It also simplifies integration and the certification process, to save both time and costs, said the company.
The system uses multiple Intel Core i7 Gen 11 processors with integrated GPUs and has a range of avionics I/O including ARINC-429 to capture and distribute HD video. There are configurable, independent 3U boards to support multiple, mixed safety workloads. The platform is rugged, compact, and low power design to save aircraft resources.
Green Hills, Lynx and Linux board support packages achieve FAA CAST-32A objectives.
Mercury can also integrate a display, mapping system, cockpit management system and sensors into the AMMP which is suitable for rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft, ground stations and unmanned aerial vehicles.