New Products

PCB Designs Services from Mistral

Mistral specializes in cost-effective embedded hardware development solutions requiring high-reliability, rugged hardware coupled with aggressive timelines. Mistral’s PCB Design Services consists of high-speed, digital and mixed-signal PCBs for VME, VPX, cPCI, PCIe, XMC bus architectures, which have been deployed for various aerospace and defense applications. Mistral also offers PCB design services for RF, HDI & mixed signal multi-layer PCB and PCB Patch Antennas (RFID, GSM/BT/WLAN, UHF/VHF, X-Band) Designs.

The PCB design services include designing complex multi-processor MIL-STD-compliant multilayer boards with proven design methodologies, processes and quality checks. It also includes Library Management, PCB Layout Design, Signal Integrity, Thermal Analysis, DFM/DFT, Manufacturing support and PCB Design Tools. Read More..

Open VPX DSP Modules Optimized for Intel Xeon Processor D-1500 Product Family from Curtiss-Wright

Curtiss-Wright’s optimized its new 3U Open VPX™ CHAMP-XD1 and 6U CHAMP-XD2 DSP modules to use the Intel® Xeon® processor D-1500 Product Family. The modules are available with 12 and 16-core versions of the processor. The 12-core version will offer extended temperature support. Intel® Xeon® processor D-1500 Product Family features the enhanced performance at low power that is ideal for use on rugged open architecture modules designed for deployment in extremely compute-intensive, harsh environment EW/C4ISR aerospace and defense applications.

The 3U CHAMP-XD1 and 6U CHAMP-XD2 modules enable designers of High Performance Embedded Computing (HPEC) systems to take full advantage of the unmatched performance of the leading-edge Intel® Xeon® Processor D-1500 Product Family architecture, bringing its unprecedented multi-core compute power to bear on advanced applications. The CHAMP-XDx module family is designed for the most demanding deployed HPEC systems to support applications such as next-generation Radar, EW and C4ISR applications, and SAR, cognitive EW and airborne cloud computing.

3U CHAMP-XD1 – Read More..

6U CHAMP-XD2 –Read More..

First DO-178C Certification Data Package for Safety-Critical Connectivity Platform DO-178C from Real-Time Innovations (RTI)

The commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) DO-178C Level A Certification Package for Connext DDS Cert from RTI is the first connectivity platform built on the Data Distribution Service (DDS) standard to complete a DO-178C Design Assurance Level (DAL) certification evidence package and be placed into a production platform. This COTS certification package provides the evidence an aviation authority, such as the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), requires when certifying the airworthiness of an avionics system built using Connext DDS Cert. By leveraging the DO-178C DALA Certification Package, companies will reduce the time, cost, and risk required to develop, integrate and certify a safety-critical distributed application.

Avionics systems have traditionally used custom software to communicate between different applications and subsystems, like radars, displays, communication, and mission systems. Developing the software and the necessary certification evidence can take months to years of effort and cost on the order of $100 per line of code. Connext DDS Cert eliminates this time and reduces this cost by providing a COTS certification package. In addition, because it supports the DDS standard, applications are easier to develop, integrate, evolve and maintain than those using custom and proprietary solutions. Read More..

Articles

Digital Receiver System for Multi Object Tracking Radar (MOTR): Case study from Mistral

The MOTR is a sophisticated Monopulse Pulse Doppler RADAR used for tracking satellite launch vehicles and space debris. This RADAR uses modern processing techniques to extract target range, position and velocity. While the theory of operation has not changed over the years, there have been considerable improvements in the implementation of RADARs. Most notably, implementation of Digital Signal Processing (DSP) algorithms has moved from large computers to a single notebook-sized Single Board Computer (SBC).

This case study showcases Mistral’s expertise in designing a Digital Receiver System for a Multi Object Tracking RADAR (MOTR) that provides good dynamic range and complete processing of the target returns every Pulse Repetition Interval (PRI).

The DRS is a RADAR Signal Processor (SP) which is capable of extracting signal information from raw radar returns in real-time. The performance of the RADAR is limited by the amount of processing that can be handled by the DRS.

The following list enumerates the functions of the DRS, which are typical of RADAR receivers.

• Coherent acquisition of IF signals.
• Calibration and diagnostics.
• Digital down Conversion with programmable bandwidths and decimation rates.
• Fast Pulse compression using FFT. The maximum FFT length supported is 512k samples which correspond to a range gate ~ 1000kms.
• Coherent/Non-coherent integration.
• Automatic target detection using CFAR techniques.
• Velocity estimation using Doppler processing.
• Data logging of intermediate processing results for diagnostic purposes. Read More..

Data Protection with the QorIQ Platform T2080 Trust Architecture: Whitepaper from Curtiss-Wright

With the increased sophistication of embedded applications, systems designers and their customers are expressing heightened concerns regarding the importance of protecting the data residing in their systems, and by extension, their investment in intellectual property.

The QorIQ T2080 Trust Architecture provides all the necessary elements to allow system designs to feature data protection in their board level products. Curtiss-Wright has embraced this technology for its next generation Power Architecture SBCs, allowing customers to build embedded systems that feature an unprecedented level of security. It utilizes NXP’s (formerly FreescaleTM) next generation system-on-chip (SoC) QorIQ T2080 Platform for its rugged, SWaP-optimized Power Architecture modules. The QorIQ Platform’s Trust Architecture allows for developing systems to achieve higher levels of security, with reductions in cost, size and power.Read More..

A Model-Based Solution for Avionics Systems Engineering: Whitepaper from Esterel

Due to significant advances in electrical and software engineering, today’s aircraft have an incredible level of communication, sensing and control functionality. Navigational systems, radar, braking systems, autopilot, collision avoidance and other technologies must work seamlessly together to ensure consistent, reliable performance and passenger safety. However, because these technologies are provided by diverse suppliers, the task of integrating and managing them has become extremely challenging. The sophistication required to manage system-level engineering today means that manual processes and simple tools, such as Excel spreadsheets, are no longer sufficient.

A new model-based approach enables system engineers to quickly build a reliable architecture and generate a fully realized interface control document (ICD) that satisfies all regulatory and technical requirements. This new model-based solution should has the following characteristics to add the greatest possible value for system architects:

• Customization for different engineering environments and processes.
• Support for different operating platforms and domain-specific languages.
• Easy-to-understand delineation of the multiple layers in an avionics system.
• Protocol-driven templates.
• Automatic ICD generation.
• Development by a proven expert in the global avionics industry. Read More..

News & Events

DefExpo 2016

Mistral is participating in the DefExpo 2016 from 28 – 31 March 2016 at Naqueri Quitol in Quepem Taluka of South Goa. Kindly visit us at Booth # 4.1.4-d (Hall 4).

Mistral will be showcasing various defense electronics solutions and sub-systems along with our partners

• Single Board Computers, TRMM, Telemetry units, Nano SOM, DRFM platform
• Mission Computer systems, Rugged Ethernet switch chassis, Multi Functions Displays from our partner Curtiss-Wright.
• SCADE – the Model based development platform from Esterel-Ansys
• Mobile C4ISR platforms and other surveillance solutions from our Homeland Security division

Model Based System & Software Engineering (MBSE) Seminar

Mistral and ANSYS invite you to a seminar on Model Based System & Software Engineering (MBSE) Seminar, Compliant with International Safety Regulations (DO-178C, IEC 61508, IEC 60880, EN 50128, ISO 26262) on Tuesday April 12th, 2016 @ The Leela Palace, Grand Ballroom, Old Airport Road, Bengaluru, Karnataka.

To register for the seminar, kindly email us at sales@mistralsolutions.com or call +91-80 30731410/30731304. Please confirm your registrations latest by Thursday, 7th April, 2016. Read More..

VITA 48.8 Air Flow Through (AFT) Cooling Standard Effort from Curtiss-Wright

Curtiss-Wright’s Defense Solutions division announced that it will support the new VITA 48.8 Air Flow Through (AFT) cooling standard with a range of 3U and 6U modules designed to bring the advanced cooling technology to rugged deployed embedded systems.

VITA 48.8 is the first open standard AFT technology to support small form 3U VPX COTS modules, which are preferred for use in SWAP-C sensitive rotorcraft and unmanned platforms. VITA 48.8 helps reduce weight and cost for high density, high power dissipation 3U and 6U module based systems by eliminating the use of wedge locks and ejector/injector handles. VITA 48.8 also supports alternative air-flow arrangements, allowing air inlet at both card edges. Because VITA 48.8 does not use module-to-chassis conduction cooling, it also helps to drive innovative use of new lightweight plastic or composite material based chassis. Read More..