Rugged, compact computer meets the multi-mission challenge
ProductAugust 17, 2011
Alice Moss
Military Embedded Systems
Chris A. Ciufo
General Micro Systems, Inc.
Attention, military designers: It just might be time to scrap your plans to swap in a display and bussed ATR when that critical system goes kerplunk.
Attention, military designers: It just might be time to scrap your plans to swap in a display and bussed ATR when that critical system goes “kerplunk.” Now there’s a viable alternative: The smaller, sleeker, more flexible S822-D Armor computer system by General Micro Systems, Inc. Indeed, the field-reconfigurable, Core Duo Penryn (up to 2.26 GHz) based Armor is a multimission savvy, 30 W alternative. The S822-D measures 8.5" x 13.25" x 2.75", and the computer features up to 8 GB 1,066 MHz DDR3 memory, 6 MB L2 cache, and two 512 MB removable solid state drives. Flexibility enters the picture when customers pick and choose WiFi, ARINC 429, Ethernet, 1553, graphics, video, and GPS options – available in addition to standard Armor accoutrements such as four RS-232/422/485 ports, five USB 2.0 ports, x1 XMC, x16 XMC, and three Express Mini sites, to name just a few. Data encryption and secure erase are also proffered on the drives, in addition to the software-attack thwarting Trusted Execution Techology (TXT).
Then there’s the “rugged” – so much so that the company describes Armor as “boot kickable.” (Anyone want to try it?) Aside from resisting impact (apparently), the computer is also watertight and the display comes with optical transmission greater than 97 percent, thanks to the slathered-on Direct Dry Film rendering avionics-grade viewability. Sunlight readable and night vision- and blackout ops-savvy, Armor is easy to use with its backlit keys and eight-wire touch screen, operable even when gloves are worn.
