Secure data transfer for military flight applications

Product

May 01, 2013

Engineers at Physical Optics Corp. (POC) in Torrance, CA, developed an in-flight data loading device/digital recorder, dubbed the Data Transfer System (DTS) with secure cryptographic features. It is an NSA-defined Suite B and FIPS 140-2-approved cryptographic solution that also supports NS...

Engineers at Physical Optics Corp. (POC) in Torrance, CA, developed an in-flight data loading device/digital recorder, dubbed the Data Transfer System (DTS) with secure cryptographic features. It is an NSA-defined Suite B and FIPS 140-2-approved cryptographic solution that also supports NSA-approved Type 1 encryption if needed. Its main functions include uploading mission and map data, recording in-flight mission data, and recording maintenance data during flight and ground operation.

The DTS has four GbE ports that can operate at 500 Mbps per channel. It also uses three independent Removable Memory Units for data storage with a capacity of 128 GB each – which can expand to 512 GB. The RMUs function as the transportable storage medium for pre- and post-mission information exchanges between the mission planning system, maintenance ground station, and the airborne platform. They can be inserted to any slot and the data routing to the appropriate channel can be configured via software. The system includes zeroization functionality for all RMUs and internal nonvolatile memory. It supports the Built-in-Test (BIT) capability to isolate/detect about 95 percent of internal failures through PBIT, SBIT, IBIT, and MBIT functions. The DTS runs on 28 V and uses less than 40 W of power.