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SOSA and VITA Working Together for Next-Gen Defense Systems
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67 specifications. Eliminating front panel cable harnesses wins
high scores for maintenance and reliability. Some of the latest
modular backplane standards offer extremely high density
and even mixed RF/optical interfaces as shown in Figure 2.
In summary, when critical needs arise from SOSA customers
(DoD services), SOSA TWG members can promote innovation
for new standards within the VSO to accommodate
them, while still complying with SOSA restrictions.
NEXT STEPS
The release of the SOSA Technical Standard 1.0 is expected
to be released on September 20, 2021. In spite of the current
public health crisis, web-based conferencing has replaced
many face-to-face meetings with regular on-going conference
calls to help maintain the momentum. After its release, product
vendors may begin the processes leading to full certification.
Nevertheless, vendors are now offering products that were
"developed in alignment with SOSA" like the one shown in Figure
3. A key difference in the SOSA architecture from earlier open
standards is the well-defined protection of IP, which encourages
numerous examples of supplier innovation and investment.
The DoD is now issuing requests for proposals and information
clearly favoring respondents that offer OSA-based solutions.
Figure 3 Quartz Model 5553
3U VPX 8-Channel A /D and D/A Gen 3 RFSoC SOSA Aligned Processor
incorporates RF and optical backplane using VITA 66 or VITA 67
connectors. The top cover has been removed to show details.
The active participation in SOSA by the DoD, all three-
armed services, embedded industry vendors, universities,
and research facilities gives evidence of their substantial
commitments of resources and personnel. These clear
signals ensure that SOSA is well on its way to revolutionize
the future of embedded military electronics systems.
