The SOSA™ (Sensor Open Systems Architecture) standard is an open standard designed for embedded systems, particularly in the defense and aerospace sectors. This standard aims to facilitate interoperability between different systems and equipment, while reducing development costs and offering greater flexibility. By adopting SOSA™, military companies and organizations can develop modular, scalable and sustainable systems, integrating technologies from multiple suppliers. It also simplifies upgrades and ensures continuous adaptation to technological advances, essential in a constantly changing environment.

🔗 SOSA™ standardization and its impact on interoperability

The main advantage of the SOSA™ standard lies in its ability to standardize the interfaces and components of embedded systems. By imposing open standards, SOSA™ enables manufacturers and developers to design solutions that can be easily integrated with products from other suppliers. This interoperability is crucial in sectors such as defense and aerospace, where systems often need to work together, despite their diverse origins. Standardization reduces incompatibility problems, cuts integration costs and ensures that systems remain functional over the long term, even as technologies evolve.

💰Reducing costs by adopting the SOSA™ standard

The adoption of the SOSA™ standard contributes directly to cost reduction by promoting the use of standardized components. These components, designed according to open standards, enable companies to limit investment in customized solutions, and to rely on products that already comply with the SOSA™ standard. By choosing standardized components, companies benefit from greater compatibility between different suppliers, and avoid the costs associated with the complex integration of disparate technologies. It also simplifies supply chain management, as spare parts and modules are more readily available and less costly. This standardized approach reduces not only initial development costs, but also long-term maintenance costs, while offering greater flexibility for future system evolution.

🔀 System flexibility and scalability with SOSA™

The SOSA™ standard stands out for its ability to offer exceptional flexibility and scalability for embedded systems. Thanks to its modular approach, companies can easily integrate, replace or update components without having to redevelop the entire system. This enables architectures to be adapted to the specific needs of each project or mission, and systems to evolve over time by incorporating the latest technological innovations. By making it easy to upgrade systems, SOSA™ extends their lifecycle while reducing the costs associated with new acquisitions. What’s more, this flexibility ensures that systems meet current operational requirements while being ready to adapt to future needs, whether for additional capabilities or new operating environments.

In short, the SOSA™ standard offers significant advantages in terms of standardization, cost reduction and flexibility. By adopting SOSA™, companies can not only improve the interoperability of their systems, but also benefit from greater operational efficiency and long-term adaptability in the face of technological change.

Don’t let your company lag behind in an ever-changing technological environment. Find out how SOSA can transform your embedded systems, contact us!

In a context where defense and aerospace systems are becoming increasingly complex, interoperability and modularity have become essential to guarantee the efficiency, flexibility and durability of the technologies deployed. It is in this context that open architectures such as SOSA (Sensor Open Systems Architecture) and MOSA (Modular Open Systems Approach) have been developed. These two approaches aim to standardize and harmonize system components, while enabling greater adaptability to technological evolutions. While SOSA focuses primarily on sensor systems, MOSA takes a broader perspective, integrating modularity into a variety of military and industrial systems. Together, they represent a turning point in the way critical technologies are designed and deployed.

What is SOSA?

The Sensor Open Systems Architecture (SOSA) is a standardization initiative developed to harmonize and unify sensor systems used mainly in the defense and aerospace fields. SOSA’s main objective is to create an open architecture that enables interoperability and component reuse between different systems, thus facilitating the integration of new technologies while reducing development and maintenance costs. By standardizing interfaces and protocols, SOSA makes it possible to develop modular systems where components can be easily replaced or updated without requiring a complete overhaul of the system. The benefits of this approach include greater flexibility, enhanced scalability, and the ability to respond rapidly to new threats or operational needs. The application areas for SOSA are varied, ranging from surveillance and reconnaissance systems to combat platforms, where efficiency and interoperability are essential for mission success.

What is MOSA?

The Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) is a system design and development methodology that promotes the use of standard, open modules to create complex systems, mainly in the defense and aerospace fields. MOSA’s guiding principles include modularity, interoperability, scalability and cost reduction. By structuring systems in a modular way, MOSA enables different components to be developed, tested and updated independently, facilitating the integration of new technologies and extending the life of systems. MOSA’s fields of application are numerous, including weapons systems, communications platforms and autonomous vehicles, where adaptability and efficiency are crucial. The benefits of MOSA include greater flexibility in system design, improved operational efficiency, and lower total costs, as standard components can be reused or replaced without requiring major modifications to the overall system. MOSA therefore represents a strategic approach to developing innovative, sustainable technological solutions.

➡️ The main difference between SOSA and MOSA lies in their focus: SOSA concentrates specifically on standardizing sensor systems to improve interoperability, while MOSA is a broader approach aimed at modularizing and standardizing all systems, whatever the application domain.

In conclusion, open architectures such as SOSA and MOSA are profoundly transforming the defense and aerospace sectors, offering more modular, flexible and scalable solutions. Thanks to these standards, military companies and organizations can rapidly integrate new technologies and stay at the forefront of innovation, while reducing development costs and timescales.

If you’re looking to integrate these technologies into your projects, apissys offers two SOSA-aligned boards, ready to meet the industry’s most demanding requirements. Please contact us to find out more about these solutions and how they can enhance your existing systems.

➡️ The AV153

➡️The AV151

Meet us in the AOC USA tradeshow in National Harbor, MD, from 11 to 13 December, 2024 !

Come and meet us in Embedded World in USA, from 8 to 10 october 2024 !

The first embedded world North America will be held in the “Silicon Hills” of Austin, Texas, the heart of the US computer and software industry, from 8 to 10 October 2024. 

BOOTH 2617, Embedded World North America, Convention Center, Austin, Texas

In a world where technological superiority is essential for defense, innovations like the SOSA™ standard are becoming a must. Imagine a system where each sensor component works harmoniously with the others, regardless of military branch or manufacturer. SOSA™ realizes this vision by providing an open architecture that standardizes sensor systems and enhances interoperability.

What is the SOSA™ standard?

SOSA™ = Sensor Open Systems Architecture

The SOSA™ standard is an initiative to create an open architecture for sensor systems used in defense. Developed by the SOSA™ consortium, a collaborative group including representatives from industry, government and academia, this standard was launched in 2017. SOSA™’s main objective is to standardize sensor system interfaces and modules to improve interoperability, reduce costs and accelerate technological innovation. SOSA™ has applications in a variety of defense fields, including radar systems, electronic warfare, and surveillance platforms. By providing a common basis for the development and integration of new sensors, SOSA enables armed forces to respond more quickly and effectively to emerging threats.

What are the objectives of SOSA™?

The objectives of SOSA™ are focused on creating a unified and efficient approach to sensor systems in defense.

Firstly, standardization is a key objective, as SOSA™ aims to establish common standards and interfaces for sensor systems, reducing complexity and ensuring compatibility across various platforms. By providing a standardized architecture, SOSA™ enables smooth integration and replacement of components, simplifying maintenance and upgrades.

Secondly, interoperability is crucial to modern military operations, and SOSA™ addresses this by facilitating communication and coordination between different military systems and branches. This ensures that sensor data can be shared and used effectively across diverse platforms and environments.

Finally, flexibility and scalability are essential to cope with evolving threats and technological advances. SOSA™ supports modular designs, enabling easy adaptation and expansion of systems to meet changing defense needs. This adaptability ensures that military forces can rapidly integrate new technologies and capabilities, maintaining a strategic advantage.

Benefits of SOSA™ for defense

Improved performance

One of the main benefits of SOSA™ is improved operational performance. Thanks to a unified architecture and standardized interfaces, sensor systems can operate more consistently and efficiently. This homogeneity enables better data integration and faster response to threats. Armed forces can thus benefit from more reliable and responsive systems, increasing their ability to carry out critical missions successfully.

Accelerated innovation

An open architecture like SOSA™ stimulates innovation and facilitates the rapid adoption of new technologies. By enabling developers to work on common platforms, SOSA™ encourages collaboration and the sharing of innovative solutions. New technologies can be integrated more quickly and efficiently, enabling armed forces to stay at the forefront of technological advances and respond agilely to emerging challenges.

Cost reduction

the standardization enabled by SOSA™ plays a crucial role in reducing sensor system development and maintenance costs. By establishing common interfaces and modules, SOSA™ enables the various military branches to share components and technologies, reducing the need for custom development and the associated expenses. In addition, maintenance becomes simpler and less costly, as standardized parts are more readily available and interchangeable.

SOSA™ therefore represents a major advance in the defense field by standardizing sensor systems. Its open architecture enables seamless integration and increased flexibility, essential for meeting contemporary national security challenges.

The strategic importance of SOSA™ in the context of modern defense cannot be underestimated, providing a solid foundation for interoperable, scalable systems that enhance our armed forces’ ability to maintain technological superiority.

apissys offers two SOSA™-aligned VPX boards, the AV151 and AV153. These boards have been developed for ultrawideband applications, and specially designed to meet the most stringent requirements of your defense infrastructure.

These solutions can optimize your operational and security capabilities today, contact us: sales@apissys.com

Meet us from june 17 to june 21 2024 in Paris, France, at the Eurosatory 2024 tradeshow

Eurosatory is an international trade show dedicated to land and air defense and security.

A key interface between all players in the international community, EUROSATORY brings together over 100,000 D&S and crisis management professionals every two years: companies, governments, the military, private institutions and organizations, and supranational organizations.

STAND FG245, “PARIS-REGION” AREA

ARCHAMPS— apissys, a leading European-based provider of custom embedded systems and High-End VPX COTS boards, proudly announces its attainment of Cyber Essentials certification. This accomplishment underscores the company’s steadfast dedication to IT security, solidifying its reputation as a trusted partner for its clientele.

Cyber Essentials, endorsed by the UK government, serves as a robust framework designed to fortify organizations against a wide array of prevalent cyber threats.

This Cyber Essentials certification, granted by the Iasme Consortium, affirms that apissys has implemented comprehensive security protocols to safeguard its IT infrastructure against common cyber risks. These measures encompass malware protection, secure system configurations, stringent access controls, and proactive patch management.

The certification enhance apissys’ reputation as a dependable business ally, offering clients assurance regarding the resilience of its security measures. This is particularly important in an environment where cyber threats are constantly evolving.

In parallel with achieving Cyber Essentials certification, apissys is committed to continuing its IT security efforts to proactively address emerging challenges. The company maintains its promise to provide secure and reliable integrated electronic solutions, designed to meet the diverse requirements of its customers.

About apissys

apissys delivers very high-speed data conversion and signal processing solutions for Electronic Warfare and Radar.

With unsurpassed performances, apissys OpenVPX solutions based on AMD UltraScale+ FPGA, provide customers with leading edge technologies for wideband ESM, DRFM or AESA radar.

apissys also provides custom solutions using the experience and knowledge of its team.

https://apissys.com

Contact
reflex ces
Eric PENAIN, Chief Business Officer
+33 450 360 758
epenain@apissys.com

The AV153 is part of apissys’ range of Ultra Wideband Radar / ECM / SIGINT solutions based on the VITA47 ECC3, VPX standard.

This 3U VPX board combines 8x 10-bit ADCs up to 64 Gsps, 8x 10-bit DACs up to 64 Gsps, and an analog bandwidth  up to 20 GHz, offering outstanding performance for demanding applications.

Fully aligned with the SOSA standard, the AV153 supports a variety of communication protocols, including PCIe, Gigabit Ethernet and a large number of user-defined I/O.

By adopting the SOSA standard, components of electronic warfare and radar systems achieve better interoperability, allowing for smoother integration and improved collaboration between elements.

The board also integrates an Altera® Agilex® 9 SoC FPGA with Direct-RF, providing high-performance processing capabilities coupled with direct radio frequency (RF) functionality, enabling seamless integration of FPGA-based processing and RF operations.

Target markets of this AV153 VPX board include Phased-Array Radar Transmitter / Receiver, Electronic Warfare ESM /ECM and Broadband Communication.

In 2023, apissys and reflex ces recorded solid year-on-year growth, with total sales reaching €32.4 million. These results reflect the company’s ongoing commitment to innovation, quality and customer satisfaction.

apissys and reflex ces have consolidated their positions in both domestic and international markets, supported by strategic partnerships and a stronger presence in new sectors.

 

The year 2023 was also marked by sustained investment in research and development, leading to the successful release of new products that meet evolving customer needs.

 

apissys and reflex ces have also strengthened their commitment to environmental and social sustainability, implementing initiatives to reduce their carbon footprint and improve the quality of everyday life.

 

Reacting to these positive results, Sylvain NEVEU, Group Chairman, said:

“We are delighted with the outstanding performance of apissys and reflex ces in 2023. These results are the fruit of the hard work and determination of our employees, as well as the trust and support of our customers and partners. We remain determined to pursue our growth and our commitment to excellence in all aspects of our business, as demonstrated by the numerous recruitments and investments planned for 2024.”

For more information on apissys and reflex ces, and its achievements in 2023, please contact Clémence LAVAINE, by email, clavaine@reflexces.com or by phone 01 69 87 02 55.

About reflex ces:

reflex ces simplifies the adoption of FPGA technology with its complex, customized FPGA-based boards and systems. reflex ces’ FPGA network platforms enable greater flexibility and ease of programming, delivering a faster, more powerful board, and reducing technology risk and time-to-market for customers.

Defense, Bioscience, Instrumentation, Fintech, Networking: they specialize in high value-added applications.

About apissys:

apissys provides high-speed data conversion and signal processing solutions for electronic warfare and radar.

With unrivalled performance, apissys OpenVPX solutions, based on Xilinx UltraScale+ FPGAs, provide customers with state-of-the-art technologies for ESM, DRFM or AESA broadband radars.

apissys also provides customized solutions using the experience and knowledge of its team.

The AV151 is part of apissys’ range of Ultra Wideband Radar / ECM / SIGINT solutions based on the VITA47 ECC3, VPX standard.

Fully aligned with the SOSA standard, the AV151 supports a variety of communication protocols, including PCIe, Gigabit Ethernet and a large number of user-defined I/O. Additionally, the AV151 integrates key aspects of the OpenVPX standard, ensuring robust mechanical, electrical, and thermal interfaces. This hybrid approach makes the AV151 a versatile solution that leverages the best of both worlds, being compatible to both OpenVPX and SOSA, to provide enhanced interoperability and flexibility in demanding applications.

This VPX 3U board combines 4x 12-bit ADCs up to 20 Gsps, 4x 16-bit DACs up to 28 Gsps, and 18 GHz bandwidth with a Virtex® Ultrascale+™ FPGA, offering outstanding performance for demanding applications.

AMD Virtex® UltraScale+™ FPGAs offer the highest integration and performance capabilities in a 14 nm/16 nm FinFET node. These FPGAs offer the widest transceiver bandwidth, the highest number of DSPs, as well as the largest on-chip and in-package memory available in the UltraScale™ architecture. In addition, Virtex® UltraScale+™ FPGAs offer numerous power options to achieve an optimal balance between required system performance and the lowest energy envelope.

Target markets of this AV151 VPX board include Phased-Array Radar Transmitter / Receiver, Electronic Warfare ESM /ECM and Broadband Communication.