
13
Traditionally, the inputs from platform-
specific sensors are either hardwired
directly to the processor or transmitted
over MIL-STD-1553 or ARINC-429 buses.
GE’s new high-speed, determinist Ethernet-
based technologies for AFDX/ARINC 664,
and our continued support of ARINC 429
and MIL-STD-1553B along with higher speed
MIL-STD-1553 protocols and MMSI ensure our
commitment to leading avionics products.
Our wide range of products support many
different interface technologies including
newer standards like PCIe, XMC, VPX, AMC
and Express Card, Mini PCIe, Low Profile
PCIe—all with driver support for real-time
operating systems.
This approach allows for an incremental
upgrade that matches today’s budget
constraints, because it is unlikely that all
older equipment can be replaced at the
same time. There will be a period of time
during which new electronic systems and
older ones based on the legacy interfaces
must coexist. Open interface standards
such as VPX (VITA 46), OpenVPX (VITA 65),
and VPX-REDI (VITA 48)–along with adoption
of standardized high-speed interconnects
like GbE and PCIe–overcome these chal-
lenges. Also critical to the equation is the
ability to integrate legacy systems.
Future mission requirements
6
Automated in-air refueling
6
Strike capability
6
See-and-avoid (collision avoidance)
6
Air drop
6
Operation in domestic airspaces
6
Aeromedical missions
6
Electronic warfare
6
Cyber-warfare
Technology building blocks
6
Autonomous control
6
High-performance computing
6
Image and data fusion
6
Mosiacing, stitching, image exploitation,
lossless compression, target classification,
context-based data compression, hyper-
spectral analysis
6
Full motion video
New UAV markets and customers
6
Law enforcement
6
Agriculture
6
Traffic control
6
Firefighting
6
Scientific research
6
Environmental monitoring
6
Energy and electrical facility monitoring
6
Classified operations
Applications
6
Situational awareness
6
See and avoid
6
Wide-area surveillance
6
Flight management systems for persistent
surveillance, targeting, strike and airdrop