High-Performance Embedded Computing (HPEC) systems tailored for Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) applications are engineered to process vast data volumes and execute intricate computations in real-time, facilitating swift decision-making and operational efficiency.
Utilizing Edge GPGPUs in SIGINT HPEC applications offers numerous advantages, including minimal latency in parallel processing, scalability, and economic viability.
This article by EIZO Rugged Solutions explores the integration of embedded GPGPUs in SIGINT applications, enhancing edge computing capabilities.
Embedded systems for military Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) are crafted to capture and interpret signals or electronic communications. SIGINT is vital for military operations, delivering real-time insights into adversary movements and positions, which enhances decision-making and provides a tactical edge. Furthermore, SIGINT systems are instrumental in counterintelligence and cybersecurity, enabling the collection of data on the communications and activities of foreign intelligence entities, thus yielding crucial counterintelligence insights.
The primary objective of SIGINT systems is to furnish actionable intelligence to military leaders in real-time, bolstering both tactical and strategic operations.
Notable SIGINT Systems include:
- Electronic surveillance systems that monitor and analyze signals from enemy communications and radar.
- Signals intelligence satellites equipped with advanced sensors to capture signals from outer space.
- Ground stations for SIGINT that receive and process signals from aerial platforms, including unmanned aerial vehicles (uavs).
- Mobile SIGINT units, such as ground vehicles and portable devices, deployed in the field for real-time signal collection and processing.
Processing Technologies in SIGINT Systems
The HPEC processing systems utilized in SIGINT applications are specifically designed to manage extensive data and execute complex calculations in real-time, promoting rapid decision-making and operational effectiveness. Various processing technologies are employed in SIGINT applications, including System-on-Module (SoMs), General-purpose Graphics Processing Units (GPGPUs), Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (fpgas), and Digital Signal Processing (DSP) systems.
Edge GPGPUs are particularly beneficial for sensor processing in ISR applications, including SIGINT systems, for several reasons:
- Minimal Latency: Edge GPGPUs facilitate real-time, high-throughput processing of sensor data at the edge, minimizing latency and ensuring prompt data delivery.
- Handling Large Data Sets: SIGINT data frequently enough comprises extensive and intricate data sets that conventional computing systems may find challenging to process swiftly. GPGPUs are adept at managing such data.
- Enhanced Performance: By delegating data processing to specialized processors, edge GPGPUs can significantly boost the overall performance of embedded systems.
- Parallel Processing: GPGPUs are optimized for parallel processing, enabling efficient and rapid handling of substantial SIGINT data volumes.
- Cost-Effectiveness: GPGPUs can be more economical than traditional computing systems for specific processing tasks, making them an ideal choice for SIGINT systems requiring complex computations at the edge.
With GPU architectures like NVIDIA’s CUDA platform,scaling up or down based on system demands is straightforward—if additional computing power is needed,simply add another GPU card without concerns about compatibility or performance issues.
EIZO Rugged Solutions provides a variety of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) video graphics and GPGPU processing solutions tailored for C5ISR SIGINT applications. our offerings come in multiple form factors, including 3U/6U OpenVPX, XMC, and PCI Express, and support NVIDIA’s latest GPUs, such as the NVIDIA® RTX 3000/5000 (Turing Architecture) and the NVIDIA RTX A2000 and RTX A4500 (Ampere Architecture).
All our designs are scalable and feature open architecture, incorporating the latest HPEC standards, including support for PCI Express Gen 4, AI Interface, and 40/100 Gbps Ethernet with RoCE, and also CUDA®/OpenCL™ and Vulkan compute capabilities. Our OpenVPX GPGPU solutions comply with VITA 46 and VITA 65 standards and adhere to CMOSS, VICTORY, and SOSA technical specifications.
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Condor GPU processing cards are well-suited for various compute-intensive tasks, including image analysis, enhancement, 360° video stitching, sensor fusion, and more.
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