TECH REFRESH AND P3I

LONG LIFE - CONTINUED SUPPORT

Military, aerospace and defense programs last for decades and require long-life systems from a long-life supplier. But this is at odds with the rapid pace of technological change in the civilian, commercial marketplace. Cellular handsets, HDTV, streaming video, automotive Advanced Driver Autonomous Systems (ADAS) and more all change nearly annually but are some of the foundational technologies that the DoD most desires in weapons and defense systems. Mobile technology is needed for dismounted soldier mesh networks; streaming video compression is essential for moving high resolution sensor data from a drone to a command post without overwhelming the radio links, and the low-cost LIDAR and RADAR used in the latest automotive lane departure and adaptive cruise control systems is what’s needed for next-generation combat vehicles and autonomous drones.

When it comes to Pre-Planned Product Improvements (P3I) and technology refresh, General Micro Systems keeps our finger on the pulse of these technologies and adapts them to long-life, rugged defense applications in several ways:


  • Our modular computer engines are forward- and backward compatible. These are the core of our systems and as technology changes, we can literally “plug in” the next-generation technology inside the system—while keeping the outside the same. There’s no need to change the mounting, cooling, or cable set. Voila, a dramatically faster system with the latest technology but mounted in the exact same location as the earlier generation. This keeps program costs down and reduces expensive re-qualifications. More importantly, it means existing software requires few modifications, keeping the end customer happy.


  • Our I/O boards are computer-on-module style. The engine plugs into the I/O board, but the I/O itself is also modular. As technology evolves—such as networking standard Ethernet migrating from 100 Mbits/s to 1 Gbits/s up to 10 Gbits/s—simple modifications to our design add 10x to 100x speed with minimal negative impact to the user.


  • Our systems are designed to next-generation standards. When we design today’s embedded systems, we already know what tomorrow’s technology is likely to look like. For example, we know that networking standards are moving from 1/10 Gigabits/s Ethernet to 100 Gigabits/s. We know that PCI Express Gen 4 is on the horizon, and that Thunderbolt4 and USB4 are just waiting for the commercial market to reach critical mass. Therefore, we build in a foundation today so that these kinds of technologies can be added to our systems in a year or two. This isn’t by accident: it’s intentional in our thermal designs (to cool tomorrow’s higher-power components), it’s intentional in our ESD/EMI mitigation (to reduce or eliminate higher frequency/clocking communications networks), and it’s intentional in our chassis and PCB designs, allowing space and expansion for who-knows-what technology today’s customers will want in a few short years.

    Rest assured, refreshing GMS technology and planning for the future are already a part of today’s GMS systems.

Our Mission

Since its inception in 1979, General Micro Systems, Inc. (GMS) has been true to its mission statement: To Become the World’s Leading Technology Independent Supplier of Computing Engines, while Providing the Best Price/Performance, Quality and Customer Support, Demanded by Our Current and Our Future Customers.

All GMS products are proudly designed and manufactured in the U.S.A.

Contact Us

General Micro Systems, Inc.
8358 Maple Pl. Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91737

Local (909) 980-4863
Toll Free (800) 307-4863

General Inquiry - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Sales Inquiry - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

SOSA regFace reg 

 

All designs, images and logos © Copyright 2023, General Micro Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.