OEM Integration into Smart Displays

The world’s toughest operating environments are unquestionably on the battlefield, where exposure to extreme temperatures, shock, vibration, dirt, wind, and liquids is the norm. Yet this is also where some of the highest reliability computing and communications systems are needed most. In order to effectively command and control distributed war fighting resources, commanders need tools that allow them to observe, decide, orchestrate, and take action quickly. In a battlefield environment, reliable performance is not optional; it is the difference between life and death.

Next-Generation Solutions

The migration to next-generation smart displays on combat vehicles provides warfighters with increased operational capability and improves their ability to communicate on the battlefield. Smart displays typically consist of computers coupled with high-resolution touch screen displays that are packaged to optimize Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) and ruggedized to MIL-STD requirements to survive field use. A typical smart display installation would be within the tight confines of a tank or similar combat vehicle.

Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) 

In this environment, the size, weight, and power consumption of computing systems (referred to in the defense industry as SWaP) are a critical design criteria. Additional weight in a vehicle increases fuel consumption and reduces range. Inside a combat vehicle personnel are sitting in close proximity to computing and communications systems - sometimes even on top of them. Avoiding a cramped, uncomfortable, or unsafe environment is important. SWaP needs to be balanced against the required performance and the overall system cost.

Cost Effectiveness

Overall system cost needs to factor in things like the ability to share resources within vehicles and situational awareness between vehicles. A solution that ensures a migration path for future technology improvements without requiring equipment replacement increases the system’s useful lifetime. This solution also allows the cost to be amortized over a longer period. All of these factors create a better business case and enhance a Prime’s position in their bid to secure their place in a program of record.

Integration of Wi-Fi Radios into Smart Displays

Integrating wireless communication capability into smart displays provides for an enhanced solution with regard to SWaP and overall system cost. An integrated Smart Display / Wi-Fi Radio package means fewer pieces of equipment in a vehicle. There are overall size and weight reductions along with simplified power distribution and cabling.  Within a vehicle, Wi-Fi enabled smart displays make it easy to remotely present the output of any computer, sensor or video system and switch between those displays without the need run cables among all systems.

A Fortress Integrated Solution 

Wi-Fi enabled smart displays also provide the capability for inter-vehicle communications, which enable the sharing of situational awareness information among vehicles. Data, voice and video information from one vehicle in a convoy can now easily be shared among all vehicles. Not only is this a cost-effective use of resources, but it is also a real-time sharing of information that can be the difference between life and death in the battlefield.

Benefits for the Smart Display OEM Partner

A smart display integrated with Fortress Technologies’ Wi-Fi OEM module provides an augmented solution that is SWaP optimized and cost effective. Size, weight, power and cabling requirements are optimized within the vehicle. Intra-vehicle communication is better enabled and more flexible. The Wi-Fi radio integrated smart displays also provide for enabled situational awareness among vehicles. The capability to better share resources both within a vehicle and between vehicles makes Wi-Fi enabled smart displays very cost effective. Because the Wi-Fi radio modules are upgradeable, they provide for easy technology updates for future enhancements, extended product longevity, and a lower amortized cost. For all of these reasons, the Wi-Fi radio integrated smart displays put the OEM Partner and Prime in a stronger position to secure their place in a program of record.