Mustang Technology Group, LP proposes an aggressive program of innovation research for the design of a rugged, open architecture, long-life data transfer device that will lower overall life cycle costs by avoiding future obsolescence. This proposed Phase I effort focuses on reviewing the current DTDs for commonalities and differences that will drive the design as well as a consolidation of DTD requirements including functional, COMSEC, EMCOM, anti-tamper, and environmental. Mustang's proposed solution comprises three parts: a Core Printed Circuit Board (with battery, memory module, and FPGA/Processor), Adapter PCB, and Protective Enclosure. The solid state memory technology selected will have both a long future and an open architecture. The FPGA-based Core and Adapter PCBs will be designed to support rapid migration to different USAF Data Transfer Units. The ruggedized enclosure will encapsulate the components, provide heat dissipation, and secure the data from tampering. Mustang will leverage recent experience in designing a similar, fully digital DTU/DTD system that achieves low life cycle costs through avoidance of technical obsolescence.
Benefit: The US Air Force will see an immediate benefit of this research in the design and development of an open architecture solid state memory data transfer device that can replace existing, obsolete DTDs. The technology will allow the continued use of legacy Data Transfer Units while providing additional digital features such as data at rest encryption, fast zeroize, and anti-tamper. The encryption engine will support a variety of encryption algorithms based on the classification of the data thus supporting a wide range of users and uses. This technology will reduce overall data transfer costs by extending the lifecycle of existing systems. The initial design will focus on adaptability to different data transfer units including the use of an Adapter PCB and a field programmable gate array. Adaptation to other DTUs varies in complexity but can be as simple as swapping out the interconnector. The commercialization of this enhanced, open architecture data transfer device will initially focus on the large number of data transfer devices in use in the US Air Force, but will quickly transition to the other Services. Similar devices are used for the transfer of operational programs for numerous ground-launched weapons as well as a limited number of industry applications. Once the initial prototype is operational (in Phase II), Mustang will focus marketing efforts on selling this technology to these government and industry organizations. A more interesting aspect of commercialization is the underlying technology itself. The innovation associated with a common, open architecture, memory interface built with a high speed FPGA and adaptable to both the connector and memory format, speed, and capacity has high value in both consumer and business domains. Specifically, Mustang is investigating the vaibility of a connercial product that consumers and businesses would grow to trust to proved access to their outdated memory modules. At the highest level, the USA will benefit from Mustang's innovative research and focus on commercialization through increased small business hiring and the resultant drop in unemployment rate and increase in payroll taxes.
