Konstanz, 06 March 2020. The task of vehicle IT is to generate information superiority as a prerequisite for combat superiority. This requires the networking of sensors, vehicles and command posts. At the same time, it must be ensured that the IT systems are functional at all times. ATM ComputerSysteme GmbH develops man-machine interfaces as well as system solutions for communication. ATM’s life cycle software guarantees functioning during operations in the field.
Focus on man and machine
As platforms, the vehicles are integrated into a network of digital data processing and transmission systems. The central nodes of this network are the person, who takes information in the vehicle and uses it to make decisions, and the tactical router, which connects the command and control resources and applications with the system network. ATM’s system solutions link sensors and applications inside the vehicle and connect to the outside.
Connecting radio and wire
The Tactical Service Provider from ATM handles the interoperable exchange of information from user to user and from vehicle to vehicle. As the central element in the communication network, it creates a self-organising, mobile ad- hoc network (MANET). It integrates all transmission resources in it into a homogeneous and fundamentally IP-compatible network. As such, the Tactical Service Provider connects existing and planned heterogeneous, narrow and broadband radio and wire networks as well as the corresponding applications. This way, it establishes the technical communications infrastructure and proves to be the backbone of tactical communication.
As a tactical router, the Tactical Service Provider performs the special handling of blue force tracking, VoIP telephony, transmission of analogue and encrypted digital voice via VHF and UHF, as well as latency-free video and file transfer in real time. The basis is ATM communication server introduced in the army.
The interfaces to the person
The availability of tactical data in the network is followed by requirements for the man-machine interface. The properties of display devices and control units are essential for situation assessment and decision-making. They affect the way the information displayed is perceived and the crew’s ability to react. ATM takes readability and viewing angles under all conditions as well as operability under all environmental conditions into account for its control units, display and panel PC solutions. ATM’s displays with multi-touch capability enable the operator to register multiple touch points simultaneously. This provides more options to control the application.
Display solutions from ATM can be adapted to the workstation of the driver, system operator or commander in terms of scaling and range of functions. This yields applications ranging from a display, slave display or rear display to a display with terminal function or even a central operating and display unit.
The heart of vehicle IT
ATM’s server and computer solutions collect, process and distribute sensor data and tactical information. They optimise the information for software interfaces and the communication network. Managed/unmanaged switches from ATM with fibre optics and bidirectional data transmission form secure VLANs and distribute information without latency.
Compliance with functional safety
ATM applies functional safety according to DIN EN 61508 for its systems wherever safety-critical devices are involved. Software developments ensure that hardware meets the safety integrity level (SIL). ATM implements this for central operating and switching devices, operating and display units and manual control units.
Ensuring functionality
The networked battlefield demands that all vehicle IT systems be fully functional at all times. With its life cycle software, ATM supports the user during operations, as well as the administrator and the repair technician, and increases the operational readiness of the vehicle.
As an online function monitor, SysMon ensures the readiness of the IT equipment in operational use. SysCheck locates errors in KommServer, CENTURION, VistaMaster and third-party hardware.
The DIANA testing software diagnoses faults in IT equipment kits and efficiently supports level 2 maintenance. The rescue system serves to back up and restore the operational system partition, while the admin tools reduce administrators’ workload in the administration of computer systems.
System competence for any situation
Communicating and networking; controlling and monitoring; controlling and verification – ATM offers individualised solutions in hardware and software for conducting operations on the digitalised battlefield.