Ultra Electronics

Company:
Ultra Electronics

Product Name:
AN/GRC-512A(V) Radio Relay

Product Type:
Software-Defined Radio

Altera Products Chosen:
Nios^® II Processors
Quartus^® II Software
Stratix^® II FPGAs
MAX^® II CPLDs
Code: DSP Solutions

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Ultra Electronics Chooses Altera's Stratix II Devices to Cut IP Security Costs & Seek New SDR Markets

Ultra Electronics, Tactical Communication Systems (TCS), a Canadian tactical radio maker, uses the unique security capabilities of Altera’s Stratix II devices to cut the cost of protecting intellectual property (IP) inside its AN/GRC-512A(V) software defined radio (SDR)-based system. By reducing the cost of securing its IP—as well as integrating more functions into a single chip—Ultra Electronics TCS now enjoys greater economies of scale as it pursues new markets around the world.

For security reasons, military equipment customers often place restrictions on where components of their systems can be manufactured, making it necessary for developers like Ultra Electronics TCS to hand off proprietary technology to multiple manufacturing partners around the world. Prior to adopting Stratix II devices, Ultra Electronics TCS protected its IP with custom-built chips. Now, with the benefit of the Stratix II family’s security features, the company can avoid the high cost and risk associated with custom chips, maintain the highest level of protection for its IP, and enter new markets where the cost of protecting its IP might previously have been prohibitive.

Combining the DSP performance and reconfigurability of Altera’s Stratix II devices, Nios II processors, and intelligent configuration control provided by MAX II CPLDs also allows Ultra Electronics to extend the product life of the AN/GRC-512A(V). Delivering an upgraded version of the company’s multi-channel electronic counter-counter measure (ECCM) radio relay supporting additional waveforms can be accomplished in the field with only a firmware adjustment.

"The security feature in Stratix II devices allows easy and inexpensive protection of our IP as we work with our manufacturers, creating improved economies in new markets. The high capacity and exceptional digital signal processing (DSP) performance of Stratix II devices combined with Nios II processors enabled us to add firmware-based support for additional waveforms, which extends our product lifetime. We also increased reliability by reducing three boards of digital signal processors and other components to a single Stratix II-based board."

Stéphan Charbonneau
Radio Products Manager