modernization
“Indicators that a system is approaching
the need for modernization include slower
execution and more frequent errors”
supportability of the system.
However, in a system this size, this
upgrade is not as simple as downloading a
new OS to a desktop. Since the system was
designed by G Systems to be highly scalable
and reconfigurable from the beginning
with a standard Windows OS, flexible
software, and modular hardware, the
migration was greatly simplified.
Additionally, during this upgrade,
G Systems replaced the internal nonvolatile
memory from the server and
workstations with a networked storage
device to support periods processing. There
are two sets of networked storage devices
located in two different physical locations
to allow swinging between two levels of
lab security environments.
HARDWARE UPGRADES
Similarly, when a hardware upgrade is
necessary, if a system was designed using
modular commercial off-the-shelf (COTS)
components, upgrades can sometimes be
performed quickly and seamlessly.
Sometimes these upgrades can be as simple
as performing a one-off part replacement.
hardware and flexible software. For
example, nearly two decades ago,
G Systems used this approach to develop a
test system for Lockheed Martin’s F-35
Vehicle Systems Integration Facility (VSIF).
The high-channel-count data acquisition
system (DAS) they developed has more
than 3,000 analog, digital, and virtual
channels and is responsible for
simultaneously monitoring multiple
aircraft sub-system integration tests
and providing real-time data display
and analysis.
After running 24/7 for more than 15
years, the DAS’ Operating System (OS)
needed to be modernized. In general, the
longer a test system languishes on an old
OS, the more troubles threaten the test
system’s ability to remain online, well
supported, and properly protected from
possible security threats. Migrating test
software to a newer OS can address these
issues while extending the overall lifespan
of the test system. This will also allow the
test system to take advantage of faster,
more reliable modern hardware and
drivers, and increases the overall
AEROSPACETESTINGINTERNATIONAL.COM // SHOWCASE 2020 69
Configuration is moved out of the code to
configuration files so that settings can be
changed without touching the code.
Designers also ensure that every system
has expansion slots available and that all
parts are vetted to make sure they will be
at their end-of-life part too soon. A plan is
also developed for ongoing and
preventative system maintenance and
self diagnostics.
G Systems’ engineers incorporated many
of these tactics into a multi-million dollar
modernization upgrade they performed on
a custom test system for the US Navy’s
vertical launching system (VLS), a modular,
below-deck missile launching system. One
strategy implemented during the upgrade
was to put an abstraction layer between
the system’s power supplies and the
software. Several years after the
deployment of the system by G Systems,
the original power supply went obsolete.
Because of this abstraction layer, G Systems
was able to simply mount the new power
supply in the rack and then install the
vendor’s software driver for the new power
supply. All the underlying logic in the
software application remained the same.
MAINTAINING YOUR OS
Proactively managing aging systems
problems and warning signs should start
more than a decade before obsolescence is
ever a real issue. This is done by designing
a distributed test system that uses
commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) modular
1 // In a test system
upgrade for the US Navy’s
VLS, G Systems used
abstraction layers and
developed configuration
files to help manage
possible future
obsolescence issues
2 // G Systems developed
a flexible test system for
Lockheed Martin’s F-35
Vehicle Systems
Integration Facility (VSIF)
Data Acquisition System
(DAS)
2
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