SOSA (Sensor Open Systems Architecture) Standard Overview

What is SOSA?

The SOSA™ Consortium, hosted by the Open Group, is chartered with creating a common framework for transitioning sensor systems to an open systems architecture, based on key interfaces and open standards established by industry-government consensus. The benefits of this architecture include improved interoperability, as well as reduced development time, deployment and costs.

The SOSA (Sensor Open Systems Architecture) approach establishes guidelines for Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) systems. The objective is to allow flexibility in the selection and acquisition of sensors and subsystems that provide sensor data collection, processing, exploitation, communication and related functions over the full life cycle of the C4ISR system.

How is Pentek involved?

Pentek is a signal processing and signal acquisition company serving the aerospace market for over 33 years. As one of the original COTS vendors, Pentek has been involved in developing open architecture standards for almost 20 years.

The trend toward open architecture for DOD procurement preferences has been evolving for a long time but it is culminating in SOSA, CMOSS and HOST. The ability to upgrade existing systems efficiently while maintaining and improving mission readiness is essential to our country's security. This requires hardware and software specifications that are standardized for portability while allowing operational space for design innovation.

Many industry suppliers have developed partnerships so that technical compatibility is enhanced. These consortia result in a unified ability to deliver technical solutions to the war fighter that are familiar and can meet mission requirements quickly and cost efficiently.

Pentek is committed to the support and development of modular open standard architectures (MOSA) as seen with key contributions to VITA, PICMG and now the SOSA standard. Pentek is an active member in the SOSA Consortium technical and business working groups, specifically as representative Co-Leads on the Hardware Architecture and Outreach sub-committees.

• January 29, 2020
• GTRI Conference Center Atlanta, GA

The Tri-Service Open Architecture Interoperability Demonstration (TSOA-ID) TSOA-ID was sponsored by Representative Commands from Branches of the United States Armed Services and hosted by Georgia Tech Research Institute at the GTRI Conference Center in Atlanta, Georgia.

Pentek participated in the demonstration area showing live working systems aligned to the SOSA Technical Standard. This event showcased never-before-seen developments in the growing open market ecosystem. Live demonstrations on: Systems Acquisition and Integration, Module Specification and Development, Conformance (qualification), and culminating with Open Systems Realization.

Keynote presentations were given by:

• Randall G. Walden, Member of the Senior Executive Service Director and Program Executive Officer for the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office
• COL Nickolas Kioutas, Project Manager For Positioning, Navigation, and Timing under PEO Intelligence, Electronic Warfare and Sensors (PEO IEW&S)
• CAPT Christopher R. McDowell, Program Manager Air Combat Electronics (PMA-209)

"Herrick's SOSA demonstrator project is an important, fast-paced effort to demonstrate the value of Open Systems Architectures for defense sensor platforms. By providing key components for this design, Kontron and Pentek are helping to deliver on the OSA promise of faster and simplified technology updates for defense sensor platforms."

"The Model 5550 is leading the industry in the rollout of products developed in alignment with the Technical Standard for the SOSA Reference Architecture. Pentek continues to be very active in the development of the SOSA technical standard and we are now demonstrating our commitment with supporting products and demonstrations."

"The Jade Model 71813 directly addresses I/O needs called out in the emerging SOSA standards. Pentek is working with other SOSA members and is committed to lending our experience in meeting open system architecture challenges."

Products Aligned with the SOSA Technical Standard

Pentek's products are aligned to the SOSA Technical Standard. Pentek's modular approach to hardware and software development enables quick adaptation to new and changing customer requirements. Pentek is committed to the support and development of modular open standard architectures (MOSA)