Dynamic Emulated System In Loop

The Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) is aptly described as a system of systems. Each subsystem within the BMDS is comprised of many custom-designed firmware and software elements. The designs can only be integrated together upon receipt of physical hardware (Circuit Card Assemblies). This delay introduces significant risk to the developer and procurer since system-level design issues may not be uncovered until late in the development cycle, potentially causing severe delays to schedule and increases to cost. Hardware/firmware emulation with software co-simulation presents an opportunity to bridge this gap between element design/verification and system integration. Emulators facilitate the early simulation of firmware designs in actual hardware together with software co-simulation, enabling closure of the gap between the slow speed of simulation and the full speed realized in the final hardware. This project will apply current emulation technology for deploying system-level integration capabilities after firmware/software designs are complete and before actual hardware is available. To accomplish this, the emulation market will be researched, vendors will be contacted to understand current capabilities as well as future plans, and a trade study will be conducted to select the best emulation platform for development and demonstration in the Phase I Option and Phase II. Approved for Public Release | 20-MDA-10398 (2 Mar 20)