Application of modular avionics to the EF-111A systems improvement program

IBM has been selected by Grumman to supply embedded processor sets (EPSs) for the EF-111A system improvement program. These EPSs utilize modular avionics technology to provide data processing and MIL-STD-1553 I/O for several avionics units in the system. Existing modules developed under the F-15 VHSIC central computer program are reused for EF-111A, thereby maximizing logistics benefits and reducing development cost and risk. The modules are implemented in the SEM-E form factor, and implement the PI bus, TM-bus, and MIL-STD-1750 instruction set architecture. A bus translator module interfaces the 1750 module architecture to the existing host native buses of the line replaceable units in which they are embedded. This same concept may be used in other applications that require a substantial processing performance upgrade at low risk and low cost