Common Vehicle Electronics Architecture and Application
Curtiss‐Wright has developed an advanced, open system approach to Vehicle Electronics, based on our vast experience in providing military electronics to many programs for ground, sea, and air platforms. This experience has provided Curtiss-Wright with a unique understanding of key architectural concepts which provide for highly successful implementation of specific Vehicle Electronics suites to meet Ground Combat System program and platform requirements. This paper describes a Common Vehicle Electronics Architecture and key architectural concepts. The Netcentric Reference Architecture incorporates Open Systems approaches and leverages Commercial-off-the-Shelf (COTS) components. Some key concepts discussed include Interoperability, Risk Mitigation, Upgradeability / Obsolescence Mitigation, Scalability, Space, Weight and Power, and Cost (SWaP-C) optimization, as well as enabling technologies. Correlation with the emerging VICTORY Architecture is shown in the Network Centric Reference Architecture. General descriptions of the building blocks are provided, and sample applications of the architecture are discussed.

Benefits of Intra-Vehicle Distributed Network Architecture
Curtiss‐Wright Controls Defense Solutions (CWCDS) has developed an advanced, open system architectural approach to Vehicle Electronics, based on our vast experience in providing military electronics to many programs for ground, sea, and air platforms. This experience has provided Curtiss-Wright with a unique understanding of key architectural concepts which provide for highly successful implementation of specific Vehicle Electronics suites to meet Ground Combat System program and platform requirements. This Open-Standard and COTS based Intra-Vehicle Network Reference Architecture was previously presented the paper “Ground Combat Systems Common Vehicle Electronics Architecture and Applications” (D. Jedynak, et al., 2010) and will be summarized and described in terms of the US Army’s VICTORY Architecture in this paper as a foundation for discussion. Clarification is provided for the differences between federated and distributed architectures with regard to function, and how physical and functional system implementations are decoupled. Key Metrics associated with the concepts of Interoperability, Risk Mitigation, Upgradeability / Obsolescence Mitigation, Scalability, as well as Space, Weight and Power (SWaP) optimization are presented. Advanced Concepts are presented, including Commonality, Thermal Management, Cost Optimization, and Warfighter Benefit.

Smart Power Architecture for Intelligent Power Distribution
Curtiss Wright Controls Defense Solutions has developed an advanced Smart Power Architecture for Intelligent Power Distribution, based on our Intelligent Power Distribution Demonstration (iPDD) and experience in providing power distribution components specifically for Heavy Brigade Combat Team (HBCT) vehicles. The challenges of power distribution and management in ground vehicles are presented, including issues of scalability, warfighter burden, and the complexity of distributing multiple vehicle power sources. The fundamental building blocks of Smart Power are described, including Power Distribution Units, Power Conditioning Units, and types of Power Conversion Units (AC/DC, DC/DC, DC/AC). A Smart Power Reference Architecture will be presented, showing how it enables scalable and modular power distribution systems. How modular Smart Power Architecture can enable commonality across vehicles and applications. How it can provide automatic and programmable load management, including startup and shutdown sequencing, event triggered load control, and automatic configuration for vehicle operational modes. How multiple power sources can be used to provide uninterrupted vehicle power, including off-vehicle scavenged power. How power sensitive loads can be integrated into traditional unconditioned power, allowing for cost and SWaP savings. How the Smart Power Architecture integrates with the US Army’s VICTORY Architecture. How it integrates with and enables vehicle prognostic and diagnostics. How the Smart Power Architecture for Intelligent Power Distribution ultimately provides better value to the warfighter.