Rugged, Efficient Network Recorder, File Server and Data Loader
- Greater than 150MB/s sustained network throughput
- Standard Dual Gigabit Ethernet Interfaces
- Memory Module Capacities to 4TB
- AES Encryption using FIPS 197
- Validated Hardware & Software
- Built for Rugged, MIL-STD-810 Environments
- Options for Additional or Customized I/O
Built for tough environments, the TuffCORD goes wherever operators need to go, and delivers consistent, reliable performance in challenging conditions. With its compact size, light weight, low power dissipation and flexible mounting options, it can be installed wherever it needs to be.
Designed for Information Assurance
The TuffCORD has been designed from the ground up to provide cybersecurity capabilities that meet the real-world needs of operators. By leveraging world-class solutions from trusted suppliers, the system is straightforward to incorporate into a complete Operation Security plan.
Performance and Capacity
Gigabit Ethernet has become the default networking technology for onboard data storage applications, and the TuffCORD provides two 1000Base-T interfaces, as well as expansion capability for options for video and other bus types, including MIL-STD-1553B, CAN bus, and even WiFi networking.
To support this range of interfaces, the TuffCORD provides a single high-capacity, high performance removable memory module, with capacities from 240GB to 4000GB (4TB) and higher, as memory technology matures. The memory modules leverage rugged COTS media solutions, further qualified by AMPEX to meet the requirements of challenging programs.
Each memory module offers raw performance in excess of 250MB/second sustained, providing a recording duration of more than four hours even at the maximum operational rate.
Open System, Trusted Environments
The heart of the TuffCORD is a standardized, rugged pluggable processing module, integrating the CPU with memory and conventional I/O interfaces such as PCI Express, USB, Ethernet and serial ports. This module facilitates product reliability and long-term supply by isolating the intricacies of the CPU from the overall system; as technology evolves, alternative modules can be used without changing the system’s internal and external interfaces.
Two CPU models are available, each a member of the Intel AtomTM “Bay Trail-I” family. Both CPUs feature 64 bit processing and, critically, the “AES New Instructions”. Using validated software modules, this capability facilitates high-speed encryption and decryption in accordance with the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES, FIPS 197) and therefore a part of a FIPS 140-2 solution.
Expansion and Options
The TuffCORD is designed to be flexible and versatile. In addition to the dual gigabit Ethernet interfaces, the system is designed to support expansion for additional interfaces, including more Ethernet interfaces, MIL-STD-1553B, and even WiFi networking. The storage module has been designed to be modular, so that additional or different storage media types can be provided as required. As with all AMPEX products, a complete ecosystem is available including ground support equipment to facilitate data transfer to and from the recording media.
The TuffCORD is purpose built for mission data recording to include giving customers the ability to record both compressed and uncompressed video in a single, rugged, network file server. Uncompressed HD-SDI video has become increasingly more desired for precision video analysis and real-time decision-making. With an HD-SDI interface and a market leading Delta Digital Video encoder (H.264/ H.265), the TuffCORD gives users the benefits of both uncompressed video (best quality for analysis) and compressed video (downlink/uplink and ease of management).
The TuffCORD helps customers satisfy their lower cost EW data storage needs. At just over 5lbs and 109 cubic inches, the TuffCORD still packs a punch with 4 terabytes of storage and speeds up to 250 MB/sec.f
Although designed as a mission data recorder (video, MIL-STD 1553, 1760, ARINC-429, etc) the TuffCord can also serve as a mission computer for systems requiring lower cost and lighter weight. The heart of the TuffCORD is a standardized, rugged pluggable processing module, integrating the CPU with memory and conventional I/O interfaces such as PCI Express, USB, Ethernet and serial ports. This module facilitates product reliability and long-term supply by isolating the intricacies of the CPU from the overall system; as technology evolves, alternative modules can be used without changing the system’s internal and external interfaces.
Many flight test data acquisition and storage operations do not require the high speed and high capacity of the top-of-the-line TuffServ product. For these scenarios, the TuffCORD is a solid solution. At a lower cost, the TuffCORD has the versatility required to store a wide variety of flight test data. When married with Ampex’s AMux Data Acquisition Unit, the TuffCORD provides a flexible, lower cost means of executing flight test operations.