CIS Secure Computing Inc. of Dulles, Va., needed a rugged rack-mount uninterruptible power system (UPS) to protect TEMPEST electronics inside a U.S. Air Force aircraft. They found their solution from Falcon Electric Inc. in Irwindale, Calif.
CIS engineers chose the Falcon Electronic ED Series 2400VA rack-mount unit, which enables the UPS to perform power conditioning and regulation as well as frequency conversion.
“Working together with Falcon, we were able to modify their product to meet the exact physical and environmental requirements of the customer,” says John Turner, vice president and general manager of CIS. “This included very demanding shock, vibration, and EMI requirements for aircraft deployment.”
CIS specializes in rugged and secure communications solutions for the U.S. government. TEMPEST addresses counter-espionage tactics and countermeasures that lead to secure computing, communications techniques, and hardware customization by focusing on electromagnetic interference (EMI) signals that emanate from computers and other communications devices.
TEMPEST mandates several shielding techniques to safeguard classified information. Without proper shielding, surveillance equipment can intercept classified data or conversations from as far away as several hundred feet.
The DO-160E military specification focuses on performance characteristics and environmental testing for airborne equipment-in particular how well the equipment handles vibration, shock, and EMI.
“In our line of business, we often collaborate with our suppliers to customize their hardware to meet exacting standards, such as DO-160E,” Turner explains. “Falcon Electric is one of the best suppliers we have worked with in some time. Their engineering support has been superb throughout the entire project and we are already working with Falcon Electric on other projects.”
For more information contact CIS Secure Computing online at www.cissecure.com, or Falcon Electric at www.falconups.com.
