Comprehensive Power for Saab IDAS Systems

In today’s contested airspace, survival depends on speed, precision, and the ability to counter evolving threats in real time. Saab’s Integrated Defence Aids Suite (IDAS) exemplifies this challenge: its sensors and countermeasures must detect and respond to radar, infrared, and laser threats within milliseconds. Achieving this level of performance requires embedded technologies that meet strict size, weight, and power (SWaP) constraints and are validated to the highest Technology Readiness Level (TRL). 

Saab IDAS at a Glance

Saab’s IDAS is a proven self-protection suite for airborne platforms in use across a wide range of aircraft in more than 15 countries. The main components of IDAS include radar warning detectors, laser warning sensors, missile warning systems, and suitable countermeasure systems. IDAS was developed to automatically and rapidly detect different types of threats such as hostile radars, infrared-guided missiles, and battlefield laser systems. 

Figure 1: To meet the system’s SWaP and TRL demands, platforms such as Saab IDAS must fulfil certain requirements for modularity, real-time capability, robustness, and interoperability. (Figure: Saab)

The Saab IDAS system is installed on aircraft in a way that allows the sensors to detect radar, missile, and laser threats from any direction. The system responds automatically, semi-automatically, or in manual/back-up modes, depending on crew selection.

Countermeasure responses are fully user-programmable via software tools and training provided by Saab. IDAS provides radar warning functionality in two optional frequency ranges (2.0 GHz–18 GHz or 0.5 GHz–40 GHz).

A missile warning subsystem offers ultraviolet-based missile launch detection with angle-of-arrival (AoA) accuracy sufficient for smart countermeasure dispensing and Directed Infrared Counter Measures (DIRCM) cueing. Additionally, IDAS integrates laser warning sensors capable of detecting four types of laser threats: laser rangefinder, laser beamrider, laser designator, and dazzlers.

How OpenVPX Meets Saab IDAS Expectations

To meet the demands for SWaP and TRL, platforms such as Saab IDAS must be modular, real-time capable, robust, and interoperable. Only then can they perform reliably in safety-critical applications.

OpenVPX is an ideal platform for fulfilling these demands. Developed for complex, mission-critical systems like IDAS, OpenVPX addresses several key system requirements, including:

  • Modularity and scalability: OpenVPX provides clearly defined slot profiles and standardised interfaces, allowing sensors, signal processing, and control functions to be implemented on separate, interoperable modules.
  • High-speed data transfer: Saab IDAS requires high bandwidth and low latency to process sensor data efficiently. OpenVPX supports high-speed interconnects such as PCIe Gen4/5, 10/100 Gigabit Ethernet, and RapidIO.
  • SWaP requirements: OpenVPX modules are compact, lightweight, and easy to integrate. Their form factors help reduce system size, while energy efficiency is enhanced using FPGA-based processors.
  • Robustness and long-term availability: IDAS components must endure extreme conditions. OpenVPX meets these needs with certified cooling solutions and strong shock, vibration, and EMC ratings. Systems are designed for a service life of 15 years or more.

Explicitly Designed for SWaP Requirements

Implementing OpenVPX systems requires careful planning to match SWaP characteristics to each platform. This includes choosing appropriate module formats, cooling strategies, power supply profiles, and system integration methods. At the same time, performance, real-time behaviour, and environmental robustness must be preserved—demanding a well-balanced system design.

Figure 2: The Etion Create VF370 OpenVPX module, embedded in a VPX Test Rack. (Figure: Sundance)

To streamline the development process, engineers can rely on pre-qualified hardware platforms from suppliers such as Sundance/Etion Create. These solutions are explicitly designed to meet the rigorous requirements of SWaP and TRL.

Benefits from Sundance/Etion Create Solutions

Etion Create is an OEM that partners with clients like Saab to deliver complete, customised embedded solutions in the OpenVPX form factor, sold under the Sundance brand. By leveraging proprietary IP and engineering expertise, Etion Create integrates modular technology into client-specific systems.

One such product is the VF370 OpenVPX Single Board Computer (SBC)—a 3U module that utilises the Intel Atom® E3900 series embedded processor, Altera Cyclone® V FPGA technology, and an FMC mezzanine site. This combination delivers scalable processing power and flexible I/O options tailored to low-SWaP applications. The VF370 is available in standard air-cooled and rugged conduction-cooled versions. Its rugged reliability makes it suitable for aerospace and industrial use cases.

Proven in Saab’s IDAS-310 EW systems, the VF370 is rated at the highest TRL (TRL 9) and has extended both the lifecycle and capabilities of Saab’s platforms.

Figure 3: The VF370 is a 3U OpenVPX module, fully designed, manufactured, and qualified to MIL-STD 810 G (CN1) and RTCA/DO160G certifications. (Figure: Sundance)

The VF370 is fully designed, manufactured, and qualified to MIL-STD-810G (CN1) and RTCA/DO-160G. MIL-STD-810G (Change Notice 1) defines U.S. Department of Defence procedures for testing military equipment against environmental conditions such as temperature, altitude, shock, vibration, moisture, and dust. RTCA/DO-160G defines environmental test procedures for airborne electronic equipment.

With its low-power processors, efficient FPGA usage, and SWaP-optimised design, the VF370 meets the needs of power-critical aerospace and defence applications where mobility, efficiency, and performance must align.

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