Germane Systems has over 14 years experience perfecting the science of integrating the latest in commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) technology into computers and servers that are used in harsh industrial environments and even onto the battlefield. Germane’s performance and reliability are second to none, whether deployment is by air, land, or sea. Germane’s engineering team works closely with the industry leaders of computer components to apply the very latest technology to meet your specific computing and storage needs.
All Germane products are designed, prototyped, tested, manufactured, integrated, and supported at our 60,000 state-of-the-art facility in Chantilly, Virginia. All sales, support, engineering, test and manufacturing are the latest computing technology with customers around the world.
The foundation of Germane’s decade of superiority stems from its state-of-the-art ETC. Engaged by a comprehensive staff of Electrical, Mechanical, and Test Engineers; the ETC incorporates proven design principles to produce IT solutions designed to survive the rigors of battlefield deployment, and built with the highest standards of quality and performance. Germane’s design process for rugged military computers takes a unique two-pronged approach to conceiving the ideal solution: Top-Down - program level assessment of fulfilling operational requirements of the project, Bottom-Up - system level appraisal of every component for optimal performance, reliability, and life-cycle management.
Design Process
Preliminary Design Assessment – Germane assembles its team to evaluate every aspect of the program specifications, including mechanical, electrical, thermal, environmental, Human-Machine Interface (HMI), and life-cycle management parameters. Program Management outlines a comprehensive project plan as adheres to all critical milestone events.
Design Reviews – A key advantage Germane has over other "rugged" computer companies is its ability to swiftly develop a working prototype in sturdy ABS plastic. As design elements are being finalized; form, fit, function, and software testing can be performed in conjunction with chassis development.
Test Laboratory
Thermal – Technology is becoming denser, causing less room in every chassis for airflow. As operating temperatures steadily increase, standard COTS components, in a standard chassis, will experience reduced performance, lowered reliability and shorted product life. Every Germane system is tailored to meet exact performance specifications, enabling efficient operation from -20° C to +70° C. With advanced computer modeling and a real-world testing thermal chamber, Germane ensures that each system will operate at peak performance at the extreme temperature ranges without reducing reliability or life of the product.
Airflow – In an environment where rack space is severely confined, airflow becomes a valued commodity. Germane manufactures industrial rack mount computers and entire racks of systems where a strict airflow budget has been imposed. In the technology arena, it is difficult enough to cool today’s processors and memory with unlimited airflow. However, when each solution has a limited amount of air to cool with, it takes Germane’s expertise to keep everything running. Germane’s AeroLock patented technology maximizes the efficiency of the airflow and reduces hotspots. Germane utilizes a custom designed Airflow Bench to measure and validate airflow performance and efficiency for every Germane system.
Acoustic – Sometimes the difference between success and failure is stealth. The term "running silent" means silent – and not the loud whir of cooling fans trying to force enough air to keep the system running. Germane’s Acoustic Chamber measures structure borne noise and airborne noise. For situations that require zero noise Germane provides sealed and fanless computers. Sealed and fanless computers use advanced thermal management designs to enable operation at extreme temperatures without sacrificing performance.
Shock & Vibration – When the term "rugged" is used to describe an IT solution, it connotes the world of shock and vibration. Harsh industrial and military applications require computing solutions that can survive severe impacts and continuous vibration. Germane rugged mobile computers and rack mounted servers are designed to not only survive in these harsh environments. But unlike other computer solutions Germane’s rugged products not only survive but continue normally operation with no reduction in performance. Germane’s design engineers tune every system, using our shock and vibration equipment, to validate that your equipment will continue to operate while undergoing extreme shock and vibration.
HALT – (Highly Accelerated Life Test) is a short-duration test conducted on a prototype system. The test subjects a unit to a relentless battery of thermal, shock, and vibration tests, to underscore design flaws that might impact the survivability over a program’s life-cycle. Germane’s systems are mounted within mission-critical platforms where failure cannot happen; so the design is constantly evaluated and improved until it exceeds program expectations. The goal of a HALT test is not to see if the system will fail, but when it will fail.
End-Of-Life (EOL) – Life Cycle Management
Germane Systems takes a proactive approach to the rapidly changing lifecycle of COTS components. Every customer is provided with advanced notifications of EOL items as well as a preliminary replacement strategy to facilitate testing, long before components are no longer available. Germane works intently with its suppliers to get accurate roadmaps and formulate design criteria for each system to ensure the longest shelf life possible. In the event a particular component must be used, Germane can maintain life-purchase stock to facilitate the progression of the program.
Germane maintains an obsolescence plan designed to support your product throughout its lifecycle. Germane maintains EOL (End Of Life)/Obsolescence information on all parts used in the products within our ERP system. This information is gathered weekly, monthly, and quarterly based upon commodity type. Manufacturer information relative to EOL and LTB (Last Time Buy) dates are transmitted to the customer. Germane works with our vendors and customers to identify solutions for additional procurements and follow on parts which are form, fit, function replacements. After notification of a pending EOL component is made, Germane works with the customer to obtain a recommended replacement part for testing in the product affected. Germane also works with the customer to identify unique procurement options for the situation which could range from placing a LTB order to stocking customer parts for usage on future orders including service, support, spares, and other program needs.
Germane will minimize the impact of all known obsolescence issues from design through life cycle support and will choose components with reasonable life cycle expectancy during the design phase. These components will reflect the best in quality and component class with the longest currently available road map life cycle. Germane designs will provide design flexibility in regard to anticipated technology changes in order to meet changes driven by expected trends such as Moore’s Law.
