Integration of virtualization in rugged embedded computing systems

SYSGO and Kontron are collaborating to deploy a validated board support package combining computing hardware and real-time virtualization software. This technical integration focuses on providing a secure foundation for safety- and mission-critical applications within the defense, transportation, and industrial automation sectors.

Operational Challenges and Collaboration
System developers face significant structural challenges when integrating complex hardware and software for harsh operating environments, requiring strict security and cyber resilience without increasing physical system footprint. To address these operational demands, SYSGO partners with Kontron to provide an integrated technology stack. This cooperation combines Kontron's embedded computing hardware with SYSGO's virtualization and separation software, allowing developers to consolidate workloads and reduce platform integration efforts for safety-critical systems.

Technical Solution and Responsibilities
The technical architecture is based on the Kontron VX3060 rugged VPX plug-in card, which utilizes 11th Generation Intel Core processors. Kontron provides the physical hardware platform, while SYSGO supplies PikeOS, which functions as both a secure hypervisor and a real-time operating system. The validated Board Support Package (BSP) covers core hardware interfaces, including Ethernet, UART, thermal sensors, voltage monitoring sensors, and mass storage. The architecture supports optional security integrations, such as Trusted Platform Module (TPM) and Secure Boot, to maintain strict separation between critical real-time functions, middleware, and application environments like Linux.

Deployment and Implementation
The physical deployment of the combined platform occurs in rugged embedded computing environments, such as the HARAKAN-F2 systems that embed the VX3060 card. During the implementation phase, system integrators utilize the validated BSP to directly configure and run PikeOS on the Kontron hardware. The immediate availability of these pre-configured hardware interfaces shortens the software bring-up phases, providing a standardized starting point for building certified embedded architectures.

Applications and Use Cases
This embedded computing technology is applied directly in demanding operational markets requiring ruggedized platforms. Functional use cases involve consolidating multiple applications with varying criticality levels onto a single hardware platform. Applying this architecture stabilizes workload separation, enabling efficient mixed-criticality operations in environments exposed to harsh physical conditions while maintaining platform integrity requirements.

Results and Expected Impact
The integration of the virtualization software on the VPX platform reduces system complexity, size, weight, power consumption, and overall lifecycle costs for developers. By providing a unified European technology stack, the companies accelerate time-to-market for certified and security-critical systems. Regarding the integration benefits, Sébastien Vitre, Product Manager at Kontron, states: "By extending PikeOS support to the VX3060, we provide developers with a validated hardware and software platform that reduces integration effort and enables faster deployment of secure and mixed-criticality applications." Addressing the technological combination, Carsten Beck, Partner Management at SYSGO, notes: "Together, we provide customers with a European technology stack that combines rugged hardware, advanced virtualization, real-time capabilities, and security features needed for next-generation embedded systems."

Edited by Maria Brueva, Induportals editor – adapted by AI.

www.kontron.com