Multi-Function Aperture (MFA) Design Challenges and Their Solutions

Multi-function apertures (MFAs) represent one of the most transformative technological leaps for 6th generation fighter aircraft. By consolidating radar, communications, electronic warfare, and other military sensor functions into a single aperture, MFAs provide systems with faster decision-making and better situational awareness. But packing that much capability into one system doesn’t come without cost.

Below are the toughest challenges facing multi-function aperture design — and the innovations already reshaping how they’re solved.

3 Main Multi-Function Aperture Design Challenges

When you break them down, MFA hurdles fall into three main categories — how data is moved, how it’s processed, and how quickly systems can adapt.

1. Data Movement

Data movement is one of the most critical challenges for MFAs. A single phased-array sensor could send up to 700 GB of data (or more) per second. Multiply that across 16 sensors, and now that system is sending multiple terabytes per second. Engineers must determine how to move all that data rapidly and efficiently within SWaP constraints.

2.  Processing

MFA systems offer real-time access to raw data from any sensor – radar, electronic warfare, comms, IR, and more. But once that data is moved, the system must be able to process it fast, in parallel, without bottlenecks. That means front-end wideband capability, centralized processing, big optical pipes, and high-end computing will be required for MFA-capable systems.

3. Long Upgrade Cycles

Traditional upgrade cycles in defense platforms are often measured in years. But for fighter aircraft that need to outpace near-peer adversaries, that’s too long to wait. We need to be able to upgrade our platforms at a rapid pace, which means we also need system qualification strategies to accommodate shrinking upgrade cycles for processing algorithms and hardware.

Multi-function Aperture Design Challenge Solutions

The good news is we’re already identifying solutions to these challenges. They include:

Rugged Optical Transceivers

Rugged optical transceivers deliver high-speed optical data transfer in extreme environments. They’re built to withstand shock, vibration, dust, and temperature extremes while maintaining signal integrity at lightning-fast speeds.

RoCE v2

RoCE v2 (RDMA over Converged Ethernet version 2) enables the swarm, allowing data to be shared between platforms – aircraft, vehicles, ships, and satellites. With RoCEv2, systems can directly write to one another’s memory for high-speed, low-latency data transfers that ensure data is available the moment it’s needed.

CXL

CXL (Compute Express Link) allows CPUs, GPUs, and FPGAs to share memory with low latency, eliminating bottlenecks for faster sensor fusion and even AI processing in SWaP-constrained environments.

WDM and PAM4

Wave Division Multiplexing (WDM) and Pulse Amplitude Modulation 4-level (PAM4) are two technologies that increase bandwidth, allowing platforms to send more data without increasing cabling.

With WDM, multiple wavelengths of light are transmitted through a single fiber, creating multiple optical lanes on a single strand. PAM4 increases bandwidth by encoding data with four logical light levels to double the bandwidth per lane. These technologies can even be combined to increase bandwidth exponentially within the same cable footprint.

VITA 100 and 93

VITA standards are evolving to meet the high-performance demands of MFAs. For example, VITA 93 outlines specifications for a compact form factor that’s ideal for SWaP-constrained environments. VITA 100 supports the high-speed data transfer required for true sensor fusion.

Digital Twins

Digital twin technology allows engineers to create virtual replicas of MFA systems. These emulated environments accelerate development without the need for physical testing until concepts have been virtually tested and proven.

MOSA Approach

The DoD-mandated Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) requires vendors to build interchangeable modules that can be easily upgraded or replaced without an entire system redesign. This allows for a rapid upgrade pace, so MFA systems can integrate the latest technologies quickly and cost-effectively. Many MFA solutions coming to market today are taking advantage of open systems standards, such as SOSA and OpenVPX, which facilitate the rapid upgrade capability needed to continue pacing threats developed by our peer adversaries.

The Future of Multi-Function Aperture Design

Multi-function apertures are on the horizon and will enable 6th generation applications – but these engineering challenges must be solved first. The good news is we’re actively solving them today, and the engineers and vendors tackling these challenges are on the cutting edge, influencing the next generation of aerospace and defense innovation and carving out a competitive advantage in this rapidly evolving field.

Reach out to explore how our MFA expertise can accelerate your mission advantage. We’re ready to help.