GEM: technology for improved logistics support

Generalized Emulation of Microcircuits (GEM) technology is currently being validated by producing emulated microcircuits for logistics support of military systems. The perspective provided by the GEM development is the basis of a strategy that can break the microcircuit obsolescence cycle. With the 1992 National Military Strategy directing Service Life Extension for major DoD weapon systems, emulation is increasingly recognized as an important technology. The constrained defense budget further increases the importance of logistics (supportability, reliability, and maintainability) during the design, upgrade, or redesign phases of weapon systems. The lack of long-term supply for microcircuit components places a major supportability burden on military organizations. The absence of microcircuits for logistics support places undue pressure on program managers to authorize costly upgrades or redesigns to compensate for nonavailable replacement microcircuit components. GEM was developed to address this problem by providing a source for needed but nonavailable integrated circuits (ICs). Emulation was identified as an approach that has significant promise to provide a cost-effective and reliable source for needed ICs. The GEM system provides a generic approach to emulation and is producing FFF microcircuits of military quality at minimum cost, when needed, and in the quantities required for logistics support.<>