Physical Optics Corporation — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: AF193-025

Description

To address the Air Force’s need for data encryption within the F-35 platform, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new Jannson Modular Protection (JMAP) system. It leverages POC’s experience with encryption and data recording for the Advanced Data Transfer System (ADTS) to provide a modular approach to security, allowing for security in various links such as peripheral component interconnect express (PCIe), non-volatile memory express (NVMe), or serial gigabit media-independent interface (SGMII) using a common hardware platform to transparently provide a Serializer/Deserializer (SerDes)-based transport layer protection to the application layer. Specifically, the innovation in JMAP allows for a single hardware design to encrypt data in and across different link types with a common hardware configuration. The use of transport deep-packet inspection allows for transparent data protection throughout the F-35 platform without changes in the existing support infrastructure and maintenance tools. In Phase I, POC will demonstrate the feasibility of JMAP for a next-generation NVMe data protection system, assess requirements needed for the assurance level required by the customer, and provide a hardware architecture. In Phase II, POC plans to finalize the hardware design and produce representative hardware on the targeted interface with a security profile based on system needs.