Deploying Commercial Electronics at High Altitudes

This white paper documents the deployment of a SWaP-C-optimized full-motion video processing ISR system using commercial components in high-altitude airborne platforms. It outlines the challenges faced in such environments, including extreme temperatures, varying atmospheric pressures, and high levels of vibration, which commercial components are not typically designed to withstand. The paper discusses the advantages and disadvantages of using Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) components, emphasizing the cost-effectiveness and availability of these solutions while also noting the risks associated with product obsolescence and lifecycle uncertainties. Atrenne's approach involved encapsulating commercial hardware in rugged enclosures to mitigate environmental challenges, ensuring compliance with military standards. The document details the collaborative process with customers and partners to meet stringent requirements, including thermal management, shock and vibration testing, and hermetic sealing of connections. The final system design aimed to provide reliable performance under the demanding conditions of high-altitude operations.