Hardware Open Systems Technologies

Open Architecture Standards Framework

What is HOST

Hardware Open Systems Technologies (HOST) is a standards framework that applies open architectures to high-performance embedded computing.

These standards support a Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) to implementing systems based on Commercial-Off-the-Shelf (COTS) components for embedded computing on U.S. Defense Platform Open Systems.

By ensuring that all developed components use standardized interfaces, HOST provides the interchangeability of newer technologies and promotes the reuse of hardware designs for existing and future platforms. HOST facilitates affordable and supportable system development and modernization.

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System Life Cycles

The obsolescence of electronic components is a significant challenge in the defense industry, where programs can run for decades longer than expected. The current process is costly and results in slow cycle times due to substantial design coupling of system components.

HOST addresses this issue by using open architectures to provide a standardized structure during component design for production and redesigns of fielded aircraft. This framework results in facilitating modularity and interoperability to reduce costs and more rapidly increase upgradeability.

MOSA Memo for Service Acquisition Executives & Program Executive Officers

The memorandum details a tri-service agreement to include Modular Open Systems Approaches for weapon systems in requirements, programming, and development activities.

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HOST and Open Architectures

Open Architectures create an affordable and adaptable system by enabling the use of standardized COTS hardware instead of proprietary technology. HOST is an Open Architectures Standard that allows system components to be added, removed, or replaced throughout the DoD platforms’ life cycle, which supports the rapid evolution of capabilities and leads to overall cost reduction by avoiding expensive non-recurring (NRE) costs and encouraging competition in the marketplace.

Open Architectures Benefits Through HOST

Address Broad Market Needs
Open standards enable a flexible framework for greater diversity in system function
Drive Innovation & Advancement
Open standards remove the effort of defining interfaces. Companies can instead devote resources to research and development of new capabilities
Encourage Market Competition
Open standards increase competition by enabling more companies to participate via well-defined modularized components
Embody Diverse Perspectives
Open standards allow smaller companies to engage in the industry – adding their perspectives to the field
Leverage Proprietary Knowledge
Open standards allow the use of proprietary knowledge by only defining key interfaces and allowing innovation within components

Building Block for Innovation
Open standards define key interfaces which allows for modularity. This modularity encourages a ‘building block’ approach that accelerates innovation
Drive Interoperability & Scalability
Defined key interfaces encourage components to ‘Speak the Same Language’. The modular approach of open standards is inherently scalable
Reduce Costs
Open Architecture reduces costs by increasing competition and allowing for a commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) design approach
Streamline Development & Implementation
Open architectures accelerates development and integration by encouraging reusability
Engage New Markets & Applications
The modularity and reusability of open standards components allows more resources to be focused on expanding functionality with new designs