Removing Barriers to Hardware (REBHAR)
Abstract
Small software companies are a dynamic force in the U.S. economy because they face very low barriers to innovation. Anyone can code applications for established mobile or cloud platforms and leverage the tremendous infrastructure built by larger companies to quickly access potential customers. However, commercial hardware innovations for advanced integrated circuits and Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) sensors face costly obstacles that impede progress outside of large corporations. Smaller businesses generally do not have the budget or sales volume to access the latest design software, verification tools and fabrication processes. The smaller DoD market for hardware amplifies these problems for delivering revolutionary military components. The Removing Barriers to Hardware (REBHAR) program will develop methods to facilitate hardware innovation for defense applications. The objective of the REBHAR program is to establish relationships with commercial companies to gain access to proven processes, to explore the possibilities of open source hardware, and to develop an aftermarket customization strategy to economically adapt commercial chips to specific military needs.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Accomplishment
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2017
- Source ID
- fda4867d811552ccd8af119fc99c0a08