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Aerospace & Defense
Secure Communication
Software-defined, SWaP-optimized FPGAs for secure, tamper-resistant military communications.
Communications Built for SWaP
Secure communications demand adaptability, reliability, and efficiency under strict size, weight, and power constraints. Altera FPGAs enable software-defined waveforms, advanced signal processing, and low-latency multi-channel data handling.
Strict logic separation keeps encrypted and unencrypted data apart, while hardened cryptographic blocks and key management support secure encryption, authentication, and compliance with military standards. Multiple independent processors reduce SWaP and add anti-tamper resilience for UAVs, naval systems, and other mission-critical platforms.
The Challenges, and Why FPGA
The Challenge
Strict SWaP Constraints
Secure radios must fit tight size, weight, and power budgets without losing capability.
Why FPGA
Consolidated, Efficient Design
Multiple processing functions run on a single low-power Agilex device.
The Challenge
Evolving Crypto Standards
Cryptographic algorithms and compliance mandates change faster than fixed silicon.
Why FPGA
Crypto-Agile Hardware
Hardened, updatable cryptographic blocks keep pace with post-quantum and evolving standards.
The Challenge
Anti-Tamper Requirements
Sensitive data and classified information must resist tampering in the field.
Why FPGA
Built-In Tamper Resistance
Secure Device Manager and hardware-level protections safeguard data and IP.
Why Altera
Security Built for Full Lifecycle
Parallel processing, embedded compute, and AI-infused fabric secure comms from deployment through decommission.
Agilex 3 & 5 for Compact Radios
Power- and cost-optimized SoC FPGAs fit size- and power-constrained secure radios.
Crypto-Agile by Design
Secure Device Manager supports evolving cryptographic and post-quantum requirements.
Deployable Hardware Today
Qualified SoMs and dev kits get secure comms designs into the field faster.
Get Started
More Aerospace & Defense Applications
Radar
High-performance FPGA SoCs for real-time radar signal capture, processing, beamforming, tracking.
Electronic Warfare (EW)
Reconfigurable FPGA solutions for low-latency, deterministic, and wideband electronic support, protection, and attack modalities.
Avionics
Powering Safer, Smarter Avionics with DO-254-Capable FPGAs. Enabling high-performance cockpit displays, sensor fusion, and mission-critical computing.
Drones & UAVs
Scalable FPGAs from Group 1 to Group 5 unmanned systems and decoy platforms
Precision-Guided Munitions
FPGAs for guidance, navigation, and target identification in SWaP-C-constrained munitions.
Common Questions
FPGAs combine adaptable waveforms, advanced signal processing, and low-latency multi-channel data handling. Logic separation keeps encrypted and unencrypted data apart, while cryptographic resources and key management support secure communications platforms.
Secure Device Manager provides the hardware-root-of-trust foundation for FPGA security. It supports hardware-level protection of data and IP alongside encryption, authentication, and key-management capabilities used in secure communications. Explore FPGA hardware root of trust and security
A reconfigurable FPGA architecture supports crypto-agility as algorithms and security requirements evolve. Adaptable FPGA capabilities provide an alternative to fixed silicon, with resources designed to address post-quantum requirements throughout the equipment lifecycle.
Multiple processing functions can be consolidated onto a compact, power-conscious FPGA platform. Communications processing, embedded compute, and hardware security capabilities are integrated rather than distributed across separate fixed components.
Logic separation keeps encrypted and unencrypted data paths apart, while cryptographic blocks and key management support encryption and authentication. These capabilities complement low-latency multi-channel processing and embedded compute, addressing security alongside adaptable waveform processing.