EXCEED consortium

STMicroelectronics is a global independent semiconductor company that designs, develops, manufactures and markets abroad range of products, including discrete and general-purpose components, application-specific integrated circuits (“ASICs”), full-custom devices and semi-custom devices and application-specific standard products(“ASSPs”) for analog, digital and mixed-signal applications.

STMicroelectronics as technology provider is one of the main actor involved for the EXCEED technology development and will take care for the fabrication of chips. STMicroelectronics will provide access to key technologies, such as its pioneering fully depleted silicon-on-insulator (“FD-SOI”) technology (28nm FDSOI) offering superior performance and power efficiency compared to bulk CMOS technology .By this contribution, STMicroelectronics significantly lowers the cost barrier to state-of-the-art technology adoption. STMicroelectronics will develop the European trusted manufacturing offer, ensuring confidentiality and integrity of manufactured materials as well as independence w.r.t. non-EU regulations. In particular, a military grade package assembly capability is assessed in ST STMicroelectronics’s Rennes, France site. Then, demonstrating the technology, STMicroelectronics will manufacture the chips and assemble them for evaluation.

At ST, we are 46,000 creators and makers of semiconductor technologies mastering the semiconductor supply chain with state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities. We work with more than 100,000 customers and thousands of partners to design and build products, solutions, and ecosystems that address their challenges and opportunities, and the need to support a more sustainable world.

Antmicro is a software-driven tech company developing leading edge cyber-physical and edge AI systems for various branches of industry. Antmicro provides applied R&D and tooling for customers worldwide, using its cross-competence in software, full-stack FPGA SoC development and high-end customized hardware to develop new products based on edge computing and encourages those customers to adopt modern embedded technologies in a rapidly changing market. The vast majority of Antmicro’s projects include a broad range of open source technologies such as RISC-V, Zephyr, ROS, LEON, TensorFlow, Caffe, Linux and Android.

Within the EXCEED project, Antmicro will bring technological expertise of how FPGA SoC are built, modified and integrated into complex industrial scenarios and will support deep understanding of the value chain and knowledge transfer from silicon providers to embedded developers.

ArianeGroup is the lead contractor for the Ariane family of European launchers and for the missiles in the French oceanic deterrent force. ArianeGroup activities cover the entire life-cycle of a launcher: design, development, production, operation and commercial service, the latter through subsidiary Arianespace. Building on its experience as a prime contractor for major complex programs, ArianeGroup can design and supply turnkey complex infrastructure: satellite assembly, integration and test centers, space surveillance centers, launch centres, as well as research, production, storage and destruction or disassembly infrastructure for dangerous products. ArianeGroup also offers solutions for satellites and spacecraft equipment, space surveillance and security, missile defence activities and analysis of the performance of existing systems or systems under development.

Within the EXCEED project, ArianeGroup will be in charge of developing the launcher systems use case from requirements and specifications, architecture development, co-simulation tools prototyping and evaluation.

Elettronica is one of the European leaders in the production of electronic defence equipment (EW). The experience in the design and production of EW equipment and systems, acquired in over 50 years of activity, ensures reliable, effective solutions capable of satisfying the changing needs of modern defence. Elettronica provides all solutions, systems and products in the field of EW: from interception capacity during law enforcement operations to the surveillance of risk areas, to the self-protection of platforms in hostile areas, to the monitoring of the electromagnetic scenario.

Within the EXCEED project, ELT will play a primary role in the architecture definition and will be responsible of architecture design, interface definition and block mapping in compliance to the requirements. ELT will also be in charge of developing the secure communications among distributed sensors use case from requirements and specifications, architecture development, co-simulation tools prototyping and evaluation.

DEKRA Testing and Certification S.A.U. is one of the world’s leading expert organizations in the TIC (testing, inspection and certification). The Cybersecurity division of DEKRA Testing and Certification, S.A.U., holds the cybersecurity lab, an internationally recognized leading Common Criteria IT security evaluation facility and FIPS 140-2 testing laboratory for cryptographic modules.

Within the EXCEED project, DEKRA will provide findings of the security evaluation of the countermeasures implemented in the targets of evaluation to resolve the corresponding security problem defined by their threats, assets to be protected and the operational environment. The evaluation will address possible weaknesses and exploitable vulnerabilities in this environment and its results will derive in the corresponding recommendations for further implementations.

The EXCEED project aims at creating an European supply chain of SoC family targeting a number of secure defence applications. This project is strategic for DEKRA as it enables the company to integrate a high level network of EU research actors in the field of microelectronics and Defence. DEKRA is a key partner, playing one of the most important roles, being responsible to evaluate threats, weaknesses and vulnerabilities implemented on the full SoC family range.

The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, headquartered in Germany, is the world’s leading applied research organization. Its research activities are conducted by 74 institutes and research units at locations throughout Germany. The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft employs a staff of 28,000, who work with an annual research budget totaling more than 2.8 billion euros.

The Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS is one of the world’s leading application-oriented research institutions for microelectronic and IT system solutions and services. It ranks first among all Fraunhofer Institutes in size. With the creation of mp3 and the co-development of AAC, Fraunhofer IIS has reached worldwide recognition.

Within the EXCEED project, Fraunhofer IIS will be in charge of developing the Galileo (Pseudo-)PRS use case from requirements and specifications, architecture development, co-simulation tools prototyping and evaluation.

The planned Galileo Pseudo-PRS demonstrator using the EXCEED chip is seen as an evaluation setup to enable follow-up projects / product developments with Fraunhofer’s solution providers / integrators to realize a secure PNT board for both civilian authorized and military navigation.

The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, headquartered in Germany, is the world’s leading applied research organization. Its research activities are conducted by 74 institutes and research units at locations throughout Germany. The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft employs a staff of 28,000, who work with an annual research budget totaling more than 2.8 billion euros.

The Fraunhofer Institute for Reliability and Microintegration IZM, focuses on electronic packaging, system design and system-integration. Fraunhofer IZM is owner of a substrate packaging line with production like equipment for process developments with focus on assembly and compression molding.

Within the EXCEED project, Fraunhofer IZM will contribute in the chip development, and mainly on investigations on intra-chip isolation, inter-chip isolation, electromagnetic shielding and anti-tempering for reliable design of trusted SiP as well as on modeling, simulation and design for signal/power integrity & electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), ending with fabrication of engineering samples of trusted SiP and reliability studies.

GMV is a technology business group trading on a worldwide scale in the following sectors: Aerospace, Defence and Security, Transport, Telecommunications and IT for public administration and large corporations. GMV is currently the world’s top supplier of ground control systems (GCS) for commercial telecommunications operators; as a firm it boasts Europe’s third biggest participation by volume in Galileo Programme.

Within the EXCEED project, GMV will be in charge of developing the augmented reality for dismounted soldier use case from requirements and specifications, architecture development, co-simulation tools prototyping and evaluation . GMV also plays a leading role in the security functional specification and participates in the assessment of development tools.

EXCEED paves the way to a wide field of defence SoC applications ranging from cryptography, navigation and timing, signal processing, communications and edge computing among others.

Indra is one of the leading global technology and consulting companies and the technological partner for core business operations of its customers world-wide.
The purpose and the new values defined for Indra are what identify the company. “At the Core” is the concept that is presented together with Indra, since it defines and reflects its strategic evolution: Indra is the technological partner of its customers’ key operations, it is at the heart of their businesses and it focuses on what really matters.
The new values that identify and guide Indra are:
o Leadership. Generating real impact through tangible results
o Flexibility. Enhancing proximity to the customer and differentiating Indra from its competitors
o Focus. Projecting progress in a clear direction, which is crucial in the specialisation of business
o Reliability. Building trust and long-term relationships based on experience and excellence

INDRA will lead and coordinate the work for SoC functional evaluation. This implies tasks of coordination, design and development of the SoC evaluation board (EvB) including both electrical and functional tests. Coordination of a set of representative use cases implementation defined by the OEMs group implemented through the EvB will be also part of the SoC functional evaluation board.

INDRA will also contribute in activities regarding its experience and background as Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) participating in SoC requirements and architecture definition System on Chip is a new approach that integrates different functions in one single device that traditionally where in two or more devices. This technology allows more compact solutions answering to the requirements of future Defence Systems.
Indra intends to use EXCEED SoC in the future acquiring this technology in its Radio Frequency Systems (Electronic Warfare and Radar systems) in order to accomplish the security requirements needed reducing their weight, size and power (SWaP) and eliminating dependence from non-European suppliers.

Integrated Systems Development S.A. (ISD) is active in the domain of Integrated Systems (IS) of guaranteed quality and performance. It is an R&D organization working with system houses, software houses and integrated circuit manufacturers. ISD acts as an original electronic equipment developer and integrator, providing services ranging from software development for embedded and general-purpose platforms, to digital and analog/RF integrated circuit design, memory design, to digital signal processing for embedded/stand-alone applications and PCB design and population.

Within the EXCEED project, ISD will design and manufacture the evaluation kit for the SoC that will be utilized by the use cases demonstrators. Besides, it is expected to contribute heavily to the SoC validation itself. Moreover ISD will also contribute to the unified Real-Time Homeland Tactical Situation use case development, realisation, validation and testing.

Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (KDA) is Norway’s premier defence enterprise when it comes to advanced technological defence systems. The business area has long traditions of developing and manufacturing advanced systems in close co-operation with the Norwegian Armed Forces. Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace’s anti-ship missiles, command and weapon control systems and communication solutions have proven competitive on the world market.

Within the EXCEED project, KDA will provide knowledge for functional cryptographic requirements and general security requirements for the SoC or SiP and participate in the elaboration of inputs into a common set of general cryptographic and security requirements for the SoC or SiP. KDA will also contribute to the elaboration of a set of requirements covering both EU and NATO standards.

Leonardo is a global player in the high-tech sectors and a major operator worldwide in the Aerospace, Defence and Security sectors. Based on the dual application of technologies, Leonardo designs and creates products, systems, services and integrated solutions both for the defence sector and for public and private customers of the civil sector, both in Italy and abroad.

Within the EXCEED project, Leonardo will bring its background as a decades-long user of reprogrammable HW in many applications in the defence field. As an early adopter of state-of-the-art System-on-Chip devices for secure designs, Leonardo will lead the Requirements Specification and Architecture Design activities and will be a major actor in the Security, Functional Evaluation activities. LEONARDO will also be in charge of developing specific use cases (multiprotocol military voice/data crypto device, secure Software Defined Radio, IP Encryptors) from requirements and specifications, architecture development, co-simulation tools prototyping and evaluation.

MBDA is a leading global player in the field of missile-based weapon systems, tactical missiles, airborne and land Countermeasures systems, simulation and combat training systems, integration of missiles onto airborne, naval and land platforms. MBDA is shared by principal EU shareholders: BAE-Systems, Airbus Group and Finmeccanica.

Within the EXCEED project, MBDA will be in charge of developing the weapon control in missile systems use case from requirements and specifications, architecture development, co-simulation tools prototyping and evaluation. MBDA will also lead the development and evaluation of eFPGA synthesis tool which is a major block of the global SoC/SiP Tool Chain.

NanoXplore is a privately owned fabless company based in France and has a strong experience in designing large scale programmable logic arrays for state of the art FPGA cores. The founders of NX were amongst the pioneers of custom FPGA based emulation systems and IP macros for embedded FPGA cores. In 2000, they developed the first range of IP macros to provide programmable logic cores for System on Chip (SoC) designs. In 2006 they developed a new family of FPGA devices with 750K four-input LUTs implemented in a 65nm technology. NX has developed the first high density silicon proven embedded-FPGA (eFPGA) IP and programing software covering the most advanced technologies up to 28nm nodes.

Within the EXCEED project,, NX will be in charge of designing and integrating key building blocks for the SoC FPGA test chip, will run a full functional and electrical testing of the test chip including radiative test, will give access to existing hardware FPGA evaluation kit (NG-ULTRA and NG-LARGE kit) and will also support the consortium on the programming software tools (“NanoXmap”) and develop identified missing features.

Safran Electronics & Defense is world and European leader in optronics, avionics, electronics and critical software for both civil and military markets. Part of the Safran Group, Safran Electronics & Defense is the No. 1 company in Europe and No. 3 worldwide for inertial navigation systems. It is also the world leader in helicopter flight controls and the European leader in optronics and tactical UAV systems.

Within the EXCEED project, Safran Electronics & Defense will in particular cover the seekers and sighting applications use cases, from requirements and specifications, architecture development to evaluation. Thanks to the EXCEED project, Safran Electronics & Defense expect to be able to rely in the future on new trusted European s solutions for secure digital processing, that would provide competitive alternative to the current non-European references.

Whether for observing, deciding or guiding, digital electronics is core to the performance of all Safran Electronics & Defense solutions, and to the trust they deserve. This is why Safran Electronics & Defense expects this project to be a significant contribution towards a strengthened European supply chain of such components.

SENER Aeroespacial is a leading supplier of high performance aerospace systems for Space, Defence and Science, and has a strong background as Defence Systems Supplier where advanced sensors electronics and high data through put are required.

Within the EXCEED project, SENER will be in charge of developing the on-groundsignal processing for real-time communication intelligence use case . SENER will contribute to requirements and specifications, architecture development, co-simulation tools prototyping and evaluation.

As a key component in a lot of our products, having a European chain ofa SoC is considered crucial to minimize the level of dependence on non-EU countries, to lower the risks of business continuity and to provide European sovereignty.

Thales SIX GTS France is world leader in critical information system and secure communications, which addresses every activity related to telecommunications, from systems of systems down to components: mobile radio communications, aeronautical and naval communications, satellite communications, IP networks and information security. Thales SIX GTS France addresses every activity related to telecommunications, from systems of systems down to components: radio communications, IP networks, satellite communication, network administration and information security.

Within the EXCEED project, THALES will lead all the security related and classified information handling and will also a major actor in the architecture choices taking in consideration the security aspects and the usability potential of the SoC/SiP for its end applications.

Benkei’s service offer is part of a global approach, from the definition of an innovation strategy, through the generation of ideas, the structuring into projects, the transition from project to product/service, scientific publications, market studies, up to the commercial development phase and commercial material.

Benkei is recognised for its support in project definition, engineering and financing, so that your projects can be integrated into a long-term global innovation and financing strategy. Our approach takes into account indirect financing upstream, such as the Research Tax Credit, through close support all along the way.

Finally, Benkei has particular expertise in open and collaborative innovation, and in setting up and managing collaborative or non collaborative projects (H2020 and Horizon Europe, LIFE, EIC etc.).

Synelixis Solutions SA provides turnkey cloud, HPC and automation solutions. By utilizing modern hardware and software technologies, open middleware platforms executed on top of tailor made hardware systems, it is able to ensure an optimized solution that fulfils any project’s requirements.

Within the EXCEED project, Synelixis will contribute to the analysis of the High Level Synthesis Tools, mainly concentrating on ways of denoting and extracting the parallelism denoted in the original code and will be responsible for the proposal of an HLS tool, as well as for the development of the sub-toolset for the seamless interconnection of the programmable logic with the CPUs and the peripherals, integrating and evaluating the intercommunication sub-tool with the rest of the EXCEED toolset.

Synelixis aims to provide (and later contribute to the implementation of) a roadmap for the high level design tools (e.g. High-Level Synthesis tools) that are required for the development of an efficient European Reconfigurable hardware platform addressing the needs of the defense and space domains.

Thales DIS design services, also known under the commercial name INVIA, is a fully owned subsidiary of the Thales group and part of the Digital Identity and Security (DIS) business unit. INVIA core business is secure semiconductor with integrated circuits development and manufacturing as well as managing the whole flow from specifications to supply chain. INVIA also sells secure intellectual property blocks for external customers.

INVIA has a full portfolio of analog and digital secure Ips, and among these a SoC Defender which is an integrated secure element aiming at securing complex Systems On Chip. The SoC Defender will be used as trusted enclave required by the EXCEED project.