Military looks to SRI International for emulation of microelectronics to stave-off parts obsolescence

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Officials of the U.S. Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) are asking SRI International in Menlo Park, Calif., to continue manufacturing obsolete and unavailable critical microelectronics parts for military applications under terms of a $125.6 million five-year contract announced in July.

The DLA Land and Maritime division in Columbus, Ohio, is asking SRI to keep managing the Generalized Emulation of Microcircuits (GEM) program for full-scale production of obsolete electronics that meet the form, fit, function, and interface of original devices that have become obsolete. SRI has run the GEM program since 1988.

SRI’s GEM program provides a permanent solution to the problem of microelectronics obsolescence, company officials say. Use of GEM devices prevents production shutdown while maintaining system integrity, substantially reducing operation and sustainment costs, and increasing semiconductor and microcircuit aftermarket potential.

The DLA developed GEM technology with SRI as a continuing source of form, fit, function, and interface (F3I) replacements. Using SRI’s onsite design, test, and foundry capabilities, the Qualified Manufacturers List (QML) certified GEM program makes military-quality replacements for non-procurable microcircuits.

Related: Reverse engineering: keeping obsolete parts alive

This method establishes support for production, redesign, and sustainment requirements throughout the life of the system. GEM technology emulates microcircuits from a broad range of technology families to meet the specifications of original devices (physical, electrical, quality, and environmental) without requiring system documentation changes. Once a device has been emulated, a continuing source for the microcircuit is established, and the obsolescence cycle is broken.

The GEM program has emulated more than 400 different designs within the government owned library. This has reduced the engineering charges associated with the cost of design, SRI officials say.

The GEM program has developed a customer base that has helped military service repair facilities and original equipment manufacturers to avoid interruptions during current production runs.

On this contract SRI International will do the work in New Jersey and should be finished by July 2029. For more information contact SRI International online at www.sri.com/research/integrated-systems-and-solutions, the GEM program Website at https://gemes.com, or the DLA Land and Maritime at www.dla.mil/Land-and-Maritime.