CIU3 – Embedded Multifunction I/O System

Technology: Fibre optical systems
Partner: North Atlantic Industries

CIU3 – embedded multifunction I/O system with COSA® expansion from North Atlantic Industries (NAI) is a powerful, rugged, and ultra-flexible embedded I/O system designed for mission-critical air, land, and sea platforms. Delivering extensive built-in functionality and support for up to three COSA® smart modules, the CIU3 allows engineers to rapidly configure a high-performance, low-SWaP system tailored to their exact application requirements.

Built around an ARM® Cortex®-A53 processing architecture and equipped with rich communications and I/O interfaces, the CIU3 provides a complete, self-contained solution that accelerates development, reduces integration risk, and simplifies deployment in demanding environments.

Range features

A high level overview of what this range offers

Extensive preconfigured I/O — Ready out of the box Four serial channels, A/D conversion, discrete I/O, ARINC, CANBus, and MIL-STD-1553 functionality are all included, minimising the need for external boards or additional hardware.
High flexibility with COSA® smart module support Up to three configurable COSA® function modules deliver unmatched I/O scalability with 100+ modules available, enabling tailored system configurations with minimal NRE.
Powerful ARM® processing platform Integrates a dual-core (optional quad-core) ARM Cortex-A53 processor for user applications, local control, and system management—ideal for edge processing and time-critical tasks.
Rich communications interfaces Dual Gigabit Ethernet ports, multiple serial channels, ARINC, CANBus, and MIL-STD-1553 support ensure seamless interoperability with avionics, ground vehicles, naval systems, and industrial networks.

Rugged, conduction-cooled design Engineered for harsh environments with a compact, conduction-cooled chassis that maintains reliability across extreme temperature, vibration, and shock profiles.
Continuous built-In test (BIT) Automated background diagnostics ensure system health, faster troubleshooting, and high mission reliability—critical for safety-focused applications.
SWaP-optimised architecture Small footprint, low power consumption, and a unified I/O platform reduce cabling, integration time, weight, and system complexity.
Broad OS support for rapid development Compatible with Xilinx PetaLinux, VxWorks 7.x, and DDC-I Deos™, enabling straightforward integration into new or legacy real-time software architectures.

What’s in this range?

All the variants in the range and a comparison of what they offer

Category	Specification
Processing	AMD/Xilinx® Zynq® UltraScale+™ SoC `Dual-Core ARM® Cortex-A53 (Quad-Core optional) @ up to 1.2 GHz`
Built-In I/O (Standard)	`• 4× Serial RS-232/422/485 • 4-channel A/D Converter • 12-channel Programmable Discrete I/O • 1× MIL-STD-1553 • 2× CANBus • 4× ARINC 429/575`
Expansion	Up to 3× COSA® smart modules (100+ module types available)
Networking	2× 10/100/1000BASE-T Ethernet
Debug / Maintenance	RS-232 debug port
Software Support	PetaLinux 2023.x, VxWorks® 7.x, DDC-I Deos™ RTOS
Cooling	Conduction-cooled
SWaP Profile	Compact, low-power, rugged SFF design
Special Variants	CIU3P model offers PCIe-only interface modules for Slot 1 (M1)
System Reliability	Continuous Background BIT
Deployment Environments	Airborne, Ground, Naval, Industrial & Harsh Environments
Connector Options	Deployed system connector key configuration available