Grant: Applied Research and Development Grants - Level 2

Ultra Electronics TCS (Ultra-TCS) provides advanced C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) and EW (electronic warfare) systems around the globe. Their products include Ultra ORION, a family of software-enabled tactical radio systems. Co-sponsored by NSERC, Ultra-TCS has also set-up the Industrial Research Chair in High Performance Wireless Emergency Tactical Communications at École de technologie supérieure (ETS). The Ultra ORION radio technology is now required to adhere to the latest Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 140-2 Level 2 identified in NIST SP800-90B. To help meet this standard, Ultra-TCS engaged Cybersecurity Umbrella in Ontario which has related expertise and has participated with security standards bodies such as ISO and NIST to help industry achieve compliance. Cybersecurity Umbrella is also a partner of Centennial College in Toronto. The Cybersecurity Umbrella-Centennial College partnership is now growing to include program development and innovation in cybersecurity. Ultra-TCS and ETS in Montreal together with Cybersecurity Umbrella and Centennial in the Toronto region will co-develop a FIPS-compliant Random Number Generator (RNG) that can be commercialized by incorporating into the ORION radio technology. This includes developing (i) a RNG based on physical noise on FPGA (field programmable gate array); (ii) software to measure entropy generated and ensure it passes certification; and (iii) a Health Module to conduct three type of entropy tests. This four-way industry-academic collaboration will result in development and commercialization of a next-generation secure radio technology, boosting the competitiveness of Canadian industry globally.