DornerWorks Wins DARPA SBIR Contract Related to seL4 Microkernel

    GRAND RAPIDS, MI, August 21, 2015 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has awarded DornerWorks a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I contract for topic SB151-003 "Secure Software Components Leveraging the seL4 Microkernel". DornerWorks has been contracted to develop techniques for building secure software components using the seL4 microkernel. Together with partner Rockwell Collins, DornerWorks aims to use this approach to build a next-generation soldier display system that can process data with built-in, trustworthy security. Principal Investigator for the project, Dr. Steven H. VanderLeest, says "DornerWorks is delighted to receive this SBIR contract and looks forward to enriching and applying the seL4 environment, working with DARPA and Rockwell Collins."

Operating systems have privileges to access the hardware of a computing system and thus must be carefully analyzed to eliminate flaws. Small microkernels for embedded systems can be thoroughly scrutinized through rigorous methods of design assurance and, since a microkernel is not bypassable, a trusted microkernel can be used to ensure proper security controls in a system. The seL4 microkernel was verified using formal methods, providing strong assurance of the security guarantees of the operating system that are needed for systems requiring high degrees of security and/or safety.

The project title is "An seL4-Enabled Safe & Secure Soldier Helmet Display." The maturation of component technologies, including low-power embedded processing, low-power light weight sensors, soldier networking, and transparent wide-field-of-view near-eye displays, have led to the development of new soldier display systems. These systems present situational awareness information derived from both on-helmet databases and information transmitted to the soldier. Information from the soldier could also be broadcast to provide situational awareness information to others. Dr. Matthew Wilding, Principal Research Group Manager in the Rockwell Collins Advanced Technology Center, says "Digital soldier helmet displays require strong security controls. The seL4-based technology being developed offers an approach to security that is both practical and rigorous."

About DornerWorks

DornerWorks is a premier provider of embedded electronics, FPGA, and software engineering services and solutions providing expertise for safety-critical aerospace, defense, medical, automotive, and industrial markets. Founded in 2000, DornerWorks has grown into one of the largest embedded engineering design services firms in the country with AS9100, ISO 13485, and ISO 9001 certifications. Let the innovative team at DornerWorks provide solutions for your most demanding projects. For more information, contact [email protected] or visit www.dornerworks.com.

About Rockwell Collins

Rockwell Collins is a pioneer in the development and deployment of innovative communication and aviation electronic solutions for both commercial and government applications. Rockwell Collins expertise in flight deck avionics, cabin electronics, mission communications, simulation and training, and information management is delivered by a global workforce, and a service and support network that crosses more than 150 countries. To find out more, please visit www.rockwellcollins.com.

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