The Tier 1 Standard Provides an overview of the HOST Standards Framework as a whole. It defines the core tenets of HOST and the requirements that apply to all HOST Tier 2 Standards and Components that utilize the Tier 2 Standards. It presents a governing logical architecture to ensure a Tier 2 technology implementation fulfills the primary goals of the HOST Standard. More simply, it enforces the central concepts of modularity, interoperability, and interchangeability.

A HOST Tier 2 Standard applies a specific ruggedized embedded computing technology or approach to the HOST Tier 1 Standards architecture while maintaining the tenets of clarity, interoperability, and upgradability established in the Tier 1. All Tier 2 Standards are platform agnostic and do not incorporate specific requirements of a target systems. Furthermore, each Tier 2 standard focuses on a different embedded computer approach and individual Tier 2s specify a distinct subset of the standards rules that specific Tier 3 hardware components aligned to a Tier 2 need to follow. The current Tier 2s are largely centered around the VITA standards and individual Tier 2s focus on different subsets of the VITA standards based on a specific embedded computing approach. Essentially, each Tier 2 establishes the platform agnostic rules, requirements, and guidelines that are used to define a Tier 3 HOST component targeted at a specific platform. 

HOST OPENVPX  Tier 2 Standard (Based on VITA 65)		HOST Small Form Factor Tier 2 Standard 1 (Based on VITA 74)		HOST Small Form Factor Tier 2 Standard 2 (Based on VITA 90)		HOST VITA 100 Tier 2 Standard (Based on VITA 100)
		In Development		In Development		In Development

The Tier 3 Specification Guide establishes the format for capturing the performance, design, and interface requirements for a HOST-aligned module or component based on a specific Tier 2 Standard and platform requirements. A HOST Tier 3 Specification enables the interchangeability of newer technologies and promotes the reuse of hardware designs for existing and future platforms.

The guide instructs the author how to capture and define all the applicable requirements from a HOST Tier 2 Specification as well as performance requirements derived from the target system. Implementing the format outlined in the HOST Standard Tier 3 Specification Guide results in a complete and properly formatted document which can be used as a ‘source of truth’ for HOST conformance and HOST component specifications. 

With the ongoing digital transformation across the DOD, models are increasingly becoming the “source of truth”  for the Open Architecture standards, system of systems, and individual components. The Host 5.2 MBSE Model enables the creation of model-based Tier 3 component specifications that trace the specification back to the HOST Tier 2 and HOST Tier 1 Standards. In addition, the HOST 5.2 MBSE model enables DOD programs to trace their program requirements back to the HOST 5.2 Standard and show conformance to the Open Architecture Standards. For human readability, the HOST 5.2 MBSE Model can produce a document-based version of the Tier 3 Specification. 

In Development

The HOST Contracting Guide is a reference for how to include HOST requirements into a solicitations and proposals. This guide will also assist Offerors, Government Contractors, and Subcontractors in understanding the HOST requirements in a solicitation and appropriately addressing them in a proposal. The guide is currently being developed and will be maintained by the NAVAIR PMA-209 AAT.

In Development