Video Processor Card Gains Image Fusion Capabilities

It’s no easy trick to combine images from multiple sensors and cameras and assimilate and interpret that data. Providing the level of real-time processing needed, GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms announced the IMP20 Video Processing Mezzanine Card. The IMP20 adds image fusion capabilities to the GE Fanuc ADEPT104 and AIM12 automatic video trackers. It allows the design of highly integrated, high-performance graphics capabilities in any environment where the input from multiple devices needs to be fused in order to provide a complete, easy-to-interpret image. When configured with the IMP20, the ADEPT104 and AIM12 automatic video trackers provide a powerful system for detection, tracking, stabilization and fusion that delivers better performance than existing software-based solutions and can be used in harsher environments than other hardware-based solutions.

The IMP20 offers intelligent, real-time, full-frame, multi-resolution image fusion, which aims to maximize scene detail and contrast in the fused output, producing superior fused image quality with maximized information content. The image fusion algorithm embedded into the IMP20 is a new approach to multi-scale fusion that benefits from much faster execution times and reduced memory overheads. The novel algorithm gives significantly improved results over the baseline weighted average algorithm while still performing in real time on live imagery.

GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms, Charlottesville, VA. (800) 368-2738. [www.gefanuc.com].

Rugged XMC/PMC Card Sports 32 Gbyte SSD

The advantages of solid-state disk storage over rotating disks are many. Combining an SSD with rugged XMC sweetens the deal. Along just those lines, Curtiss-Wright Controls Embedded Computing has announced the XMC/PMC-550, a new high-performance, rugged solid-state drive card. The XMC/PMC-550 is offered in both XMC and PMC form factor versions and is ideal for use in legacy and latest rugged deployed applications. The XMC/PMC-550’s standard Serial ATA interface enables it to be easily supported and integrated into VME VPX and CompactPCI systems.

The XMC/PMC-550 NAND flash solid-state drive provides up to 32 Gbytes of disk space in an XMC (VITA 42.3) or PMC (IEEE1386.1) form factor. It is available in configurations of 8, 16, or 32 Gbytes, and is visible to the system as two independent SATA drives. Using multi-tasking technology, the XMC/PMC-550 delivers data transfer rates of up to 30 Mbytes/s for simultaneous read to each drive. The XMC/PMC-550 also comes with RAID 0 support that stripes data across the two independent SATA drives for maximum performance. With RAID 0, the 550 can achieve read transfer rate of up to 50 Mbytes/s. Pricing for the XMC/PMC-550 starts at $2,495.

Curtiss-Wright Controls Embedded Computing, Leesburg, VA.
(703) 779-7800. [www.cwcembedded.com].

PXI Card Blends Boundary Scan and Dynamic Functional Test

System developers can now get more bang for their buck when it comes to test instrumentation gear. That’s because multi-functions are now available on boards that used to require several. Goepel Electronic has launched a new series of JTAG Digital I/O PXI modules named PXI 5396-x. The PXI 5396-x modules offer 96 individually configurable single ended channels and support the structural JTAG/Boundary Scan test as well as dynamic I/O operation up to 100 MHz to execute functional tests.

PXI 5396-x are 1-slot 3U modules, which differ in onboard memory depth of 72 Mbytes (PXI 5396-X) and 144 Mbytes (PXI 5396-XM). All modules offer 96 single ended channels configurable as input, output and tri-state, which allow simultaneous driving, measuring and real-time comparison. While the signals are processed to test bus operations completely synchronous in the JTAG mode, the dynamic I/O mode enables functional testing with freely programmable clock frequencies from 500 Hz to maximum 100 MHz. That’s why, first structural Boundary Scan tests and afterward functional tests can be executed with the same instrument.

Goepel Electronic, Jena, Germany.
+49 03641 6896-739. [www.goepel.com].

FPGA AMC Module Features Optical Transceivers

System design used to mean the realm of the system box. Now complete military systems can reside on a single FPGA-based card. Along just such lines, BittWare has introduced its newest AdvancedMC module: the SF/GX-AMC (SF/GXAM). The SF/GXAM features four small form-factor pluggable-plus (SFP/SFP+) transceivers enabling support of virtually any serial communication standard, including Fibre Channel, Gigabit Ethernet, SONET, CPRI and OBSAI. The four SFP/SFP+ SerDes channels are connected directly to the onboard Altera Stratix II GX FPGA, which handles the higher level communications protocols.

Based on Altera’s Stratix II GX FPGA, BittWare’s SF/GX-AMC (SF/GXAM) is a full-size, single-wide AdvancedMC that can be attached to AdvancedTCA carriers or other cards equipped with AMC bays, and used in MicroTCA systems. The SF/GXAM provides a four-cage SFP/SFP+ connector on the front panel with each transceiver providing support for virtually any serial communication standard, including: Fibre Channel, Gigabit Ethernet, SONET, CPRI and OBSAI. The four SerDes channels are connected directly to the Stratix II GX FPGA. The SF/GXAM will begin shipping Q4 2008 priced under $4,000 in OEM quantities.

BittWare, Concord, NH. (603) 226-0404. [www.bittware.com].

Family of 14 Data Acquisition Devices Leverages USB

Thanks to USB, military test engineers can craft instrumentation systems on the desktop instead of piecing together racks of boards and backplanes. Feeding such needs, Measurement Computing has announced 14 new high-performance, multifunction and special-purpose USB-based data acquisition products, targeting applications requiring high accuracy, measurement repeatability and high throughput. The list includes: high-channel-count and high-accuracy analog input and thermocouple measurement devices; several high-speed, simultaneous sampling, multifunction devices; and an eight-channel, simultaneous input quadrature encoder counter.

The new devices are supported by the Universal Library, programming libraries and drivers for most popular Windows-based programming languages. In addition to the Universal Library, all the new USB DAQ modules ship with an impressive array of software, including TracerDAQ, a full-featured, data logging, viewing and analysis application; Universal Library for LabVIEW, VIs and program examples for LabVIEW; InstaCal installation, calibration and test utility; and support for DASYLab, icon-based data acquisition, graphics, control and analysis software, and Measurement Studio MCC Edition, Visual Studio 2005/2003 components and controls optimized for test, measurement, analysis and presentation–powerful software solutions for programmers and nonprogrammers alike.

Measurement Computing, Norton, MA. (508) 946-5100. [www.mccdaq.com].

First Stand-Alone High-Resolution LXI Digitizers Roll

No longer the new kid on the block in the instrumentation world, LXI has emerged as an essential tool for LAN-based military instrumentation projects. Agilent Technologies has introduced the first stand-alone high-resolution digitizers with LXI connectivity for R&D and manufacturing engineers. These LXI digitizers are the choice of instruments when digital multimeters cannot sample fast enough, or oscilloscopes cannot provide high enough resolution for the waveform analysis requirements.

The Agilent L4532A 2-channel and L4534A 4-channel digitizers are new, high-performance, stand-alone LXI digitizers that offer simultaneous sampling at up to 20 MS/s, and with 16-bit resolution. The isolated input channels can measure up to ±250V and are designed to handle demanding applications requiring electromechanical device control for product test or characterization. The Agilent L4532A and L4534A are fully compliant with the LXI class C specification. They include USB 2.0 and Gigabit Ethernet (LAN) interfaces as standard features, enabling quick and simple connectivity to a PC or a network. In addition, they can be remotely operated from any browser by simply connecting to the built-in Web page. The Agilent L4532A 2 channel 20 MS/s digitizer is priced at $6,500, and the L4534A 4 channel 2 0MS/s digitizer is $8,500. Extended memory is an additional $1,500.

Agilent Technologies, Palo Alto, CA. (650) 752-5000. [www.agilent.com].

Multi-I/O 1553/ARINC429 Functions Climb Aboard PCI

The magic of semiconductors has enabled board designers to fit multiple avionics and military I/O functions on one board. Exemplifying that trend, Data Device Corporation (DDC) has introduced a new multi-I/O PCI Card. The BU-65590I card provides up to four dual redundant MIL-STD-1553 channels, sixteen ARINC 429 receive channels, four ARINC 429 transmit channels, six user programmable Digital Discrete I/Os, two RS-232 Serial I/O Channels, two RS-422/485 Serial I/O Channels, and an IRIG-B time synchronization input.

Each 1553 channel can emulate a Bus Controller, Remote Terminal, or a Bus Monitor. The card includes a combined RT/Monitor mode to monitor all 1553 communications on the bus including the 1553 channel’s own RT address. The card has an intelligent hardware offload DMA architecture that dramatically reduces host CPU and PCI bus utilization while storing 1553 monitor data in a convenient and portable IRIG-106 Chapter 10 file format. Each ARINC 429 channel supports high/low speed operation, message scheduling, label filtering and full error detection. A standard version of the card is available with just ARINC 429 to interface with up to sixteen receive and four transmit ARINC 429 channels.

Data Device Corp., Bohemia, NY.
(631) 567-5600. [www.ddc-web.com].

Rugged Workstation Boasts 5.7-inch VGA TFT LCD

The military’s initiative toward net-centric operations has boosted the demand for all manner of display-based computer terminals. Along just such lines, the Industrial Automation Group of Advantech launches the IACP-4000D, a 4U 19-inch rackmount industrial workstation with a 5.7-inch VGA TFT LCD display that supports a Pentium 4/Celeron D processor. This design reduces the interconnections between the backplane and the CPU card, which enhances the platforms reliability.

Features include: shock-resistant disk drive bay designed to hold up to three 5.25-inch and one 3.5-inch disk drives, front accessible USB interface for easy data transferring, dual front-accessible filtered cooling fans providing optimal airflow, front LEDs indicating system health, lockable front door, and supports 300W single PS/2 and redundant ATX power supplies. The IACP-4000D is compact and has a reliable design catered for use in limited space environments, such as test and measurement stations.

Advantech, Irvine, CA. (949) 789-7178. [www.advantech.com].

Small 48-Point Digital I/O Module Uses SUMIT Standard

Earlier this year, the Small Form Factor Special Interest Group introduced the SUMIT (Stackable Unified Module Interconnect Technology) connector standard. SUMIT is an electromechanical connectorization specification that enables stacking of common serial and legacy chipset expansion buses on I/O modules for next-generation embedded systems products. Some of the first products supporting that standard have started to emerge. WinSystems, for its part, introduced the first Pico-I/O module designed for expansion on Pico-ITXe SBCs. The PCO-UIO48-G is a 48-point digital I/O interface with interruptible event sense.

An important feature of the card is that it can monitor 24 of the rising and falling digital edge transitions, latch them, and then signal the host processor that a change of input status has occurred. This is the most efficient way of sensing and signaling a CPU of real-time events without the burden of continuous polling of the digital I/O points. Pico-I/O modules are designed to offer low cost I/O expansion for Pico-ITXe single board computers from VIA and other manufacturers. The module requires only +3.3 volts; however, an optional onboard regulator is available to allow it to be powered from +5VDC. Operational temperature range is from -40° to +85°C. A Pico-I/O module is small and measures only 60 mm x 72 mm, which is half the area of a PC/104 module. The PCO-UIO48-G lists for $59. A depopulated version with 24 lines, called the PCO-UIO24-G, lists for $49.

WinSystems, Arlington, TX. (817) 274-7553. [www.winsystems.com].

FPGA-Based I/O Module Family Rides PXI

There’s always been conflict between the need for application-specific flexibility and standards-based I/O instrumentation. National Instruments tackles that head on with a new family of open, FPGA-based hardware for the PXI platform. With NI FlexRIO, engineers can add custom signal processing algorithms to their PXI-based field-programmable gate array (FPGA) hardware. Then, with interchangeable adapter modules, they can directly interface the FPGA to instrument-class I/O or create their own custom front-end hardware to meet their specific application requirements.

NI FlexRIO FPGA modules feature high-performance Xilinx Virtex-5 FPGAs. Using LabVIEW FPGA, engineers gain direct access to raw digital pins on the NI FlexRIO FPGA modules, with 66 differential lines at up to 1 Gbit/s per pair or 132 single-ended lines at up to 400 Mbits/s. In addition, NI FlexRIO FPGA modules offer deep onboard memory and the ability to use external clocks. All NI FlexRIO implementations require two distinct hardware pieces–a PXI FPGA module and an adapter module, which defines the specific I/O capabilities of the system. The first NI FlexRIO adapter module is the NI 6581 high-speed digital I/O adapter, which is ideal for algorithmic pattern generation and protocol-aware tests. Pricing for the modules ranges from $999 to $4,999 depending on configuration and type.

National Instruments, Austin, TX. (512) 683-0100. [www.ni.com].

Electronic Compass Resides on Tiny PCB

Electronic compass technology is a critical component in a variety of military systems. A new addition to their low-cost line of tilt-compensated OEM digital compasses for embedded applications that is ultra-small and highly accurate is being introduced by OceanServer Technology. The OS4000-T Nano Compass features 3-Axis magnetic sensors with 3-Axis accelerometers and provides nominal accuracy of 0.5 degrees, 0.1 degree resolution, ±180 degree roll, ±90 degree tilt and includes electronically gimbaled tilt compensation. Offered in a 0.6-inch square through-hole package, weighing only 1 gm, this ultra-small device is designed for mounting on a system board and talking via a TTL interface for a wide range of applications.

Available with a carrier board, serial and USB drivers, evaluation software and schematics to assist with applications/integration, the OS4000-T Nano Compass includes an ASCII interface, hard- and soft-iron calibration and user-configurable data formatting. Providing up to a 40 Hz data update rate, a 50 MIPS processor supporting IEEE floating point math, a 24-bit A/D converter and a programmable com rate from 4,800 to 115,000 baud are included. OS4000-T Nano Compasses are priced at $249 each or $89.74 (500s); with larger quantity discounts offered. Developer’s kits are $399.

OceanServer Technology, Fall River, MA.
(508) 67-0550. [www.ocean-server.com].

AC-DC Isolated Power Brick Serves Up 1000W

High-power AC-DC conversion always comes down to a question of board space. With that in mind, TDK-Lambda has expanded its PFE series of AC-DC power bricks with the introduction of the new PFE1000F modules. These modules provide a convenient AC-DC pcb-mounted solution with an output power of up to 1008W. Up to now, using bricks in an AC to DC conversion application required two modules. One module was needed to handle the AC input rectification and power factor correction (PFC), and a second for the DC-DC isolation and low voltage conversion. The PFE series combine these two functions into a single brick.

All PFE1000F models accept a wide AC input from 85V to 265V at 47-63 Hz; have active power factor correction (PFC), an input to output isolation of 3 kVAC, and an input to baseplate rating of 2.5kVAC with application circuitry. In addition, over-voltage, over-current and over-temperature protections are included. The PFE1000F comes in a compact 3.94 x 0.53 x 6.3-inch package and can be conduction-cooled with a cold-plate or forced air-cooled with a heatsink. The PFE1000F series is available now with prices starting at $430 each in 100 piece quantities.

TDK-Lambda Americas, San Diego, CA. (619) 575-4400. [www.lambdapower.com].

Single-Slot cPCI Is Ethernet-Capable Multi-Function Card

The multi-function board trend has hit the military world and brings great savings. North Atlantic Industries (NAI) has announced an upgrade to the functionality of its single-slot, 6-module, 6U cPCI multi-function card. This universal card eliminates the complexity and size constraints of using multiple, independent, single-function cards. The 78C2 cPCI card can accommodate up to 6 independent modules. ARINC 429/575 (6-channels), RS-232/422/485

(4-channnels), D/S Converter (3-channels) and Reference Generator functions have recently been added to its library of available modules. Other available function modules include A/D (10-channels), D/A (10-channels), S/D (4-channels), Discrete I/O (16-channels), TTL I/O (16-channels), Transceiver I/O (11-channels), LVDT/RVDT (4-channels), and RTD (6-channels).

The 78C2 incorporates an Ethernet interface that can be used to transfer data to and from the board, without using the backplane bus. This Ethernet port allows the board to be used as a stand-alone remote sensor interface, without using a separate computer board. Multiple 78C2 boards can be distributed in a system, and networked together using Ethernet for complete data acquisition capability. The 78C2 is available with operating temperature ranges of -40° to +85°C and 0 to +70°C. Conduction-cooled versions with wedgelocks are also available. Pricing for 100 pieces starts at $2350.

North Atlantic Industries, Bohemia, NY. (631) 567-1100. [www.naii.com].

Rugged Conduction-Cooled 3U cPCI Board Sports PowerPC

CompactPCI, particularly in its 3U flavor, is now entrenched as an accepted military embedded computer form factor. Kontron offers a new PowerPC-based Rugged Conduction-Cooled (RC) board. The Kontron CP3210 provides a faster clock rate of 733 MHz, accelerated DDR SDRAM (266 MHz, + 33.3 %), double the amount of system and user flash and a Gigabit Ethernet port for faster data throughput and overall greater system performance. The Kontron CP3210 CompactPCI CPU board is an enhanced version of the highly reliable and powerful Kontron PowerEngineC7.

The Kontron CP3210 CompactPCI CPU board offers an extensive range of standard functions and expansion options including the new powerful PowerPC G3 750FX RISC processor clocked at 733 MHz, onboard user memory of 512 Mbytes DDR SDRAM with ECC clocked at 266 MHz, 128 Mbytes of system flash memory, 256 Mbytes of user flash memory and 128 Kbytes of nvSRAM with realclock. It also offers two onboard serial lines, two Ethernet channels–one Gigabit and one 10/100 as well as one 33/66 MHz PMC expansion slot. The Rugged Conduction-Cooled (RC) design of the Kontron CP3210 enables reliable operation in temperatures ranging from -40° to +85°C according to VITA 47 recommendations.

Kontron America, Poway, CA. (858) 677-0877. [www.kontron.com].

Time and Frequency Synchronization Board Targets WiMAX

The military is looking for a broad range of technologies when it comes to wireless data communication, and WiMAX is on this list. With that in mind, Spectracom offers a time and frequency engine for digital broadcast and WiMAX applications, fully integrated GPS synchronization solution in a board ready for integration. The EB03 from Spectracom boasts a state-of-the-art, compact design that is suited for digital broadcast single frequency networks as well as emerging WiMAX infrastructure.

The EB03 can also use an external 1PPS or external 10 MHz as its reference in place of GPS. For instance, it switches automatically from one reference to another while minimizing phase jump. Depending on the customer’s configuration, the connectors can be positioned on the top or bottom of the board in the factory before shipment for maximizing space. The EB03 features remote management via SNMP. From the convenience of a PC, hundreds of transmitters can be monitored and configured regardless of their geographic location. For best WiMAX performance, the EB03 can be configured with a low-cost oscillator resulting in competitive pricing, which is critical for successful WiMAX implementation worldwide. For the most precise performance, mandatory for digital broadcast, a high-performance OCXO oscillator is available.

Spectracom, Rochester, NY.
(585) 321-5800. [www.spectracomcorp.com].

Slim 3U Chassis Enclosure for MicroTCA

MicroTCA is rapidly gaining acceptance in military applications. Elma Electronic has announced a new MicroTCA solution in a 3U MicroSlim design. The MicroSlim line is geared to maximize performance in a minimum of space. The 19-inch rackmount 3U MicroSlim chassis offers 12 AMC (AdvancedMC), 2 MCH (MicroTCA Carrier Hub), 1 JSM (J-TAG Switch Module), 2 PM (Power Modules) and 3 spare slots. There are also 4 HDD slots with SATA connectivity. Cooling is achieved with redundant Cooling Units in a push/pull airflow configuration. They feature 42 cubic feet per minute of airflow each with a hot-swap switch, fan fail indicator, and ergonomic handles. Thermal simulation and testing confirms the chassis offers excellent cooling performance.

The MicroSlim chassis accepts cards in the single module/mid size (75 mm high x 4 HP wide). The chassis configuration can be customized to allow double modules (150 mm) and compact (3 HP) or full size (6 HP) modules. The 3U enclosure is the 2nd in the line of Elma’s MicroSlim chassis. Other features of the 3U MicroSlim include a separately removable filter tray with 45 PPI NEBS grade filter and dual ESD jacks in the front of the chassis. Pricing for the 3U MicroSlim is under $4,000 depending on volume and options.

Elma Electronic, Fremont, CA. (510) 656-3400. [www.elma.com].

Full-sized, AdvancedMC SBC Features Core 2 Duo

The AMC form factor is shaping up to be a full fledge processor solution. Performance Technologies, for example, offers a full-sized AMC single board computer module featuring an Intel Core 2 Duo 2.16 GHz processor and is designed for MicroTCA and AdvancedTCA applications. The AMC122, when combined with Performance Technologies’ MicroTCA platform, the MTC5070, and Carrier Grade Linux OS, NexusWare, offers a ready-to-use solution for next-generation MicroTCA-based applications, such as military comms servers, security, and data acquisition and processing applications.

Key features include the 2.16 GHz Intel Core 2 dual-core architecture processor and up to 8 Gbyte DRAM. An onboard MiniSD card site with program and operating system storage space enables the module to boot without an external connection. The architecture includes enhanced Intel SpeedStep technology for more efficient power management. The board also provides TCP/IP Offload (TOE), iSCSI and RDMA on Ethernet Channels

Performance Technologies, Rochester, NY. (585) 256-0200. [www.pt.com].

Test and Verification Suite Now Covers DO-178B

A software verification and test tool suite has extended its complement of programming standards and code coverage up to DO-178B Level A certification, an essential certification level for the avionics sector. LDRA tool suite v7.7 adds TBreq v2.2, LDRA’s requirements traceability tool, and TBvision, a tool designed to increase visibility for industry standards compliance, security vulnerability and defect and fault detection. The integrations enable LDRA tool suite to verify all aspects of software development from requirements through run-time while easy-to-read graphical reports and other enhancements boost development team productivity.

TBreq, LDRA’s collaborative, requirements-focused development and verification solution, enables project teams to automate the processes of requirements verification and traceability, solving some of the most difficult aspects of software development. TBvision enables developers to see how the source code performs against security vulnerabilities, fault-detection, and adherence to the required quality standards. Aimed at enhancing collaboration and communication between development teams, TBvision enables managers, team workers and individual developers to collectively monitor testing and quality metrics.

LDRA Software Technology, San Bruno, CA.
(650) 583-8880. [www.ldra.com].

Atom Processor and GPS Ride PC/104-Express

A host of power-sensitive military applications–ranging from small UAVs and UGVs to handheld devices–are hungry for lower power embedded computing. Based on the latest Intel Atom processor, a PC/104-Express board called the MSM200X/XL/XP from Digital-Logic provides all standard PC interfaces required for such demanding applications, including Ethernet LAN, an audio controller (HDA-AC97), four RS-232 interfaces, two SATA and one PATA interfaces. In addition, the PCI/104-Express bus (PCI + PCIe), PCIe Minicard and six USB interfaces are available as functional extensions.

All three options (X, XL and XP) are equipped with the SMA200 Atom Z510/Z530 processor (1.1 or 1.6 GHz) and offer up to 1 Gbyte RAM. The XL version is a low-cost variant without battery or sound codec, while the XP version features a 4 Gbyte SDD on board (optional for the two other variants). The versions MSM200X and MSM200XP are also available for the extended temperature range of -40° to +85°C. The boards have dimensions of 90 mm x 96 mm (W x L) and a weight of 105 or 115 grams respectively. The MSM200 is priced starting at 364.00 Euros (US PRICE TO COME) in quantities of 100 or more.

Digital-Logic, Luterbach, Switzerland.
+41 (0)32/ 681 58 40. [www.digitallogic.ch].

Nano-ITX Board Boasts All-in-One Media System Processor

Small form factor boards are key to a variety of size, weight and power (SWaP) constrained military applications. A compact, low-heat, power-efficient Nano-ITX board is suitable for compact industrial PCs and embedded automation devices. Measuring only 12 cm x 12 cm, the Via EPIA N700 board is the lowest profile Nano-ITX board yet. VGA, USB, COM and Gigabit network ports are provided on the board to help reduce system footprint size and eradicate cluttered cabling for improved air-flow and enhanced stability in always-on systems. The Via VX800 offers an integrated DirectX9 graphics core and excellent hardware accelerated video playback for MPEG-2, MPEG-4, WMV9, VC1 and DiVX video formats. An onboard VGA port is provided along with support for DVI and a multi-configuration 24-bit, dual channel LVDS transmitter, enabling display connection to embedded panels.

The Via EPIA N700 is available with either a power-efficient 1.5 GHz Via C7 or 500 MHz Via Eden processor, supports up to 2 Gbytes of DDR2 system memory and includes two onboard S-ATA connectors, USB 2.0, COM and Gbit LAN ports. Expansion includes a Mini-PCI slot with an IDE port, additional COM and USB ports and PS/2 support available through pin-headers.

VIA Technologies, Fremont, CA. (510) 683-3300. [www.via.com.tw].

Fanless Low Voltage Celeron M PC/104-Plus SBC Rolls

Fans are frowned upon for any harsh environment military application where a single point of failure can’t be risked. A fanless PC/104-Plus embedded single board computer (SBC) boasts the processing power of Intel’s ultra-low-voltage Celeron M CPU, but operates without a fan and uses only eight watts of power. The new Cheetah EPM-32v from VersaLogic is targeted at applications such as medical, avionics, navigation and tracking, system monitoring and security/homeland defense that require substantial processing power and low power draw, as well as extensive features in a rugged, compact design.

Standard onboard features of this RoHS-compliant SBC include two COM ports, two USB 2.0 ports, Ethernet, IDE, LPT, audio and PS/2 keyboard/mouse support. The board also features integrated high-performance video with support for both analog monitors and LVDS flat panels. The Extreme Graphics 2 video processor includes high-speed 3-D rendering, full-motion video and MPEG-2 decoding. The PC/104-Plus interface supports both ISA and PCI add-on modules. Standard pass-through connectors allow the board to be used above other PC/104 modules. It may also be used as a CPU module for larger systems, by plugging it into a proprietary base board that includes specific user I/O circuitry. The EPM-32v is available starting at $1,170 in OEM quantities.

VersaLogic, Eugene, OR. (541) 485-8575. [www.VersaLogic.com].

PCIe x8 Gen 2 Cable Adapter Delivers 40 Gbits/s

PCI Express wasn’t the first switched fabric to enter the game, but it has certainly been the most accepted–and the military is riding that wave. With what may be the first x8 Gen 2 PCI Express host cable adapter, One Stop Systems enables high-speed expansion over a PCIe cable from a host system at 40 Gbits/s to a PCIe downstream device or expansion chassis. The PCIe x8 cable adapter provides greater bandwidth for applications demanding high-speed throughput such as video, imaging and audio devices, and requires no additional software or drivers to operate. The PCIe x8 Gen 2 cable host adapter is based on redriver technology. No switches are involved, thus there are no latency obstacles to throughput.

A target version is available to be used with the OSS 2-slot Gen 2 backplane (OSS-PCIe-BP-2000) and then cabled to the host version installed in the host system. A PCIe I/O board can be inserted in the second slot of the backplane. The card then operates on the PCIe bus as a component of the host system. A good example is a PCIe RAID board installed in the second slot and then connected to drives in a drive array such as in the OSS 3U 12-drive RAID array (OSS-PCIe -3U-RAID-12-x8). The PCIe x8 host cable adapter lists for $750.

One Stop Systems, Escondido, CA. (877) 438-2724. [www.onestopsystems.com].

PrAMC Sports 64-Core Tilera TILE64 Processor

Processor AMCs fit in nicely with the military’s desire for compute density. Based on a new 64-core processor, the TILE64 from Tilera, an AdvancedMC (PrAMC) platform, offers 64 cores of general-purpose and signal processing compute power coupled with over 20 Gbits/s of full-duplex I/O. The T6M-100 from JumpGen supports 10 Gbit Ethernet interfaces addressing growing market requirements for IP networks. The board’s dual 10 Gigabit Ethernet interfaces and 64 processor cores make it attractive for hosting high-bandwidth embedded communication applications.

The RoHS-compliant T6M-100 features the TILE64 processor with 64 cores running at 700 MHz, 2 Gbytes of ECC DDR2 memory running at 800 MHz, and up to 8 Gbytes of persistent memory. It incorporates dual 10 Gigabit Ethernet interfaces (AMC.2 Type 6 or AMC.2 Type 5 with 10 Gbit/s SFP+ on front panel) as well as dual Gbit Ethernet interfaces (AMC.2 Type E2). The front panel I/O includes an RS-232 Serial and an optional SFP+ for 10 Gbit/s fiber connection. The T6M-100 is available in both full and mid-size AMC configurations for AdvancedTCA (ATCA), MicroTCA and proprietary architecture systems. A complete set of tools and runtime software stack is provided by the Tilera Multicore Development Environment.

JumpGen Systems, Carlsbad, CA.
(760) 931-7800. [www.jumphen.com].

Quad-Core PICMG 1.0 SBC Supports TPM

For some military applications, it’s not the ruggedness that’s important but rather the right level of performance for the mission. With that in mind, Adlink offers a PICMG 1.0 full-size single board computer that is powered by the next-generation Intel Core2 Quad/Duo processor on 45nm process. Featuring a 1333 MHz front side bus and Intel Q35 Express chipset, the NuPRO-935A is specifically designed for high-performance computing applications. With processor speeds up to 3 GHz, the board is designed to be a high-performance industrial computing solution. High-bandwidth dual-channel DDR2 800 MHz memory up to 4 Gbytes is supported, meeting high-speed data transfer requirements.

By applying the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3100 (Intel GMA 3100), the NuPRO-935A is able to provide integrated VGA functionality and excellent graphics performance. For data protection, the NuPRO-935A supports a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) hardware security chip, which is used for disk encryption. TPM offers hardware-based facilities to effectively secure the data on your platform. The PICMG 1.0 SBC offers an ample range of I/O ports for data processing and storage. It provides up to five USB ports, two Serial ATA II storage ports, five USB 2.0 ports, two 10/100/1000 Mbit/s Ethernet ports, one RS-232 port, one RS-232/422/485 port and one parallel port.

ADLINK Technology, San Jose, CA.
(408) 360-0200. [www.adlinktech.com].