FPGAs are truly an integral part of the latest generation of software radio products. Not only are they being used with traditional digital signal processing algorithms but also in the management of data acquisition, buffering, triggering and timing aspects of high-performance real time systems.
Anne Mascarin (Mercury Computer Systems); Greg Rocco (Mercury Computer Systems)
The OpenVPX standard's interoperability and Quick Reaction Capability (QRC) support features allow it to quickly resolve issues and reduce time to integration.
Mentor Graphics is targeting aerospace and defense applications with design tools for hardware, software, and systems, including a requirements management tool.
The critical nature of military electronic and other critical systems demands that fielded products are as reliable as possible. Highly Accelerated Life Testing and Stress Screening (HALT/HASS) can quickly uncover problems associated with design and production capabilities. This early problem discovery results in more reliable products, reduced life-cycle support costs, and shorter time to market. Understanding this test environment, the applicat... [read more]
Adopting new technologies like VPX (VITA 46) doesn't have to mean abandoning previous solutions like VME. Smart product development strategies and use of XMC (VITA 42) modules enable the option to use both VME and VPX.
Anne Mascarin (Mercury Computer Systems); Scott Thieret (Mercury Computer Systems)
The GFLOPS/Watt metric is now seen as an essential measure of embedded image processing applications in defense programs, where GFLOPS/Watt metrics are crucial. However, General-Purpose GPUs (GPGPUs) are currently being used instead of CPUs in high-performance embedded computing applications where GFLOPS/Watt metrics are paramount. Prior to deciding on the CPU or GPGPU path, though, itís important to understand the differences between GPUs and GP... [read more]
Until recently, widespread acceptance of VPX (VITA 46) suffered from the lack of a system-level interoperability specification. However, VPX systems integration just got a lot easier, thanks to OpenVPX (VITA 65).
Processing power ... system power dissipation ... data bandwidth ... data connectivity ... video latency. These all become critically important components of system development when designing a system to withstand the rigors of a mobile embedded system - and manage multiple video channels in a real-time environment. But the key might prove surprising: Itís all in the processor(s).
Earlier network-related programs, such as ftp (for file transfers), telnet (for remote logins), and rsh (for remote command execution) lack a basic security mechanism: encryption. Without encryption, users of such programs are vulnerable to eavesdropping, connection hijacking, and other attacks as they inadvertently expose all transmitted data, including passwords, to almost anyone who's interested. That's why SSH was developed.
Find out how Coverity has helped Frequentis ensure a high level of software integrity to support its product mission of freedom from failure, while continually improving the productivity of its developers.
Robert Grochmal, Director, OpenVPX Program (Mercury Computer Systems, Inc.)
One area clearly supported by OpenVPX is a DoD-specific Quick Reaction Capability (QRC), where the development and deployment cycles demanded by the market are significantly reduced to achieve critical program needs.
Government programs are putting the squeeze on prime contractors to develop more war fighting capability faster. Consequently, the primes are calling for open standards and the end of proprietary architectures to help them meet these challenging requirements within shorter and shorter timeframes.
When VXS, a proposal for standardizing gigabit serial switched fabrics shook the embedded community in 2002 as part of the VMEbus renaissance, XMC, a natural extension of that technology to PMC modules was inevitable. VXS is the popular name for a switched serial backplane fabric implementation for VMEbus. The VXS specification is fabric-transparent, in that there are subspecifications, one for each of fabrics: Infiniband, Serial RapidIO, Gigabit... [read more]
Rodger H. Hosking Vice-President & Cofounder (Pentek, Inc.)
Software Defined Radio (SDR) has revolutionized electronic systems for a variety of applications including communications, data acquisition and signal processing. The inner workings of the SDR will be explored with an in-depth description of the internal structure and the devices used. Finally, some actual board- and system-level implementations and available off-the-shelf SDR products for embedded systems will be described.
The Flying Helicopter Simulator (FHS) is an advanced airborne testbed funded by the German Ministry of Defense, the German Aerospace Centre (DLR), and industry. It is based on the widely deployed Eurocopter EC135 and refitted with fly-by-light technology, the first helicopter in the world with this type of flight control system.
OpenVPX expands on the VPX Base and Dot Specifications and provides a System Specification to address interoperability issues between VPX modules and Chassis. OpenVPX is an extensible specification that addresses the current and future needs for computing in harsh environments.
While some industry pundits still predict the eventual demise of VME, wares like Extreme Engineering Solutions’ XCalibur1531 6U VME single board computer just go to show that old faithful is still alive and kicking. And even thriving: This SBC is souped up for today’s high-perfor...
On one hand, there are the classic technologies like VME that have been around for years. On the other, there are new processors and technologies such as Intel’s Core i7. Though the latest technologies quickly gain more notoriety than the tried-and-true technologies, it doesn’t h...
VPX has inspired the VME industry with its small form factor and extreme ruggedness, even serving as the catalyst for the OpenVPX (VITA 65) movement. But one thing that has been less than inspiring with VPX – or at least proven itself quite a challenge – is that of testing VPX de...
Avionics technology’s depth and breadth has risen to an all-time high, leaving Orville and Wilbur Wright’s comparatively basic flying machine technology in the proverbial dust. Though the brothers’ 1903 flight made history and serves as the basis of modern flight, that histo...
VME and VPX apps are known for their durable packaging as the harsh environments they typically traverse are par for the course. But what about the processor that powers the application? High reliability is not an option. It's mandatory. To the rescue: e2v's PC8640/8641D and PC8640/8641 "e...
In today's "instant everything" world, expectations exist for everything from fast food to a fast car wash to a fast lane on the freeway with no delays and no slow drivers. And, of course, computers are no exception to these expectations. In fact, computers might have the most expectations...
While some developers are sticking with the tried-and-true Ada programming language, others are modernizing their systems by converting to the C and C++ languages. Though programming language conversions can strike fear in the hearts of many, MapuSoft's new Ada-C/C++ Changer tool can make...
If one could walk through a store with shelves lined with military embedded systems and their respective “ingredients,” what would set one SBC or backplane apart from the rest? It’d be power and processor type for sure, or serial fabric accommodation and speed, but what else...
Are the engineers at Altera perfectionists? We don’t know, but considering their latest attempt to improve upon a good thing, perfectionism could be a distinct possibility. And their most recent FPGA incarnation (or perhaps iteration) proves this point: the newest member of the 40 nm...
Why stick with just one when you can explore two ... or three ... or six different designs? Now, engineers – whether designing a VME, VPX, or other form factor system – can use CFdesign 2010, an upgraded version of Blue Ridge Numerics, Inc.’s design study environment, to do...
Though the OpenVPX Industry Working Group propelled VPX (VITA 46) and OpenVPX (VITA 65) into the limelight with unprecedented momentum, sister standard VXS (VITA 41) is still getting its share of attention. Case in point: Concurrent Technologies’ VXZ 541/06x, a dual VXS/VME PMC/XMC pr...
Though sticking to a double standard is typically thought of as negative, it’s definitely a positive if we’re talking about Themis Computer’s new T2VPX board-level computer – which supports both the VITA 65 (OpenVPX) and VITA 46 (VPX) standards. One thing that sets the...
Sometimes keeping a low profile (literally) can be a good thing, when considering the nooks and crannies of today’s space-constrained military and aerospace systems into which components must sometimes be shoehorned. These systems might be 3U VPX or even OpenVPX, but regardless of the...
And speaking of OpenVPX ... we chose BittWare’s new GT-3U-VPX (GT3X) hybrid signal processing board for an Editor’s Choice award because it offers just so darn many intriguing combinations: The board is fashioned in a 3U VPX form factor – yet also supports several OpenVPX sl...
Those who design enclosures, systems, and components for military apps complete their work in a safe, clean, temperature-controlled environment. So ensuring proper operation of said technology is easy. But what happens when their deployed wares are used by soldiers in the harsh desert envi...
About this Magazine and Website | Contact Us | VME and Critical Systems Media Kit 
While some industry pundits still predict the eventual demise of VME, wares like Extreme Engineering Solutions’ XCalibur1531 6U VME single board computer just go to show that old faithful is still alive and kicking. And even thriving: This SBC is souped up for today’s high-perfor...
On one hand, there are the classic technologies like VME that have been around for years. On the other, there are new processors and technologies such as Intel’s Core i7. Though the latest technologies quickly gain more notoriety than the tried-and-true technologies, it doesn’t h...
VPX has inspired the VME industry with its small form factor and extreme ruggedness, even serving as the catalyst for the OpenVPX (VITA 65) movement. But one thing that has been less than inspiring with VPX – or at least proven itself quite a challenge – is that of testing VPX de...
Avionics technology’s depth and breadth has risen to an all-time high, leaving Orville and Wilbur Wright’s comparatively basic flying machine technology in the proverbial dust. Though the brothers’ 1903 flight made history and serves as the basis of modern flight, that histo...
VME and VPX apps are known for their durable packaging as the harsh environments they typically traverse are par for the course. But what about the processor that powers the application? High reliability is not an option. It's mandatory. To the rescue: e2v's PC8640/8641D and PC8640/8641 "e...
In today's "instant everything" world, expectations exist for everything from fast food to a fast car wash to a fast lane on the freeway with no delays and no slow drivers. And, of course, computers are no exception to these expectations. In fact, computers might have the most expectations...
While some developers are sticking with the tried-and-true Ada programming language, others are modernizing their systems by converting to the C and C++ languages. Though programming language conversions can strike fear in the hearts of many, MapuSoft's new Ada-C/C++ Changer tool can make...
If one could walk through a store with shelves lined with military embedded systems and their respective “ingredients,” what would set one SBC or backplane apart from the rest? It’d be power and processor type for sure, or serial fabric accommodation and speed, but what else...
Are the engineers at Altera perfectionists? We don’t know, but considering their latest attempt to improve upon a good thing, perfectionism could be a distinct possibility. And their most recent FPGA incarnation (or perhaps iteration) proves this point: the newest member of the 40 nm...
Why stick with just one when you can explore two ... or three ... or six different designs? Now, engineers – whether designing a VME, VPX, or other form factor system – can use CFdesign 2010, an upgraded version of Blue Ridge Numerics, Inc.’s design study environment, to do...
Though the OpenVPX Industry Working Group propelled VPX (VITA 46) and OpenVPX (VITA 65) into the limelight with unprecedented momentum, sister standard VXS (VITA 41) is still getting its share of attention. Case in point: Concurrent Technologies’ VXZ 541/06x, a dual VXS/VME PMC/XMC pr...
Though sticking to a double standard is typically thought of as negative, it’s definitely a positive if we’re talking about Themis Computer’s new T2VPX board-level computer – which supports both the VITA 65 (OpenVPX) and VITA 46 (VPX) standards. One thing that sets the...
Sometimes keeping a low profile (literally) can be a good thing, when considering the nooks and crannies of today’s space-constrained military and aerospace systems into which components must sometimes be shoehorned. These systems might be 3U VPX or even OpenVPX, but regardless of the...
And speaking of OpenVPX ... we chose BittWare’s new GT-3U-VPX (GT3X) hybrid signal processing board for an Editor’s Choice award because it offers just so darn many intriguing combinations: The board is fashioned in a 3U VPX form factor – yet also supports several OpenVPX sl...
Those who design enclosures, systems, and components for military apps complete their work in a safe, clean, temperature-controlled environment. So ensuring proper operation of said technology is easy. But what happens when their deployed wares are used by soldiers in the harsh desert envi...