Linux-compatible SBC boasts small size, low heat

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May 05, 2008

GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms announced a Linux-ready single-board computer (SBC) that adheres to the military-friendly VPX format. The company claims the "ruggedized" VPXcel3 SBC320 is the first 3U VPX SBC with an Intel Core2 Duo and "server-class" memory that also boasts low heat dissipation.

(Click for larger view of the VPXcel3 SBC320)

The VPXcel3 SBC320 (pictured above) offers a choice of five air- and conduction-cooled ruggedization levels, says GE Fanuc, and is primarily designed for military applications in which limited space and low heat dissipation are key requirements. Equipped with an Intel Core2 Duo L7400 low voltage processor running at 1.5GHz, and an Intel 3100 chipset, the board supports up to 2GB of DDR2 SDRAM with ECC, as well as 128MB of flash, expandable to 1GB.

The SBC320 includes two four-lane, 2.5GHz PCI Express ports that can link up to other VPX backplane components, including SBCs, graphics cards, PCI Express switches, and PMC/XMC carrier cards. Additional I/O includes two 10/100/1000BaseT gigabit Ethernet ports, two USB 2.0 ports, two SATA 150 ports, two RS-232 ports, and an XMC-compliant PMC site.

Drivers for Linux, VxWorks, and Windows are included, along with support for deployed test software (BIT and BCS). An option provides for 2-level maintenance, which is said to be a newer more cost-effective military maintenance approach compared to 3- or 4-level maintenance.

The VPXcel3 SBC320 is latest member of a family of GE Fanuc 3U VPXcel3 boards that includes the SBC310, SBC330 and SBC340, all of which offer a choice of processor architectures. The SBC320 is said to be GE Fanuc's eleventh announced VPX product to date.

The VPX specification, also known as "VITA 46," is maintained by VITA (VME Industry Trade Association), an incorporated, non-profit organization comprised of companies involved with real-time, modular, embedded computing systems. VPX offers improved connector technology compared to VMEbus, including support for serial fabrics and other modern bus technologies, while maintaining backward compatibility. Other Linux-compatible VPX SBCs include the VPX6-185 from Curtiss Wright Controls (CWC).

Stated Peter Cavill, GM, Military & Aerospace Products at GE Fanuc, "No other company has demonstrated greater commitment to VPX than GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms. The SBC320 extends that commitment to provide our customers with further VPX options, with the Core2 Duo processor offering an outstanding level of performance per watt."

Availability

GE Fanuc did not provide details on pricing or availability for the SBC320, but more information may be available here.

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