Aitech's New C160 SBC Uses Core2 Duo Processor in Rugged, Mission-Critical Applications

Perhaps the oldest computer bus technology in existence (Motorola (News - Alert) introduced it in 1981),VMEbus has long been associated with military computing and industrial platforms, though it has been used over the years in some specific high-end telephony applications, long before the rise of CompactPCI in the 1990s and today’s AdvancedTCA (News - Alert) and MicroTCA platforms. VMEbus became an adopted standard, IEEE-1014, in 1987, and the VME International Trade Association (VITA) assumed control of the standard and has enhanced and added to its features over the years in terms of improved performance, configuration management and mechanical robustness.

 

And now, Aitech Defense Systems of Chatsworth, California, a major supplier of rugged computer systems optimized for harsh environments in defense and aerospace applications, has introduced a new 6U (10.5-inch) high VME Single Board Computer (SBC) using Intel’s (News - Alert) latest T7500 low power, high performance Merom Core 2 Duo dual core processors. The new C160 is designed for rugged, mission critical mobile applications requiring exceptionally low power and high processing throughput.

 

The new single-slot C160 now offers clock frequencies up to 2.2 GHz for the high performance version and 1.67 GHz for the low power version, which draws only 25 Watts. The new board also uses Intel’s Virtualization Technology (VT), enabling the board to run different applications simultaneously using multiple virtual partitions.

 

The C160 also incorporates a custom metal thermal management frame supporting an array of integral stiffeners for increased resistance against high shock and vibration. This makes the board highly suitable for rugged and harsh military environments such as radar and sonar communications processors, autonomous vehicle IED and RPG protection subsystems, mission management computers and heads-up display controllers.

 

As the latest addition to Aitech’s already wide-ranging family of high performance SBCs, the C160 offers 2eSST and 2eVME functionality as well as VME and PCI legacy support via a Tundra Tsi148 bridge. The bridge’s decoupled architecture can handle simultaneous transactions and the large FIFOs (First-In-First-Out) transfers to prevent PCI/X to VME deadlock conditions for better, more reliable data throughput. There are also large memory arrays onboard that can support both volatile and non-volatile memory. The board can handle up to 2 GB fast DDR2 SDRAM operating at 667 MHz and up to 8 GB of onboard Flash disk (NAND Flash) with an IDE controller eliminating the need for externally attached mass-storage media. Additional onboard, non-volatile mass storage for convenient, local program and data file storage is provided by a Solid State Disk (SSD) with up to 16 GB of memory as well as auto-wear leveling to ensure long media life.

 

For man-machine interface applications, the C160 also provides an integrated GM965 graphics engine with 2D and 3D graphics outputting in either CRT (RGBHV) or composite NTSC, PAL or RS-170 video formats. Graphics language support includes Microsoft (News - Alert) DirectX 10 and SGI OpenGL 1.5/2.0.

 

In terms of communicating with the outside world, the C160 offers many I/O resources including two Gigabit Ethernet ports, two SATA II interfaces and two USB 2.0 interfaces as well as legacy interfaces consisting of two 16C550-compatible RS232/422/485 serial ports and eight discrete I/O lines. Local onboard I/O expansion includes two industry-standard PMC (PCI Mezzanine Card) sites capable of up to 133 MHz PCI-X operation. All PMC I/O is routed to the backplane’s P0 and P2 connectors per the ANSI/VITA-35 standard.

 

The C160 has a high definition audio interface, onboard/on-chip temperature sensors, an onboard SuperCap and Li-Ion battery-backed real-time clock, 32/64-bit and two 32-bit timers/counters as well as an avionics-style, windowed Watchdog timer are provided for real-time, hard deadline, mission critical applications.

 

BIT (Built-in Test) and POST (Power-On Self Test) firmware are supported in BIOS to allow the C160’s easy integration with other Aitech VME and PMC I/O products, enabling flexible configuration of reliable subsystems. Operating system support includes Microsoft XP Pro, XP Embedded, Linux and Wind River’s (News - Alert) VxWorks and others by request.

 

The C160 is available in two basic processor configurations, optimized for either maximum performance (2.2 GHz) or for lowest power consumption (1.67 GHz).

 

The board comes in either air-cooled or conduction-cooled versions, per ANSI/VITA 1-1994 and IEEE 1101.2, respectively.

 

OEM pricing for the C160 6U VME SBC starts at $6,050. Delivery is from stock to 20 weeks ARO.