OpenVPX Intel Core i7-based single-board computer with POET switch fabric bridge introduced by Mercury

CHELMSFORD, Mass., 26 Aug. 2010.CHELMSFORD, Mass., 26 Aug. 2010 Mercury Computer Systems Inc. in Chelmsford, Mass., is introducing he Ensemble 6000 Series 6U OpenVPXIntel Core i7-based LDS6520 single-board computer for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) applications. The embedded computing product combines the Intel Core i7 processor with the Mercury Protocol Offload Engine Technology (POET)switch fabric interconnect bridge.

ISR subsystems using several Mercury LDS6520 modules benefit from fast and low latency data communications between Intel Core i7 devices, Mercury officials say. The POET-equipped LDS6520 enables a serial RapidIO or low latency 10 Gigabit Ethernet data plane to connect several Intel Core i7 processors and field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) for high speed data connections and system scaling for Intel devices in defense applications. Mercury made the announcement this week at the AUVSI Unmanned Systems North America 2010 conference in Denver.

The LDS6520 is an OpenVPX Intel product that provides high speed communication links to general purpose GPU modules (GPGPUs), providing a typical 10x gain in system performance for many ISR applications compared to previous generation designs, company officials say. The linkage to the GPGPUs is enabled by the PCI Express expansion plane, a component of the 6U OpenVPX multiplane architecture. The additional physically independent expansion planes, which carry traffic between the GPU and Intel processors, greatly increase overall system throughput, creating a well balanced ISR subsystem.

The Intel Core i7 based LDS6520 module is designed to simplify ISR subsystem architectures and accelerate development using validated and tested XMC products such as 10 Gigabit Ethernet sensor interfaces for radar and the Echotek Series of FPGA-based digital receivers and transceivers for signals intelligence and electronic warfare applications. The module also operates in validated configurations with other 6U OpenVPX boards, such as the Mercury's GSC6200 GPU module for EO/IR applications.

The LDS6520 supports 2 XMCs and a dual-core Intel Core i7 processor. It is available in air-cooled and conduction-cooled rugged versions. The initial configurations of the LDS6520 support both serial RapidIO 1.3 and serial RapidIO 2.1 to the backplane. Mercury's POET technology enables future configurations with 10 Gigabit Ethernet. For more information contact Mercury online at www.mc.com.