3U OpenVPX Rugged Mission Computer Handles Compute-Intensive Apps
The compact, SWaP-optimized MPMC-9365 multi-platform mission computer (MPMC) delivers 400 GFLOPS of compute power by supporting up to three Intel Core i7 3rd-gen, 2.1-GHz quad-core, processor-based Curtiss-Wright VPX3-1257 3U OpenVPX single-board computers (SBCs). The MPMC, developed by Curtiss-Wright Corp.’s Defense Solutions division, also can be configured with up to two VPX3-530 Xilinx Virtex-7 FPGA, 4-Gsample/s ADC/DAC 3U VPX modules that produce an aggregate performance rated at 10 TMACS. Each of the VPX3-530 module’s four onboard analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) have a data-capture rate of 4 Gsamples/s, and each of the four onboard digital-to-analog converters maintains an update rate of 5.6 Gsamples/s. With its six slots, the MPMC supports Gen 2 PCIe and Ethernet switching. Those that require a Power Architecture-based system, the computer can built with Curtiss-Wright SBCs that have a common pinout with the VPX3-1257 (depending on the required I/O). To withstand harsh environments, the circuit cards installed in the system enclosure are isolated from conditions such as humidity, dust, and sand. Cooling occurs via thermal transfer between the card edges of the system’s conduction-cooled 3U VPX cards and side walls of the enclosure. Heat is removed with an integral speed-controlled fan.