Real-Time Computing System survives harsh environments.
Press Release Summary:
Measuring 4 x 5 x 6 in., PowerBlock(TM) 50 provides up to 172 GFLOPS of processing power in choice of Freescale, Xilinx, or PA Semi configurations. It employs liquid cooling and has 6 slots for control, processing, or storage modules, which are interconnected by PCI Express switch fabric. Supported by Linux BSP development environment, computer is designed throughout to isolate its internal electronics from all external environmental and physical conditions.
Original Press Release:
Mercury Computer Systems Reveals Configuration Details of Ultra-Compact Rugged Computer
The Mercury PowerBlock 50 establishes a new class of rugged embedded computing, with up to 172 GFLOPS of processing power in a choice of Freescale, Xilinx, or P.A. Semi configurations
CHELMSFORD, Mass. - October 14, 2008 - Mercury Computer Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: MRCY), a leading provider of embedded, high-performance computing systems and software for complex image, sensor, and signal processing applications, released configuration and performance details regarding the PowerBlock(TM) 50 real-time computing system. Measuring approximately 4" x 5" x 6" and weighing less than 7 pounds, the PowerBlock 50 establishes a new class of rugged embedded computing capability, putting processing power next to the sensor in space-constrained platforms such as unmanned vehicles.
Within its compact chassis, the PowerBlock 50 has six slots for control, processing, or storage modules, interconnected by a high-bandwidth PCI Express switch fabric. Module options include:
SBC-3800, implementing a Freescale PowerQUICC III processor
FPGA-4600, with a Xilinx Virtex-4 FX-60 Series FPGA
FPGA-4110, with a Xilinx Virtex-4 FX-100 Series FPGA
Vector-2000, featuring a P.A. Semi PA6T-1682M vector processor
SATA-250HD, with 250 Gigabytes of hard drive storage
SATA-128SSD, with 128 Gigabytes of solid-state drive storage
A maximum performance configuration of the PowerBlock 50 is achieved with six Vector-2000 modules, delivering a total of 172 GFLOPS from the 1.8 GHz dual-core processors. External I/O and networking is provided through the use of integrated daughtercards attached to the processing modules. The initial daughtercard configuration includes Gigabit Ethernet and RS-232 interfaces.
"The PowerBlock 50 combines configuration flexibility with extremely high performance in a very small form factor," said Randy Dean, Vice President of Integrated Solutions at Mercury Computer Systems. "Multiple processing options are available, while the daughtercards can be customized to meet specific networking and I/O requirements. The result is a system which can be tailored to meet the needs of virtually any high-performance signal processing application."
The PowerBlock 50 is supported by a Linux BSP development environment which includes cross-compile and debug tools targeting the P.A. Semi PA6T-1682M and PowerQUICC III(TM) processors. Mercury's expertise in high-performance signal processing is accessible to applications in the form of the PA6T Math Pack 1.0. This software package includes three algorithm libraries - the SAL, VSIPL, and CSAL - which are optimized for operation on the P.A. Semi PA6T-1682M processor.
The PowerBlock 50 chassis is designed throughout to isolate its internal electronics from all external environmental and physical conditions, allowing deployments in harsh environments. Each module uses an aluminum heat spreader to transfer heat from electronic components to the chassis walls. State-of-the-art liquid cooling through the walls removes heat from the system, allowing efficient operation at any altitude. Rugged features include o-ring sealing for pressure, humidity, and EMI isolation; high-reliability connectors; extended temperature ranges; and locking modules for shock and vibration immunity. Availability of a conduction-cooled chassis is planned for early CY2009.
The PowerBlock 50 is available today. For more information, visit mc.com/powerblock50, contact Mercury at (866) 627-6951, or e-mail your request to info@mc.com.
