RTC Magazine

Tiny Logic Module Cuts Development Time

Development time can be reduced by weeks or even months with the use of smart logic systems-on-module (SOMs). A series of reconfigurable, fully self-contained logic SOMs from Advanced Knowledge Associates is based on industry-standard programmable logic platforms and includes processor cores as well as the necessary I/O and peripheral circuitry.

Measuring just 2 in. x 2 in. with 419 pins, the LM125 runs Linux and includes standard interfaces such as dual 1553RT, dual CAN, dual RS232, USB, SPI, I2C and 10/100 Ethernet, as well as over 200 high-speed GPIOs. Based on Xilinx’s high-density Spartan IIE FPGA and employing a Xilinx microBlaze soft CPU core, the LM125 incorporates 256 Mbytes of SDRAM and 512 Mbytes of flash to handle multiple boot images for logic and software applications, while supporting a wide variety of standard interfaces.

The LM125’s modular architecture facilitates the simple integration of user logic and custom peripheral sets. It contains all components needed to support processing and I/Os, including clocks, reset circuitry, temperature, power and passive components, totaling over 200 parts. Onboard programmable clock generation, voltage regulation and power monitoring further ease system integration. In quantities of 1,000, it is priced at $800 for commercial-grade modules.

Advanced Knowledge Associates, Santa Clara, CA. (408) 431-0735. [www.advancedknowledgeassociates.com].

Connected and Flexible FPGA-Only AMC Card

An FPGA-only Advanced Mezzanine Card (AMC) is based on the Altera Stratix II GX FPGA, which has been specifically designed for serial I/O-based applications. The GXAM from BittWare provides up to 20 full-duplex multi-gigabit transceivers supporting PCI Express, XAUI, Gigabit Ethernet, Serial RapidIO, SerialLite II and other standards. The Stratix II GX device interfaces to three ports (1, 2 and 3) in the AMC commons options region, and eight ports in the AMC fat pipes (4 - 11). These 11 ports provide a network data and control switch fabric interface on the AMC connector, configurable to support PCI Express, Serial RapidIO, GigE, or XAUI protocols. Sixteen LVDS pairs (8 IN, 8 OUT) are provided for rear panel I/O via the AMC connector (ports 12 - 15, and 17 - 20), and all AMC clocks are also connected to the Stratix II GX FPGA. For additional flexibility, the Stratix II GX FPGA provides four SerDes and 76 pairs of LVDS I/O to a BittWare front-panel I/O mezzanine site. The GXAM also implements the standard Module Management Control Interface (IPMI).

BittWare offers a complete suite of development tools that provide host interface libraries, a wide variety of diagnostic utilities and configuration tools, and debug tools. This tool set is comprised of BittWare’s DSP21k Toolkit, DSP21k Porting Kit and BittWare Target. The GXAM will be available in May 2007 priced at $3,500 in OEM quantities.

BittWare, Concord, NH. (603) 226-0404. [www.bittware.com].

5-Slot VPX Backplane Compliant to VITA 46 Specification

A new 5-slot VPX backplane features a mesh topology with a theoretical slot-to-slot bandwidth of over 5,000 Mbytes/s. The backplane from Elma Bustronic was designed with a 20-layer controlled-impedance stripline design and signal integrity analysis was performed on the backplane to ensure optimal performance. Additionally, Elma Bustronic fabricated the backplane with the higher grade material commercial FR408 in order to allow optimal performance even at high signal frequencies.

The VPX backplane technology is expected to be used in various applications, particularly Military/Aerospace where the rugged form-factor, VME compatibility and high performance are key requirements. Pricing for the 5-slot VITA 46 backplane is under $2,000 depending on volume and configuration requirements. The lead time is 4-6 weeks ARO.

Elma Bustronic, Fremont, CA. (650) 490-7388. [www.elmabustronic.com].

Secure Serial-to-WiFi Module Protects M2M Apps

A secure, serial-to-WiFi embedded device server quickly and easily connects devices running machine-to-machine (M2M) applications to 802.11b/g wireless LANs and protects them from network attacks. The Socket iWiFi module from Connect One uses the company’s iChipSec CO711AG Internet Protocol (IP) communication controller chip—which includes the latest encryption, security and IP protocols—to act as a firewall and WiFi controller for the onboard Marvell 88W8385 WiFi chipset.