U.S. Navy leaders needed a single-board computer that complies with the VMEbus standards for embedded computer applications in a VME chassis for shipboard electronics applications. They found their solution at General Micro Systems (GMS) Inc. in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.
Navy officials are using the General Micro Systems Maritime VS275 single-board computers as the common platform in embedded processor applications in the future DDG 1000 destroyer, the Aegis shipboard weapon system, and the DDG-M/MCS warship programs.
Three independent contractors supplying embedded processors to the Navy were able to share cost-saving test data and information with each other concerning these VME board applications.
Although each VME embedded systems program had different military VME systems needs, the ability to use the basic VS275–or coupling it with the WSIO PMC/XMC workstation module (providing three PMC/XMC sites) or the WSIO SAM Video workstation–put all three programs on the same basic platform, General Micro officials say.
This not only provides the Navy potential savings through common training and support but also makes seamless upgrades possible through 2018.
Maritime uses the General Micro P70 Nucleus processor module that supports either the ultra low-power Core 2 Duo operating at 1.5 GHz (L7400 17 watts) or the Core 2 Duo at 2.16 GHz (T7400 at 34 watts) with 4 megabytes of L2 Cache and 667 MHz FSB data memory.
The VME boards achieve plug-in configurability through one PMC-X and/or 16-Lane XMC-compliant site with rear I/O, and an optional workstation I/O module (second VME Site). The I/O modules comprise three PMC-X sites and/or two 8-Lane XMC sites and one PMC-X site; or two SAM (Special Application Module) video modules–one with Dual Link DVI-I and one with dual DVI-I to the front panel–and one PMC-X site.
In place of the onboard PMC site, the Maritime can be configured with a 2.5-inch SATA 500-gigabyte military hard drive or 256-gigabyte solid-state disk with secure erase function which can be triggered via software or recessed front panel switch.
The WSIO SAM video workstation module provides two independent video modules, each one supporting dual pipe video, for four display units with RGB or DVI outputs. The baseboard VS275 also has one RGB video for a system total of five video ports. Four high-end video heads provide 2560-by-1600 screen resolution at 32-bit color, enabling ultra high-performance ATI or Nvidia 2D/3D video graphics engines.
For additional information, visit General Micro Systems online at www.gms4sbc.com.
