VPX

VPX
VPX

Engineered for Seamless Integration

 
What is VPX

VPX (VITA 46) specifications were created to deliver more robust, high-speed performance for data-intensive, high bandwidth applications, including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance applications such as radar, electronic warfare and electro-optical/infrared. In addition, VPX withstands greater mechanical stress and resists corrosion, making it the ideal solution for the challenges of military and aerospace applications. VPX is an ANSI standard that facilitates efficient upgrade to switched fabric technology for the sizeable existing base of VMEbus users, bringing them up to the task of supporting multiprocessing systems that demand the fastest possible communication capabilities. VPX increases the total I/O capacity by offering 160 high-speed differential pairs of I/O.

 

The VPX Ecosystem

This white paper provides a concise primer on the current VPX ecosystem and how its various specifications can work together to architect a wide range of rugged high performance systems.

Read the White Paper
Rugged OpenVPX Solutions

OpenVPX is based on VITA 46.0 and 46.1 VPX standards that allow the design and implementation of high-speed, high-power switched fabric-based systems. The specification defines backplane and board level profiles from COTS vendors to ensure interoperability of products used in developing systems and subsystems. By considering the system-level view of performance and interoperability, OpenVPX reduces the need for custom development of backplanes and chassis for every application. It also enables system integrators to focus on the demanding application needs of their program rather than dealing with product interoperability issues. OpenVPX allows system developers to reduce development time and reduce the risk associated with using VPX boards in systems.

3U VPX Systems
Meet your program requirements (including those around SOSA, CMOSS, and OMS) with our selection of 3U VPX systems integrated with COTS modules.
6U VPX Systems
Tailor your system to meet program requirements with our selection of 6U systems, COTS modules, and expert system integration services.
Processor Modules
Equip your systems with single board computer (SBC) or digital signaling processing (DSP) modules in a variety of industry-standard form factors to meet your exact program requirements.
VPX Switches & Routers
Designed for the current generation of VPX systems, these 3U and 6U OpenVPX cards offer wire-speed Gigabit Ethernet and 10G Ethernet connectivity for intra-platform switching and secure WAN routing.
GPGPU Cards
Bring high-performance processing and machine learning capabilities to 3U and 6U VPX systems.
FPGA Cards
Enhance front-end sensor processing with 3U VPX, 6U VPX, and XMC FPGA cards.
I/O Modules
Ensure seamless integration and communication between cards in your 3U or 6U VPX system.
A-PNT Cards
Simplify the integration of complementary positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) sources with A-PNT processing and distribution solutions.
Graphics & Video Modules
Your one-stop for video capture and graphics processing modules.
SATA SSD Modules
VPX & XMC SATA and solid state storage modules protect your data & speed your VPX system development.

The specification defines OpenVPX profiles for slots, backplanes and modules to assure boards can be replaced by other boards with only minimal backplane changes. It also adds air-cooled Line Replaceable Module plug-and-play interoperability through the use of Rear Transition Modules (RTMs).

The standard defines OpenVPX system topologies to promote interoperability. The OpenVPX slot types include payload, peripheral, switch and storage. In addition, the OpenVPX backplanes include star, mesh, hybrid and bridged topologies. The specification also discusses the Utility Plane, Power Distribution, System Control Signals, the Reference Clocks and the GPIO Signals. Pin Assignments are defined for J0/P0 and J1/P1.

Curtiss-Wright is a leading supplier of boards and systems designed to be compliant with OpenVPX (VITA 65). We are proud of our role as a leading participant in the open standards process that resulted in the ANSI ratification of VITA 65.

Scalable Processing Power for Modern Defense Systems

The CHAMP-XD3, is our highest-performance, security-enhanced, 3U OpenVPX digital signal processing (DSP) processing module. Based on the Intel® Xeon® D-1700 processor, the SOSA-aligned payload card represents a “quantum leap” for sensor data processing capability in size, weight, and power (SWaP) constrained applications.

What is VPX-REDI

VPX-REDI (VITA 48) was inspired by the need for higher density electronics, increased power draw that requires more effective cooling strategies, and rugged and maintainable modules. VPX-REDI defines design parameters for enhanced cooling features and maintenance strategies to effectively support the increased power draw of high-density electronic systems. It also defines standards for the mechanical interface between the chassis and plug-in modules of embedded computing systems. VPX-REDI targets the requirements of COTS platforms for defense and aerospace, defining mechanical design implementations for embedded computing modules with three primary design objectives:

  • Accommodating cooling methods that include forced air, conduction, and liquid cooling.
  • Adding features compatible with ESD covers required for two-level maintenance strategies.
  • Facilitating module designs with components on the secondary side of the circuit board.

 

The VPX-REDI specifications ratified by the American National Standards Institute/VITA define mechanical specifications for:

  • Plug-in units that use increased slot pitch to deliver improved durability and enhanced thermal performance
  • Mechanical interchangeability of air-cooled plug-in units In both the 3U and 6U form factors and for ensuring Level 2 maintenance compatibility, which facilitates field replacement of components
  • Air flow-through cooling for 6U plug-in units, employing a compact core heat exchanger in the unit’s central heat sink

Optimizing Performance in OpenVPX Architectures with Intel Xeon Processors

OpenVPX (VITA 65) has made the VPX architecture a preferred option for modules and subsystems engineered for defense industry applications. This white paper looks at how to optimize performance in OpenVPX architectures with Intel Xeon processors