3rd generation of Kontron 3U OpenVPX SBCs first to bring 10 Gigabit Ethernet and PCI Express 3.0

The new Kontron 3U OpenVPX SBCs VX3042 and VX3044 are specifically designed to provide the ideal combination of leading-edge performance, power efficiency and bandwidth to long-lifecycle applications.

The 3rd generation Kontron 3U OpenVPX SBCs leverage the 3rd generation Intel Core i7 processors to provide Size, Weight and Power constrained appliances up to 20% more processing performance and 50% more graphics performance than SBCs with the 2nd generation Intel Core processors. The Kontron VX3042 With its dual-core Intel Core i7 processor, flexible XMC site to implement application specific extensions and configurable TDP is the versatile “workhorse” for any rugged and console server application.

The leading-edge Kontron VX3044 with its Intel Core i7-3612QE quad-core processor builds the ideal basis to boost the performance levels of high performance embedded computing applications, such as radar, sonar and other situational awareness applications. Both SBCs excel competing offerings with their extraordinary data bandwidth via native 10 Gigabit Ethernet on a single line and outmatch even installations with multiple switched GigE channels. With PCI Express 3.0 they offer twice the bandwidth than platforms with PCI Express 2.0, additionally enhancing bandwidth for system intra-connects.

And with the unique Kontron Smart Technologies with VXFabric to use Ethernet TCP/IP over PCI Express, VXControl for monitoring and control of critical parameters, and the PBIT system test solution, OEMs have everything at hand to simplify and accelerate the development of optimized and highly reliable applications. In combination with their 100 percent backward and upward compatible pin-out to all Kontron based 3U VPX SBCs, which enables system upgrades without a redesign of the backplane, OEMs also profit on the software side, as they just have to write the code once and can run it on the complete Kontron OpenVPX product range, enabling real drop in replacements.

“By offering the highest speeds in PCI Express and Gigabit Ethernet on the VPX market, Kontron’s 3U boards can offer the same bandwidth in half the size of existing solutions. In a market where size and weight matter more each year, this product line is a real game changer”, says Vincent Chuffart, military product line manager for Kontron.

The Kontron VX3042 is based on the 2.2 GHz dual-core Intel Core i7-3517UE processor with configurable TDP between 14 W and 25 W. It offers up to 16 GB soldered ECC DDR3 SDRAM and one XMC site to enable application specific customization by populating the XMC slot with additional specialized XMCs including I/O, field bus and storage modules.

Specifically designed for high-performance embedded computing, the leading edge Kontron VX3044 integrates the Intel Core i7-3612QE quad-core processor with 2.1 GHz and up to 16 MB soldered ECC DDR3 SDRAM. Combined with its powerful I/O backbone, multiple Kontron VX3044 enable HPEC systems with an unprecedented computing density in the compact 3U form factor.

Common to both SBCs are the comprehensive Ethernet connectivity with 10GBASE-KR, 1000BASE-T and 1000BASE-BX, eight lane PCI Express gen 3.0 and x1 PCI Express gen 2.0, 1x USB 3.0 and 4x USB 2.0. Storage media can be connected via 2x SATA 3 and 2x SATA 2, both with RAID 0/1/5/10 support. As an option, on-board soldered SATA-Flash is available to host OS and application code. Three DisplayPort interfaces provide the increased graphics power of the integrated Intel HD Graphics 4000 to three independent monitors.

The new Kontron 3U OpenVPX SBCs VX3042 and VX3044 are backed up by Kontron's Long Term Supply program with a 15-year life cycle to fulfill the demands of current and upcoming military and transportation programs. The Kontron 3U OpenVPX SBCs can be ordered as a stand-alone platform or as an integral part of the new multi-mission rugged computer system ApexVX for the rapid deployment of a broad range of military and avionics applications. Kontron also offers a suitable lab development system to simplify application development and minimize time-to-market. The new Kontron VX3042 and VX3044 are available now and support Windows Embedded Standard 7, Linux and VxWorks.