Computing performance and low power dissipation for transportation

In line with its strategy of ensuring customers to upgrade their existing applications with the latest technology, Kontron, brought out the VM6103, a new 6U VME SBC with NXP layerscape scalable multi-core 64-bit ARMT processor. The low power dissipation blade computer features more than 4600DMIPS while drawing less than 10W. The Kontron VM6103 is suitable for use in size weight, power and cost (SWaP-C)-constrained systems and general-purpose missions, ranging from industrial to extreme rugged transportation and defence applications.

"The new VM6103 confirms our commitment to support our customers' applications over the long term," said Alain Spors, Director of Sales at Kontron. "The VM6103 represents a cost-effective, low risk and highly performing choice for pin-to-pin replacement for the next decades of legacy Kontron PowerPC products, but also all PowerPC 6U VME SBC."

Low power scalable 64-bit ARM VME CPU
The VM6103 is available with either a 2-core 1GHz or a 4-core 1.6GHz 64-bit ARM A53 layerscape processor, on-board soldered DDR4 (with ECC), as well as up to 64GB on-board soldered Flash optionally. The VM6103 provides a host of standard I/O including Dual Gigabit Ethernet, serial lines, SATA, up to three USB channels and GPIOs.

Additional Interface via standard expansion slots
The modular extension with I/O expansion slots of the VM6103 allows to configure tailored systems from open standard components, reducing integration time and cost. It features two PMC-, one XMC-, one Mini-PCI-Express- and one M.2 slot.

Designed for harsh environments and an over a decade availability
The VM6103 withstands shock and vibrations as all components on the board are soldered, which is a prerequisite for reliable operation and a longer product life-time. The low power dissipation of the VM6103 allows reliable long-term operation without forced air cooling. The VM6103 is scheduled to be available in either air cooling or conduction cooling versions supporting a temperature range of -40 to 85°C.

With a guaranteed standard life-time of ten years from product start, the VM6103 facilitates life-cycle management by making the overall system available at least for this period of time.

Masashi INATOMI, JEPICO Corporation in Japan said: "We are very proud of being the first customer to test the new VM6103 with WindRiver VxWorks 7 O.S. The VM6103 features an outstanding versatility and a combination of low power dissipation with high performance computing which opens the door to its use in new transportation applications as well as technology insertion in legacy VME systems."