Mercury Computer Systems Collaborates With TE Connectivity to Develop Rugged OpenVPX Connector Technology

As processing performance continues to increase year over year, there is significant demand to increase the interconnect speeds of embedded multicomputer systems. While InfiniBand, 40 Gigabit Ethernet (40GbE) and PCIe 3.0 possess the communication performance to address these needs, they have their own challenges when implemented in rugged, deployed systems. This collaboration to develop enhanced interconnects will enable Mercury and TE to address these challenges and focus on next-generation solutions for robust module connections in high-vibration environments inherent in industrial and defense applications.

“Mercury is pleased to have the support of TE Connectivity on this important initiative,” said Didier Thibaud, President of Mercury’s Advanced Computing Solutions division. “As embedded subsystem interconnect speeds approach 40 Gbps and beyond, the transmission reliability of the underlying signals will significantly degrade with existing connector technology. Extreme environmental stress, typical in deployment, will only compound the issue. Mercury and TE are meeting these challenging problems for rugged OpenVPX subsystems head on.”

“TE helps customers get their products to market faster with proven, innovative solutions for reliable, high-performance connectors that can survive harsh operating environments,” said G. Michael Mullen, Director of Sales at TE Connectivity. “This collaboration will result in an additional level of rugged performance available to all OpenVPX customers. TE and Mercury have been working on technology initiatives for several years. The strength of our relationship with Mercury allows TE to further penetrate rugged, embedded markets.”

Mercury’s OpenVPX-based embedded computing solutions are created from scalable commercial product-line building blocks to deliver real-time, actionable information in a variety of applications. These solutions combine sensor signal processing with advanced processing technology, data exploitation, mission processing and storage. Mercury’s OpenVPX product line, which comprises the industry’s highest performing subsystems, is capable of operating in the harshest deployed environments.