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DESIGNER'S COLUMN 

Achieving high level synthesis from MATLAB and Model-based description

Engineers have increasingly been using MATLAB and Simulink for very concise modeling and design of their algorithms. With Synphony HLS, they can take algorithm concepts developed at this high level and implement them directly into silicon.

Enabling interoperability in high-performance embedded applications

OpenVPX expands on the VPX Base and Dot Specifications and provides a System Specification to address interoperability issues between VPX modules and Chassis. OpenVPX is an extensible specification which addresses the current and future needs for computing in harsh environments.

Small form factor boards embrace new generation of the Atom family

This article describes the PC/104 form factor CPU board and a type 2 COM Express CPU module based on the Intel Luna Pier and Luna Pier Refresh platforms.

Risk management for counterfeit materials

Counterfeit materials will continue to challenge the defensive capabilities of manufacturers in the military and aerospace industry.

Overview about the 6U VPX single board computer VPX6-185

This Video is presented by Curtiss-Wright Controls Embedded Computing Curtiss-Wright Controls Embedded Computing’s VPX6-185 6U VPX single board computer is a high performance rugged processing platform.

Embedded News & Know-how Newsletter

(Mar 10, 2010)
Chips, Boards & Tools -- view the latest issue of our e-mail newsletter with Product News and Technical Know-how for Embedded Designers
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Early verification and validation using model-based design

One of the primary benefits of model-based design is the opportunity to do rigorous verification and validation in parallel with all other development steps, especially early in the development process.

Smarter products - software becomes the most active ingredient

As software becomes the most active ingredient in product innovation, traditional manufacturers are essentially becoming software companies. While this transformation is sparking unprecedented leaps in product value, it is also introducing new challenges and implications.

Building ultra-slim embedded systems with Em-ITX

Building a slimline or thinline embedded system can be a difficult task or a relatively simple one depending on the form factor chosen for the task. But how slim is slim enough?

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Aitech: extremely rugged Atom-based control unit

Aitech offers the NightHawk RCU, an extremely rugged, compact Intel Atom-based, self-contained control unit that weighs only 4.5 lbs, almost half that of similar models currently available. This weight reduction, combined with a slimmer profile and natural convection/radiation cooling that dissipates up to 22 W at +55°C in stagnant air, or at up to 71°C with an optional low pressure fan or baseplate, makes the rugged control unit ideal for a variety of military, aerospace and commercial environments. These include data concentrator and remote interface applications such as manned and unmanned, ground or airborne vehicles as well as low size, weight and power data concentrator unit and remote interface unit applications.

For military tracked and wheeled vehicle applications, the NightHawk RCU can provide Condition Based Maintenance functionality to reduce the overhead costs of preventative vehicle maintenance. Based on the low-power Intel Atom processor operating at 1.6 GHz, the new NightHawk provides up to 2 GB DDR2 SDRAM as well as between 4 and 8 GB of SSD memory with an optional expansion up to 250 GB for extended and remote data collection and storage applications.

With a complete set of standard PC I/O interfaces, the NightHawk also provides two Gigabit Ethernet ports, six USB 2.0 ports and four multi-function RS232 serial ports, dual graphics/video ports, keyboard/mouse and stereo audio in/output ports as well as an I/O set specifically tailored for embedded military and severe industrial applications.

Optional I/O includes MIL-STD-1553B, ARINC-429 and ARINC-708, CAN Bus, WiFi and WAN ports as well as video capture and processing, discrete and analog I/O and an eight-port Gigabit Ethernet switch.  All I/O is available via a flexible, user-defined configuration of MIL-DTL-38999-style connectors mounted conveniently on the unit's front access panel.

The unit uses conductive silicon rubber O-rings and flat EMI gaskets to keep sand, dust, humidity and contaminant splash out and its EMI/RFI filter protection meets MIL-STD-461 emission and susceptibility limits.  External surfaces are finished with black hard anodize for excellent corrosion resistance, with other colors and Chemical Agent Resistant Coating paint available upon request. Internal surfaces are chemical conversion coated for corrosion resistance as well as to ensure high electrical conductivity.

Operating temperature is -55 to +71°C in extreme environments up to 40 g peak single half-sine shock and 10 g RMS sine vibration at 5 Hz to 500 Hz.  The NightHawk RCU is compliant with MIL-STD-1275, MIL-STD-704, MIL-STD-461 and MIL-STD-462 and features an input voltage range from 18 VDC to 36 VDC with reverse polarity protection.  Total power supply output is 50 W to power optional, user-defined I/O. Supported operating systems include Windows Embedded XP, Linux and VxWorks.


 
 
   created by: P. Oelmann - SPICY WAY Media
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