GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms Announces New Intel®-Based Single Board Computer For Cost-Effective High Performance In Harsh Environments

SBC620 enables advanced, I/O-intensive embedded computing applications including image- and digital signal processing

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms, a unit of GE Enterprise Solutions, today announced the VPXcel6 SBC620 rugged 6U VPX single board computer. Designed for a broad range of harsh environment military applications in which high performance is a key customer requirement, the SBC620 enables the cost-effective development and deployment of sophisticated embedded computing solutions.

The SBC620 features an Intel® 1.86GHz Core™2 Duo (Penryn) processor with 6 Mbytes of L2 cache memory and up to 4 GBytes of DDR2 SDRAM. The new board complements the SBC610 rugged 6U VPX single board computer based on Freescale™ Power Architecture™. These advanced features allow customers to develop highly robust solutions in demanding I/O-intensive applications such as image processing, digital signal processing and unmanned vehicle control.

“GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms has been a leader in products based on the VPX architecture since 2006,” said Peter Cavill, General Manager, Military & Aerospace Products, GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms. “The fabric-centric architecture of VPX allows our customers to deploy higher performance applications than were previously possible while leveraging their often-substantial investment in VMEbus-based systems. The SBC620 further extends the range of price/performance options available to them.”

The SBC620 is characterized by the flexibility and performance of its I/O subsystem. The onboard Intel 5100 chipset (San Clemente) provides four x4 PCI Express™ lanes to the VPX backplane, with one XMC site supported by x8 PCI Express and a second site supported by x4 PCI Express. I/O flexibility is further enhanced by the provision of six USB 2.0 ports, two Gigabit Ethernet ports, two SATA (3 Gbit/second) ports and two RS232/422 ports. The SBC620 also features an XGI Volari™ Z11 graphics processor, enabling the SBC620 to support dual VGA or VGA/DVI output.

I/O capabilities are further enhanced by the PEX440 mezzanine carrier card, which allows the SBC620 to take advantage of up to three mezzanines (two PMC/XMC modules and one AFIX Additional Flexible Interface Extension module). The PEX440 provides similar functionality for the SBC610 single board computer and DSP230 multiprocessor.

Available in five ruggedization levels from convection-cooled for development to conduction-cooled extended temperature operation for deployment, and providing optimum performance per watt, the SBC620 can be optionally configured with covers to allow for 2-level maintenance in line with the VITA-48 (REDI) standard.

“Embedded applications such as image and digital signal processing in which substantial quantities of data must be processed and the results delivered in as close to real time as possible are critical in military environments,” concluded Cavill. “New products like the SBC620 make a significant contribution to these applications, maximizing their effectiveness and therefore the success of the mission.”

For more information: www.gefanucembedded.com

About GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms

GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms, a joint venture between general Electric Company (NYSE: GE) and FANUC LTD of Japan, is an experienced high-performance technology company and a global provider of hardware, software, services, and expertise in automation and embedded computing. We offer a unique foundation of agile, advanced and ultra-reliable technology that provides customers a sustainable advantage in the industries they serve, including energy, water, consumer packaged goods, government & defense, and telecommunications. GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms is a worldwide company headquartered in Charlottesville, VA and is part of GE Enterprise Solutions. For more information, visit www.gefanuc.com.

About GE Enterprise Solutions

GE Enterprise Solutions elevates customers’ productivity and profitability with integrated solutions using sensors and non-destructive testing; security and life safety technologies; power system protection and control; and plant automation and embedded computing systems. Enterprise Solutions’ high-tech, high-growth businesses include Sensing & Inspection Technologies, Security, Digital Energy, and GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms. The business has 17,000 problem-solving employees in more than 60 countries around the world.

Power Architecture is a trademark of Power.org. PCI Express is a trademark of PCI-SIG. Freescale is a trademark of Freescale Semiconductor Inc. Intel is a registered trademark, and Core is a trademark, of Intel Corporation. Volari is a trademark of XGI Technology Inc. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.