Mercury Systems announces innovative I/O mezzanine module featuring in-mission dynamic FPGA reconfiguration
By Loren Blinde
September 16, 2015
On September 15, Chelmsford, MA-based Mercury Systems, Inc., announced the Ensemble® IOM-300 series of fiber-optic input/output (I/O) modules for complex image and radar processing and other high-bandwidth, low-latency sensor processing and networking applications.
Rugged and programmable, the Ensemble IOM-300 series are the industry’s first open systems architecture-based XMC modules to feature two field-programmable gate array (FPGA) devices for streaming sFPDP, Ethernet and other wideband protocols. The primary Altera industrial-grade Stratix® V FPGA is a highly customizable processing resource for low-latency signal processing supported by a second configuration FPGA that enables in-mission, real-time FPGA image refreshes for the Stratix V. Each of the module’s twelve channels may be programmed for data distribution, with or without user customization, via the primary FPGA device.
“Reconfiguring an FPGA’s logic during a mission without affecting the entirety of the system has traditionally been a difficult task that greatly impacts the continued operation of the application,” said Shaun McQuaid, Mercury Systems’ Director of Product Management. “The Ensemble IOM-300’s hardware and firmware architecture makes this reconfiguration not only possible, but simple, working with and insulating the underlying system software from any disruption. These modules offer unprecedented amounts of I/O processing power and configuration versatility – all within a low-SWaP open systems architecture XMC package that is both rugged and secure.”
The primary Stratix V FPGA hosts Mercury’s next-generation protocol offload engine technology (POET™). The configuration-FPGA, with its own always-operational PCIe pipe, enables IOM-300 modules to receive mission and system-level changes in real-time. POET optimizes the performance of open architecture protocols, while preserving existing IP with its backward compatibility with software protocols including Message Passing Interface/Open Fabrics Enterprise Distribution (MPI/OFED).
“Altera’s Stratix V FPGA enables superior real-time signal processing in Radar, Electronic Warfare and Signals Intelligence systems because of its ability to process multiple channels, enabling capabilities such as floating point processing that improve the system capabilities and reduce development time,” said Ian Land, Senior Product Line Manager for Altera’s Military, Aerospace and Government Business Unit. “Combined with Mercury’s rugged packaging technologies, it is an excellent choice for system developers who need to deliver next-generation systems in a short time to market.”
Each Ensemble IOM-300 module is populated with up to twelve duplex fiber-optic channels and support sFPDP (VITA 17.1), 10 Gb/s Ethernet, Fibre Channel and PCIe® Gen 3 protocols. IOM-300 modules may be configured with the latest and fastest VITA 61 connectors for unrestricted data rates, preventing data bottlenecks.
Designed and manufactured in the USA, Ensemble IOM-300 modules are compatible with Mercury’s suite of Ensemble sensor processing chain building blocks that include thermally efficient and rugged Air Flow-By™, Liquid Flow-By™ and conduction-cooled packaging in OpenVPX™ and AdvancedTCA® form-factors. Built-in customizable security building blocks spanning Mercury’s Ensemble portfolio enable personalizable security approaches which remain private to Mercury’s customers. IOM-300 modules are scheduled to be available in the fourth quarter of 2015.
Source: Mercury Systems, Inc.
