Kontron HPEC Proof-of-Concept leverages mainstream IT technology to meet military’s more agile design to field deployment procurement process

Proof-of-concept is application-ready, small footprint system that delivers 10x the I/O data bandwidth to speed deployment of next-generation radar/sonar applications

Sea-Air-Space Expo, National Harbor, MD, April 8, 2013 – Kontron today previewed its High Performance Embedded Computer (HPEC) proof-of-concept (PoC) system based only on mainstream IT technology (TCP/IP, PCIe, Intel® CPUs) to help developers dramatically streamline the process from design to field deployment of next-generation radar and sonar applications, and to address the U.S. military’s smart procurement initiatives that put into place more rapid and agile purchasing processes. Co-developed with Intel®, the Kontron HPEC PoC delivers up to ten times the I/O data bandwidth previously achieved in computing platforms for military systems, and demonstrates the breakthrough technology that restores matched I/O and CPU performance ratios. Based on the 3rd generation Intel® Core™ processors and the Kontron 3U VPX platform, the Kontron HPEC PoC leverages Kontron’s extensive computing platform design capabilities in small, air cooled or conduction-cooled platforms. The Kontron HPEC PoC presents an optimal application-ready solution for radar and sonar systems that are expected to make a tremendous jump in a processing power and data I/O bandwidth. Any application based on TCP/IP will run unmodified on the platform.

Delivering higher speeds in a smaller size, the Kontron HPEC PoC is a rugged, air or conduction-cooled 3U VPX-based system that features 24 lanes of PCI Express® (PCIe®) centralized backplane interconnect at up to gen3 speed. Designed as a complete system, the Kontron HPEC PoC currently integrates the Kontron 3U VPX SBC VX3044, the Kontron VPX PCIe Switch VX3905 and the Kontron high-end L2/L3 Ethernet switch VX3910. The Kontron VX3044 SBC utilizes 3rd generation Intel® Core™ processors. These low voltage processors have very favourable GFLOPS/watt ratios since they support Intel® Advanced Vector Extensions (Intel® AVX) technology. To deliver up to 4.2 gigabytes per second (GB/s) in data throughput between VPX boards in a rack, the Kontron HPEC PoC utilizes Kontron’s innovative VXFabric™ software, which implements the TCP/IP protocol over the PCIe infrastructure to boost transmission bandwidth to better than 10 gigabit Ethernet (GbE) speeds. Kontron VXFabric™ software helps reduce development costs by simplifying and speeding application development of inter-CPU communication in VPX system architectures while also enabling migration to emerging hardware communication standards, such as 10G and 40G Ethernet.

Provided in the Kontron HPEC PoC is an impressive list of system content. It offers Linux distribution, diskless node support and parallel workload management software. Also integrated are compilers, optimized FFT benchmark code samples and a stress test application framework for benchmarking. Computer health management is enabled through a chassis management board content, system-wide PBIT and power/performance management at the system level.

"The days of being limited to Gigabit Ethernet are over for embedded computing. Developers of next-generation radar and sonar systems can now take advantage of a massive increase in I/O performance in a 3U VPX platform that opens up a new realm of image-intensive, small form factor applications," said Joe Eicher, Business Line Manager, Kontron. "This performance level equates to exchanging the data of one DVD in one second between boards, which not only enables amazing advances in vision size and granularity improvements, but the rugged small size also means that the HPEC PoC’s features can be used in more mobile environments too. Designers can literally take server capabilities right into field deployments."

"The performance of the 3rd Generation Intel® Core™ processors enable the increased I/O bandwidth needed to keep up with the throughput achievable in this concept," said Jim Robinson, General Manager with Intel’s Intelligent Systems Group. "High performance, balanced systems such as this offer a simpler alternative than discrete GP-GPU-based solutions. Designers can use this concept to integrate the capabilities they need right into their systems."

The Kontron HPEC PoC will be featured at Sea-Air-Space 2013 Expo at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, National Harbor, MD, from April 8 - 10, 2013 in Kontron booth #2840.

More information on Kontron’s TCP/IP protocol over the PCI Express infrastructure can be found on the Kontron VXFabric™ product page.

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About Kontron
Kontron is a global leader in embedded computing technology. With more than 40% of its employees in research and development, Kontron creates many of the standards that drive the world’s embedded computing platforms. Kontron’s product longevity, local engineering and support, and value-added services, help create a sustainable and viable embedded solution for OEMs and system integrators. Kontron works closely with its customers on their embedded application-ready platforms and custom solutions, enabling them to focus on their core competencies. The result is an accelerated time-to-market, reduced total-cost-of-ownership and an improved overall application with leading-edge, highly-reliable embedded technology.

Kontron is listed on the German TecDAX stock exchange under the symbol "KBC". For more information, please visit: http://www.kontron.com/


Media Contacts

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Kontron
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SAMS Network
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Kontron
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Annette Keller
Keller Communications
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APAC
Richard Pugnier
Kontron
Tel:+1 (858) 623-3006
richard.pugnier@us.kontron.com

Michael Hennen
SAMS Network
Tel: +49 (2405) 45267-20
michael.hennen@samsnetwork.com


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