GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms Announces Rugged High Performance Single Slot Graphics Solution for Demanding Military Applications

 

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA, NOVEMBER 24, 2009    GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms, a unit of GE Enterprise Solutions, today announced the SE 2 very high performance 6U VME rugged graphics platform. Combining an Intel® Core™2 Duo processor operating at up to 2.26GHz, an NVIDIA graphics processor (G72 or G73) and a 10 Gigabit Ethernet network interface card, the SE 2 is designed for demanding graphics-intensive applications that will be deployed in harsh environments. 

Further leveraging GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms’ recently-announced relationship with NVIDIA, the SE 2 provides a complete, self-contained single slot solution, responding to the need to minimize size and weight in space-constrained environments. 

“Graphics processing is assuming an increasingly vital role in many of today’s military applications,” said Peter Cavill, General Manager, Military & Aerospace Products at GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms, “but this requirement has historically been at odds with the need to keep board counts to a minimum. By introducing the SE 2, we are making it possible for systems developers to incorporate rugged graphics processing within a system but without compromising other elements of the design.”

Typical applications for the SE 2 include digital mapping, where the requirement is to render significant amounts of graphics data in close to real-time, and distributed aperture sensors that need to acquire and process substantial quantities of visual information. 

Use of Intel’s latest ‘Penryn’ processor maximizes performance/watt and allows support of larger memory, while the NVIDIA graphics processor is capable of achieving its maximum rated clock speed throughout the rugged temperature range, allowing optimum performance to be achieved in the most challenging conditions. System throughput is maximized by the provision of x16 PCI Express between the Intel and NVIDIA processors. 

Standard features of the SE2 include up to 8 GBytes of DDR2 SDRAM, four serial ports, six USB 2.0 ports and PS/2 mouse and keyboard ports. The SE2 is optionally available with a x4 PCI Express interface (replaces the 10 Gigabit Ethernet interface), an on-board solid state SATA disk drive and a single channel redundant MIL-STD-1553 interface. Five levels of ruggedization – from benign to conduction-cooled – are available, maximizing both flexibility and cost-effectiveness. 

Software support includes Wind River’s VxWorks 6.6, Windows XP and Windows Vista as well as Linux. The availability of OpenGL drivers under VxWorks means that certification to DO-178B is achievable. 

For more information, please visit: www.gefanuc.com/industries/mil-aero

 

 

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.

 

 

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.