GE Brings Multicore PowerPC Computing to 3U CompactPCI Enabling Higher Performance From Low-Power, Small, Rugged Computers

 

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA   March 17 2010 GE Intelligent Platforms today announced the IMP3A, a 3U CompactPCI single board computer featuring the latest dual core QorIQ™ processor technology from Freescale™. The IMP3A takes advantage of the QorIQ P2020 processor to deliver dual core performance in a single core power envelope: the P2020 offers superior power consumption/heat dissipation compared to previous generations of high performance Power Architecture™ processors, making it ideally suited to small form factors such as 3U CompactPCI. 
 
By coupling the P2020 with an extensive range of memory resources and I/O features, and implementing new features such as SATA and NAND Flash memory, the IMP3A offers innovative technologies for programs committed to the 3U CompactPCI architecture as well as a highly cost-effective technology insertion opportunity for GE’s existing IMP1A/IMP2A customers. A typical application would see the IMP3A deployed as part of a control system onboard a tank, armored vehicle or helicopter. 
 
“Historically, customers attempting to work within the tight thermal envelope required by the 3U CompactPCI architecture would have been limited to a single core solution capable of much less performance,” said Peter Cavill, General Manager, Military & Aerospace Products at GE Intelligent Platforms. “The IMP3A removes that restriction and allows those customers to benefit from innovative technology without exceeding their power budget, supporting the drive to maximize the performance available from a single slot and create a sustainable competitive advantage.”
 
3U CompactPCI has traditionally been a highly attractive architecture for military and aerospace customers because it allows for smaller systems without compromising backplane performance. Availability of the IMP3A will make it even more attractive, potentially allowing for 2x the performance from a single slot or allowing a slot to be freed up because two single board computers are no longer required: this reduces the cost of the system while increasing its reliability. 
 
The IMP3A supports a choice of either the QorIQ P2010 single core processor or the QorIQ P2020 dual core processor, operating at up to 1.2GHz. Both symmetric and asymmetric processing are supported, enabling customers to scale performance through either thread-level or application-level parallelism. A PCI-X® PMC expansion capability enables customers to configure the IMP3A to their requirements without exceeding the capacity of a single CompactPCI slot. Up to 4GBytes of soldered DDR3 ECC memory is featured for maximum system throughput and reliability, while flexible connectivity is provided with two Gigabit Ethernet channels, up to 16 GPIO ports, two SATA channels, two COM ports and USB 2.0. The IMP3A is available in five build levels from office/benign to conduction-cooled with a maximum operating temperature of +85 degrees C, and support is planned for popular real time operating systems including VxWorks®, INTEGRITY™ and LynxOS®.   
 
 
About GE Intelligent Platforms
GE Intelligent Platforms is an experienced high-performance technology company and a global provider of software, hardware, services, and expertise in automation and embedded computing. We offer a unique foundation of agile and reliable technology providing customers a sustainable advantage in the industries they serve, including energy, water, consumer packaged goods, government & defense, and telecommunications. GE Intelligent Platforms is headquartered in Charlottesville, VA. For more information, visit www.ge-ip.com.
 
 
A high resolution image to illustrate this release can be found at:
 
 
 
 
Contact:
Ian McMurray, GE Intelligent Platforms
+44 (0) 1327 322821
 
 
Freescale and QorIQ are trademarks of Freescale Semiconductor Inc. Power Architecture is a trademark of Power.org. VxWorks is a registered trademark of Wind River Systems. LynxOS is a registered trademark and LynuxWorks is a trade mark of LynuxWorks. INTEGRITY is a trademark of Green Hills Software. PCI-X is a registered trademark of PCI-SIG. CompactPCI is a registered trademark of the PCI Industrial Computer Manufacturers. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.