Curtiss-Wright Announces New Quad-Core Intel Atom-Based Mission Computer

By Mike Ball / 03 May 2016
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Curtiss-Wright Parvus DuraCOR 311Curtiss-Wright’s Defense Solutions division has announced the release of the newest member of its Parvus DuraCOR family of extremely small form factor rugged commercial off the shelf (COTS) mission computer subsystems. Designed for a wide range of demanding applications and platforms, such as unmanned systems, that require an extremely size, weight, power and cost (SWaP-C) optimized mission computer, the new Parvus DuraCOR 311 Mission Computer combines 64-bit quad-core Intel “Baytrail” Atom modular mission processing capabilities with integrated Intel HD graphics in a lightweight, ultra-small form factor rugged design.

The new mission computer weighs less than 1.5 lb and is less than 40 cubic inches in size. The new 311 model joins Curtiss-Wright’s recently introduced very low power quad-core i.MX6 ARM-based Parvus DuraCOR 310 Mission Computer. Both systems feature a modular chassis designed with the high mechanical robustness and I/O flexibility needed to meet the demanding requirements of civil and military UAS, Helicopter, and Ground Vehicle platforms.

“Our new Parvus DuraCOR 311 Mission Computer further solidifies Curtiss-Wright’s commitment to lead the industry in providing ultra-small form factor system solutions for air, ground and seaborne platforms deployed in harsh environments,” said Lynn Bamford, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Defense Solutions division. “This compact yet robust mission computer is one of the smallest, lightest, and cost-effective Intel-based rugged mission processors on the market. Its combination of low SWaP-C, scalable I/O and data storage functionality coupled with strong multi-core CPU performance hits the mark for programs seeking low-SWaP solutions.”

The DuraCOR 310 and DuraCOR 311 systems eliminate design risk because they are pre-validated through extensive environmental, power, and EMI compliance testing per MIL-STDs and DO-160. Both systems are designed to meet the demanding MIL-STD-810G, MIL-STD-461F, MIL-STD-1275D, MIL-STD-704F and RTCA/DO-160G environmental, power and EMI standards.

The DuraCOR 311 comes with a full complement of standard I/O interfaces (including USB, Ethernet, Serial, DIO, Video, and Audio). I/O expansion is supported by three Mini-PCIe expansion slots and the broad ecosystem of rugged COTS Mini-PCIe modules (including MIL-STD-1553 and ARINC 429 avionics databus interfaces). The DuraCOR 311 also features MIL-performance circular connectors and a fully dust and waterproof chassis. Curtiss-Wright’s engineering services can deliver Modified COTS (MCOTS) variants quickly, without a traditional NRE fee. This service enables Parvus-family mission computers to be quickly tailored with mission-specific avionics/vehicle databus or video interfaces to meet unique platform requirements.

In addition to internal mSATA and microSD card slots, the system offers an optional removable 2.5” SATA SSD storage option for high capacity storage and information assurance requirements. Initial software support includes pre-loaded Linux or Windows operating systems. The unit’s Intel processor supports HD-class video acceleration, including OpenGL, OpenCL, and OpenVG.

The DuraCOR 310 and DuraCOR 311 complement Curtiss-Wright’s previously announced DuraNET 20-11 miniature Ethernet Switch. The DuraNET 20-11 is an USFF rugged COTS 8-port Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) switch optimized for extremely demanding SWaP-C constrained vehicle and aircraft platforms exposed to harsh environmental and noisy electrical conditions (e.g. high altitude, extreme shock and vibration, extended temperatures, humidity, dust and water exposure, noisy EMI, and/or dirty power). The unit boasts an ultra-miniature “pocket sized” design with a physical size of roughly 10 in3 in volume, 0.50 lbs. in weight, and only 5W typical power consumption.

Posted by Mike Ball Mike Ball is our resident technical editor here at Unmanned Systems Technology. Combining his passion for teaching, advanced engineering and all things unmanned, Mike keeps a watchful eye over everything related to the unmanned technical sector. With over 10 years’ experience in the unmanned field and a degree in engineering, Mike’s been heading up our technical team here for the last 8 years. Connect & Contact