Mercury Computer Systems Launch High Performance GPGPU-Based OpenVPX Module

Over 40 TFLOPS of super-computing performance delivers 5X more processing power in a single rugged, deployable ISR subsystem

Mercury Computer Systems Inc., a trusted provider of commercially developed application-ready ISR and EW subsystems for defense prime contractors, announced the Ensemble™ Series 6000 Dual AMD GPGPU OpenVPX™ GSC6201 module. This new module delivers the defense industry’s highest performing stream processing capability in a 6U form factor. Its flexible, modular design expands the customer’s choice of GPGPU, allowing them to select the best GPGPU for their application.

The GSC6201 balances the disruptive computational capabilities of AMD’s latest generation Radeon™ HD 7970M embedded GPGPU processor with high-bandwidth I/O interfaces, providing a powerful and scalable computing architecture that is well aligned with high-end radar, electronic warfare and image processing applications. With this product, Mercury leverages multiple open software and hardware technologies for straightforward interoperability, extensibility and portability. Among these open technologies is OpenCL™, an optimized, industry-standard software framework that supports code migration among GPGPUs and other processors for preservation of software IP. Open industry-standard hardware technologies incorporated within the GSC6201 utilizing AMD include OpenVPX for interoperability, extreme ruggedization for harsh environmental operation, and industry-standard MXM technology for rapid tech refresh and performance upgrades to the latest GPGPU technology.

“Mercury first implemented GPGPUs in 2004 and continues to deliver defense and commercial GPGPU-based solutions, including a wide range of currently deployed, high-performance intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) subsystems,” said Scott Thieret, Technical Director at Mercury Computer Systems. “With AMD’s latest Radeon HD 7970M embedded GPGPU and Mercury’s StreamDirect™ and Imaging Toolkit, our customers can gain a performance improvement of over 5X compared with previous AMD solutions, greatly reducing the size, weight, and power (SWaP) required for real-time on-board exploitation.”

“Our strong technology and business relationship with Mercury has resulted in several AMD successes in the defense industry,” said Richard Jaenicke, director of Embedded Client Solutions at AMD. “We are thrilled that Mercury has selected the Radeon HD 7970M for their fourth-generation GPGPU module, and that Mercury has extended the Radeon HD 7970M’s performance capabilities with StreamDirect technology for direct sensor-to-GPGPU processing, enabling outstanding performance.”

The GSC6201 is available now and can be configured in air-cooled or conduction-cooled rugged versions.