GE Intelligent Platforms Releases New Rugged Single Board Computer for Unmanned Vehicles

By Caroline Rees / 04 Jul 2014
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The SBC626 rugged computer

The GE Intelligent Platforms SBC626 rugged 6U VPX single board computer

GE Intelligent Platforms has launched the SBC626 rugged 6U VPX single board computer (SBC). Featuring the latest quad-core 4th generation Intel ®Core™ i7 processor (‘Haswell’), it will provide outstanding performance per watt while helping to minimize size, weight and power (SWaP) in deployed subsystems – making it ideal for constrained environments such as manned- and unmanned vehicles.

The SBC626 is the fourth product featuring Intel’s latest processor to be announced by GE Intelligent Platforms. The range now includes 3U and 6U platforms featuring VME as well as VPX.

Delivering enhanced processor performance, improved graphics performance, superior connectivity and upgraded security within the same power envelope as previous generations of GE’s SBC family will allow the SBC626 not only to address existing command/control applications, but also more demanding signal processing requirements such as ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance), sonar and radar as well as demanding industrial and commercial applications.

The SBC626 will also be attractive to existing customers, as it is form, fit and function compatible with earlier models, providing a straightforward, cost-effective technology insertion opportunity that will enable customer systems to benefit from Intel’s newest processors. This is in line with GE’s continuing commitment to maximizing the value of customer investments.

“The SBC626 allows customers to do more with less – more processing power, more bandwidth, more graphics capability that can enable fewer slots to be used and potentially make an important contribution to reducing size, weight and power,” said Chris Lever, General Manager, Embedded Product Management at GE Intelligent Platforms. “That allows subsystems to deliver more capability with the same size, weight and power, or to deliver a level of capability that previously required more size, weight and power.”

The SBC626 includes an optional Security Hub FPGA. The FPGA combines a mix of passive and active features to allow customers to develop a robust on-board anti-tamper capability.

The new single board computer benefits from the 4th generation Intel Core i7 processor’s support of PCI Express® Gen3 technology and USB3.0, providing even greater bandwidth for on-board and off-board connectivity and enabling the high bandwidths required by today’s applications. In particular, this high performance PCI Express interface makes the new products ideal hosts to drive GE’s GPGPU boards, such as the IPN251 and NPN240.

The SBC626 provides support for AXIS, GE’s Advanced Multiprocessor Integrated Software development environment, which is designed to significantly reduce the complexity, time and cost of developing sophisticated applications.

Posted by Caroline Rees Caroline co-founded Unmanned Systems Technology and has been at the forefront of the business ever since. With a Masters Degree in marketing Caroline has her finger on the pulse of all things unmanned and is committed to showcasing the very latest in unmanned technical innovation. Connect & Contact