Embedded Webblog

Although FPGAs have taken center stage in the fight on obsolescence, another approach to extending the expected life of an embedded product is to allow users to easily update plug in modules to reconfigure the hardware. For example, General Micro Systems recently announced the VS275, codenamed Maritime, a new VMEbus single board computer that combats end of life problems by enabling seamless upgrades and new functionality with five different expansion modules. Maritime utilizes the GMS P70 Nucleus processor module that supports either the ultra low-power Core 2 Duo operating at 1.5 GHz or the Core 2 Duo at 2.16 GHz with 4 MB of L2 Cache and a 667 MHz front side bus. Plug-in configurability is made possible through PMC-X and XMC compliant mezzanine sites with rear I/O and a VME expansion site that serves as an optional workstation I/O module. In place of the onboard PMC site the Maritime board can be configured with a 2.5” SATA 500 GB hard disk drive or a 256 GB solid state drive with a Secure Erase function which can be triggered via software or a recessed front panel switch. Other features include two Gigabit Ethernet ports, ten USB 2.0 ports; four serial ports with RS232/422/485 options, and 16 individually programmable buffered user I/O lines. Maritime supports VME-64 and is available in a standard temperature 0°C to +60°C or extended temperature -40°C to +85°C version. Support for Linux, Windows VISTA/XP, LynxOS, Solaris and VxWorks operating systems is standard. Pricing for the standard version of Maritime (VS275) starts at $3,200 in quantities of 1 unit.