Spectrum Ships New FPGA Processor Module Offering Higher Performance Processing with Deep Memory for Signals Intelligence Applications
05 November 2007
Spectrum Signal Processing by Vecima ("Spectrum") (TSX:VCM), a leading provider of software defined radio (SDR) technology, today announced at the SDR Forum Technical Conference and Product Expo the availability of the flexCommTM XMC-8131 reconfigurable parallel processing engine. The XMC-8131 provides high performance processing that supports the implementation of multi-channel, multi-mode receivers for both narrowband and wideband air-interfaces.
The XMC-8131 is Spectrum's next-generation processing module that utilizes a single user-programmable Xilinx® Virtex-4TM FPGA that provides up to 152,064 available logic cells. The module offers two banks of 256 MB DDR2 SDRAM totaling 512 MB, ideal for signals intelligence (SIGINT) applications that require a large memory buffer. In addition to the increased processing capability, the use of the Virtex-4 component reduces the power consumption and price of the module over the previous generation product.
"Spectrum continues to invest in the SDR flexComm product line to support the SIGINT and Electronic Warfare (EW) markets," said Mark Briggs, VP of Marketing at Spectrum. "Spectrum has architected its solutions to provide our customers with smooth technology insertion plans that reduced risk, reduced cost and reduced effort."
The XMC-8131 can be used as a front-end signal processing engine, or a general-purpose fixed-point or floating-point co-processor. The XMC-8131 uses a standard Spectrum daughter card to provide a modular I/O front-panel interface supporting access in a variety of formats including:
- 4 IF input Low Voltage Differential Signaling (LVDS)
- 4 IF output LVDS
- 2 IF in / 2 IF out LVDS
- Low Voltage Transistor-Transistor Logic (TTL)
The XMC-8131 incorporates a second Virtex-4 FPGA to offload the communications functions to the carrier board from the user parts. This high-speed communications can be done via four low power Solano® Communication IC compatible links or a dual Parallel RapidIOTM industry standard VITA 42.1 connection. The XMC standard is fully compatible with IEEE P1386.1 PMC standard.
The XMC-8131 has already begun shipping and is available for order immediately.
