Embedded Computing Articles

 

Updated Attributes Bring VME Beyond Military with OpenVPX

     - Steve Gudknecht, published by RTC Magazine

VITA 46, more commonly known as VPX, was developed to improve the performance of VME technology and bring it in line with more advanced standards to ensure its longevity. Initially developed in 2004 through VITA, VPX has blossomed to not only include readily available products and systems, but also movement of this technology into markets not traditionally associated with its predecessor, VME.

    

Understanding and Using OpenVPX for System Development (2-part article)

     - Ken Grob, published by RTC Magazine

     Part I: The Quest to Navigate the OpenVPX Standard: VITA 65

OpenVPX offers huge potential for performance, ruggedness and I/O in a wide variety of system configurations. Navigating through the specification can be intimidating at first, but once the terms have been recognized and the map laid out, the path to truly functional system topologies will open before us. 

     Part II: Navigating OpenVPX: Developing and Building Systems Using OpenVPX Profiles

Having seen an introduction to the OpenVPX specification, the next issue is how to go about designing practical systems based on it. Taking advantage of the initially daunting flexibility and variety involves a number of steps with close attention to the specification.

 

Making OpenVPX Work for Your Mil Aero Application

    - Justin Moll, published by ECN Magazine

OpenVPX is a critical new open standard architecture that has gained rapid acceptance in the Mil/Aero embedded system community. However, the VITA 65 specification for OpenVPX is very complex, and there are potential pitfalls.

 

The Inner Workings of Solid State Flash Storage

    - Steve Gudknecht, published by Tech Briefs

Because all solid state flash products are not created equal and flash storage is finding its way into more and more embedded computing applications, system designers should understand the critical tradeoffs between competing technologies when evaluating flash products. Most commonly, the endurance and reliability required in end-user applications help dictate the appropriate storage technology to use. Two well-known flash storage technologies, Single Level Cell (SLC) and Multi Level Cell (MLC), offer distinct advantages, depending on a user’s needs. 

The Evolution of Storage

     - Steve Gudknecht, published by Tech Briefs

The embedded computing industry is being inundated with changes to storage products driven by technological advancements, market forces and environmental concerns. The precipitous drop in solid-state flash drive (SSD) prices has enabled designers, previously turned off by the cost, to now consider solid state as an option over rotating hard disk drives (HDD). With that decision comes a serious list of performance benefits, including improvements in durability and security, which SSDs have over HDDs.

 

The need for security: Embedded form factors leverage advancements in storage protection features

     - Steve Gudknecht, published by VME Critical Systems

Graphics PMC Pulls Together Advanced Features
     - RTC New  Products Editor

VMEbus and Beyond: A Look at the New VITA Standards
    - Valerie Andrew, ACT/Technico and Barbara Schmitz, MEN Micro  

CompactPCI/PICMG Standards on the Move: A Look at CPCI Express
     - Valerie Andrew, published by COTS Journal 

Storage Considerations For Industrial Applications
     - Steve Gudknecht, published by Industrial Embedded Systems