CHELMSFORD, Mass., Sept. 12, 2006 — Mercury Computer Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: MRCY) today announced a new family of single-board computers (SBCs) that use two Dual-Core Intel(R) Xeon(R) processors ULV on a 6U single-slot module. Symmetric multiprocessing, or SMP, enables any processor to work on any task, and SMP systems can easily move tasks between processors to efficiently balance the processing workload.
Mercury’s new class of SBCs is the first cPCI or VME board to incorporate two Dual-Core Intel(R) Xeon(R) processors ULV, and provides four times the processing density per module over other single-core Intel(R) Xeon(R) processor-based boards available today. Mercury’s first available module with SMP in this product family is the Momentum(TM) Series CX6-200, a 6U CompactPCI-based SBC. VME/VXS-based versions are expected to follow later this calendar year.
“The combination of higher performance, processing density, and ease of use will position this growing product family as the clear choice for computationally challenging applications in a broad range of markets from telecommunications to defense electronics,” said Richard Jaenicke, Technology Integration Director, Mercury Computer Systems. “With the symmetric multiprocessing configuration of the Dual-Core Intel(R) Xeon(R) processors, the Momentum Series CX6-200 is much easier to program than any comparable non-SMP dual-processor solution.”
Until now, the performance benefits and processing power of workstation-based processors like the Intel(R) Xeon(R) processor were not feasible on a single-slot SBC due to their massive power requirements. Utilizing its expertise in developing high-performance embedded computing solutions, Mercury has used the new Dual-Core Intel(R) Xeon processors ULV to more than quadruple the performance density of previous SBC solutions for industries with high processing power demands, such as telecommunications and defense electronics.
On each board, the two dual-core processors are connected in a symmetric multiprocessing, or SMP configuration, so that each of the four processor cores has easy access to 8 GB of shared memory. Working together, the two Dual-Core Intel Xeon(R) processors deliver more than twice the performance of two single-core Xeon(R) processors as measured by Spec CPU2000 benchmark test results. Combined with the lower-power-per-processor core, this results in unprecedented performance per Watt.
“The Dual-Core Intel(R) Xeon(R) processor ULV 1.66 GHz, with a thermal design power of 15 Watts, is ideal for thermally-sensitive and space-constrained telecommunications and embedded applications,” said Rose Schooler, director of marketing, Infrastructure Processor Division, Intel. “This leading performance per watt now enables the design of single-slot SBCs, like the Momentum Series CX6-200, which can deliver ground-breaking performance density for telecommunications equipment manufacturers and other SBC users.”
The Momentum Series CX6-200 is available in a single- or dual-processor configuration and supports up to four-way SMP, which provides significant performance advantages for compute-intensive applications while requiring minimal porting. PCI Express(R) technology minimizes internal data-flow bottlenecks and maximizes external I/O throughput for onboard interconnects. The numerous I/O interfaces include quad Gigabit Ethernet, RS-232 serial I/O, high-speed serial ATA-150 (SATA), USB 2.0, and SVGA interfaces, with most available at the front panel for easy connectivity. For added versatility and flexibility, the CX6-200 features a single-wide PMC/XMC expansion site that supports both front and rear I/O.
Pricing for the Momentum Series CX6-200 starts at US$6,295 for a single board, with discounts available on higher volumes. Product availability is 60-90 days ARO. VME/VXS versions are scheduled for later in the calendar year. For more information on the Dual-Core Intel(R) Xeon(R) processor ULV, visit developer.intel.com/design/intarch/dualcorexeon[…]. For more information on the Momentum Series CX6-200, visit www.mc.com/momentum, or contact Mercury at (866) 627-6951.
About Mercury Computer Systems, Inc.
Mercury Computer Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: MRCY) is the leading provider of high-performance embedded, real-time digital signal and image processing solutions. Mercury’s solutions play a critical role in a wide range of applications, transforming sensor data to information for analysis and interpretation. In military reconnaissance and surveillance platforms the Company’s systems process real-time radar, sonar, and signals intelligence data. Mercury’s systems are also used in state-of-the-art medical diagnostic imaging devices including MRI, PET, and digital X-ray, and in semiconductor imaging applications including photomask generation and wafer inspection. Mercury provides advanced 3D image processing and visualization software and optimized systems to diverse end markets including life sciences, geosciences, and simulation. The Company also provides radio frequency (RF) products for enhanced communications capabilities in military and commercial applications.
Based in Chelmsford, Massachusetts, Mercury serves customers in North America, Europe and Asia through its direct sales force and a network of subsidiaries and distributors. Visit Mercury on the web at www.mc.com.