SBC blends classic with modern

Many programs and companies appear to have moved on from classic VME, implying that it’s too much hassle to revamp it to compatibility with more modern technologies such as multicore, 45 nm, low-power, or SWaP-efficient accoutrements. However, Themis Computer begs to differ, with its new XV1 SBC. The “classically modern” SBC takes a 6U VME form factor, tucks in an Intel Quad-Core Xeon L5408 processor at 2.13 GHz, and then folds in VITA 41 (VXS)-style dual GbE to form a highly flexible mix of old and new. The XV1 offers 2 GB DDRII, three GbE ports, two XMC/PMC slots, four USB 2.0 ports, two SATA II ports, and an ATI ES1000 onboard video controller as standard, though upgrading to 8 GB DDRII ECC or adding four more GbE ports is also a distinct possibility. Meanwhile, Tsi-148 bridging and XMC/PMC carrier card expansion boost options. Not only that, XV1’s Expansion Sites 1 and 2 lend many choices for SoDIMM, SATA, GbE, and PMC/XMC variables. And finally, this SBC is just tough: It withstands shock of 30 g @ 40 mS, vibration of 0.90 g (rms) at 10-2,000 Hz, and comes in temperature ranges of -5 °C to +55 °C (operating) or -40 °C to +95 °C (nonoperating). The company says the motive behind XV1 is “to bring Quad Core server performance to a 6U VME form factor.” Now who would’ve thought … ?