VITA 100 Working Groups Developing Next Generation High Performance Critical Embedded Computing Standard
VITA, the trade association for standard computing architectures serving critical and intelligent embedded systems industries, has announced the formation of several VITA 100 working groups focused on developing the next generation high performance embedded computing standard. The initial working group was launched after a study group, formed in May of 2022, established the requirements for a next generation standard. Additional working groups have been formed to develop the various VITA 100 auxiliary standards.
The VITA 100 working groups were formed as a result of reviewing proposals from the study group tasked with understanding and defining the needs of the next generation of computing requirements for high performance embedded computing. VITA 100 working groups are currently defining a suite of standards as an evolution for OpenVPX, VPX and related mechanical standards while embracing a paradigm shift in technology and capability.
The study group was chartered to define a solution to expand VPX to:
- Double the density of current VPX connectors
- Maintain the maximum current connector length
- Support higher speed protocols including 100G Ethernet/lane (e.g., 100GBASE-KR1, 400GBASE-KR4) and PCIe Gen 6
- Increase power capacity (500+ Watts)
A key action of the study group was to review multiple connector proposals. Proposals were submitted by numerous leading connector suppliers. The TE Connectivity next generation MULTIGIG HD connector was ultimately selected by the study group after careful consideration of the proposals. The new MULTIGIG HD connector builds on the previous variants of TE’s MULTIGIG product family, while bringing significant technical advances including doubled pin count, 100 Gb/s data rates, increased current capacity and support for rugged environments.
The VITA 100 working groups are leveraging lessons learned from the development and implementation of VPX over the past twenty years. This has enabled faster development time of the standard while leading to more robust products based on the years of experience. The supporters of VITA 100 have a vested interest in developing this next generation for the VPX roadmap.
“I am excited to be leading this evolutionary effort to leapfrog the VPX capabilities”, stated Steve Devore, VITA 100 Chair and Product Architect at Leonardo DRS. “The participants in the various working groups have stepped up and are contributing valuable insight to the various VITA 100 standards. There is still a considerable amount of work ahead, but customer demands are motivating us to complete the standards and quickly transition into product development.”
“Selection as the VITA standard for our next generation MULTIGIG connector is the culmination of two years of dedicated research and development by our innovative cross-functional team,” said Michael Walmsley, senior project manager at TE Connectivity “The result is a next-generation VPX connector that will now become a defense industry standard and brings with it a foundation for future expansion.”
“VITA has a long history of developing and supporting standards for the critical embedded computing industry,” stated Dean Holman, President and Executive Director, VITA. “VITA members see the need for solid standards with well-developed roadmaps, the VITA 100 working group is doing exactly that for VPX.”
Drafts of many of the auxiliary standards are being developed by the working groups. Standards of this complexity are typically rolled out in pieces as product prototyping is completed. Several years of prototyping typically proceeds full product rollouts. Many of the VITA 100 supporters are also VPX suppliers and users, all with a vested interest in preserving VPX and the evolution to VITA 100.
Companies interested in participating in this standards development effort are encouraged to join VITA to become part of the development process.
About VITA
Founded in 1984, VITA is an incorporated, non-profit organization of suppliers and users who share a common market interest in critical embedded systems. VITA champions open system architectures. Its activities are international in scope, technical, promotional, and user-centric. VITA aims to increase total market size for its members, expand market exposure for suppliers, and deliver timely technical information. VITA has American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accreditation to develop standards (VME, VXS, VPX, OpenVPX, VPX REDI, XMC, XMC+, FMC, FMC+, QMC, VNX, VNX+, Reliability Community, etc.) for embedded systems used in a myriad of critical applications and harsh environments. For more information, visit www.VITA.com.
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