The new Calypso-V6 Two or Six Channel 12-bit ADCs with Up To 3.6 GSPS per Channel |
The new Calypso-V6 Two or Six Channel 12-bit ADCs with Up To 3.6 GSPS per Channel |
Washington, DC – November 15, 2011 – At the 48th Annual AOC International Symposium and Convention, TEK Microsystems, Incorporated, the leading supplier of VME and VXS-based signal acquisition, generation and FPGA-based processing products, has announced the latest member of our QuiXilica product family. The new Gemini-V6 supports either one 12-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC) input channel at 3.6 GSPS (Gigasamples per second) or three input channels at 1.8 GSPS, combined with a 12-bit DAC output channel operating at up to 4.0 GSPS. Like all members of the QuiXilica-V6 VME / VXS family, the Gemini-V6 is compatible with legacy VME systems as well as newer ANSI/VITA 41 VXS based systems and combines the highest density FPGA processing available in any 6U form factor with the ultimate in ultra wide band ADC signal acquisition and DAC signal generation for advanced Electronic Warfare applications.
“Tekmicro is committed to providing our customers with the best available ADC and DAC technology for 10, 12, and 16 bit resolutions. The new Gemini-V6 is another industry first for Tekmicro, combining the fastest available sampling rate for 12-bit signal acquisition with a 4 GHz DAC signal output in a 6U VME / VXS form factor”, comments Andrew Reddig, President / CTO of Tekmicro. “By integrating ultra high speed ADC and DAC technology with high density FPGA processing, we are able to meet our customers’ requests for a modular COTS building block with ultra low input-to-output latency, enabling the most advanced DRFM-based EW applications.”
Gemini-V6 Supports Ultra Wide Band Signal Acquisition and Generation
Gemini-V6 is based on the National Semiconductor ADC12D1800RF device which supports either a pair of channels in non-interleaved mode or a single channel using 2:1 interleaved sampling. Gemini-V6 contains two ADC devices, supporting a total of either three channels plus trigger at 1.8 GSPS or one channels plus trigger at 3.6 GSPS, plus a separate 12-bit DAC output channel based on the Euvis M653D which operates at up to 4.0 GSPS.
Gemini-V6 also includes sample-accurate trigger synchronization in all modes, allowing synchronization of input and output channels as well as coherent processing for N-channel algorithms both within a single card and across multiple cards. GPS and timestamp inputs are also available to support precise timing and geolocation.
High Density FPGA Processing
The Gemini-V6 contains two front end FPGA devices, one attached to the ADCs and one to the DAC. The front end FPGAs can be configured with LX240, SX315, or SX475 devices, providing both the highest FPGA processing density available in any 6U form factor today as well as the only VME / VXS platform supporting Virtex-6 FPGAs.
The two front end FPGAs are supplemented with a “backend” FPGA which can be used for additional processing or for backplane or front panel communications. The backend FPGA can also be configured with a range of Xilinx Virtex-6 FPGA options, from the standard LX240 up to a SX475, depending on application requirements.
Memory, Network and Interconnect Resources
The Gemini-V6 includes six banks of DDR3 memory with total capacity of 5 GB and aggregate throughput of 32 GB/s, supporting a wide range of signal processing algorithms with deep memory buffering of the entire signal acquisition stream. The backend FPGA also has two banks of QDR-II memory available for applications that require memory with lower random access latency. Each FPGA supports a Gigabit Ethernet interface for control plane purposes, along with a range of front panel and backplane I/O connections for high speed communications with other processing cards. Gemini-V6 provides an onboard Gigabit Ethernet switch for network connectivity between the front panel, backplane interface, and all onboard FPGAs.
System Management
The Gemini-V6 is based on Tekmicro’s QuiXilica-V6 baseboard which provides the tools necessary for reliability, availability and maintainability in deployed applications. A dedicated system management processor can be used to monitor power and thermal sensors, and is also responsible for managing FPGA initialization and bitstream management. Tekmicro’s QuiXstart technology, included in QuiXilica products since 2005, supports FPGA bitstreams using either onboard flash memory or offboard network resources to support secure applications while maintaining hardware in a sanitized state.
Ruggedization Support for Deployed Applications
The Gemini-V6 is available for a wide range of operating environments, including commercial grade, rugged air and conduction cooled, allowing the card to be used for both laboratory and deployed requirements in both VME and VXS systems.
Comprehensive Developers Kit Speeds Time To Market
The Gemini-V6 is supported by a comprehensive Developer’s Kit that includes interface IP cores for all onboard resources along with Tekmicro’s QuiXtream network toolkit for rapid application development using network-enabled FPGAs. Reference designs are included, with source code, to support quick prototyping of user applications with minimal learning curve.
The Gemini-V6 will be available in for early access customers starting in January 2012.
About TEK Microsystems, Incorporated.
Founded in 1981 and headquartered in Chelmsford, Massachusetts, Tekmicro designs, manufactures and delivers a wide range of advanced high-performance boards and systems for embedded real-time signal acquisition, generation, processing, storage and recording. Tekmicro provides both commercial and rugged grade products which are used in real-time systems designed for a wide range of defense, intelligence and industrial applications such as C4ISR, signals intelligence, electronic warfare and radar. For additional information see www.tekmicro.com.