Software Library Provides Stable Interface to Speed, Simplify Development of Switched Interconnect Solutions
LEESBURG, VA October 6, 2006, — Curtiss-Wright Controls Embedded Computing has introduced IPC 1.6, a new updated version of its popular Inter-Processor Communications (IPC) software library for building high-performance multi-processor applications employing switched interconnect technology. The IPC library provides the functionality needed to develop large multi-processor DSP systems such as radar, sonar and signal intelligence.
IPC provides a high-level, hardware-abstracted Application Programming Interface (API), that features the high-performance and low latency that is crucial for real-time signal processing applications. The latest version of the software, IPC 1.6, supports a wider range of Curtiss-Wright DSP engine cards and also supports larger systems, such as 64 node systems, than previously possible with earlier versions of the library software. The enhanced software also features improved routing algorithms that support a wider variety of StarFabric switched fabric topologies. It also supports the StarFabric switch used in Curtiss-Wright’s recently announced PowerMatrix subsystem family.
“We are committed to improving our IPC library software to ease and speed the development of our customers switched interconnect solutions,” said Lynn Patterson , vice president and general manager of Modular Solutions, Curtiss-Wright Controls Embedded Computing. “IPC is the cornerstone of our multi-processor software strategy, and we are in active development of a compatible version to run on next-generation VPX (VITA 46) hardware with a Serial RapidIO interconnect.”
The IPC library now also provides support for high availability systems. With functionality to allow dynamic entry and exit of nodes from a system, developers can construct systems with n+1 redundant sparing techniques that exhibit minimal downtime to reconfigure after a board failure.
With support for a greater variety of cards, IPC 1.6 now supports the following Curtiss-Wright DSP Engines:
CHAMP-AV IV Quad PowerPC 7448
CHAMP-AV III Quad PowerPC 7447
CHAMP-AV II Quad PowerPC 7410
SVME/DMV-183 Dual PowerPC 7447/7448 SBC
SVME/DMV-182 Dual PowerPC 7457 SBC
SVME/DMV-181 PowerPC 7410 SBC
To assist customers with development of large scale applications, Curtiss-Wright has established an IPC based 64-node demonstration system at its Leesburg , VA business operation. For information on availability of the 64-node test system, please contact Ian Stalker at [email protected]
IPC 1.6 Functionality
IPC 1.6 provides prioritized, queue-driven flow-controlled message passing for command and control as well as block transfers for high-volume time-perishable data. A POSIX compliant interface is provided with standard open, close, read, write, and ioctl functions. An extended interface provides control over additional features.
IPC provides a single API for task-to-task communications where tasks can be resident on the same processor, same board, or on boards connected via switched interconnect. The unified API greatly eases the design of building scalable software, as senders and receivers can be moved around the system without source code changes, or redesign of routing control. The hardware abstraction provided by IPC, means that software developed using IPC will port easily to future architectures and alternative switched interconnect technology such as PCI Express or RapidIO.
Data transport features in IPC address common scenarios in signal processing algorithms where frequently, a single data matrix is divided between processors and reconstructed during the processing stages. For corner turn operations, IPC supports multiple senders writing to a single receiver and strided data movements to facilitate operation on large matrices that have been partitioned. When supported by the operating system, IPC can perform copyless message retrieval to eliminate the time wasted by making local copies of incoming messages.
IPC is supported for use with the VxWorks real-time operating system from Wind River . Support for the Linux operating system is planned
Availability of IPC 1.6 is immediate. The IPC library is priced at US $6000
For editorial information regarding Curtiss-Wright Controls Embedded Computing Multi Computing products or services, contact John Wranovics, public relations director, Curtiss-Wright Controls Embedded Computing, Tel: (925) 640-6402; email. [email protected] . Web site: www.cwcembedded.com.
Inquiries: Please forward all Sales and reader service inquiries to Jerri-Lynne Charbonneau, Curtiss-Wright Controls Embedded Computing, Tel: (613) 254-5112; Fax: (613) 599-7777; e-mail: [email protected].
About Curtiss-Wright Controls Embedded Computing
Curtiss-Wright Controls Embedded Computing is the industry’s most comprehensive and experienced single source for embedded solutions, ranging from Processing, Subsystems, Data Communication, DSP, and Video & Graphics to the most advanced board level components and fully integrated custom systems. The Embedded Computing group serves the defense, aerospace, commercial and industrial markets and is part of Curtiss-Wright Controls Inc. For more information about Curtiss-Wright visit www.cwcembedded.com.
About Curtiss-Wright Controls, Inc.
Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Curtiss-Wright Controls is the motion control segment of Curtiss-Wright Corporation (NYSE: CW). With manufacturing facilities around the world, Curtiss-Wright Controls is a leading technology-based organization providing niche motion control products, subsystems and services internationally for the aerospace and defense markets. For more information, visit www.cwcontrols.com.
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