OPENVPX Standard that Provides System Interoperability and Performance
OpenVPX is based on VITA 46.0 and 46.1 VPX standards that allow the design and implementation of high-speed, high-power switched fabric-based systems. The major fabric protocols supported by OpenVPX include Ethernet, Serial RapidIO and PCI Express. The embedded computing industry quickly determined that the VPX standard didn’t address interoperability between VPX boards and backplanes from multiple vendors.
OpenVPX (VITA 65) was designed as a system-level VPX specification to address this issue. The specification defines backplane and board level profiles from COTS vendors to ensure interoperability of products used in developing systems and subsystems. By considering the system-level view of performance and interoperability, OpenVPX reduces the need for custom development of backplanes and chassis for every application. It also enables system integrators to focus on the demanding application needs of their program rather than dealing with product interoperability issues. OpenVPX allows system developers to reduce development time and reduce the risk associated with using VPX boards in systems.
The specification defines OpenVPX profiles for slots, backplanes and modules to assure boards can be replaced by other boards with only minimal backplane changes. It also adds air-cooled Line Replaceable Module plug-and-play interoperability through use of Rear Transition Modules (RTMs).
The standard defines OpenVPX system topologies to promote interoperability. The OpenVPX slot types include payload, peripheral, switch and storage. In addition, the OpenVPX backplanes include star, mesh, hybrid and bridged topologies. The specification also discusses the the Utility Plane, Power Distribution, System Control Signals, the Reference Clocks and the GPIO Signals. Pin Assignments are defined for J0/P0 and J1/P1.
The OpenVPX specification was created by the OpenVPX Industry Working Group and became part of the VITA Standard Organization (VSO) in 2009. Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions chaired the VITA 65 OpenVPX Working Group committee.
Curtiss-Wright offers a wide range of products using the OpenVPX architecture.
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