3rd generation of Kontron 3U OpenVPX™ SBCs first to bring 10 Gigabit Ethernet and PCI Express 3.0

Kontron 3U OpenVPX™ SBCs with 3rd generation Intel® Core™ processors to provide best combination of performance, power efficiency and bandwidth for long-lifecycle applications

Eching, Germany, June 6, 2012 – Kontron announced today its new 3rd generation of 3U OpenVPX™ single-board computers (SBC) with latest interface technology based on the 3rd generation Intel® Core™ i7 processors. They are the first 3U OpenVPX™ SBCs with native support for 10 Gigabit Ethernet and PCI Express 3.0 to meet and exceed even the highest bandwidth demands of network centric military, aerospace and transportation applications. The new Kontron 3U OpenVPX™ SBCs VX3042 and VX3044 are specifically designed to provide the ideal combination of leading-edge performance, power efficiency and bandwidth to long-lifecycle applications.

The 3rd generation Kontron 3U OpenVPX™ SBCs leverage the 3rd generation Intel® Core™ i7 processors to provide Size, Weight and Power (SWaP) constrained appliances up to 20% more processing performance and 50% more graphics performance than SBCs with the 2nd generation Intel® Core™ processors. The Kontron VX3042 With its dual-core Intel® Core™ i7 processor, flexible XMC site to implement application specific extensions and configurable TDP is the versatile "workhorse" for any rugged and console server application. The leading-edge Kontron VX3044 with its Intel® Core™ i7-3612QE quad-core processor builds the ideal basis to boost the performance levels of high performance embedded computing (HPEC) applications, such as radar, sonar and other situational awareness applications. Both SBCs excel competing offerings with their extraordinary data bandwidth via native 10 Gigabit Ethernet on a single line and outmatch even installations with multiple switched GigE channels. With PCI Express 3.0 they offer twice the bandwidth than platforms with PCI Express 2.0, additionally enhancing bandwidth for system intra-connects. And with the unique Kontron Smart Technologies with VXFabric™ to use Ethernet TCP/IP over PCI Express, VXControl™ for monitoring and control of critical parameters, and the PBIT system test solution, OEMs have everything at hand to simplify and accelerate the development of optimized and highly reliable applications. In combination with their 100 percent backward and upward compatible pin-out to all Kontron based 3U VPX SBCs, which enables system upgrades without a redesign of the backplane, OEMs also profit on the software side, as they just have to write the code once and can run it on the complete Kontron OpenVPX™ product range, enabling real drop in replacements.

"By offering the highest speeds in PCI Express and Gigabit Ethernet on the VPX market, Kontron’s 3U boards can offer the same bandwidth in half the size of existing solutions. In a market where size and weight matter more each year, this product line is a real game changer", says Vincent Chuffart, military product line manager for Kontron.

The new Kontron 3U OpenVPX™ SBCs in detail
The Kontron VX3042 is based on the 2.2 GHz dual-core Intel® Core™ i7-3517UE processor with configurable TDP between 14 W and 25 W. It offers up to 16 GB soldered ECC DDR3 SDRAM and one XMC site to enable application specific customization by populating the XMC slot with additional specialized XMCs including I/O, field bus and storage modules.
Specifically designed for high-performance embedded computing, the leading edge Kontron VX3044 integrates the Intel® Core™ i7-3612QE quad-core processor with 2.1 GHz and up to 16 MB soldered ECC DDR3 SDRAM. Combined with its powerful I/O backbone, multiple Kontron VX3044 enable HPEC systems with an unprecedented computing density in the compact 3U form factor.

Common to both SBCs are the comprehensive Ethernet connectivity with 10GBASE-KR, 1000BASE-T and 1000BASE-BX, eight lane PCI Express gen 3.0 and x1 PCI Express gen 2.0, 1x USB 3.0 and 4x USB 2.0. Storage media can be connected via 2x SATA 3 and 2x SATA 2, both with RAID 0/1/5/10 support. As an option, on-board soldered SATA-Flash is available to host OS and application code. Three DisplayPort interfaces provide the increased graphics power of the integrated Intel® HD Graphics 4000 to three independent monitors.

The new Kontron 3U OpenVPX™ SBCs VX3042 and VX3044 are backed up by Kontron's Long Term Supply program (LTS) with a 15-year life cycle to fulfill the demands of current and upcoming military and transportation programs. The Kontron 3U OpenVPX™ SBCs can be ordered as a stand-alone platform or as an integral part of the new multi-mission rugged computer system ApexVX for the rapid deployment of a broad range of military and avionics applications. Kontron also offers a suitable lab development system to simplify application development and minimize time-to-market. The new Kontron VX3042 and VX3044 are available now and support Windows Embedded Standard 7, Linux and VxWorks.

For more information on the versatile Kontron 3U OpenVPX™ SBC VX3042 please visit: http://www.kontron.com/products/boards+and+mezzanines/3u+vpx/processor/vx3042.html

For more information on the high-performance Kontron 3U OpenVPX™ SBC VX3044 please visit: http://www.kontron.com/products/boards+and+mezzanines/3u+vpx/processor/vx3044.html

To watch the video about the high-performance Kontron 3U OpenVPX™ SBC VX3044, please visit: www.kontron.com/about-kontron/videos/?cat=1&subcat=3&video=502

For more information on OpenVPX™ please visit:
http://www.kontron.com/vpx

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About Kontron
Kontron is a global leader in embedded computing technology. With more than 40% of its employees in research and development, Kontron creates many of the standards that drive the world’s embedded computing platforms. Kontron’s product longevity, local engineering and support, and value-added services, helps create a sustainable and viable embedded solution for OEMs and system integrators. Kontron works closely with its customers on their embedded application-ready platforms and custom solutions, enabling them to focus on their core competencies. The result is an accelerated time-to-market, reduced total-cost-of-ownership and an improved overall application with leading-edge, highly-reliable embedded technology.

Kontron is listed on the German TecDAX stock exchange under the symbol "KBC". For more information, please visit: http://www.kontron.com/


Media Contacts

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Kontron
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Michael Hennen
SAMS Network
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michael.hennen@samsnetwork.com

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Richard Pugnier
Kontron
Tel:+1 (858) 623-3006
richard.pugnier@us.kontron.com

Annette Keller
Keller Communications
Tel:+1 (949) 640-4811
annettekeller@sbcglobal.net

APAC
Richard Pugnier
Kontron
Tel:+1 (858) 623-3006
richard.pugnier@us.kontron.com

Michael Hennen
SAMS Network
Tel: +49 (2405) 45267-20
michael.hennen@samsnetwork.com


All rights reserved. Kontron is a trademark or registered trademark of Kontron AG. Intel® and Intel® Core™ are trademarks of Intel® Corporation in the US and other countries. All data is for information purposes only and not guaranteed for legal purposes. Subject to change without notice. Information in this press release has been carefully checked and is believed to be accurate; however, no responsibility is assumed for inaccuracies.