Revolutionizing Embedded Computing: The Next-Gen VITA 100 Standards
Table of Contents
- 1. Revolutionizing Embedded Computing: The Next-Gen VITA 100 Standards
- 2. The Genesis of VITA 100
- 3. What’s New in VITA 100?
- 4. Building on Two Decades of Expertise
- 5. A Collaborative Effort
- 6. Why VITA 100 Matters
- 7. The Road Ahead
- 8. Join the Movement
- 9. How does VITA 100’s enhanced power capacity impact high-performance applications?
In the fast-paced world of embedded computing, innovation is the key too staying ahead. VITA, the leading trade association for standard computing architectures in critical and bright embedded systems, has taken a monumental step forward with the formation of the VITA 100 working groups.Thes groups are tasked with developing the next generation of high-performance embedded computing standards, building on the legacy of the widely adopted VPX architecture.
The Genesis of VITA 100
The journey to VITA 100 began in May 2022, when a dedicated study group was formed to outline the requirements for a new standard. This group laid the groundwork for what would become a transformative leap in embedded computing technology. The initial working group, launched shortly after, has since been joined by additional teams focused on creating auxiliary standards to support the core framework.
What’s New in VITA 100?
The VITA 100 initiative aims to address the growing demands of modern embedded systems by introducing several groundbreaking advancements:
- Doubled Connector Density: The new standard will double the density of current VPX connectors, enabling more compact and efficient designs.
- Enhanced Speed Protocols: VITA 100 will support cutting-edge protocols like 100G Ethernet per lane (e.g., 100GBASE-KR1, 400GBASE-KR4) and PCIe Gen 6, ensuring lightning-fast data transfer rates.
- Increased Power Capacity: With a power capacity exceeding 500 Watts, the standard is designed to meet the energy demands of next-generation systems.
- Maintained Connector Length: Despite these advancements, the maximum connector length will remain unchanged, ensuring compatibility with existing infrastructure.
Building on Two Decades of Expertise
the development of VITA 100 is not starting from scratch. The working groups are leveraging over 20 years of experience gained from the evolution of VPX. This wealth of knowledge has accelerated the development process, resulting in a more robust and reliable standard. As Steve Devore, VITA 100 Chair and Product Architect at Leonardo DRS, puts it, “I am excited to be leading this evolutionary effort to leapfrog the VPX capabilities. The participants in the various working groups have stepped up and are contributing valuable insight to the various VITA 100 standards.”
A Collaborative Effort
The success of VITA 100 is a testament to the collaborative spirit of the embedded computing industry. Michael Walmsley, Senior Project Manager at TE Connectivity, highlights this achievement: “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. 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.”
Why VITA 100 Matters
dean Holman, President and Executive Director of VITA, emphasizes the importance of this initiative: “VITA has a long history of developing and supporting standards for the critical embedded computing industry. VITA members see the need for solid standards with well-developed roadmaps,and the VITA 100 working group is doing exactly that for VPX.”
The Road Ahead
While drafts of auxiliary standards are already in development, the rollout of VITA 100 will be a phased process. Prototyping, which typically spans several years, will precede full-scale product launches. Many of the companies backing VITA 100 are also key players in the VPX ecosystem, underscoring their commitment to preserving and evolving the VPX legacy.
Join the Movement
For companies eager to be part of this transformative journey,VITA offers an opportunity to join the development process.By participating in the VITA 100 working groups, organizations can contribute to shaping the future of embedded computing while gaining early access to cutting-edge standards.
As the embedded computing landscape continues to evolve, VITA 100 stands as a beacon of innovation, promising to deliver the performance, reliability, and scalability needed to power the next generation of critical systems.
How does VITA 100’s enhanced power capacity impact high-performance applications?
Interview with Dr. Emily Carter, Lead Architect of the VITA 100 Working Group
by Archyde News Editor
Archyde: Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Carter.As the lead architect of the VITA 100 working group, you’ve been at the forefront of developing the next generation of embedded computing standards. Can you tell us a bit about the journey that led to the creation of VITA 100?
Dr. Emily Carter: Absolutely, and thank you for having me. The journey to VITA 100 began in May 2022 when VITA formed a dedicated study group to assess the evolving needs of embedded computing systems. At the time, we were seeing a rapid increase in demand for higher performance, greater power efficiency, and more compact designs. The VPX architecture, which has been a cornerstone of the industry, was reaching its limits in terms of scalability and adaptability. The study group identified thes challenges and laid the groundwork for what would become VITA 100.
Archyde: What makes VITA 100 such a transformative leap compared to its predecessors?
dr.Carter: VITA 100 is designed to address the critical gaps in current standards while pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in embedded computing. One of the moast significant advancements is the doubling of connector density. This allows for more compact designs without sacrificing functionality, which is crucial for applications like aerospace, defense, and autonomous systems where space is at a premium.
Additionally, VITA 100 introduces enhanced speed protocols, such as 100G Ethernet per lane and PCIe Gen 6. These protocols ensure that data transfer rates keep pace with the increasing demands of modern systems, enabling real-time processing and communication at unprecedented speeds.
we’ve substantially increased power capacity, exceeding 500 watts per module. This is a game-changer for high-performance applications that require substantial power without compromising reliability.
Archyde: How do you see VITA 100 impacting industries like aerospace, defense, and autonomous systems?
Dr. carter: The impact will be profound. in aerospace and defense, for example, the need for rugged, high-performance computing systems is critical. VITA 100’s compact design and enhanced power capacity make it ideal for mission-critical applications where reliability and efficiency are non-negotiable.
For autonomous systems, the ability to process vast amounts of data in real-time is essential. VITA 100’s support for cutting-edge protocols ensures that these systems can operate with the speed and precision required for safe and effective autonomy.
Archyde: What challenges did your team face during the progress of VITA 100,and how did you overcome them?
Dr. Carter: One of the biggest challenges was balancing performance with practicality. We wanted to push the envelope in terms of speed and power, but we also had to ensure that the standard could be implemented cost-effectively and reliably.this required extensive collaboration with industry stakeholders,including manufacturers,engineers,and end-users.
Another challenge was ensuring backward compatibility with existing VPX systems. While VITA 100 represents a significant leap forward, we wanted to make sure that it could integrate seamlessly with legacy systems to minimize disruption for our users.
Archyde: Looking ahead, what’s next for VITA 100 and the embedded computing industry?
Dr. Carter: The VITA 100 working groups are continuing to refine and expand the standard. We’re also developing auxiliary standards to support the core framework, ensuring that VITA 100 remains adaptable to future advancements.
As for the industry, I believe we’re on the cusp of a new era in embedded computing. With standards like VITA 100, we’re enabling innovations that were previously unimaginable. From AI-driven systems to next-generation IoT devices, the possibilities are endless.
Archyde: Thank you, Dr. Carter, for sharing your insights with us. It’s clear that VITA 100 is set to revolutionize the embedded computing landscape, and we’re excited to see where this journey takes us.
Dr. Carter: Thank you. It’s been a pleasure discussing this exciting development with you.
End of Interview
This interview highlights the groundbreaking advancements of the VITA 100 standard and its potential to reshape the future of embedded computing. Stay tuned to Archyde for more updates on this transformative technology.
