VPX chassis manager integrates into embedded computing for defence
The VITA 46.11 Tier 3 chassis manager by Elma Electronics ensures correct board and chassis operation in systems aligned to the Open Group’s SOSA (Sensor Open Systems Architecture) technical standard 1.0. The VPX chassis manager also supports the Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) standardisation initiative.
The VITA 46.11 chassis manager comes as a standalone unit or can be mounted on a carrier card. Elma offers 3U and 6U conduction-cooled plug-in versions and an air-cooled 3U version.
The card offers firewall support and SOSA out-of-band command support as well as 16 digital inputs and 16 configurable digital outputs for system management.
The chassis manager is suitable for use in a range of embedded computing applications throughout the military and defence industries, said Elma, where it helps ensure overall system health and proper operation. Examples include maintaining a components and sensor inventory and receiving reports and notices from installed intelligent field replaceable units (FRU). The SOSA -aligned chassis manager can also adjust the fan speed for over/under temperature conditions and report or shut down the system due to over- or under-voltage and current conditions.
More than monitoring a system’s health, the SOA-aligned chassis manager also identifies anomalies and takes corrective action in systems developed to meet today’s interoperability initiatives as put forth by the DoD, explained Mark Littlefield, director of systems products for Elma Electronic.
Other features include power management and cooling control, event sensor logging, electronic keying and card hot-swap monitoring. A redundant IPMB (intelligent platform management bus) ensures maximum system uptime.
The chassis manager operates over an extended temperature range of -40 to +85 degrees C.
A web-based graphical user interface (GUI) monitors up to 12 fans, eight analogue inputs and six external thermistors. Parameters that can be monitored include health, voltage, fan RPM, power and temperature as well as device ID, serial and port numbers and software versions.
