Real-Time Linux on iHawk VME - Concurrent Corp

Concurrent Corp. announced the iHawk VME, an Intel Core based platform for data acquisition, simulation, and aerospace applications on a single-slot 6U VME/VXS card.

iHawk implements RedHat linux compatible real time operating system called RedHawk. RedHawk features high I/O throughput and fast response to external events. It is ideal Linux environment for complex real-time applications. RedHawk’s symmetric multiprocessing support load balancing and CPU shielding to maximize determinism and real-time performance in time-critical solutions. A user-level application can be guaranteed to respond to an external event in less than 30 microseconds on a shielded processor.

Concurrent  offers a wide range options of VME card such as ADC I/O, ARINC 429, IEEE-488, MIL-STD-1553, async I/O and reflective memory. iHawk VME systems offer integrated I/O including SCSI, EIDE, SATA, on-board disks,  flash memory, USB, RS-232, GPIO and 1000Mbps (gigabit) Ethernet.

iHawk VME systems also support Concurrent's powerful NightStar development tool set. Users can debug, analyze, monitor and tune their real-time applications on iHawk systems locally or remotely at application speed. Each tool runs non-intrusively, thus preserving the deterministic behavior of the application. NightStar tools allow developers to graphically view how their applications interact with the Linux kernel.

iHawk VME hardware options include Concurrent's Real-time Clock & Interrupt Module (RCIM), a multifunction I/O card designed for time-critical applications that require rapid response to external events. The RCIM includes a synchronized clock readable by multiple systems, up to 8 programmable timers and up to 12 input and 12 output external interrupt lines. An optional on-board GPS module is available to align the RCIM's synchronized clock to GPS standard time.

Concurrent's Special Systems group is available to design and deliver customized iHawk VME systems for the most demanding real-time applications. Concurrent engineers can provide special packaging including ruggedized peripherals and enclosures, integrate third-party I/O cards, develop and integrate RedHawk Linux drivers, and perform application rehosting. Hardware and software are designed and developed to exact customer specifications.

Source: Concurrent