Flight Control Computer Packs Processing Potpourri

Enlisting dual 600-MHz ARM Cortex-A8 processors, dual TMS320C64x+ DSPs, and three Xilinx Spartan 6 FPGAs with 1GB of data to non-volatile memory, the low-power conduction-cooled Versatile Flight Control Computer (VFCC) supports a plethora of off-the-shelf I/O interfaces. These include ARINC 825, RS-422/485, USB 2.0, ARINC 429 receive, ARINC 429 transmit, analog inputs with excitation outputs, synchronization discretes, discrete inputs/outputs, dedicated solenoid drivers, and 10-mA servo valve drivers. The system also includes system level built-in-test. Power dissipation is less than 21W. Curtiss-Wright Controls Inc., Charlotte, NC. (661) 257-4430.