Introducing the XPedite5850: A Cutting-Edge COM Express Module from Extreme Engineering Solutions

Extreme Engineering Solutions (X-ES), a leader in embedded computing technology, has unveiled the XPedite5850, a robust COM express module that utilizes an advanced type 5 pinout and is powered by NXP’s QorIQ T4 processors.

Performance and design

The XPedite5850 is available in both conduction-cooled and air-cooled variants, featuring the NXP QorIQ T4240 processor. This powerhouse boasts twelve dual-threaded Power Architecture e6500 cores and supports up to 16 GB of DDR3-1866 ECC SDRAM. Compactly designed in a COM Express Basic form factor (95 mm x 125 mm), the XPedite5850 strikes an ideal balance between high performance and energy efficiency, making it suitable for a wide range of embedded computing applications.

Advanced Processor Technology

NXP’s QorIQ T-Series processors provide a diverse array of options, ranging from single-core to multicore configurations, with capabilities of up to 24 virtual cores. The T-Series enhances the established NXP P-Series 45 nm process technology, scaling down to a more efficient 28 nm. This reduction in feature size, combined with improved power management strategies, can lead to power savings of up to 50%. The introduction of the e6500 core, a multithreaded 64-bit Power Architecture core, operates at speeds of up to 1.8 ghz and includes an integrated NXP AltiVec SIMD engine, delivering DSP-level floating-point performance.

Expert Insights

Toby Foster, Senior Product Marketing Manager at NXP’s Digital Networking division, stated, “The T4240 is perfectly suited for Extreme Engineering’s ruggedized COM Express module. Its outstanding performance-per-watt efficiency, extensive I/O integration, and long-term supply assurances make it a compelling choice for a compact module. We anticipate strong demand for COM Express boards, and we are thrilled that Extreme Engineering is the first to launch a product based on the T4240.”

Versatile Connectivity options

The XPedite5850 is equipped with a multitude of I/O ports, enhancing its versatility. It includes up to four Ethernet PHY ports (two 10/100/1000BASE-T and two 10GBASE-T), eight SerDes Gigabit Ethernet ports, two XFI 10 Gigabit Ethernet ports, a single x8 PCIe port, a single x4 PCIe port, two SATA ports with 3 Gb/s capability, two USB 2.0 ports, two I2C ports, two serial ports, a Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) with two chip selects, and IEEE 1588 support.

The SerDes routing of the XPedite5850 allows for simultaneous access to numerous signals, connecting nearly all SerDes signals directly from the backplane to the processor, providing a wealth of options for users.

Customizable Configurations

The T4240 processor features 14 PCIe lanes,which can be configured in various ways,along with two SATA interfaces connected to the COM Express connector.Some of these lanes can also be adapted for SRIO or Interlaken interfaces, depending on specific customer requirements. For networking applications, the T4240’s SerDes lanes include eight SGMII/1000BASE-X interfaces and two XFI interfaces to the connector.

X-ES offers a range of connectivity modes,making the XPedite5850 an exceptionally adaptable module,well-suited for diverse applications.

Future-Proofing Embedded Solutions

The XPedite5850 delivers a high-performance, feature-rich solution for both current and future embedded applications. For clients prioritizing lower power consumption, option designs with the NXP qoriq T4160 or T4080 processors are available.

Extensive Software Support

All modules based on NXP’s T-Series processors from X-ES are compatible with a modified lightweight NXP hypervisor, which enables secure partitioning and isolation. This hypervisor can manage multiple virtual machines and partitions, ranging from single-threaded to multi-threaded and multi-core configurations. Operating system support for the XPedite5850 includes Wind River VxWorks, green Hills INTEGRITY-178, and Linux 2.6.

Commitment to Innovation

X-ES is dedicated to supporting the NXP QorIQ T-Series family across various form factors, including the 3U VPX XPedite5970, 6U VME XCalibur1931 and XCalibur1930, 6U cPCI XCalibur1900, 6U VPX XCalibur1840, and the XMC/PMC XPedite6101 and XPedite6100 modules.