CEI Introduces Embedded Computing Solution Combining High Performance Processing, Configurable I/O, and Deployable Flexibility

Chinook Configured for PXI Systems (click image to zoom by 4.1x)

Chinook Configured with AC Adapter for Non-Backplane Embedded Applications (click image to zoom)

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, September 29 – Colorado Engineering Inc. (CEI) announced today the availability of a flexible embedded computing solution named “Chinook.” This Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) product blends heterogeneous processing with user configurable inputs and outputs (I/O) in a package supporting multiple deployment options. It offers a market leading combination of user definable I/O and embedded processing performance.

Chinook is a compact general purpose board providing both PowerPC and Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) computing technologies. Systems can take advantage of this heterogeneous architecture by running general purpose, less time-critical applications on the PowerPC while mapping functions requiring high performance onto the FPGA. The FPGA supports encryption, thus enabling anti-tamper applications and the protection of critical intellectual property. Chinook’s architecture facilitates digital signal processing, reconfigurable computing, and general purpose processing.

To augment its computing capability, Chinook provides daughter card access to 240 I/O pins connected to the FPGA. The user can configure these pins via firmware to support a wide variety of applications. Examples include interfacing to legacy equipment, connecting to discrete signal lines for embedded system testing and fault detection / fault isolation, distributed control, pattern generation, and data acquisition.

Chinook also provides dual Gigabit Ethernet interfaces and USB 2.0 to support connectivity with a wide variety of products. The card has embedded TCP/IP hardware acceleration freeing the processors to focus on running the user’s application unencumbered by protocol processing. The two Gigabit Ethernet ports connect to the PowerPC and can be used to realize an embedded firewall for information assurance applications. Multiple Chinook cards may be networked together via these ports to realize a distributed processor or control system.

Chinook can operate as a stand alone module with no need for a backplane infrastructure. It can also be configured to run in a standard 3U PXI chassis/backplane. CEI bundles the card with a template firmware application for FPGA development and a software distribution which includes Linux kernel source code, a cross compiler, and board level diagnostics. Please contact CEI for configuration options, pricing, and lead times.

Colorado Engineering, located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, is a women-owned small business that develops and produces software, hardware, and system solution technologies for a variety of government programs. CEI is a supplier of COTS hardware and software and has worked as a prime to government agencies, as a subcontractor to commercial primes, and on numerous Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) projects. For more information about CEI please visit the company’s website at www.coloradoengineeringinc.com.

Points of Contact:

Michael J. Bonato

Director of Business Development

719-388-8582

michael.bonato@coloradoengineeringinc.com