Standardization. COTS. Interoperability. Configurable. These often-used terms describe on-going efforts to define flexible and open critical embedded computing architectures. One such example is VITA-backed VPX. The goal of VPX is to leverage the latest switch fabric technologies in common-sized blades across multiple vendors and multiple modules. VPX solutions have several design features in common. These include: 3U and 6U formats 7-row high speed connector rated up to 6.25 … [Read more...]
Key OFC 2018 Takeaways
There are few better places to be in March than San Diego. SoCal sunshine always beats wintry weather. Thankfully, OFC 2018 was located at the San Diego Convention Center instead of the snowy US East Coast. The sunny weather outside acted as a harbinger of the positive energy inside the convention center at OFC 2018. The technical sessions were filled with roadmaps from components and solutions providers. Attendees were eager with anticipation to see what the show would bring. Strong Market … [Read more...]
OFC 2018: Products, Technologies, Live Demonstrations
OFC 2018 OFC 2018, The Optical Fiber Communication Conference and Exhibition, is the largest global conference and exhibition for optical communications and networking possibilities. Next-generation optical communication and networking applications must solve multiple technical challenges including higher data rates, increased system and chassis density, and improved signal integrity. Samtec’s diverse product and technology portfolio, which provide system designers with architectural … [Read more...]
Samtec Releases New High-Speed Cable Interconnect Solutions Guide
The phrase “high-speed cable assembly” can include a variety of products, which is exactly what you’ll find in Samtec’s new High-Speed Cable Interconnect Solutions Guide. But it’s more than products, Samtec combines high-speed cable assemblies with unmatched service and support to provide solutions for any specific application. This guide will walk you through the foundational pieces of Samtec’s high-speed cable offering – from copper and optics to RF and I/O assemblies – and industry-leading … [Read more...]
PCI Express Over 100 Meters Of Optical Cable
Roger Miller, of the Samtec Optical Group, walks us through a PCI Express® over optical FireFly™ demonstration at SC17 in Denver. In this application, instead of inserting a video card directly into the host system PCI Express slot, the Firefly optical interconnect allows the motherboard PCI Express bus to be “extended” to a remote location. Demo Walkthrough In this demo, a server, or “Host” system, plays a 4K video. Plugged into one of the PCI Express expansion slots is a Samtec PCI … [Read more...]
New Optical Data Interface Adopts Samtec FireFly™ As Physical Layer
Emerging applications in 5G communications, mil/aero systems, high-speed data acquisition, phased-array radar and communication research will support faster data rates than current generation solutions. Developing and testing these high-performance applications requires advanced instrumentation and embedded systems. Current generation instruments, processors, storage, and embedded devices communicate over copper interfaces in standard form factors and traditional bench instrument designs. At … [Read more...]
Samtec Releases New Product Overview Guide
Who doesn’t like something new? Maybe it’s that new smell, a new flavor, or a new feature that draws you in each and every time. Well, we love new things around here and are excited to share the new Product Overview Guide. It might not smell or taste new, but it is packed with new technologies and our entire product line that supports full system signal integrity from Silicon-to-Silicon. New, standard and custom products are categorized in six solution blocks designed to support any … [Read more...]
Samtec Introduces 14 Gbps FireFly™ FMC Development Kit
System designers and engineers constantly face design challenges to achieve higher data-rates in highly dense applications. A popular system-level design approach in many high-speed applications marries the configurability and high-speed performance of FPGAs with the advantages of fiber optics. Samtec's new 14 Gbps FireFly™ FMC Development Kit provides an easy connection between FPGAs and fiber optics. This new solution offers an easy-to-use evaluation and development platform for Samtec’s … [Read more...]
Samtec Interconnect Solutions Drive “Big Data”
Data. Data. Data. The world is full of data. As humans breathe, use smartphones, or have a meal, a digital trail of data is left behind. That data trail is highly lucrative for companies ranging from retail and high-tech to online advertising and social media. Why all the fuss on Big Data? One source calls Big Data "extremely large data sets that may be analyzed computationally to reveal patterns, trends, and associations, especially relating to human behavior and interactions." In other … [Read more...]
PCIe Over Fiber With Samtec FireFly
Kevin Burt of the Samtec Optical Group walks us through one of Samtec’s product demonstrations at OFC 2017. This demo features a disaggregated computing platform with PCIe® Gen 3 fabric enabled by the patented FireFly™ mid-board optical technology. This PCIe protocol is extended outside of a standard computer bus over a distance of 100 meters. Kevin also gives a quick primer on FireFly: it's a very high-density, future-proof cable assembly available in both copper and optical, for … [Read more...]