VPX Marketing Alliance

VPX is a broadly defined technology utilizing the latest in a variety of switch fabric technologies in 3U and 6U format blades. OpenVPX is the architecture framework that defines system level VPX interoperability for multi-vendor, multi-module, integrated system environments. The OpenVPX framework defines clear interoperability points necessary for integration between Module to Module, Module to Backplane and Chassis. OpenVPX recommends, but does not specify development systems to assist evaluation, prototype and development of VPX systems. OpenVPX will evolve and include new fabric, connector and system technology as newer standards are defined.

Purpose

The purpose of the VPX Marketing Alliance is to establish an ecosystem of interested parties that promotes and creates name recognition, as well as grow adoption of the VPX specifications and technology. The alliance is responsible for educating, training, and promoting the potential capabilities of the VPX family of specifications and informing the broader community and press.

Scope

The VPX Marketing Alliance is focused on the advancement of the VPX family of technology. This includes VPX, VPX REDI, OpenVPX, and other related activities on the VPX roadmap.The VPX Marketing Alliance will promulgate the specifications emerging from the VSO Working Groups to develop a relevant ecosystem.

In 2004, VITA and its members embarked on a journey with the goal to improve the performance of VITA's VME technologies. VPX and the family of supporting specifications is acomplishing that goal. VPX (VITA 46) specifications establish a new direction for the next revolution in bus boards. VPX breaks out from the traditional connector scheme of VMEbus to merge the latest in connector and packaging technology with the latest in bus and serial fabric technology. VPX combines best-in-class technologies to assure a very long technology cycle similar to that of the original VMEbus solutions. Traditional parallel VMEbus will continue to be supported by VPX through bridging schemes that assure a solid migration pathway.

	Technologies called for in VPX include: 3U and 6U formats 7-row high speed connector rated up to 6.25 Gbps Choice of high speed serial fabrics PMC and XMC mezzanines Hybrid backplanes to accommodate VME64, VXS and VPX boards
The Ruggedized Enhanced Design Implementation (REDI) laid out in VITA 48 describes how to implement layout techniques to better support cooling methodologies on specific board form factors. Currently, it covers enhanced forced-air cooling (using baffles and plenums), advanced conduction cooling (using larger and more efficient thermal interfaces), and liquid cooling. It also addresses the use of ESD covers on both sides of the board, a necessary feature for military two-level maintenance strategies.
	The US Department of Defense and other users are mandating improved implementation of open standards and interoperability. VPX specifications have been focused at the board level, but there is also a need for considering system-level requirements to improve interoperability and reduce customization, testing, cost, and risk. The OpenVPX Systems Specification defines an architecture framework that manages and constrains module and backplane designs, including defining pin outs, and sets interoperability points within VPX while maintaining full compliance with VPX.

VPX Technology Roadmap

News

VITA VPX Marketing Alliance Elects New Chairperson	April 2011
OpenVPX™ Wins Electronic Design’s Best Electronic Design Award	December 2010
VPX REDI Reaches ANSI Ratification	November 2010
Ground-Breaking Survey Recently Completed by VITA and the VPX Marketing Alliance	October 2010
OpenVPX™ System Specification Standard Reaches ANSI Ratification	June 2010
VITA’s VPX Marketing Alliance Launches Ground-Breaking Survey for the Embedded Computing Community	April 2010
OpenVPX™ System Specification Ratified by VITA Standards Organization	February 2010
VPX Marketing Alliance Grows Membership and Introduces On-line Product Directory	January 2010
VITA Members Form VPX Marketing Alliance	December 2009

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about OpenVPX

Articles

VPX standards keep pace with faster fabrics – Bob Sullivan, Curtiss-Wright Controls Electronic Systems , and Ivan Straznicky, Curtiss-Wright Controls Embedded Computing, October 12, 2011
Expanding options in VPX connectivity – Gregory Powers, TE Connectivity, October 12, 2011
Radar and sonar applications find a home in CompactPCI and VPX – David Pursley, Kontron, February 16, 2012
VITA 62 brings COTS power supplies to VPX – Patrick Shaw, General Dynamics, Spring 2011
Outpacing VME: OpenVPX fast-tracks technologies to the front lines – Brian Roberts, Dawn VME Products, Spring 2011
VITA 66 expands VPX with fiber-optic connectivity – Gregory Powers, Tyco Electronics, Spring 2011
SSD technology drives OpenVPX storage blades to new levels – Greg Bolstad, Critcal I/O, Spring 2011
Navigating OpenVPX: Developing and Building Systems Using OpenVPX Profiles – Ken Grob, Elma Electronics, November 2010
OpenVPX Simplifies Rugged Design Tasks, William Wong, Electronic Design, December 9, 2010
Understanding OpenVPX: a closer look at interoperability for VPX systems, Justin Moll, Elma Bustronic, October 1, 2010
Using a rapidly evolving ecosystem to develop optimized OpenVPX systems – by Thomas Roberts, Mercury Computer Systems, October 2010
The future of rugged COTS: A 30-supplier OpenVPX ecosystem supports VPX-based systems – by Vincent Chuffart, Kontron, October 2010
Design Engineer's Guide to OpenVPX – Supplement to Embedded Technology, September 2010
The Quest to Navigate the OpenVPX Standard: VITA 65 – Ken Grob, Elma Electronics, September 2010
Open VPX - High Performance Computing for the Rugged Military Marketplace – Tech Briefs, September 28, 2010
Technology Trends with VME Technologies Virtual Conference – ICC Media, September 28, 2010
The Next Steps in OpenVPX Development, ECN Daily, Justin Moll, Elma Bustronic, August 20, 2010
Survey says: VPX is the new VME, August 2010
Shootout At The VPX Corral, Electronic Design, William Wong, July 16, 2010
VITA 60 standardizes a ruggedized alternative for VPX applications, Summer 2010
VPX strides forward with enhanced new specifications, Summer 2010
Case study: OpenVPX systems help deliver UAV program quickly, June 2010
Matching up compatible OpenVPX backplanes and modules, Summer 2010
OpenVPX eases harsh-environment systems integration, Spring 2010
OpenVPX 1.0 in Military Systems, Webcast, February 10, 2010
OpenVPX solves VPX interoperability challenges; plans for future features, January 2010
When high performance really matters in mil-aero: a comparison of ATCA and VPX solutions, January 2010
VPX is at the right place, at the right time, for serious market growth in embedded systems, January 2010
Now THIS is how to craft an interoperability standard, January 2010
VITA Members Form VPX Marketing Alliance, ECN, December 15, 2009
Alliance formed to boost VPX and OpenVPX initiatives, EETimes UK, December 11, 2009
MILCOM 2009 Kicks Off in Boston, Microware Journal Blog, October 19, 2009
OpenVPX Promises VPX Interoperability, by William Pilaud, Concurrent Technologies, October 2009
The VPX STANDARD and Its Use in Military Applications, July 29, 2009

Webinars

OpenVPX: From Specs to Solutions, March 30, 2011
OpenVPX Education and Training Virtual Conference, September 16, 2010
VPX for Unmanned Systems, August 9, 2011	M&AE Webcast

Links

OpenSystems Media Channel focused on VPX

OpenSystems Media Channel focused on OpenVPX

Presentations

VITA - VPX MILCOM 2010 Presentation, November 2010

Reports and White papers

Introduction to VPX, Acromag, July 28, 2011

2010 Design Engineer's Guide to OpenVPX, September 2010

VPX (VITA 46) Connector/Module Test Report, issued by Contech under the direction of the VPX Working Group

VITA 72 VPX Connector Report, issued by Mercury Computer Systems under the direction of the VPX Working Group, September 2012