Tier 2 OpenVPX Standard
The HOST OpenVPX Core Technology Tier 2 Standard applies OpenVPX and related embedded computing technologies to the HOST Tier 1 Standard architecture.
An implementation of this architecture consists of a HOST backplane attached to the enclosure and multiple interchangeable HOST Modules with standardized slot profiles that mate to the backplane.
This HOST Core Technology Standard has several goals:
- Leverage OpenVPX (VITA 65) for electrical interface standardizations and ANSI/VITA46.11 for hardware system management to define platform-agnostic requirements
- Facilitate OpenVPX computing hardware interoperability and reuse
- Facilitate the extensive use of OpenVPX Commercial-Off-the-Shelf (COTS) components
Tier 2 Architecture defines the implementation of the following HOST Architecture elements with OpenVPX as the core technology for hardware. Both ANSI/VITA 46.11 and IPMI standards are leveraged for hardware management.
The HOST OpenVPX Tier 2 Standard regulates multiple kinds of technology that standardizes on ANSI/VITA 46.11 for Chassis Management. OpenVPX (ANSI/VITA 65) provides the primary module electrical and mechanical interface definition. OpenVPX is augmented to provide a conduction-cooled interface via ANSI/VITA 48.2 and blind mate optics and coax defined by ANSI/VITA 66 and ANSI/VITA 67. The HOST OpenVPX Tier 2 also provides for modular power supplies that fit into the same form factor and are defined ANSI/VITA 62. Mezzanines, standardized by XMC (ANSI/VITA 42) and PMC (IEEE 1386), can provide additional customization on top of the base OpenVPX boards.
OpenVPX uses the PCIe interfaces, and backplane Ethernet interfaces as the primary interconnect between modules. These interfaces provide up to 10s of gigabits of bandwidth for single cards, and 100s of gigabits of bandwidth in a system with only a single switch.
HOST Conformance
Defining conformance and creating a method for verifying and certifying HOST products is vital to establishing an effective standard. Certification provides formal recognition of conformance to a HOST standard or specification. Without the associated conformance criteria and processes, there is no assurance that a supplier has developed or implemented products or solutions according to the approved HOST Technical Standards and Specifications. Verification provides evidence of conformance to a HOST Technical Standard or Specification, which allows:
- Buyers to specify and successfully procure hardware from vendors who provide solutions that conform to the HOST Specifications and Standards.
- System Integrators to make and substantiate clear claims of conformance to HOST Specifications and Standards.
- Hardware component suppliers to make and substantiate clear claims of conformance to HOST Specifications.
The government will establish conformance criteria and define an associated Conformance Program for the HOST Tier 3 Specifications and HOST Components.
The conformance assessment is intended to certify compliance with HOST requirements and is not intended to ensure a component or system will function as intended in its final application. Conformance assessment is not meant to assist with or replace developmental or operational tests.
