PRODUCT OF THE WEEK: X-ES XPand 6240 Intel Core i7 processor-based rugged, small-form-factor system

This week’s product, Extreme Engineering Solutions’ (X-ES’) XPand6240, is a rugged, commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) system that features VPX modules, the 13th Gen Intel Core i7 series (formerly Raptor Lake-P) of processors, and a Gigabit Ethernet switch hosting an XChange6300 Cisco IOS-XE Gigabit Ethernet Embedded Services Router. The COTS solution is targeted at computationally heavy aerospace and defense applications in extreme environments.

Thanks to its compact design, the XPand6240 maximizes processing and networking performance while providing a size, weight, and power (SWaP)-optimized alternative to larger slot-based systems.

VPX and Cisco Inside

The XPand6240’s first slot supports the XPedite8270 13th Gen Intel Core i7 processor-based 3U VPX SBC. The XPand6240’s second slot supports the XChange3031 3U VPX Gigabit Ethernet switch.

The XChange3031 can be configured as a fully managed Layer 2 switch. The XChange3031 delivers full wire speed across all ports and supports jumbo frames up to 10 kB. It also supports IPv6 and a comprehensive set of IETF RFCs and IEEE protocols.

The XChange6300 Cisco IOS-XE router XMC installed on the XChange3031 provides highly secure data, voice, and video communications to stationary and mobile network nodes. The system supports a memory module bay to host a removable PCI Express solid-state drive (SSD) flash memory module.

The XPand6240 supports the rear I/O from the installed VPX modules with two 130-pin circular connectors. This ruggedized system is designed to meet the rigorous standards of MIL-STD-810 and DO-160, while integrating the latest power-saving and performance-enhancing technology.

Managing Extreme Environments

The heat from the internal conduction-cooled modules is conducted to sidewall heat exchangers, where it is dissipated to an externally attached cold plate. The system includes an integrated MIL-STD-704 28 VDC power supply and MIL-STD-461 EMI filtering.

X-ES tests against portions of MIL-STD-461, MIL-STD-810, and MIL-HDBK-704. Please contact factory for details.

Other Features

12 10/100/1000BASE-T Ethernet switch ports
One 10/100/1000BASE-T Ethernet SBC port
Supports one removable memory module (optional) Small Form Factor (SFF) sub-½ ATR system
Environmentally sealed
Chassis dimensions and weight are dependent on configuration; contact factory for assistance
Ethernet management features
- Configuration through CLI or SNMP
- 4 MB packet buffer
- XChange6300 Cisco IOS-XE Gigabit Ethernet Embedded Services Router XMC
Ethernet switch features
- IPv4 and IPv6 support
- Support for jumbo frames up to 10 kB
- Non-blocking, full wire-speed
- IEEE 1588v2 transparent clocking support
- Thermal: It is designed and tested to operate in ambient temperatures down to -40°C and extreme high temperatures. Maximum operating temperature is dependent on configuration and usage.