SHB Express

SHB Express

SHB Express Brings PCI Express to MilCOTS Applications

Today's faster processors and chipsets have created a situation in which a single-board computer can process data much faster than data can be delivered to it via the backplane's PCI, PCI-X or ISA parallel communication buses. In some applications, this situation creates a serious system bottleneck that calls for a faster data delivery methodology, and PICMG and VITA member companies are developing new industry standards that utilize PCI Express as the interface methodology between the processor board and system devices or option cards. This article explains the new SHB Express (PICMG 1.3) industry standard and how this PCI Express implementation can improve embedded computing system performance in military and aerospace applications. There are always challenges associated with implementing any new technology, and these are discussed along with alternative approaches to improving system performance. Several new industry standards have been or are being developed that incorporate PCI Express and these are summarized as well.

PCI Express In Brief

A common feature in all these new standards is the replacement of the parallel bus interface between the processor board and backplane with the high-speed serial links of PCI Express. A wealth of detailed information is available from a variety of sources that explains the details of PCI Express technology, so this article focuses on the PCI Express characteristics that are useful in embedded computing applications. PCI Express is a high-speed, scaleable, fault tolerant serial communications interface developed by Intel and endorsed by the PCI-SIG, PICMG and VITA. While PCI Express originally developed as a component interconnect, the interface has properties that make it an ideal board- to board data communication interface. PCI Express maintains the PCI/PCI-X addressing model to maximize software reuse and system value, so it is not necessary to throw away any investment in operating systems, application software, or device drivers. PCI Express-to-PCI/PCI-X bridge chip technology enables older PCI/PCI-X option cards to co-exist in the same embedded system with newer PCI Express cards.

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 SHB Express