Profile • RP Node Extended Capabilities The flexibility provided by FPGAs allows nodes built upon the RP profile to accommodate custom connectivity to other components, devices, or even other nodes. Customization and extension of RP node capabilities can be realized through instantiations of the Expansion Profile. In instances where custom electronics are...
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Functional Description
Profile • The RP profile defines the technologies that comprise the RP node, including both required and recommended components to define this standard node type. An RP node should be universally designed to minimize the number of unique instantiations of this profile. A block diagram of an RP node is shown below:...
Gigabit Interfaces
Profile • Gigabit interfaces are those that run at line speeds of one gigabit per second and above (>1 Gbps). These interfaces are often tasked with the primary purpose of pushing large amounts of mission data to other nodes for processing. Some examples of these interfaces include: Serial RapidIO SpaceFibre Gigabit Ethernet...
High Speed Data Switch
Profile • Processing intensive systems may require many RP nodes to reduce large amounts of sensor data to an information set that can be downloaded to ground through bandwidth-limited downlinks. In many of these situations, processing will be distributed across many RP nodes connected through gigabit interfaces. A high-speed data switch could...
Mechanical
Profile • The recommended RP implementation is on a 6U VPX board, as defined in the VITA 46 standard and the Mechanical Specification. VPX is preferred for a number of reasons, a few of which include: 3U and 6U board formats to accommodate varying sizes High-density connectors and flexible pinout Availability of...
Megabit Interfaces
Profile • There are several megabit interfaces that may be utilized on the RP node. Some examples of these include: SpaceWire RS-422, RS-232 MIL-STD-1553 CAN bus SpaceWire is the preferred solution for systems requiring data rates below 200 Mbps. SpaceWire links can scale from 2 to 200 Mbps at full duplex and...
Memory Technologies
Profile • RP Node Memory Technologies External memory is often included on RP node instantiations to support the FPGA’s processing. Among other uses, memory provides storage for sensor data and working space to implement processing algorithms. Any combination of memory technologies, including Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM), Static Random Access Memory...
Network Interfaces
Profile • All JAS nodes communicate through a standard set of interfaces that adhere to standard protocols. Refer to the Electrical Specification for physical layer technical information and Communication Specification for details on standard data protocols. This section describes two classes of network interfaces, megabit interfaces with line speeds below one gigabit...
Power Conversion
Profile • RP Node Power Conversion The input power for RP nodes is provided by a single voltage rail that is distributed throughout the system. This distributed voltage is typically a higher voltage than those required by the components on the board (typically +5 volts) in order to improve efficiency by minimizing...
Processing Logic
Profile • RP Node Processing Logic The RP node utilizes a Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) device which provides the primary processing capability for this node type. FPGAs offer customization of the processing logic allowing the RP node to function for a variety of applications. Reprogrammable FPGAs are preferred over one-time-programmable (OTP) FPGAs...
Reconfigurable Processing Profile
Profile • The RP profile defines a high-performance processing solution suitable for constructing nodes for mission data processing, sensor interfaces, and other applications requiring high-bandwidth processing and communications. The RP profile works alongside the CH Profile and PS Profile to implement nodes within the JAS architecture. The SMAC Profile and the Communication...
RP_Applications
Profile • Common instantiations of the RP profile include, but are not limited to: Sensor interface Mission data processing High-Speed Data switch Volatile Memory Storage Softcore processing
Sensor Interface and Mission Data Processing
Profile • The primary role of the RP node in this application is to process mission-specific sensor data. Additionally, the node can also be designed to interface to a variety other sensor types by incorporating instantiations of the Expansion Profile. Sensor Interface and Mission Data Processing Instantiation The RP node can also...
Softcore Processor Instantiation
Profile • One powerful application that is frequently utilized on FPGA-based platforms is softcore processing. Softcore processors can be instantiated within the FPGA by configuring the FPGA’s logic elements to implement the microprocessor functionality. The microprocessor can easily be integrated with other logic within the FPGA to form a system-on-chip (SoC) architecture....
System Monitoring and Communication
Profile • RP Node System Monitoring and Communication An important element that must be included in each RP node is described in the SMAC Profile. The SMAC monitors and controls the state of the RP node. The SMAC also provides standard network interfaces for connectivity to other nodes.
Volatile Memory Storage
Profile • The RP profile may operate as a high-performance mass memory node, hosting volatile SDRAM memories that can store mission data for short periods of time. This application may be used, for example, to queue mission data or temporary data storage for processing. Volatile Memory Storage Instantiation In this application, the...