COM HPC The power of computing
Tiitus Aho
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COM HPC (High Performance Computing) Standard
Many of you know COM Express standard which is the modular computing standard for high performance CPUs like Intel i7 and AMD Ryzen. It has been in the market quite long time and has been offering great platform for many applications where there is a need for performance. As new higher speed buses like PCIe 5.0 and 25Gb ethernet are emerging it has become obvious that new standard is needed. The new standard is called COM-HPC. COM-HPC is offering new connector and platform which is enabling higher power and these new buses. It is coming in 2-majour flavors. COM-HPC Client platform focusing more on GUI (Graphics, User, Interface) style applications. COM-HPC Server platform is more focused on high-speed communication and demanding workload acceleration. COM-HPC? connector has 3x the bandwidth of COMe (32 Gtps vs 10 Gtps). COM-HPC uses a pair of 400 pin high performance connectors, for a total of of 800 pins. The connector system allows signaling rates up to 32 Gtps, suitable for PCIe Gen 5. The connector system allows for 10 mm or 5 mm Carrier.
COM HPC Client module
client module family is suitable for demanding applications like sophisticated instrumentation, high-end medical equipment, transportation and logistics systems, intelligent video surveillance, professional gaming solutions and marine & military. Typically, there is a system need for one or several displays, high computing power and great I/O connectivity. Via PCIe buses it is also offering good platform for various AI acceleration methods with GPU, Asic or FPGA. Connectors can support up to 251W power input with 12VDC or wide range power input. The COM-HPC modules are offering long lifetime with support up to 15 years. They are also enabling the design of very rugged systems for harsh conditions with vibration, wide temperature range etc.
COM HPC Server module
The COM-HPC Server Type targets use in high end headless (no display) embedded servers that require intensive CPU capability, large memory capacity, and lots of high bandwidth I/O including multiple 10Gbps or 25Gbps Ethernet, and up to 65 PICe lanes, at up to PCIe Gen 5 speeds. Typical applications are server grade products in harsh conditions where the devices need to stay years without any problems. As example field server for military applications, telecommunications edge server, autonomous vehicles and measurement systems etc. Server module can have 358W power input with 12VDC. COM HPC is not only limited to x86 but can also host RISC based CPUs like ARM 64 and RISC-V. There are already modules available with various CPU’s as well carrier boards for testing.
COM-HPC Module and Carrier boards may support out-of-band (OOB) management features.?These features may be implemented on COM-HPC Server or Client systems.?Traditionally OOB management is more of a server-class feature, but the option is there for both COM-HPC Clients and Servers.?A separate PICMG document will describe the COM-HPC OOB management features in detail.
Why to use COM-HPC?
COM-HPC is the standard for high performance computing and therefore you are not vendor locked in module manufacturer and neither to CPU -manufacturer. Flexibility is also in upgrading speed or change to new generation module without doing re-desing.COM-HPC is allowing customers to focus carrier board or system -design without need to focus on the CPU -design. CPU-design today is expensive and resource intensive with need to have the latest expensive design tools and personnel who is competitive. COM-HPC is enabling customer to focus on the system design and enabling the flexible I/O design as well. There is plenty of wide temperature CPU’s available for the platform with -40- +85C. Standard PC/Server are made to work in office environment from 0-35C. Shock & Vibration and device cooling is giving another challenge where COM-HPC is giving a clear advantage. The life cycle of the embedded CPU’s is up to 15 years. When buying a standard PC/Server the lifetime is much shorter. In possible component change in the board customers are getting an EOL/PCN (End of Life/Product Change Notice) which enables them to test possible implications of the change. Office grade components are as well specified only for limited amount of usage per day whereas industrial versions can operate 24/7 10-years.
What is needed to start the design with COM HPC?
The standard is downloadable from PICMG site.
Modules, Carrier boards and cooling solutions can be bought from various vendors like
Kontron, Advantech, ADlink etc.
In case there is a help needed in carrier board design and/or software just ask, and we are happy to assist. Starting is made very easy so your time to market with the solutions is quick. COM HPC is a future proof embedded computing platform and is worth to check it out before starting something new. With the standard you are future proof, and your risks are minimized. It is enabling OEM -companies to focus their application and make best out of that.