The power of rugged GPGPU now available in low-cost industrial, SWaP-optimized SFF

Aitech Defense Systems Inc. has released an industrial version of its powerful, ultra-compact rugged GPGPU RediBuilt supercomputer. Based on the powerful NVIDIA; Jetson TX2 System-on-Module (SoM), the new A177 Twister uses CUDA and deep learning acceleration capabilities to easily handle the complex computational requirements needed in embedded systems that are managing multiple data and video streams.

The new small form factor (SFF) supercomputer employs 256 CUDA cores to reach more than 1 TFLOPS, while consuming only 17 Watts of power and weighing less than 2.2 lbs.

Designed to bring local processing in closer proximity with a system's sensors, the new compact supercomputer is ideal for a number of robotics, automation and optical inspection systems in industrial facilities as well as for autonomous aircraft and ground environments.

The IP67-rated and fanless high performance embedded computer (HPEC) can also be used in rugged and remote outdoor environments. These include security and surveillance systems, mining and excavating operations as well as in complex marine and boating applications, such as weather condition analysis and navigation, and agricultural machinery.

Dan Mor, GPGPU and HPEC product line manager at Aitech Systems, commented, "The amount of data and graphics industrial applications are processing is on par with that found in military environments. Calculation power, size-to-weight ratio and heat dissipation are just as critical, so we've made our rugged GPGPU technology available for a wider range of applications, beyond just aerospace and defense."

Measuring just 5.9 x 5.8 x 2.5 in. (149 x 147 x 63 mm), the new A177 Twister is a low-cost, low-power, SWaP-optimized (size, weight and power) supercomputer that offers unparalleled video capture, processing and overlay capabilities for a number of industrial environments.

Multiple I/O options provide design flexibility for capturing and processing several different types and streams of video and data. I/O includes Gigabit Ethernet, UART serial, USB 2.0 and 3.0 as well as HDMI output, composite inputs, HD-SDI inputs and WiFi and Bluetooth. The A177 provides simultaneous capture of all eight RS-170A (NTSC/PAL) composite video channels at full frame rates.

Based on Aitech's military-grade A176, the industrial A177 SFF system incorporates a removable Secure Digital (SD) disk with quick erase and secure erase. System resources include dynamic voltage and frequency scaling, temperature sensors and an elapsed time recorder in addition to a multi-standard video/jpeg decoder/encoder with hardware encoding for H.264/H.265.