The Charon-V5 is the first product to support eight synchronized 1.2 GSPS signal generation channels using the highest performance commercially available DAC (digital to analog converter) devices, enabling unprecedented performance for multi-channel signal generation applications such as beam-steering and simultaneous multi-signal generation for communications and Radar systems.

The Charon-V5 is the latest member of our QuiXilica V5 family of high performance ADC and DAC products, comments Paul Martino vice president of marketing and sales at Tekmicro. The Charon-V5 uses the 1.2 GSPS Analog Devices AD9736 14-bit DAC, which is regarded as the highest performance commercially available device available for signal generation. The Charon-V5 generates multiple signals at bandwidths of up to 600 MHz with improved spectral purity, thereby enabling higher system performance than ever before. When Charon-V5 is paired with our Atlas-V5 product, multi-channel data acquisition and response systems can be developed with very low latency and digital signal processing capability.

Charon-V5 Combines Multiple Output Channels with High Density FPGAs

Charon-V5 uses eight 14-bit DAC digitizer channels each performing at up to 1.2 GSPS each combined with three Xilinx Virtex-5 FPGAs in a single VME/VXS payload slot.

The front end FPGAs are typically two SX95T devices generating eight channels of analog output data coupled with a back end FPGA for multichannel processing and backplane communications. To meet application requirements, the back end FPGA can be configured with any Xilinx Virtex-5 FPGA in the FF1738 package, including the SX240T with over 1,000 DSP48E slices for signal processing applications. In addition to the analog outputs, there are six high-speed serial fiber or copper I/O channels on the front panel as well as fabric and network connectivity via the optional P0 VXS backplane connector.

The Charon-V5 includes hardware support for sample-accurate synchronization both within a single card and across multiple cards, allowing Charon-V5 to support high channel count applications such as beam steering with up to 144 channels in a single VXS chassis.

Leverages Modular Architecture

Charon-V5 is based on Tekmicros existing QuiXilica-V5 architecture which is used in many defense and intelligence programs to implement a wide range of FPGA processing solutions combined with high performance analog inputs and/or outputs. As a part of the QuiXilica-V5 product family, Charon-V5 benefits from a common set of hardware, firmware and software elements that are reused across multiple products and applications. Through the Charon-V5 Developers Kit (DK), systems integrators can access a comprehensive set of building blocks along with reference designs such as the arbitrary waveform generator included with the Charon-V5 to support rapid development and integration of application-specific signal processing within the QuiXilica-V5 framework. By using the modular QuiXilica-V5 architecture and DK, systems integrators can protect their firmware and software investment by easily retargeting their application-specific code when newer FPGA and digitizer technology becomes available in the future.

Like all of the QuiXilica-V5 products, the Charon-V5 is available for a wide range of operating environments, including rugged air and conduction cooled versions for deployed applications.

The Charon-V5 is available now, with delivery from stock to 10-12 weeks ARO.

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About TEK Microsystems, Incorporated

Founded in 1981 and headquartered in Chelmsford, Massachusetts, Tekmicro designs, manufactures and delivers a wide range of advanced high-performance boards and systems for embedded real-time data acquisition, data conversion, storage and recording. Tekmicro provides both commercial and rugged grade products that are used in real-time systems designed for a wide range of defense, intelligence and industrial applications such as C4ISR, SIGINT, EW and Radar. For additional information see www.tekmicro.com.