Maxwell’s New Radiation-Hardened Super Computer Demonstrates a Quantum Performance Advantage for Space and Military Applications
Innovative Design Using Latest PowerPC Processors Delivers 10 to 1,000 Times Greater Processing Power Than Currently Available Space-Qualified Single Board Computers
Maxwell Technologies, Inc. has introduced a family of
radiation-hardened single board computers (SBC) for the space and military
markets that guarantee extremely high reliability in radiation-intense
environments while delivering 10 to 1,000 times the usable processing power of
currently available space-qualified SBCs.
Richard Balanson, Maxwell’s president and chief operating officer, said
the new Super Computer for Space (SCS) 750 SBC family was unveiled at the
ESCCON 2002 trade show in Toulouse, France last week. It incorporates the
latest IBM PowerPC 750FX(TM) silicon-on-insulator (SOI) processors in a unique
triple redundancy configuration, combined with error-corrected and
radiation-shielded memory and additional advanced radiation mitigation design
methods, to shatter existing performance standards for “rad-hard”-like SBCs
using older generation technology.
“This is the latest and most significant in a series of newly introduced
products based on our strategy of delivering guaranteed performance,
guaranteed radiation tolerance and guaranteed life-of-the-application
availability,” Balanson said. “The SCS750 demonstrates Maxwell’s ability to
integrate the highest performance components, proprietary technology and
innovative designs to address the demanding requirements of the space and
military markets.”
The SCS750 has been engineered to perform complex data processing, digital
imaging and broadband transmission functions aboard satellites and military
aircraft. According to industry sources, the current market for rad-hard SBCs
targeting space and military applications is estimated to be approximately
$150 million annually. Balanson noted that, in addition to positioning
Maxwell to penetrate this market, the SCS750 provides an opportunity for
increased sales of its proprietary Rad-Pak® and X-Ray-Pak(TM) shielded
components, which are integrated into the board.
“This new SBC not only dramatically eclipses the processing power of other
space-qualified SBCs, but also equals or exceeds the radiation lifetime of the
components,” Balanson said. “Through a combination of radiation testing and
mathematical modeling, we believe that this architecture will provide
reliability performance of better than one fault in 300 years.”
Maxwell will conduct a free Internet seminar on the SCS750 product family
at 11 a.m. (Pacific) on October 9. For more information, please visit
www.maxwell.com/microelectronics .
Maxwell Technologies applies industry-leading capabilities in power and
microelectronics to develop and commercialize components and systems for
customers in multiple industries, including transportation,
telecommunications, consumer and industrial electronics, medical and
aerospace. In addition to single board computers, the company’s
microelectronic products include power modules, memory modules and integrated
circuits that combine commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) components and Maxwell’s
proprietary shielding technology to provide optimal performance and
reliability in aerospace, military and other applications. Maxwell’s
BOOSTCAP® ultracapacitors are high-density energy storage cells that deliver
bursts of high power on demand in applications such as automotive electrical
systems and power trains, wireless communications and consumer and industrial
electronic devices. The company also develops and markets custom power
conditioning and power distribution systems and automated accelerated
reliability test systems (AARTS) for RF and photonic components. To learn
more about Maxwell Technologies, please visit our website: www.maxwell.com .
This news release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to
risks and uncertainties. These include development and acceptance of products
based on new technologies, demand for original equipment manufacturers’
products reaching anticipated levels, general economic conditions in the
markets served by the company’s products, cost-effective manufacturing of new
products, and risks and uncertainties involved in foreign operations. These
and other risks are detailed from time-to-time in the Company’s SEC reports,
including the report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001.
Actual results may differ materially from those projected. These
forward-looking statements represent the Company’s judgment as of the date of
this news release. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update
these forward-looking statements.
