SOSA-aligned Ethernet switch targets high-speed defence upgrades
Aitech has announced the U-C6850, a fully managed 1/10/40GbE Ethernet switch/router in a rugged 3U VPX form factor aligned with the Open Group SOSA Technical Standard. Available now for mission development, the U-C6850 provides up to 320Gbps of full wire-speed switching capacity and gives defence and aerospace system designers a high-speed networking option for embedded platforms.
The U-C6850 was announced by Aitech as the company’s first SOSA-aligned Ethernet switch/router. The product supports configurations of up to eight 40GbE or 32 10GbE Ethernet interfaces, alongside Layer 2 and Layer 3 switching and routing capabilities.
320Gbps switching capacity in a 3U VPX platform
The U-C6850 is built around an advanced Layer 2/Layer 3 Ethernet switch and packet processor. Aitech specifies up to 320Gbps of total switching capacity, with full wire-speed non-blocking forwarding.
The product supports up to 8x 40GBaseKR4/XLPPI, 32x 10GBaseKR/SFI or 32x 1000BaseKX interfaces, allowing the network configuration to be matched to the required system architecture. Aitech also specifies support for jumbo frames up to 10kB, 802.1Q VLANs, IPv4/IPv6 routing, unicast and multicast traffic, and advanced quality-of-service functions using IPv4/IPv6 DiffServ.
The networking architecture is intended to support high-volume data movement between onboard computing, sensors and mission systems. Aitech states that the U-C6850 can move high-resolution sensor data between onboard AI systems and mission computers without the network becoming a bottleneck.
Alex Trigoub, product manager at Aitech, said: “The new SOSA-aligned U-C6850 Ethernet Switch provides the high-speed networking backbone needed to connect compute resources, sensors and communications systems.”
The product also supports IEEE 1588v2 Precision Time Protocol, including transparent clock functionality, for network time synchronisation. Redundancy and resiliency features include xSTP and VRRP, while access lists and port-level security provide additional network control.
Rugged Ethernet for aerospace and defence platforms
Aitech has designed the U-C6850 for embedded and harsh-environment applications. The 3U VPX board is available in both conduction-cooled and air-cooled versions, with vibration and shock resistance specified for the rugged versions.
Fast boot mode is included with all features enabled, while secure management access is available through CLI, Web GUI and SNMP. Firmware can also be upgraded in the field.
The board includes hardware monitoring functions covering power and temperature, alongside an elapsed time recorder, real-time clock and IPMI support across Tier 1, 2 and 3.
Aitech identifies the product for military and aerospace platforms where high-speed data transfer and low latency are required, including technology refresh and modernisation programmes. Its SOSA-aligned architecture is intended to support more modular system designs and technology insertion without requiring proprietary networking hardware.
U-C6850 extends Aitech’s high-speed connectivity portfolio
The U-C6850 sits alongside Aitech’s M622 10/40GbE Ethernet Switch/Router. According to Aitech’s product information, the M622 uses an XMC form factor, while the U-C6850 provides the same class of managed high-speed connectivity in a 3U SOSA-aligned VPX format.
This gives system designers a choice between an XMC-based switch/router and a 3U VPX board, depending on port requirements and the target architecture.
Aitech also offers the U-TM6850 rear transition module for the U-C6850, providing access to Ethernet interfaces through QSFP cages. For air-cooled versions, the TCM6850-MNT breakout cable provides front-panel maintenance access together with console and out-of-band Ethernet connections.
Stay ahead on electronics news
Join the electronics industry Astute Engineer newsletter
Astute provides authorised Aitech distribution and design support
The wider Aitech portfolio available through Astute includes rugged GPGPU-based systems, single-board computers using Intel and PowerPC processors, and VME, VPX and CompactPCI architectures. Products are available in air-cooled and conduction-cooled formats.
For programmes requiring high-speed networking alongside rugged computing, the U-C6850 adds a SOSA-aligned 3U VPX Ethernet switching option to that portfolio. Aitech states that the product is now available for mission development.
For technical enquiries, configuration support or design-in assistance, Astute provides access to Aitech products through its authorised distribution network.
Aitech U-C6850 product detailsDamian Semple, Franchise Marketing Manager, Astute Group, comments: “The U-C6850 gives programmes a defined 3U VPX networking option without requiring a move away from the wider Aitech ecosystem. Availability for mission development also gives customers a route to assess the platform early when network architecture and technology insertion decisions are being made.”
