Synergy's New Rhino DX Dual-Processor SBC Outperforms ``Quad'' Boards in COTS Applications.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 10, 2003

Conduction-Cooled Rhino DX Uses Next Generation PowerPC

7455 CPUs to Outperform Host of Currently Available "Quad" Boards in

Military Market

Synergy Microsystems Inc. (Synergy) announced today the release of Rhino DX(TM), a conduction-cooled, dual-processor SBC (single board computer) that "leap-frogs" the performance levels of current quad processor offerings to provide designers a superior solution for next-generation applications.

The Rhino DX, which features dual PowerPC 7455 CPUs operating at 1GHz and is supported by an enhanced, three-level cache system, greatly exceeds the performance of current quad boards running the PowerPC 7410. "The increase in clock speed to 1 GHz compared to 500 MHz is a key factor," said Thomas Powell, CEO of Synergy. "Other improvements to the 7455, including increased cache memory performance and enhancements to the AltiVec unit, also greatly improve total SBC performance."

Performance tests running actual customer applications show that the Rhino DX outperforms current generation quad-processor boards by as much as 200 percent. Additional performance benchmarks show that Synergy's DSP Math Library, optimized to take advantage of the enhancements in the AltiVec unit, run FFT operations on the Rhino up to three times faster than competing quad-processor solutions.

The Rhino DX incorporates a unique triad of features including (1) ultra-high-performance in a single-slot solution, (2) easy multiprocessor/multi-board scalability to meet increased performance demands, and (3) survivability -- all of which are extremely valuable in a broad range of sonar/radar, flight-control avionics, and other demanding signal and image processing applications.

Dynamic Balance of Speed and Bandwidth

Each 7455 CPU is supported by three levels of enhanced cache memory for a dramatic speed and efficiency gain over 7410 series boards. The 256-KB L2 cache has joined the 64-KB L1 on-chip. Now integrated with the CPU core, the L2 can operate at speeds approaching the frequency of the processor. In addition, a third tier of cache memory has been added-a 2 MB L3 backside cache, which is Dual Data Rate enabled, providing even faster cache access. Supported by the Discovery(TM) system controller balancing fast, 133 MHz memory, dual PCI buses, abundant I/O, and efficient high-speed memory accesses, the Rhino DX offers ruggedized system designers optimal functionality at a competitive price-point.

Switched-Fabric for High-Speed Multiprocessing

The performance of the dual 7455s is complemented by StarCross(TM), Synergy's implementation of StarGen's StarFabric(TM) ultra-high-speed switching fabric, which provides true, 400 MB/sec board-to-board communications. Since the high-speed, memory-mapped StarFabric bridge extends the PCI bus to other processor boards within a VME chassis, designers can easily add more horsepower -- one, two or more boards at a time -- to build multi-board systems that keep pace with incremental demand.

"VME's biggest drawback continues to be its limited bandwidth," noted Powell. "Current generation VME offers a theoretical 80 MB/sec maximum transfer rate. StarFabric provides a 5X performance increase over current VME, at the same time offering extensive flexibility."

By connecting the Rhino DX to a StarFabric switch device like Synergy's PSTN PMC, users are able to create powerful multi-board systems that far surpass even future VME 320 performance. A single switch device offers up to three simultaneous conversations with an aggregate bandwidth of more than 1.2 GB/sec, and StarFabric is available today.

Advanced Ruggedization

Additionally, the 7455s are protected by Synergy's field-proven, conduction-cooled frame, which can withstand temperature extremes as well as high-vibration and shock environments, meeting the most stringent military specifications. Rhino DX has passed the harshest environmental tests, executing code without errors while withstanding random vibration over 14 Gs, shocks up to 40 Gs, and temperatures ranging from -40 to +85 degrees C. The board's heat frame provides both primary and secondary PMC thermal interfaces, ensuring proper cooling of SBCs and attached modules.

Strong Software Support

Synergy has one of the most experienced and talented software engineering teams in the industry. Their intimate knowledge of real-time operating systems has resulted in robust board support packages (BSPs) for VxWorks/Tornado, Linux, SMP Linux and INTEGRITY. These BSPs have been fine tuned to support fast boot-up, robust device driver optimization and ease of use. Synergy also provides STAR/ASTRix, a comprehensive firmware package comprised of system monitor and diagnostics including power-up and initiated Built-in Self-Test (BIST), as well as extensive configuration, memory management and networking tools. In addition, Synergy offers an extensive DSP Math Library to support intensive signal and image processing applications.

Air-Cooled Version Also Available

The same high-performance features offered on the Rhino DX are also available in an air-cooled version, the Raptor DX. These new offerings continue Synergy's record of ongoing performance improvements that keep pace with the military's requirement for ever-increasing processing power.

About Synergy

Synergy Microsystems Inc. (www.synergymicro.com) specializes in the design, manufacture and integration of single- and multi-processor, single-board computers for VME and CompactPCI systems to meet the needs of demanding real-time applications in military, aerospace, DSP, and industrial/commercial markets. Synergy has a long track record of extracting the highest possible performance from current and emerging SBC technologies, then supporting these technologies through extended product lifecycles. In business since 1985 under the original ownership, the corporation is privately held, with facilities in San Diego and Tucson, Ariz.