OTTAWA, ONTARIO –December 15, 2009 — Curtiss-Wright Controls Embedded Computing, a leading designer and manufacturer of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) VME, VPX, VXS, and CompactPCI products for the rugged deployed aerospace and defense (A&D) market, has introduced the VPX3-129, a new rugged Power™ Architecture-based 3U VPX (VITA 46) single board computer (SBC). This powerful, small form-factor SBC augments the performance and advanced I/O capabilities of Freescale’s QorIQ™ P4080 eight-core communications processor with an extensive I/O complement to provide a highly capable 3U VPX SBC. Joining its predecessor, the VPX6-187, the VPX3-129 is the second member of Curtiss-Wright Controls’ family of QorIQ P4080-based SBCs. Designed to support the new OpenVPX™ system interoperability specification for VPX, the VPX3-129 is ideal for a wide range of embedded commercial and military/aerospace applications including tactical aircraft, armored vehicles or rugged naval systems.

“The VPX3-129 expands our high performance Power™ Architecture-based 3U VPX product portfolio, ” said Lynn Patterson, vice president and general manager of Curtiss-Wright Controls Embedded Computing.“Designed to be OpenVPX Ready, this small form factor, high bandwidth card is ideal for high performance SWaP constrained rugged applications.”

To satisfy space, weight and power (SWaP)-constrained applications, the VPX3-129 is designed to optimize functionality, reduce power dissipation and maximize system flexibility. Its integral high-speed VPX backplane and XMC mezzanine connectivity enables multi-GB/s data flows from board-to-board via the backplane, and from the backplane to the XMC site, to support the acquisition, processing, and distribution of high-bandwidth sensor input such as video, radar, and sonar data. The board’s rich I/O complement includes two (2) Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) ports (1000-x capable), four (4) serial channels, up to 8-bits of discrete digital I/O, Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0 ports, and an XMC mezzanine site with 64- bits of I/O mapped to the backplane. It accommodates either dual SRIO high speed fabric ports to the backplane or up to 3 PCIe ports to provide plenty of high speed connectivity for the most demanding applications.

VPX3-129 Key Features:

• Powerful general-purpose SBC powered by Freescale QorIQ P4080
• Up to 8 Power Architecture E500MC cores up to 1.5GHz
• Up to 2GB DDR3 SDRAM controlled by dual 64-bit controllers
• Full complement of I/O capability (Ethernet, serial, USB 2.0, TTL and differential discretes)
• Single PCIe VITA 42.4 XMC site, with IO to the backplane as per VITA 46.9
• 3U VPX format with up to three 4-lane PCI Express® (PCIe), or Dual Serial RapidIO® (SRIO) or a combination there of.
• Inter-Processor Management Interface as defined in VITA 46.11.
• VxWorks® 6.x BSP, Driver Suite supporting Workbench 3.x IDE as well as Wind River® Linux®
• Curtiss-Wright Controls’ Continuum Software Architecture (CSA) firmware provides a comprehensive suite of system debug, exerciser, and update functions, built-in-test (BIT), and non-volatile memory sanitization function
• Designed for harsh-environment applications.  Both air- and conduction cooled rugged versions available.

VPX3-215 3U Carrier Card

The optional VPX3-215 companion 3U carrier card provides the following system expansion features:

• High performance XMC/PMC site supporting x8 lane PCI Express port (VITA42.4) with differential pair IO routing
• PMC site supports up to 100MHz PCI-X (5V tolerant)
• PMC site supports up to 100MHz PCI-X (5V tolerant)
• Two x4 lane PCI Express Switch ports on P1 provide access to the PMC/XMC site.

Software Support

The VPX3-129 SBC and the companion VPX3-215 ExpressReach expansion card are built in conformance with Curtiss-Wright Controls’ Continuum Software Architecture (CSA), an interoperability initiative under its COTS Continuum program, that eases system upgrades and compatibility across product lines through the use of standardized APIs and abstraction of hardware layers. CSA-compliant boards significantly ease and speed software driver development efforts.

Operating environment support includes drivers for operating environments including Wind River VxWorks/Tornado (6.x) and Wind River Linux 3.0.

Ruggedization Levels

The VPX3-129 is designed for demanding, high-performance defense and aerospace applications and is offered in a range of rugged configurations including air-cooled (Level 0/100) and conduction-cooled (Level 100/200). Innovative cooling techniques are employed to handle high performance implementations.

Volume pricing for commercial and rugged versions of the VPX3-129 is available. For pricing and availability please contact the factory.

About Curtiss-Wright Controls Embedded Computing

Curtiss-Wright Controls Embedded Computing is the industry’s most comprehensive and experienced single source for embedded solutions, ranging from Processing, Subsystems, Data Communication, DSP, and Video & Graphics to the most advanced board level components and fully integrated custom systems. The Embedded Computing group serves the defense, aerospace, commercial and industrial markets and is part of Curtiss-Wright Controls Inc.

About Curtiss-Wright Controls, Inc.

Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Curtiss-Wright Controls is the motion control segment of Curtiss-Wright Corporation (NYSE: CW). With manufacturing facilities around the world, Curtiss-Wright Controls is a leading technology-based organization providing niche motion control products, subsystems and services internationally for the aerospace and defense markets. For more information, visit www.cwcontrols.com.

MILPITAS, CA – December 16, 2009 – Linear Technology announces the LT3760, an 8-channel LED driver, utilizing a step-up DC/DC controller capable of driving up to a 45V string of 100mA LEDs per channel. Its internal 60V, 1MHz DC/DC boost mode controller is designed to operate as a constant current LED driver for up to 80 white LEDs. From a 12V input, the LT3760 can drive 8 channels, each with up to ten 100mA white LEDs in series while delivering efficiencies exceeding 92%. Its multichannel capability makes it ideal for medium and large-sized TFT-LCD backlighting applications. Its input voltage range of 6V to 40V makes it ideal for automotive, avionic, HDTV and industrial display applications.

The LT3760 offers ±2.0% (±0.7% typical) LED current matching to ensure uniform brightness of the display. Dimming ratios as high as 3,000:1 can be attained by using True Color PWM^TM dimming. A programmable 100kHz to 1MHz fixed frequency operation and current mode architecture offers stable operation over a wide range of supply and output voltages while minimizing the size of the external components. Additionally, the switching frequency is synchronizable to an external clock. Its thermally enhanced TSSOP-28 package offers a highly compact solution footprint for most LED backlighting applications.

The LT3760 uses an external N-Channel MOSFET switch to provide a boost mode constant current source. However, even when VIN exceeds VOUT, the LT3760 will continue to accurately regulate the LED current. The internal boost controller uses an adaptive feedback loop to drive up to eight channels of ten 100mA LEDs to regulate the output voltage slightly higher than the required LED voltage to ensure maximum efficiency. If any of the LED strings experience an open circuit, the LT3760 will continue to regulate the existing strings and signal the FAULT alert pin. If higher current LEDs are required, multiple strings can be combined, enabling the LT3760 to drive up to four channels of ten 200mA LEDs or two channels of ten 400mA LEDs. Additional features include programmable LED current derating based on junction temperature and LED temperature and programmable output voltage limiting when all LED strings are disconnected.

The LT3760EFE is available in a thermally enhanced 28-lead TSSOP package and is priced at $4.25 each in 1,000 piece quantities. An industrial grade version, the LT3760IFE is tested and guaranteed to operate from a -40ºC to 125ºC operating junction temperature and is priced at $5.00 each in 1,000-piece quantities. All versions are available from stock. For more information, visit www.linear.com.

Summary of Features: LT3760

• Up to 45V of LEDs × 100mA, 8-Channel LED Driver
• Wide Input Range: 6V to 40V
• ±2.0% LED Current Matching at 20mA (Typ ±0.7%)
• Up to 3000:1 True Color PWM^TM Dimming Range
• Single Resistor Sets LED Current (20mA to 100mA)
• LED Current Regulated Even for PVIN > VOUT
• Output Adapts to LED VF for Optimum Efficiency
• Fault Flag + Protection for Open LED Strings
• Protection for LED Pin to VOUT Short
• Parallel Channels for Higher LED Current
• Programmable LED Current Derating vs. Temperature
• Accurate Undervoltage Lockout Threshold with Programmable Hysteresis
• Programmable Frequency (100kHz to 1MHz)
• Synchronizable to an External Clock
• Thermally Enhanced 28-Pin TSSOP Package

About Linear Technology

Linear Technology Corporation, a manufacturer of high performance linear integrated circuits, was founded in 1981, became a public company in 1986 and joined the S&P 500 index of major public companies in 2000. Linear Technology products include high performance amplifiers, comparators, voltage references, monolithic filters, linear regulators, DC-DC converters, battery chargers, data converters, communications interface circuits, RF signal conditioning circuits, µModule® products, and many other analog functions. Applications for Linear Technology’s high performance circuits include telecommunications, cellular telephones, networking products such as optical switches, notebook and desktop computers, computer peripherals, video/multimedia, industrial instrumentation, security monitoring devices, high-end consumer products such as digital cameras and MP3 players, complex medical devices, automotive electronics, factory automation, process control, and military and space systems.

MILPITAS, CA – December 16, 2009 – Linear Technology announces the LT3760, an 8-channel LED driver, utilizing a step-up DC/DC controller capable of driving up to a 45V string of 100mA LEDs per channel. Its internal 60V, 1MHz DC/DC boost mode controller is designed to operate as a constant current LED driver for up to 80 white LEDs. From a 12V input, the LT3760 can drive 8 channels, each with up to ten 100mA white LEDs in series while delivering efficiencies exceeding 92%. Its multichannel capability makes it ideal for medium and large-sized TFT-LCD backlighting applications. Its input voltage range of 6V to 40V makes it ideal for automotive, avionic, HDTV and industrial display applications.

The LT3760 offers ±2.0% (±0.7% typical) LED current matching to ensure uniform brightness of the display. Dimming ratios as high as 3,000:1 can be attained by using True Color PWM^TM dimming. A programmable 100kHz to 1MHz fixed frequency operation and current mode architecture offers stable operation over a wide range of supply and output voltages while minimizing the size of the external components. Additionally, the switching frequency is synchronizable to an external clock. Its thermally enhanced TSSOP-28 package offers a highly compact solution footprint for most LED backlighting applications.

The LT3760 uses an external N-Channel MOSFET switch to provide a boost mode constant current source. However, even when VIN exceeds VOUT, the LT3760 will continue to accurately regulate the LED current. The internal boost controller uses an adaptive feedback loop to drive up to eight channels of ten 100mA LEDs to regulate the output voltage slightly higher than the required LED voltage to ensure maximum efficiency. If any of the LED strings experience an open circuit, the LT3760 will continue to regulate the existing strings and signal the FAULT alert pin. If higher current LEDs are required, multiple strings can be combined, enabling the LT3760 to drive up to four channels of ten 200mA LEDs or two channels of ten 400mA LEDs. Additional features include programmable LED current derating based on junction temperature and LED temperature and programmable output voltage limiting when all LED strings are disconnected.

The LT3760EFE is available in a thermally enhanced 28-lead TSSOP package and is priced at $4.25 each in 1,000 piece quantities. An industrial grade version, the LT3760IFE is tested and guaranteed to operate from a -40ºC to 125ºC operating junction temperature and is priced at $5.00 each in 1,000-piece quantities. All versions are available from stock. For more information, visit www.linear.com.

Summary of Features: LT3760

• Up to 45V of LEDs × 100mA, 8-Channel LED Driver
• Wide Input Range: 6V to 40V
• ±2.0% LED Current Matching at 20mA (Typ ±0.7%)
• Up to 3000:1 True Color PWM^TM Dimming Range
• Single Resistor Sets LED Current (20mA to 100mA)
• LED Current Regulated Even for PVIN > VOUT
• Output Adapts to LED VF for Optimum Efficiency
• Fault Flag + Protection for Open LED Strings
• Protection for LED Pin to VOUT Short
• Parallel Channels for Higher LED Current
• Programmable LED Current Derating vs. Temperature
• Accurate Undervoltage Lockout Threshold with Programmable Hysteresis
• Programmable Frequency (100kHz to 1MHz)
• Synchronizable to an External Clock
• Thermally Enhanced 28-Pin TSSOP Package

About Linear Technology

Linear Technology Corporation, a manufacturer of high performance linear integrated circuits, was founded in 1981, became a public company in 1986 and joined the S&P 500 index of major public companies in 2000. Linear Technology products include high performance amplifiers, comparators, voltage references, monolithic filters, linear regulators, DC-DC converters, battery chargers, data converters, communications interface circuits, RF signal conditioning circuits, µModule® products, and many other analog functions. Applications for Linear Technology’s high performance circuits include telecommunications, cellular telephones, networking products such as optical switches, notebook and desktop computers, computer peripherals, video/multimedia, industrial instrumentation, security monitoring devices, high-end consumer products such as digital cameras and MP3 players, complex medical devices, automotive electronics, factory automation, process control, and military and space systems.