Technical Highlights

• AI optimized: backplane supports two SBC/GPU pairs
• CMOSS and SOSA aligned: facilitates interoperability for modern military systems
• Supports up to 100GBASE-KR4 to meet high speed application requirements

FREMONT, Calif., April 2025 – Elma Electronic has expanded its line of SOSA aligned CompacFrame development chassis to include an AI (artificial intelligence) optimized 7-slot version. Equipped with six 3U payload slots and one VITA 62 power supply slot, the new 3U VPX/OpenVPX test and development platform allows for SBC and GPU coupling and distribution directly through the backplane.

The CompacFrame was designed to meet the complex needs of AI-based processing when testing and developing rugged embedded applications. Typical applications include where one GPU/SBC pair is running an inference model and another is supporting signal processing of RF data or driving a high-definition display.

The portable unit is ideal for compute-intensive processing of electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) and radio frequency (RF) using AI, machine learning (ML) or traditional digital signal processing (DSP) algorithms. Applications include radar beamforming, synthetic aperture radar (SAR), ground moving target indicator (GMTI) radar, autonomous navigation, threat detection and identification as well as target tracking and display, sensor fusion, surveillance and situational awareness.

Because the slot profiles are aligned with SOSA and CMOSS, the AI optimized CompacFrame is ideal for modern military applications that will adhere to the Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA), an interoperability initiative driven by the Department of Defense. A fully SOSA aligned VITA 46.11 chassis manager is accessible from a connector on the rear of the unit.

For maximum throughput and speed, the 6+1 backplane (six VITA 65 payload slots, one VITA 62 power supply slot) supports a dual domain Ethernet switch up to 100GBASE-KR4 and the expansion plane link supports PCI Express (PCIe) Gen4. With 16 lanes of PCIe between a host SBC and a GPU, including meshed GPUs between slots 5 and 6, the backplane can handle multiple AI-based use cases.

Designed for flexible test and development, the new CompacFrame provides several easy-to-use features. Both air-cooled and conduction-cooled payload boards can be inserted. The angled card cage provides easy access to plug-in cards and the front panel includes reset and power switches as well as voltage-monitoring LEDs and test points. The rear of the unit contains an Ethernet port, serial port – chassis manager, USB port aggregator and LED indicators for power, fan, and over temp.

For more information, please visit https://bit.ly/AI-SOSA-DP, contact sales at sales@elma.com, or call (510) 656-3400.

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About Elma Electronic

Elma Electronic is a global manufacturer of commercial, industrial and rugged electronic products for embedded systems and application-ready platforms – from components, embedded boards, backplanes, chassis and enclosures, power supplies, to fully integrated subsystems.

With one of the widest product ranges available in the embedded industry, Elma also offers standard and custom cabinets and enclosures as well as precision components such as rotary switches/encoders, LEDs, front panels and small cases.

Elma leverages proven technology based on VITA, PICMG, and other standards-based architectures (i.e. OpenVPX, SOSA™, VME, CompactPCI Serial and COM Express). Elma is actively engaged in designing solutions for applications requiring smaller footprints.

Elma Electronic manages entire projects from initial system architecture to specification, design, manufacturing and test through its worldwide production facilities and sales offices. The company serves the mil/aero, industrial, research, telecom, medical and commercial markets and is certified to ISO 9001 and AS 9100.

Elma’s global seat is in Wetzikon, Switzerland, with multiple locations around the world. The company’s U.S. headquarters are in Fremont, Calif., with sales, engineering and manufacturing operations in Atlanta, Ga., and Philadelphia, Pa.