Membership Benefits	Join AeA	Get Involved	Policy Priorities	Contact Us	Site Map
Press Archive

Mercury Computer Systems Reveals Configuration Details of Ultra-Compact Rugged Computer

The Mercury PowerBlock 50 establishes a new class of rugged embedded computing, with up to 172 GFLOPS of processing power in a choice of Freescale, Xilinx, or P.A. Semi configurations

CHELMSFORD, Mass., Oct. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Mercury Computer Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: MRCY), a leading provider of embedded, high-performance computing systems and software for complex image, sensor, and signal processing applications, released configuration and performance details regarding the PowerBlock(TM) 50 real-time computing system. Measuring approximately 4" x 5" x 6" and weighing less than 7 pounds, the PowerBlock 50 establishes a new class of rugged embedded computing capability, putting processing power next to the sensor in space-constrained platforms such as unmanned vehicles.

Within its compact chassis, the PowerBlock 50 has six slots for control, processing, or storage modules, interconnected by a high-bandwidth PCI Express switch fabric. Module options include:

A maximum performance configuration of the PowerBlock 50 is achieved with six Vector-2000 modules, delivering a total of 172 GFLOPS from the 1.8 GHz dual-core processors. External I/O and networking is provided through the use of integrated daughtercards attached to the processing modules. The initial daughtercard configuration includes Gigabit Ethernet and RS-232 interfaces.

"The PowerBlock 50 combines configuration flexibility with extremely high performance in a very small form factor," said Randy Dean, Vice President of Integrated Solutions at Mercury Computer Systems. "Multiple processing options are available, while the daughtercards can be customized to meet specific networking and I/O requirements. The result is a system that can be tailored to meet the needs of virtually any high-performance signal processing application."

The PowerBlock 50 is supported by a Linux BSP development environment that includes cross-compile and debug tools targeting the P.A. Semi PA6T-1682M and PowerQUICC III(TM) processors. Mercury's expertise in high-performance signal processing is accessible to applications in the form of the PA6T Math Pack 1.0. This software package includes three algorithm libraries -- the SAL, VSIPL, and CSAL -- which are optimized for operation on the P.A. Semi PA6T-1682M processor.

The PowerBlock 50 chassis is designed throughout to isolate its internal electronics from all external environmental and physical conditions, allowing

deployments in harsh environments. Each module uses an aluminum heat spreader to transfer heat from electronic components to the chassis walls. State-of-the-art liquid cooling through the walls removes heat from the system, allowing efficient operation at any altitude. Rugged features include o-ring sealing for pressure, humidity, and EMI isolation; high-reliability connectors; extended temperature ranges; and locking modules for shock and vibration immunity. Availability of a conduction-cooled chassis is planned for early CY2009.

The PowerBlock 50 is available today. For more information, visit www.mc.com/powerblock50, contact Mercury at (866) 627-6951, or e-mail your request to info@mc.com.

Mercury Computer Systems, Inc. -- Where Challenges Drive Innovation(TM)

Mercury Computer Systems (www.mc.com, Nasdaq: MRCY) provides embedded computing systems and software that combine image, signal, and sensor processing with information management for data-intensive applications. With deep expertise in optimizing algorithms and software and in leveraging industry-standard technologies, we work closely with customers to architect comprehensive, purpose-built solutions that capture, process, and present data for defense electronics, homeland security, and other computationally challenging commercial markets. Our dedication to performance excellence and collaborative innovation continues a 25-year history in enabling customers to gain the competitive advantage they need to stay at the forefront of the markets they serve.

Mercury is based in Chelmsford, Massachusetts, and serves customers worldwide through a broad network of direct sales offices, subsidiaries, and distributors.

Forward-Looking Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including those relating to the PowerBlock 50. You can identify these statements by our use of the words "may," "will," "should," "plans," "expects," "anticipates," "continue," "estimate," "project," "intend," and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or anticipated. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, general economic and business conditions, including unforeseen weakness in the Company's markets, effects of continued geo-political unrest and regional conflicts, competition, changes in technology and methods of marketing, delays in completing engineering and manufacturing programs, changes in customer order patterns, changes in product mix, continued success in technological advances and delivering technological innovations, continued funding of defense programs, the timing of such funding, changes in the U.S. Government's interpretation of federal procurement rules and regulations, market acceptance of the Company's products, shortages in components, production delays due to performance quality issues with outsourced components, inability to fully realize the expected benefits from acquisitions or delays in realizing such benefits, challenges in integrating acquired businesses and achieving anticipated synergies, and difficulties in retaining key customers. These risks and uncertainties also include such additional risk factors as are discussed in the Company's recent filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008. The Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made.

Challenges Drive Innovation and PowerBlock are trademarks of Mercury Computer Systems, Inc. Other product and company names mentioned may be trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

SOURCE Mercury Computer Systems, Inc.