BOHEMIA, NY – July 2024 -- North Atlantic Industries, Inc. (NAI), a leading supplier of rugged embedded computing solutions and power supplies, proudly announces the release of the CH1, a VITA 46.11 Tier-2 compliant Chassis Manager function module. This function module serves as the host for a VPX-based system Chassis Management Controller (ChMC), integrating seamlessly with NAI multifunction I/O (MFIO) boards and VPX systems.
The CH1 communicates over the system backplane (VPX P0) via the redundant I2C Intelligent Platform Management Bus (IPMB) to its host MFIO board and other intelligent Field Replaceable Units (FRUs) equipped with an Intelligent Platform Management Controller (IPMC) within the system chassis. Additionally, it communicates to a higher-level System Manager through Ethernet. Under the guidance of the System Manager, the CH1 monitors and potentially controls the subsystem chassis FRU’s power supply, cooling, and health monitoring, ensuring optimal performance and reliability.
As a new addition to NAI’s Configurable Open Systems Architecture™ (COSA®) family of products, the CH1 provides ChM functions to legacy or new systems, adding customization and scalability, catering to a wide range of mission-critical applications. When fitted on an appropriate NAI VPX MFIO board, System Manager control is accessed either as ‘in-band’ with backplane (VPX P1) via 1000BASE-X Ethernet or externally ‘out of band’ with 10/100/1000BASE-T Ethernet. The CH1 aligns with standards such as HOST v3.0, SOSA™ v2.0, VITA 46.11-2022, and IPMI v2.0, ensuring compatibility and interoperability with various systems.
The CH1 also features comprehensive chassis management I/O options, including USB UART access for the ChMC Console, with pending support for CHM Debug/Console RS-232. It offers multiple chassis control signals, such as Enable, Inhibit, Fail, SysReset, NVMRO, Discrete, LED and fan controls that include two PWM/TACH pairs. For enhanced security, the CH1 Ethernet is IPSec compatible. The mechanical design of the CH1 is a single-wide NAI COSA module, making it a compact and efficient solution for promoting SOSA™-aligned advanced chassis management.
“The CH1 Chassis Manager module represents a significant advancement in NAI’s product offerings, providing a robust and flexible solution for chassis management in complex systems,” said Lino Massafra, VP of Sales and Marketing. “Its compliance with VITA 46.11 and other key standards ensures it meets the stringent requirements of modern defense and aerospace applications.”
NAI's VITA 46.11 Chassis Management (ChM) function provides a Chassis Manager solution for the NAI modular Configurable Open Systems Architecture (COSA) product families as well as supports customer generic chassis and system management solutions. ChM offers comprehensive system oversight and administrative functions for COSA products. The Chassis Manager handles logistics, health monitoring, and management of various Field Replaceable Units (FRUs) such as I/O boards, single board computers, and power supplies within a customer’s or NAI’s system chassis. By accessing board-level Intelligent Platform Management Controllers (IPMCs), the ChM retrieves essential information on FRU health, voltage, and temperature, and controls fans, LEDs, and other chassis functions through discrete signals. NAI's ChM module enhances system reliability, simplifies maintenance, and optimizes performance, making it ideal for industries where robustness and efficiency are crucial.