GEMINIX ECOSYSTEM

The GeminiX Ecosystem includes an ever-increasing set of development tools, libraries and reference boards.

Model Driven Development tools, like ANSYS SCADE Suite, MATLAB and Simulink, allow automatic code generation compliant with GeminiX-OS.

Several communication libraries have been ported and used on GeminiX-OS:

The GMX-RS , NEAT’s GeminiX Reference System,  is the perfect ready-to use demonstrator of a GeminiX HW where the user can immediately experience all the GeminiX full capabilities. GMX-RS is a desktop form-factor platform offering to the user a complete computer able to manage safety related operation (“A” and “B” nodes operating in 2oo2 paradigm, running GeminiX OS) as well as to perform communication tasks via the “C” node running Linux. Moreover, the GMX-RS is equipped with set of standard Ethernet, UART, HDMI and USB interfaces to give full access to the user.

The GMX-RS is basically composed by:

GMX-LE represents one of the GeminiX implementations, available within the GMX-RS versions, specifically designed for Low End application, typically where medium computing performance, low power consumption, low size and low price shall be targeted, such as Object Controller, small Interlock, PVS to Custom Protocol Gateway. GMX-LE computing nodes are implemented making use of state of the art System on Chip (SoC) technologies; this implementation is, also, capable to withstand to harsh environmental condition, such as close-to-rails installations in railways application.

GMX-LE makes intensive use of GeminiX well consolidated and tested reference designs, thus tailoring all the functions required by the specific design. GMX-LE also supports redundancy at diverse levels, in order to largely increase availability; specifically, redundancy is supported at power supply level, at computing level and at user interface level.

Safety computing nodes “A” and “B”, running GeminiX OS, are implemented with Arm SoC CPUs in Hardware Diversity, namely: Zynq 7020 by AMD and Cyclone V SoC by Intel, embedded on a single board computer, (GMX-SoC-G), where the GMX Core functions are implemented in VHDL; 4 ethernet ports are also available from each safe node, for local communication with the “C” computer and also for redundancy management to a second GMX-LE-RS; also a set of local resources are available, such as temperature monitoring, power supply cross monitoring, NVRAM (EEPROM, FRAM). In addition a “service” connector expands the user interfaces to allow, for instance, boot from SD CARD, JTAG accesses, standalone Debug console.

1.  GeminiX 2.0–compliant
2.  SoC based architecture
3.  CPU-A Xilinx Zynq XC7Z020-1CLG484I
4.  DRAM-A : 2 x MT41K256M8DA +ECC – 512MB + ECC up to 1600 MHz
5.  Embedded peripherals Gbit Ethernet, SPI, I2C
6.  CPUB Altera Cyclone V 5CSEBA5U23
7.  DRAM-B : 2 x IS43TR16256AL +ECC – 1GB + ECC up to 1600 MHz
8.  Embedded peripherals Gbit Ethernet, SPI, I2C
9.  Hardware diversity
10.  4x ETH 100BASE T (two per CORE)
11.  Parallel bus expansion port for custom I/O mapping
12.  –40 ÷ +71 °C Operating
13.  –40 ÷ +85 °C Storage
14.  Compliant to IS402, EN50155, EN 50121
15.  Standard 3U minimum form factor 100 x 160 mm (customizable on request)
16.  Carrier with x86 communication processor available

GMX-HE specifically designed for High End application represents one of the GeminiX implementations, available within the GMX-RS versions, specifically designed for High End applications, where high computing performances are required, such as large Interlock or RBC systems; GMX-HE implementation generally makes use of server class CPUs, consequently, the considerably high power consumption, coming from the adopted CPU, requires a proper installation environment, with proper countermeasures against the excessive heat generated.

GMX-HE makes intensive use of GeminiX well consolidated and tested reference designs, thus tailoring all the functions required by the specific design. GMX-HE also supports redundancy at diverse levels, in order to largely increase availability; specifically, redundancy is supported at power supply level, at computing level and at user interface level.

Safety computing nodes “A” and “B”, running GeminiX OS are implemented with Server class CPUs in Hardware Diversity, namely Ryzen CPU by AMD and Xeon CPU by Intel, as COTS boards available from diverse suppliers, mounted over the GMX-x86-G board, working as a carrier for the Com express CPU and embedding the FPGA where GMX Cores functions are implemented in VHDL; 4 ethernet ports are also available from each safe node, for local communication with the “C” computer and also for redundancy management to a second GMX-HE-RS; also  a set of local resources are available, such as temperature monitoring, power supply cross monitoring, NVRAM (EEPROM, FRAM). In addition a “service” connector expands the user interfaces to allow, for instance JTAG accesses, standalone Debug console.

Main features:

1.  GeminiX 2.0–compliant
2.  x86 based architecture
3.  CPU-A any type 6 ComEx module (e.g.: AMD based COMe-CVR6 by Kontron)
4.  DRAM-A : ComEx dependant (e.g.: 8 GByte DDR4 memory down up to 24Gbyte with SODIMM expansion)
5.  Embedded peripherals Gbit Ethernet, SPI, I2C
6.  CPUB any type 6 ComEx module (e.g.: INTEL based CPU-161-18-07 by Eurotech )
7.  DRAM-B : (e.g.: 8 GByte DDR4 memory down up to 24Gbyte with SODIMM expansion)
8.  Embedded peripherals Gbit Ethernet, SPI, I2C
9.  Hardware diversity
10.  CPU-C for communication functions
11.  any type 6 ComEx module (e.g.: AMD based COMe-CVR6 by Kontron)
12.  DRAM-C : ComEx dependant (e.g.: 8 GByte DDR4 memory down up to 24Gbyte with SODIMM expansion)
13.  8x ETH 1000BASE T
14.  0 ÷ +55 °C Operating
15.  –40 ÷ +85 °C Storage
16.  Compliant to IS402, EN50155, EN 50121
17.  Standard 5U form factor 188.9 x 220 mm (customizable on request)

Communication “C” computer (GMX-CPU-C) is a custom board providing mechanical and electrical support for the “A” & “B” safe CPUs and the “C” node; GMX-CPU-C aims to fulfill the application specific interfaces, including further expansion slots in standard format (i.e.: mini Sata, mini PCIe, etc..), where COTS expansion board can be plugged, in order to meet as close as possible all customer requirements.

Basically the GMX-CPU-C board can be redesigned and tailored in order to modify form factor, number and type of interface.

The “C” computer makes use of COTS x86 industrial PC in COM Express form factor plugged over the GMX-CPU-C; a large number of COM Express boards can be used, depending on market availability, target price, requested performance, and microarchitecture; for instance x86 Intel Xeon class processors can be used, rather than Atom.

Hence, “A”, “B” and “C” nodes are internally interconnected with a local Network, handling Boot, data logging and safety packet transmission. Furthermore “C” computer offers up to 9x 10/100/1000 Ethernet, 5x RS232/422/485 serial interfaces; moreover the CPU “C” also provides native HDMI and USB interfaces, allowing the user to connect Monitor and Keyboard