The Mercury Computer Systems RACE MCH6 is a 6U VME64 motherboard engineered for heterogeneous multiprocessing in real-time embedded systems. It serves as the core switching fabric within Mercury’s RACE architecture, enabling concurrent processor and I/O transactions while minimizing data starvation and performance degradation. The MCH6 accommodates up to two daughtercards, supporting configurations of up to 4 PowerPC RISC processors or up to 12 SHARC DSP processors through compatible daughter modules sold separately.
Technical Specifications
Form Factor & Interfaces
• 6U VME64 motherboard with VME64 backplane interface
• Two daughtercard slots: one supports SHARC or PowerPC; the second accommodates SHARC, PowerPC, or I/O daughtercards
• RACEway Interlink port for high-speed data communication
• RACEway Crossbars integration
Processor Support
• Daughtercards based on PowerPC 603 and Analog Devices SHARC processors
• Maximum 4 PowerPC RISC processors per system
• Maximum 12 SHARC DSP processors per system
• i860 processor support available when combined with RACE MCV Series motherboards
Power Management
• Onboard 5 Vdc to 3.3 Vdc conversion with minimum 85% efficiency
• Input voltage range: 4.75 to 5.25 Vdc
• Motherboard power consumption: 10 watts at 5 Vdc (without daughtercards)
– Key Features
RACE switched-fabric architecture enables simultaneous input, output, and computation—critical for real-time sensor acquisition and display workflows. Multiple concurrent VME transactions reduce bottlenecks inherent in traditional backplane designs. Heterogeneous software support for PowerPC, SHARC, and i860 processors available under MC/OS Version 4.
– Typical Applications
Signal processing, real-time data acquisition, embedded computing systems requiring mixed-processor configurations, and applications demanding high-speed inter-processor communication.
– Compatibility & Integration
Supports Mercury RIN-T-B and ROUT-T-B I/O daughtercards. Compatible with RACE MCV Series motherboards for expanded processor support. Dimensions: 6.3 × 9.2 inches, 0.8 inch slot spacing, approximately 0.8 pounds. Operating temperature: 0°C to 40°C with recommended 8 CFM airflow.
