Curtiss-Wright Introduces PMBus Compatible Power and Control Module

Curtiss-Wright Controls Electronic Systems, a business group of Curtiss-Wright Controls and a system integrator of rugged deployed integrated electronics for the aerospace, defense and industrial markets, has announced a new rugged Power and Control Module (PCM) board that provides high level control and bridging to a system host via Ethernet (IEEE 802.3), USB, RS-232 and CANbus. This rugged intelligent system monitor board’s onboard software and logic can easily be programmed to autonomously manage a computing enclosure or platform. The PCM can also serve as a PMBus chassis management system to control fan controller boards (FCBs) and intelligent power supplies. This richly featured module speeds and simplifies the integration of system monitor software and hardware communications into rugged, embedded electronics systems. Available for both conduction-cooled and air-cooled applications, these products are available for integration into Curtiss-Wright Controls chassis level products and solutions.

"Our new power and control module helps ensure the optimal performance, reliability and survivability of rugged deployed military subsystems," said David Dietz, Vice President and General Manager of Curtiss-Wright Controls Electronic Systems group.

The PCM is designed to monitor and control numerous chassis-level elements, including power supplies, fans, displays, front panel controls and indicators. It can also be used to interactively enable/disable chassis payload power systems, direct external/internal connected devices, and issue controlled system resets with the communication or switch interfaces.

The PCM can manage a wide array of inputs and bridging functions, including up to: 16 power supplies; 16 independent voltages; 16 temperature sensors; 16 fans; 1 humidity sensor; 16 general purpose inputs; 16 reset controls; 8 general purpose outputs; 3 PWM outputs; 1 real time clock; 20 status indicators; and 4 control switches.

Measuring 3.050" (77.47 mm) wide/1.5" (38.1 mm) high/6.35" (161.25 mm) deep, this compact module is designed to perform over the full military operating temperature range, -40 to 85°C, as well as meet demanding shock, vibration, humidity and other harsh military environment conditions.

PCM performance features include: rugged extended temperature power & control module (-40 to 85°C) for air-cooled and conduction-cooled applications; programmable solutions for power supplies, thermal sensors, fans,humidity sensors and general purpose I/O; user and administrative levels of configuration parameters; user and administrative levels of password protection; ethernet (IEEE 802.3), USB, RS-232, I2C, with provisions for CANbus, redundant RS-232 and SPI; SNMP (V2/3), DHCP, NTP, Telnet and PMBus protocols; wide operating range, -40 – +85°C; wide input voltage range, 10 – 36Vdc per MIL-STD-704E, MIL-STD-1275D; input voltage not isolated from logic ground; management of up to (4) C-W fan controller boards; designed to meet MIL-STD-810G, MIL-STD-461F and MIL-STD-704E when incorporated into a chassis enclosure which meets these requirements; battleshort override; and external I/O over current protection.