Spectral Autonomy

OpenVPX (VITA 65): The Hardware Foundation

Part of the Open Architecture Field Guide. All information is derived from unclassified, publicly releasable (Distribution A) sources.

OpenVPX, defined as VITA 65, is the physical foundation for most modern defense electronics: the standard for how plug-in cards connect to a shared backplane in a chassis. It is assembled from a family of VITA building-block standards, maintained by VITA, and it underlies SOSA and CMOSS.

What it does

A rugged embedded system is a set of circuit cards in a chassis, connected through a backplane. When each program defines its own cards and backplane, the boxes cannot share parts and a card from one system will not fit another. That locks every system into its original design.

OpenVPX standardizes the connection. It defines profiles for cards, modules, and backplanes, assembled from a family of VITA building-block standards: VITA 46 for the connector, VITA 62 for power, VITA 66 for optical links, and VITA 67 for radio-frequency links. A card built to a standard profile fits a standard slot, so hardware from different vendors interoperates in the same chassis.

OpenVPX assembled from the VITA building-block standardsOpenVPX, VITA 65, defines the system-level card, module, and backplane profiles, assembled from a family of VITA building-block standards: VITA 46 for the connector, VITA 62 for power, VITA 66 for optical links, and VITA 67 for radio-frequency links.OpenVPX (VITA 65)card, module, and backplane profilesASSEMBLED FROMVITA 46connectorVITA 62powerVITA 66opticalVITA 67RF
Spectral Autonomy
OpenVPX (VITA 65) defines the card, module, and backplane profiles, assembled from the VITA building-block standards for the connector, power, optical, and RF links.

Where it sits

OpenVPX is the base of the hardware family. SOSA selects a subset of its profiles and adds requirements for sensors and electronic warfare. The Army's CMOSS uses it as the chassis for consolidated ground-vehicle systems. A space-hardened variant, SpaceVPX (VITA 78), extends the same approach to satellites. VITA governs OpenVPX as a consortium standard, which makes it a durable base to build on.

The hardware family: OpenVPX under SOSA, CMOSS, and HOSTOpenVPX (VITA 65) is the physical foundation. SOSA adds sensor and electronic-warfare requirements, the Army's CMOSS uses it as a ground-vehicle chassis with MORA for the RF chain, and the Navy's HOST is a tiering scheme aligned with it.Built on OpenVPX; SpaceVPX (VITA 78) is the space variant.SOSAsensors, EWCMOSSArmy groundHOSTNavyMORA (RF chain)OpenVPX (VITA 65)cards, modules, and backplane profiles
Spectral Autonomy
OpenVPX is the base of the hardware family; SOSA, CMOSS, and HOST build on it, and SpaceVPX extends it to space.

Where this fits

FAQ

What are the VITA building blocks behind OpenVPX?
OpenVPX (VITA 65) assembles VITA 46 (connector), VITA 62 (power), VITA 66 (optical), and VITA 67 (RF) into system-level card, module, and backplane profiles.
What is the difference between VPX and OpenVPX?
VPX (VITA 46) defines the base connector and card. OpenVPX (VITA 65) defines the system-level profiles that make cards, slots, and backplanes interoperate.
How does OpenVPX relate to SOSA?
SOSA builds on OpenVPX. It selects a subset of OpenVPX profiles and adds sensor and mission requirements.
Who governs OpenVPX?
VITA, an accredited multi-stakeholder standards organization.

Sources