Summary of XCOM – COMPACT, EMBEDDED X86 PLATFORM FOR SDR AND OTHER APPLICATIONS
XCOM is a compact, IP65+ rated embedded x86 platform designed for unattended, always-on operation with passive cooling. Built for demanding CPU and I/O tasks—especially Software Defined Radio (SDR) use with UmTRX and XTRX devices—XCOM supports multiple SDR interfaces (USB, Ethernet, miniPCIe) and accommodates different CPU models. It targets highly reliable deployments (telecom-style 99.999% uptime) in harsh or remote environments and benefits from field-tested refinements from Fairwaves' OpenRAN base station experience.
Parts used in the XCOM:
- x86 CPU (multiple supported models)
- IP65+ rated compact enclosure
- Passive cooling components / heatsinking
- Power management circuitry resilient to power failures and voltage fluctuations
- USB interface for SDRs
- Ethernet interface
- miniPCIe slot
- Compatibility with Fairwaves UmTRX SDR
- Compatibility with Fairwaves XTRX SDR
Designed To Support Unattended Operation, IP65+, And Passive Cooling
Have you ever tried designing a truly embedded x86-based system? We have, and it was a journey full of unexpected pitfalls.
Consider the importance of unattended operation, including resilience in the face of power failures and power voltage fluctuation. Need support for different CPU models? A compact, IP65+ enclosure? Each of these requirements is tricky on its own; taken together, they begin to feel insurmountable. But wandering into previously uncharted territory is half the fun of engineering, and we at Fairwaves are not ones to shy away from a challenge!
Today, we are making the results of more than a year’s worth of development available to the world. With the launch of XCOM, no one ever needs to face this particular set of challenges again.
We designed XCOM to be the ultimate platform for the Fairwaves UmTRX and XTRX Software Defined Radios (SDRs), but it works just as well with other USB, Ethernet, and miniPCIe SDRs. We have already started using the first revision of XCOM in our OpenRAN cellular base stations, and the version that will ship at the end of this campaign will incorporate everything we have learned from that field experience.
We also believe that XCOM has many applications outside of the SDR space. If you have suggestions for how we could make XCOM even more useful for non-SDR projects, please reach out and let us know!
XCOM Handles Demanding CPU And I/O Requirements
These days, a lot of control boards are based on ARM chips because they are small, inexpensive, power-efficient, and embedded-friendly. But what if you need more CPU power or faster I/O than an ARM chip can provide?
What if, for example, you are working in the growing field of Software-Defined Radio (SDR) and the RF processing of your application demands intensive Digital Signal Processing (DSP) and high throughput I/O? You could use a specialized DSP chip or an FPGA, but processing your data on a sufficiently powerful x86 CPU is not only simpler, it also benefits from a more developed software ecosystem and easy virtualization.
XCOM Supports Reliable, Unattended, Always-On Operation
The downside of using x86 is a less developed ecosystem of truly embedded, unattended designs. A lot of x86-based embedded systems are used in point-of-sale terminals, measurement devices, and other equipment that are easy to access and therefore easy to restart or fix if something goes wrong. For our use case, we need equipment that adheres to the infamous telecom standard of 99.999% uptime, even though it might be hundreds of kilometers – and many hours of driving – away from anyone who could fix it. Or it might be deep under water. Or hanging from a weather baloon. Or orbiting the Earth!
Read more: XCOM – COMPACT, EMBEDDED X86 PLATFORM FOR SDR AND OTHER APPLICATIONS
- What is XCOM designed for?
XCOM is designed as a compact, IP65+ embedded x86 platform for unattended, always-on operation, optimized for SDR and other demanding CPU and I/O applications. - Does XCOM support Fairwaves UmTRX and XTRX SDRs?
Yes, XCOM was designed to be the ultimate platform for Fairwaves UmTRX and XTRX SDRs. - Can XCOM work with other SDRs?
Yes, XCOM also works with other USB, Ethernet, and miniPCIe SDRs. - How does XCOM handle cooling?
XCOM uses passive cooling as part of its design. - Is XCOM suitable for remote or harsh environments?
Yes, XCOM targets remote and harsh deployments with IP65+ enclosure and designs for high reliability and unattended operation. - Does XCOM support multiple CPU models?
Yes, XCOM was designed to support different CPU models to meet varying performance needs. - What uptime standard does XCOM aim to meet?
XCOM aims to meet the telecom expectation of 99.999% uptime for always-on deployments. - Has XCOM been field tested?
Yes, the first revision has been used in Fairwaves OpenRAN cellular base stations and lessons learned will be incorporated into the shipping version.
