TECHNICAL DATA SHEET

Model 8256
3U VPX SOSA aligned development platform
for Quartz products

Ideal for Mercury’s SOSA
aligned RFSoC basedQuartz boards▪ High-bandwidth data streaming▪ Waveform signal generator▪ Analog I/O for digital recording andplayback▪ Communication receiver and transmitter▪ Sensor interfaces▪ Electronic Warfare transponder

The 8256 is a SOSA aligned 3U VPX chassis ideal for application
development with Mercury’s RFSoC based Quartz® data acquisitionand processing boards. Working with our partners Elma Electronics
Inc. and Crossfield Technologies LLC, the 8256 is designed to adhere tothe emerging SOSA standard. It is a perfect platform for integrating
Mercury’s RFSoC based Quartz products with other SOSA aligned boards
like the SOSA aligned SBCs from Concurrent Technologies and 40 gigabit
Ethernet switch from Interface Concept.
The chassis backplane provides slots for up to four 5550 or 5553 Quartz RFSoC boards, a5503 multi-board synchronization board, an SBC (Single Board Computer), Ethernet switch
board, and a timing board. The 8256 also features a VITA 46.11 compliant chassis
management controller.
The 8256’s built-in forced-air cooling is designed to support conduction-cooled boards ina standard 19-inch rackmount profile chassis. This provides the convenience ofdevelopment on the conduction-cooled boards in a desktop or laboratory environment.

FEATURES▪ Developed in alignment with the SOSA™ Technical Standard▪ Ideal development platform for Mercury's Quartz Models 5550 and 5553
8-Channel A/D & D/A Zynq UltraScale+ RFSoC Processors▪ 8 slots provide space for a range of acquisition and processing boards▪ Optional rear panel RF and optical connections▪ Free lifetime applications supportmrcy.com

TECHNICAL DATA SHEET
Quartz 8256

CHASSIS MANAGEMENT
Mercury’s SOSA aligned development chassis utilizes Crossfield
Technology LLC’s VITA 46.11 and HOST aligned Chassis
Management Module (CMM). This CMM is software upgradeable
to the forthcoming SOSA v1.0 Technical Standard. In SOSA
aligned systems, the CMM will enable integration among SOSA
functional elements, the System Manager, Plug-In Cards, andintelligent power supplies.

SOSA ALIGNED COMPANION PRODUCTS
Model

Description

5550

8-Channel A/D & D/A Zynq UltraScale+ RFSoC Processor

5553

8-Channel A/D & D/A Zynq UltraScale+ RFSoC Gen 3Processor

5901-550

Rear Transition Module for 555x

CONVENIENT ACCESS TO RF AND OPTICAL INTERFACESLEARN MORE ABOUT SOSAThe 8256 is designed for convenient access to RF and opticalinterfaces. Each RF payload slot can be optioned with 20
coaxial breakout connectors located on the back panel of thechassis, providing direct connections to the VITA 67.3C
backplane connector. In addition, each RF payload slot can beoptioned with two rear panel MPO adapters to provide access tothe VITA 67.3C dual optical interfaces.

Click below to learn more about SOSA.

SPECIFICATIONS
Dimensions: 6U Chassis, 19" W x 17.25" D x 10.5" H
Weight: 28.2 lb
Power Supply: 964 Watts
Operating Temp: 0° to +50° C
Storage Temp: –40° to +85° C
Relative Humidity: 5 to 95%, non-condensing
Power Requirements: 100 to 240 VAC, 50 to 60 Hz

ORDERING INFORMATION
Model

Description

8256

SOSA Aligned 3U VPX Development Platform for Quartz
products

Options

Description-101

Installs VITA 67.3C interface in Slot 1-102

Installs VITA 67.3C interface in Slot 2-105

Installs VITA 67.3D interface in Slot 5-106

Installs VITA 67.3C interface in Slot 6-107

Installs VITA 67.3C interface in Slot 7

LIFETIME SUPPORT FOR QUARTZ PRODUCTS
Mercury offers worldwide customers shorter development time,
reliable, rugged solutions for a variety of environments, reduced
costs, and mature software development tools. We offer freelifetime support from our engineering staff, which customers
can depend on through phone and email, as well as software
updates. Take advantage of our 40 years of experience indelivering high-performance radar, communications, SIGINT,
EW, and data acquisition MIL-Aero solutions worldwide.

Contact Mercury for compatible option combinations and completespecifications.

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TECHNICAL DATA SHEETQuartz 8256

MODEL 8256 BACKPLANE AND SLOT PROFILES

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TECHNICAL DATA SHEETQuartz 8256

MODEL 8256 DEMO VIDEO
Click or scan below to view a video demo of the 8256.

Corporate Headquarters
50 Minuteman Road
Andover, MA 01810 USA+1 978.967.1401 tel+1 866.627.6951 tel+1 978.256.3599 fax

International Headquarters
Mercury International

Learn more

Avenue Eugène-Lance, 38
PO Box 584
CH-1212 Grand-Lancy 1Geneva, Switzerland

For technical details, contact:mrcy.com/go/CF8256

Visit: mrcy.com/go/MP8256+41 22 884 5100 tel

The Mercury Systems logo and the following are trademarks or registered trademarks of Mercury Systems, Inc.: Mercury Systems, Innovation That
Matters, Quartz and Navigator. Other marks used herein may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. Mercury believes
this information is accurate as of its publication date and is not responsible for any inadvertent errors. The information contained herein is subject
to change without notice.
© 2022 Mercury Systems, Inc. 1-0-102622-DS-Q8256

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