Russia-based state-owned technology firm Rostec has introduced the MP21, a single-board computer powered by the domestically developed Elbrus 2S3 processor.
The newly introduced hardware aims to compete with the Raspberry Pi 5 in the single-board computer market. According to Tom's Hardware, the Elbrus 2S3 is a dual-core processor designed by the Moscow Center of SPARC Technologies (MCST) and manufactured by TSMC.
Sanctioned processor
Since 2022, TSMC has been prohibited from exporting processors with a clock speed above 25MHz to Russia due to US sanctions. Despite Rostec's assurance of sufficient Elbrus 2S3 stock, the future of the MP21 hangs in the balance.
The Elbrus 2S3 is a dual-core processor built on TSMC's 16nm process, with a maximum clock speed of 2GHz and a computational performance of 196 Gflops. It supports up to two DDR4-3200 RAM modules and PCIe 3.0 channels, featuring a six-core GPU and an integrated video codec unit.
Known for its high security and relatively affordable price, the Elbrus 2S3 is now scarce due to the US sanctions putting a stop to TSMC's production of the said processor following the Russo-Ukraine war.
High-security hardware
The MP21, utilizing the Elbrus 2S3, is a compact single-board computer measuring 9.5 cm square, equipped with up to 8GB of RAM and a non-soldered SSD ranging from 60GB to 480 GB. The MP21 has a power consumption of 40W, compared to the Raspberry Pi 5's maximum power consumption of 10W.
Rostec targets the MP21 primarily at automation process control systems in factories, with potential applications in the aerospace and security system markets.
While Rostec has not disclosed specific details or timelines for the MP21's production, nor released any images of the MP21, the company stated that it has provided some test samples to clients. The market release plan will be determined based on demand, with an expected initial production of over a thousand units.
Since the onset of the Russo-Ukraine war, global trade sanctions have made it challenging for Russia to obtain advanced computing components. Despite recent technological advancements by Rostec, such as a 128-core server platform and self-destructing USB drives, the industry believes these developments lack the production scale and market relevance to become mainstream products.
