Compact PCI for high performance in hostile environments

March 2003 Fieldbus & Industrial Networking Access Control & Identity Management

The demand for faster, higher-performance bus systems at lower prices is growing stronger. With the Intel PCI bus a de facto standard has emerged in the desktop computer field that meets these demands.

PCI (peripheral components interconnect) is a processor-independent 32 bit bus (33 MHz synchronous clock) that also supports 64 bit processing. A data transfer rate of up to 264 MB/s can be achieved. Burst mode transfers of differing lengths are of particular benefit to specially data-intensive applications such as graphics. Conventional 5,0 V logic and the new 3,3 V logic are supported.

In 1994 the PCI Industrial Computer Manufacturers Group (PICMG) was founded, with the object of making available the performance capability of the PCI bus on an industrial scale. The new industry standard defined by the PICMG is designated CompactPCI, and has the following features:

* Electrically identical to the PCI bus (use of standard PCI chip sets and software possible).

* Eurocard format (3U and 6U).

* Standard 19" rack.

* Metric connectors 2,0 mm grid.

As a result of this combination, CompactPCI is a high-performance system that meets the demands of hostile industrial environments, and based on the use of standard components is cost-effective.

PICMG specifies a metric connector system in a 2,0 mm grid for CompactPCI. The associated requirements in terms of form factor and high-frequency properties are met by the new ERmet connector generation from ERNI. For a 3U slot, connector module A with 110 signal contacts and a so-called multifunction area, together with a modified module B also with 110 signal contacts, are required. This provides 220 pins (five rows each of 44 pins), which 20 pins are reserved for future applications and extensions. Cards that only support 32-bit-transfer can only be operated with a module A connector. The upper shielding on the connector serves to adapt impedance, and is also part of the specification.

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