COMPACTPCI® METRIC CONNECTORS
FCI's COMPACTPCI INTERCONNECT SYSTEM IS A FAMILY OF HIGH-DENSITY PC BOARD BACKPANEL CONNECTORS AND HIGH-POWER CONNECTORS, DESIGNED FOR USE IN COMPACTPCI AND VME64x APPLICATIONS.
For system I/O and bus signals, FCI's CompactPCI interconnection system offers a gas-tight, high-density connection between the header and receptacle modules. The design is in accordance with IEC 1076-4-101 specifications. For high-power supply applications, the system offers two connecting options: DIN 41612 Style M and FCI POWERBLADE.
CompactPCI signal connection modules are designed for the Euro-card format, thereby suiting 19" rack applications. CompactPCI standard solutions use right-angle receptacle modules for the daughter card and vertical header modules for the backpanel. The connector module design features 5 rows of signal contacts, two external shielding rows for the header modules, and a pre-mounted, external metal shield for the receptacle modules. The 2-mm contact spacing yields 220 contacts for a single Euro-card, which is more than twice as many as offered by DIN 41612 connectors. The large number of ground pins guarantees optimal shielding and grounding, for high reliability in noisy environments. The added metal shielding greatly enhances signal integrity by reducing crosstalk and reflection. With low inductance and controlled impedance, these FCI connectors are ideal for transferring high-speed PCI bus signals.
Three basic styles of receptacle and header modules are specified for CompactPCI systems. First, a 110-pin Type A connector that features alterable keying; second, a 110-pin Type B connector; and third, a 95-pin Type B connector for user I/O signals. The Type B connectors do not have a key area. The 95-pin Type B version, with 19 contacts per column, is furthermore specified for VME64y (the VME extension standard).
CompactPCI has been chosen as the newest standard for both industrial-based and telephony-based PCI bus architecture by the PICMG® (PCI Industrial Computer Manufacturers Group), a consortium of over 400 PCI industry suppliers and users. PICMG Europe was founded in 1997 for promoting the standard.
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As an active executive member of the organization, FCI is committed to supporting European, American, and international manufacturers and users in the telecommunications, transport, and industrial market segments.
Electrically, CompactPCI is identical to conventional desktop PCI. Because a large variety of PCI-based products are already on the market, both hardware and support - e.g., comprehensive software, development kits, etc. - are immediately available to system developers around the globe. However, conventional PCI card designs with active mother cards and edge connectors are not suitable for use in harsh industrial environments. With a new bus structure that is rugged enough for industrial environments, while retaining all the proven PCI advantages, the new CompactPCI solutions open up this segment as well!
The CompactPCI bus, with its rugged mechanical form factor, is fully compatible with industrial requirements; e.g., it provides a vibration-proof interface, optimized cooling that meets the environmental design criteria, and hot-swappable board features. Thanks to a passive backplane with 8 slots (1 system slot and 7 peripheral slots), these FCI connectors offer fast, no-fuss system implementation and upgrading, while minimizing the downtime for repairs.
CompactPCI uses the tried and true single and double Euro-card architecture (3U and 6U cards) so greatly popularized over the years by the VME bus. Industry insiders predict explosive growth for the use of CompactPCI in telecommunications, industrial computing, and control applications.
FCI's CompactPCI interconnection system offers users numerous advantages, such as contacts supporting hot swap operations (exchanging cards while the system is active), as well as virtually unlimited options for mounting the connectors in accordance with existing computer telephony specifications.
Would you like to find out more about Compact PCI and PICMG?
If so, the following website will help you get started:
http://www.picmg.org
The site includes a useful discussion forum.
And if you would like more information regarding the entire FCI product range, please visit
http://www.fciconnect.com
. Of course, you can always feel free to contact CODICO!
CompactPCI® and PICMG® are registered trademarks of the PCI Industrial Computer Manufacturers Group.
Gerhard Strobl, EXT 37
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