Advanced Telecommunications Computing Architecture: Difference between revisions

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'''Advanced Telecommunications Computing Architecture'''<ref>PICMG. "Reference". PICMG 3.0 Revision 2.0 AdvancedTCA Base Specification. http://www.picmg.org</ref> (ATCA or AdvancedTCA) is the largest specification effort in the history of the [[PICMG|PCI Industrial Computer Manufacturers Group (PICMG)]], with more than 100 companies participating. Known as AdvancedTCA, the official specification designation PICMG 3.''x'' (see below) was ratified by the PICMG organization in December of 2002 .<ref>Pavlat, Joe. "AdvancedTCA turns 10". CompactPCI and AdvancedTCA Systems Vol. 15, Issue 5. OpenSystems Media: 2011. http://advancedtca-systems.com/advancedtca-turns-10/</ref>. AdvancedTCA is targeted primarily to requirements for the next generation of "carrier grade" communications equipment, but has recently expanded its reach into more ruggedized applications geared toward the mil/aero industries as well .<ref>McDevitt, Joe. "PICMG to Expand Market and Applications for AdvancedTCA". PICMG - Resources. [http://www.picmg.org/v2internal/resourcepage2.cfm?id=2]</ref>. This series of specifications incorporates the latest trends in high speed interconnect technologies, next-generation processors, and improved [[Reliability, Availability and Serviceability]] (RAS).

== Mechanical specifications ==

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== Backplane architecture ==

The AdvancedTCA backplane provides point-to-point connections between the boards and does not use a data bus. The backplane definition is divided into three sections; Zone-1, Zone-2, and Zone-3. The connectors in Zone-1 provide redundant -48 VDC power and Shelf Management signals to the boards. The connectors in Zone-2 provide the connections to the Base Interface and Fabric Interface. All Fabric connections use point-to-point 100 Ω differential signals. Zone-2 is called "Fabric Agnostic" which means that any Fabric that can use 100 Ω differential signals can be used with an AdvancedTCA backplane.<ref>Understanding backplane, chip-to-chip tech (EETimes) http://www.eetimes.com/industrychallenges/interconnect/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=55800439</ref>.

The connectors in Zone-3 are user defined and are usually used to connect a front board to a Rear Transition Module. The Zone-3 area can also hold a special backplane to interconnect boards with signals that are not defined in the AdvancedTCA specification.