Schroff has introduced a new hybrid backplane that has been designed to
facilitate the transition from CompactPCI to the new CompactPCI Express
standard by combining the two bus architectures on to a single backplane.
Requiring no additional bridge components, the 3U-high eight-slot backplane
can accommodate mixed assemblies of existing CompactPCI-based applications
and new developments using CompactPCI Express.
CompactPCI Express is an entirely new bus system that utilises serial data
transfer rather than parallel. Existing application software, however, is
unaffected by the migration to CompactPCI Express, and its use can be
continued. With data transfer carried out by point-to-point connections in
so-called 'lanes', the new standard supports structures with 4 to 16 lanes,
delivering transfer rates of up to 4Gbyte/s.
The four slots on the left side of the new Schroff backplane are for 32-bit
CompactPCI boards, whereas the four on the right are reserved for CompactPCI
Express. The system slot of the CompactPCI Express section is arranged in a
four-link configuration as standard, and the three Type 2 peripheral slots
are of a 1x4 lane design.
Providing a straightforward and cost-effective migration path from
CompactPCI to CompactPCI Express, the hybrid backplane enables designers to
achieve higher data rates while at the same time supporting legacy systems.
In addition to its wide range of backplanes, cabinets, subracks and cases,
Schroff also offers a comprehensive system integration service that enables
customers to reduce overheads and product development times by outsourcing
some or all of their design and manufacturing activities.