New PCI-related embedded computing standards concerning MicroTCA and AdvancedTCA adopted by PICMG

WAKEFIELD, Mass., 23 Oct. 2011. The PCI Industrial Computer Manufacturers Group (PICMG) in Wakefield, Mass., has adopted two new open-systems industry standards, the MicroTCA Enhancements for Rear I/O and Precision Timing (MircoTCA.4) specification, and PICMG 3.8 -- AdvancedTCA Rear Transition Module Zone 3A specification. PICMG represents a consortium of companies that develop open specifications for high performance communications, military, and embedded computing applications.The MicroTCA.4 specification defines an addition rear I/O area for specialized Advanced Mezzanine Card (AdvancedMC) devices and a corresponding rear transition module called a MicroRTM. The MicroTCA.4 specification has a platform-management extension and specialized interconnects to control and distribute high-speed timing resources used by synchronous data acquisition applications.

The PICMG 3.8 specification adds connectors for data and management for full-size Advanced Telecom Computing Architecture (AdvancedTCA) rear transition modules (RTMs). The specification defines a power and system management connector and addresses power and cooling issues specific to AdvancedTCA RTMs.

PICMG’s MicroTCA specification was adopted in 2006 and enables systems designers to integrate AdvancedMC products in a passive backplane architecture. MicroTCA systems are much smaller than classic AdvancedTCA architectures and are used in military, telecommunications, and research applications, PICMG officials say.

The original AdvancedTCA specification was released in January 2003 to create a foundation for common platforms with many interchangeable modules from different companies for telecommunications applications. AdvancedTCA has been adopted top telecommunication equipment providers and is now gaining momentum in military applications, PICMG officials say.

For more information contact PICMG online at www.picmg.org.