PICMG announced new specifications for CompactPCI and AdvancedMC

PICMG has announced the adoption of the PICMG 2.30 specification, called CompactPCI PlusIO. This new specification adds PCI Express, Ethernet, SATA, SAS and USB extensions to the CompactPCI family of specifications while preserving PCI bus connectivity. The specification defines the use of previously reserved rear I/O pins for the 32-bit CompactPCI system slot with new high-speed serial signals to preserve interoperability with existing CompactPCI standards.

"This is an important technical addition to CompactPCI," said Doug Sandy, vice president of technology for PICMG, "as it allows the use of advanced serialized busses found within all modern computer architectures for the embedded markets where CompactPCI is widely used. This avoids 'fork-lift upgrades,' while providing a clear path to today's higher performance silicon."

PICMG has also announced the adoption of the AMC.4 specification, which adds RapidIO interconnects to PICMG's Advanced Mezzanine Card (AdvancedMC) family.

RapidIO enables increased bandwidth, and faster bus speeds in an intra-system interconnect. RapidIO is a high-performance packet-switched, serial technology that is widely used in the signal processing, networking, and communications markets.

The AMC.4 specification is a subsidiary to PICMG's AMC.0 specification that defines the mechanical, interconnect, management, power and thermal requirements for the industry standard mezzanine. The AMC.4 specification defines RapidIO implementations on AdvancedMC and helps support PICMG 3.5, which defines RapidIO on AdvancedTCA nodes. The new specification includes standard implementation guidance for specific configurations like 1x and 4x RapidIO.

"The use of AdvancedMC cards has become an important and fundamental element of PICMG-based embedded systems," said Tom Cox, Executive Director of the RapidIO Trade Association, "We are pleased to work with PICMG to support RapidIO on AMC.4."

For details visit www.picmg.org