FCI's New Connectors Enable MicroTCA Standard

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FCI has developed surface-mount, card-edge connectors to enable implementation of the MicroTCA (MTCA) standard currently under development within PICMG . The backplane connectors provide a dual-row, 170-position card-edge interface on 0.75mm pitch so any standard AdvancedMC (AMC) card can be plugged directly to a MicroTCA backplane. The surface-mount connectors utilize an optimized PCB footprint and will support differential signaling at data rates of 12.5 Gb/s per lane with very low loss and crosstalk.

The use of surface-mount termination also eliminates the need for numerous drilled through holes for connector leads, which both simplifies and provides increased flexibility in routing PCB traces. Metal retention clips at connector ends offer additional mechanical strength after soldering. The MicroTCA connectors are lead-free and RoHS-compliant.

The MicroTCA standard, under development within the PICMG organization, defines a physically small but very powerful system in a shelf measuring 4U high by 300mm deep. The MicroTCA system architecture reduces size and cost by eliminating the ATCA carrier board and providing a chassis that accepts AdvancedMC modules directly. MicroTCA shelves will also support hot-pluggable modules, which will increase availability by allowing individual modules to be serviced or upgraded without taking the shelf offline.

All mezzanines conforming to the AMC standard fit directly into a MicroTCA shelf without modification. The MicroTCA form factor is expected to be suited for communications equipment, such as core routers and IP-gateways, radio base stations and switching centers and customer premises equipment, where small physical size and cost are key design constraints. The MicroTCA connectors are designed to comply with Telecordia Uncontrolled Environment (UE) requirements.

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