Card Edge Connectors fit MicroTCA(TM) standard.
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Press Release Summary:
Surface mount MicroTCA card edge connectors provide dual-row, 170-position card-edge interface on 0.75 mm pitch for plugging standard AdvancedMC(TM) card directly to MicroTCA backplane. Lead-free, RoHS compliant connectors support differential signaling at data rates of 12.5 Gbps per lane. Metal retention clips at connector ends offer mechanical strength after soldering.
Original Press Release:
FCI's New Card-Edge Connectors Enable MicroTCA(TM) Standard
ETTERS, PA. (February 7, 2006) -FCI, one of the leading suppliers of connectors and interconnect systems, has developed surface-mount, card-edge connectors to enable implementation of the MicroTCA(TM) (μTCA) 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(TM) (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.
"FCI's MicroTCA connectors are designed for low manufacturing cost through the use of proven connector manufacturing processes, low-cost materials and a minimal number of components," said Rob Poort, Global Market Manager, FCI. "A low applied cost is achieved by low-cost surface-mount installation and the fact that no costly hardware, secondary mechanical retention or compensating board stiffeners are required."
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. By using the same AdvancedMC modules that are deployed as mezzanines on AdvancedTCA® (ATCA®) blades, products based on the MicroTCA standard can get to market quickly.
The MicroTCA form factor is expected to be ideal 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.
Pricing for MicroTCA connectors starts at $7.50 each, with lead-time from stock to six weeks.
For more information on the new MicroTCA connectors, contact FCI at 825 Old Trail Road, Etters, PA 17319-7883; call 800-237-2374, email at electronics.us@fciconnect.com or visit FCI on the web at www.fciconnect.com.
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Created in 1989, FCI rapidly secured its place among the world's top three manufacturers of connectors and interconnect systems. With a turnover of 1.29 billion Euros in 2004, FCI currently operates in 30 countries where it covers the following markets: communications, data, consumer, industrial, automotive and electrical power interconnect. The company employs around 13,000 staff worldwide.
For more information: www.fciconnect.com
