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Extended range of updated 64 bit CompactPCI/PSB 2.16 compliant backplanes
Released 21 February 2003

APW Electronic Solutions has added 8 and 21 Slot sizes to its original 15 Slot version of the 64-bit CompactPCI/PSB backplane conforming to PICMG 2.16; at the same time the patented StealthBridge transparent rear plug-up bridge has been updated with additional circuitry and the latest Intel bridge chip. In addition to PICMG 2.16 Rev. 1.0 PSB, the backplane conforms to the PICMG 2.0 Rev 3.0 CompactPCI, PICMG 2.1 Rev. 2.0 Hot Swap, PICMG 2.5 Rev. 1.0 H.110 Computer Telephony and PICMG 2.9 System Management Bus specifications.

The 8 slot backplane features a single DIN M power slot and a single fabric slot; the 15 slot version has double DIN M power slots and twin fabric slots. The 21 slot unit has twin fabric slots and because it is a full width 19" unit, power-on is via Power Bugs.  On all widths the system slot can be configured as a node slot if required. Updated StealthBridge rear plug-up bridges are fitted to the 15 and 21 Slot units; they support the latest processor cards conforming to PICMG 2.0 Rev. 3.0 as well as earlier generations where the reset operation was enabled in a different manner.

CompactPCI/PSB is a star topology: in a 2.16-enabled system, boards are defined as nodes (equivalent to LAN workstations) or fabrics (equivalent to LAN hubs). It significantly improves performance, scalability and reliability of CompactPCI while preserving its mechanical interchangeability, redundant power options, hot-swap attributes and H.110 capabilities. The PSB specification supports scaleable bit rates of 10/100/1000 Mb/s per slot, giving the choice between low cost or high performance; Hot Swap is provided within the CompactPCI bus and High Availability is enabled through redundant Ethernet switching on two independent Ethernet networks embedded in the CompactPCI backplane on P3.  Node cards, operating as standalone "systems in a slot", interface with each other through the fabric slots using a network stack such as TCP/IP.  The fabric slots in PSB systems can interface with external networks by using either fibre or copper network media.

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Notes to Editors.

For further information:

APW contact:	

Tim Froome	
APW Electronic Solutions
Flanders Road
Hedge End
Southampton
Hants
SO30 2LG

tel: + 44 (0)1489 774500
fax:+ 44 (0)1489 780978
tim.froome@apw.com
www.apw.com

Agency contact:
Nigel May	
Parkfield
Parkfield House
Damerham
Hants
SP6 3HQ

tel: + 44 (0)1725 518321
fax: + 44 (0)1725 518378
nigel.may@parkfield.co.uk
www.parkfield.co.uk

APW is a technically enabled manufacturing services ("TEMS") company that designs and manufactures large, complex infrastructure products for OEMs in the communications, computing and Internet markets.  APW  has particular skills in the areas of manufacturing enclosures, thermal management, power supplies and backplanes; as well as core competencies in product and system design, integration and supply chain management. APW operates in more than 30 locations throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia.