Advanced Telcom Computing Architecture
ATCA Bus

[ATCA Description] [ATCA Interface ICs]
[ATCA Connectors] [ATCA PinOut] [OnLine Standards]
[ATCA COTS Cards] [ATCA Chassis] [ATCA Backplanes]
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ATCA Description

The Advanced Telecom Computing Architecture [ATCA or AdvancedTCA] specification is designed to be used in central office grade equipment [the telecommunications sector].
The ATCA specification defines the Rack and chassis [Shelf] form factors, [passive] backplane, cards, power, Keying.
The electo-mechanical specification is based on IEC60297.

ATCA, uses an 8U [322.25mm high x 280mm deep] card [Blade] size, spaced 1.2" apart [6HP pitch].
An ATCA card can handle up to 4 PMC daughter cards.
A shelf backplane is only 6U high and interconnects the Zone 1 and Zone 2 connectors.
A Rear Transition Module [RTM] is also specified as an 8U x 70mm which plugs into Zone 3 of the rear backplane.
The RTM routes the signals from the Zone 3 connector out to a user defined connector.

ATCA Standards Info

AdvancedTCA (PICMG 3.x) [Advanced Telecom Computing Architecture]
PICMG 3.0 Mechanical, Power, Connectors, Specification
PICMG 3.1 Specification for Ethernet fabric interconnects [10/100/1000 Ethernet]
PICMG 3.2 Specification for InfiniBand fabric interconnects [16 slot backplane]
PICMG 3.3 Specification for StarFabric interconnects
PICMG 3.4 Specification for PCI Express interconnects

VITA 34 Embedded Modular; is similar to AdvancedTCA and also adopts an 8U x 280-mm form factor.

ATCA Interface IC's

IC Vendors;
Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.

Linear Technology AdvancedTCA Hot Swap Controller

Zarlink Semiconductor Carrier-Class Synchronization Chip

For additional ICs, see these bus pages: Ethernet Bus, InfinaBand Bus, or PCIExpress Bus.
For StarFrbric ICs, see the SwitchedFabric Buses page.

Of course for all other IC types, see this page: Semiconductors Manufacturers

ATCA Chassis Vendors

ATCA chassis [or shelf] are designed to function in a normal ANSI/EIA 310 cabinets (IEC 60297-1, and 60297-1). The chassis are 12U high to support 8U high boards. Up to three 12U chassis will fit into a 42U rack. The chassis has a 1.75U (high) air plenum below the card cage and a 2.25U (high) space above the cage for dual (hot swappable) blowers. The standard chassis width is 19 inch [supporting up to 14 CCAs], or 23 inch [supporting up to 17 CCAs]. Dual redundant 48 volts power is supplied to the boards. DC/DC converters local to each board are used to provide the required voltages. Each board may dissipate up to 200 watts. 60 volt systems may also be used. Diode ORing is used to allow the dual supplies to operate at the same time, or be ready to operate if one fails.

Companies making products;
The following page lists Chassis Manufacturers;
ATCA Chassis Manufacturers
microTCA Chassis Manufacturers.

ATCA Connector Manufacturers

Three connector styles Z1 [Zone 1]: Power/Management Z2 [Zone 2]: Data Interface Z3 [Zone 3]: Rear panel interconnect [Rear Transition Module] The board outline shows the basic board dimensions, The position of each connector style or zone, and The possible locations for an AMC card.

Positronic Industries {AdvancedTCA computing platform Zone 1 power connector. PICMG 3.0}

Tyco Electronics {ATCA Power Connectors, Zone 1}

Erni {Male/Female AdvancedTCA Zone 2}

The data interface consist of 5 ZD connectors; each is 4 rows x 10 columns of shielded differential pin pairs)

ATCA Pinout

The pin out for the Advanced ATC back plane is TBD at this point, but will be added when I get a chance.

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