MTCA / AMC

NAT-MCH

Overview and Purpose

CPU, memory and O/S

The NAT-MCH base board is equipped with a CPU of the Freescale ColdFire family of processors. The CPU operates at core frequency of 200 MHz. The NAT-MCH provides 32/64MB SDRAM and 16/32/64MB FLASH memory. The operating system used with the NAT-MCH is OK1 or Linux.

Gigabit Ethernet Hub and Switch

The Gigabit Ethernet Switch incorporated in the NAT-MCH provides a layer 2, non-blocking, low-latency Gigabit Ethernet switch, supporting VPN as well as a port based rate control. The NAT-MCH supports Fabric A according to MicroTCA.0 R1.0 and PICMG SFP.1 R1.0, serving up to 12 AMCs as well as the update channel from the second MCH in redundant environments. Also supported is an uplink port at the front panel of the NAT-MCH in order to interconnect to other carriers, shelves or systems.

PCI Express Hub and Switch

The PCI Express Switching option allows PCIe connectivity for up to 12 AMCs at PCIe rates from x1 to x4. The used PCIe chipsets provide a Quality of Service (QoS) module and are configurable in terms of a non-transparent port for multi-Host support. The PCIe option can optionally provide a PCIe clock by a Spread Spectrum Clock (100MHz mean) or a fixed 100MHz clock.

SRIO Hub Module

Optionally the NAT-MCH can be equipped with a Serial Rapid I/O (SRIO) daughther board to support contention less point-to-point connectivity between up to 12 AMC modules. The SRIO hub supports x1 and X4 fat pipe transport density.

Clock Distribution

Besides the PCIe clocks the NAT-MCH also offers a sophisticated clock distribution module for special requirements, i.e. as by comms applications. Thus the module allows a flexible selection of the telecom and non-telecom clocking structures as defined in MicroTCA.0 R1.0. The on-board Stratum 3 type PLL sources its clock reference configurable from either any of the 12 AMCs or from an external clock via the front panel BNC type connector.

Management

The NAT-MCH incorporates a MicroTCA Carrier Management Controller (MCMC) which supports and manages up two 12 AMCs, 2 cooling units and 1-4 power units. Special care has been taken to support numerous aspects of system architectures, i.e. E-Keying, redundancy, clocking, fail-over scenarios or system integrity. In order to connect the MCH to an external shelf or system manager the NAT-MCH offers a 100BaseT port at the front panel. The management interface and the available N.A.T. remote control and visualization application µView is based on the HPI recommendation of the Service Availability Form (SAF).

Read more about MCH mezzanine modules

IPMI and Compliance
12 AMCs,
2 cooling units
1-4 power units
PICMG AMC.0 R1.0
PICMG 2.9 R1.0

Supported Fabrics and Compliance
FabricA: Gigabit Ethernet
12 AMCs
PICMG AMC.2 R1.0
PICMG SFP.1 R1.0

Fabric B: Serial Attached SCSI
Serial ATA
PICMG AMC.3 R1.0
option available Q1/07

Fabric D-G:
PCI Express (PICMG AMC.1 R1.0)
12 AMCs, x1-x4 each
Serial Rapid I/O (PICMG AMC.4)
10GbE (PICMG AMC.2)

Clock Distribution
Telecom: Stratum 3 PLL with
reference from either 1 of
the 12 AMCs or external
clock via front panel
PCIe: Spread Spectrum Clock
(100MHz mean) or
oscillator (100MHz fixed)

Carrier Manager
Management of up to 12 AMCs, 2 cooling units and 1-4 power units, supports redundant architectures and fail-over procedure

Shelf and System Manager
For detached or stand-alone operation both managers are available on-board, hook-in for external managers via 100BaseT port at front panel

Operating System and API
O/S: OK1, Linux
API: HPI compliant

Indicator LEDs
4 standard AMC LEDs
12 bi-colour LEDs for AMC slot stati
2 bi-colour LEDs for cooling units
2 bi-colour LEDs for power units

Front Panel Connectors
100 BaseT management connection
1 GbE system up-link for Fabric A
external clock reference (bi-directional)
serial debug connector