Family of Specifications
CPCI Serial Space is a highly ruggedized, streamlined version of CompactPCI® Serial optimized for space applications. By removing unused USB and SATA backplane links, lines are freed up for additional rear I/O connections while adding new signals required in space environments.
For example, CPCI Serial Space does not need to route USB or SATA signals over the backplane, so these signal lines can now be used for additional rear I/O connections. On the other hand, due to the requirements of some space applications, CPCI Serial Space requires new signal lines in comparison to CompactPCI Serial to support space protocols like SpaceWire, TTEthernet and EtherSpace for inter-board communication.
On this Page
- Key Features of CPCI Serial Space
- Enhancements of CPCI Serial Space
Key Features of CPCI Serial Space
CompactPCI® Serial defines dedicated PCI Express and Ethernet links on the backplane. CPCI Serial Space in comparison, defines the following:
- CPCI Serial Space maintains the routing of these signal lines, but defines these backplane links as physical connections, not dedicated especially to Ethernet or PCI Express.
CPCI Serial Space is based on CompactPCI® Serial, but used other I/O, supporting Space applications.
- A full mesh network on the backplane is supported, like in CompactPCI® Serial. All slots can have a connection to the full mesh network – a point-to-point connection from each slot to all other slots.
Enhancements in CPCI Serial Space
- Backplane: A CompactPCI® Serial backplane routes PCI Express as a single star (the system slot is the center of the star). CPCI Serial Space backplane routing is compatible with that and additionally supports a second system slot. The dual star architecture improves the reliability and flexibility of the system. So, all peripheral slots can have a serial connection to system slot A. This complies with the CompactPCI® Serial base specification. CPCI Serial Space does not route USB or SATA links on the backplane. These signals can be used for rear I/O connections.
- Peripherals: Peripheral slot 8 is extended to be system slot B, the second system slot. System slot B is identical to system slot A. It can be used as an additional system slot, but it can also be used as a peripheral slot (slot 8). However, each peripheral slot has a connection to system slot A and additionally a second serial connection to system slot B.
- Shelf controller: A shelf controller can control the power supply of all boards separately. Also, the shelf controller can check the status of the boards and can reset the boards individually. Two redundant CAN busses are available additionally as board management busses. Neither the shelf controller connector nor the shelf controller itself is specified in the CPCI Serial Space specification.
- Mechanical Design: The mechanical design of CPCI Serial Space is fully compatible with CompactPCI® Serial. However, the board-to-board pitch is 5HP (= 25,4 mm) only – for air cooled as well as for conduction cooled systems.
