PCI Express Extension Card: Four Gigabit Ethernet Lines on XMC Module
20 April 2006
For the first time MEN Mikro Elektronik is presenting an XMC extension card with four high-speed Gigabit Ethernet channels and redundancy mode. This makes MEN one of the first manufacturers of XMC modules on the embedded market. MEN's P601 makes the new PCI Express technology available also for applications in harsh industrial environments. Long-term availability at least until 2011 and RoHS conformity guarantee that the user's project is future-safe.
MULTIPLE AND ULTRA-FAST COMMUNICATION
The P601 is a Gigabit Ethernet XMC mezzanine card suitable for any XMC compliant single-board computer or host carrier board in any type of bus system, i.e. CPCI, PXI™, VME or on any type of stand-alone SBC.
The four Ethernet channels on the P601 are provided by two Ethernet controllers with two lines each and supported by 2x4 PCIe lanes. With a specific set-up the two lines inside each Ethernet controller can be used as a redundant channel pair. In this mode one line is monitored by the other line and the controller recognizes when an error occurs.
The P601 is typically suited as an extension for Windows® and Linux based systems with a heavy demand for multiple and ultra-fast communication requirements. As such it is used in high-bandwidth multi-channel communication applications in networked appliances such as base stations, routers, switches, gateways and residential gateway controllers. Main target markets comprise telecom, medical engineering and transportation.
For use in rugged environments the P601 is delivered with a passive heat sink and is prepared for conformal coating. Equipped with Intel® components that come exclusively from the Intel embedded line, the P601 has a guaranteed minimum standard availability of five years.
