Specifications

Starting With StarFabric:The StarFabric Connectivity Guide 31

What’s Next for StarFabric Technology?

As an emerging next-generation technology, there are many developments on the

way for StarFabric, including:

• PICMG 2.17 Integration

• PCI Express Support

Integration with PICMG 2.17

The PICMG 2.17 StarFabric CompactPCI Backplane specification currently pro-

vides a way to implement a StarFabric switch fabric in a backplane using standard-

ized backplane connector pinouts, instead of cables. PICMG 2.17, which routes

StarFabric topologies within a standard CompactPCI platform, is an extension to

the PICMG 2.x family of specifications.

Aurora’s PMC-SBR StarFabric card, available today, is fully compliant with

PICMG 2.17 and provides you with a high performance, reliable, and scalable

point-to-point interconnect within a CompactPCI chassis.

PICMG 2.17 topologies can coexist with 64-bit PCI, CompactPCI (PICMG 2.5)

and CompactPCI Packet Switching Backplane (PICMG 2.16) connections in your

existing CompactPCI architecture. Because of PICMG 2.17 support, CompactPCI

platforms are better able to handle embedded applications with converged voice,

video, and data requirements. StarFabric’s PICMG 2.17 support also allows for the

convergence of control and data payload traffic. This simplifies I/O connectivity

design and lowers cost.

Compatibility with PCI Express

PCI Express features are under development for release in 2004, but StarFabric pro-

vides you with a way to get those features and benefits now, along with a seamless

migration path to PCI Express when it becomes available. The StarFabric Trade

Association is working with PCI Express Advanced Switching Working Group,

planning the interoperability between the StarFabric architecture and emerging PCI

Express interconnect standards.