Product manual

PCI Express to PMC adapter Copyright © 2011, Technobox, Inc
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Figure 1 PMC-X to PCI Express adapter block diagram
Introduction
The Technobox PMC/CCPMC to PCI Express family of carrier cards host a Conduction Cooled PMC “
CCPMC” in a PCI Express edge card slot. Standard IEEE1386 PMCs are hosted in a similar, but smaller,
mechanical configuration without the heatsink.
The PMC is reverse mounted providing PN4 rear IO at the PCI mounting bracket via a 68 pin SCSI style
connector J1. The differential pairing between PN4 and J1 is available in two styles VITA46 and Standard.
A further advantage of this configuration is that the PMC front bezel IO is available within the PC chassis.
Other unique features include a substantial copper heat sink with fan for use with CCPMCs. An on-board
fan controller measures the temperature of the heat sink and adjusts the fan speed.
These carriers feature a PLX PEX8114 bridge IC used in transparent mode with a PCI Express primary side
and a PCI/PCI-X secondary side. The primary side of the PEX8114 bridge is a four lane generation 1 PCI
Express interface. The PCI/PCI-X secondary side operates at 33, 50, 66, 100 or 133 MHz in 32 or 64 bit
bus width mode. Use of 5Vonly PCI signaling PMC cards is prevented by voltage keying.
This carrier needs no additional software support since PCI Express is backward compatible with PCI
software. Software support for the PMC in use is provided by the PMC supplier.
A status monitor program communicates to any dumb terminal via an RS232 port and provides temperature
readings and a way to set fan parameters. Several LEDs give an indication of PCI Express lane good status
and important voltages. The XCAP and M66EN signals are supported by DIP switch settings to force
operation at user selectable PCI clock frequencies.
The JTAG signals from the PMC PCI and PCI Express connectors are brought out to headers allowing
users the option of connecting to the JTAG ports.
All power is supplied from the +12V connections on the PCI express edge finger connector. For better
power supply regulation the major on-board voltages, +3.3V/+5V/-12V are supplied from DC/DC
converters.