Actel

Q1.2007

innovative programmable logic solutions

Simplify MicroTCA Design
and Lower Costs with the World's First Mixed-Signal FPGA

Actel's MicroTCA free and open reference designs drastically reduce risk, component count, and time to market. Actel uses the Fusion Programmable System Chip to implement MicroTCA solutions. MicroTCA (Micro Telecommunications Computing Architecture) is a standard that reduces the cost of telecommunications, industrial, medical, and military equipment.

Similar to replacement of the mini-computer by the personal computer, a variety of electronic equipment can be replaced by a modular, high availability, low cost MicroTCA chassis.

Actel provides highly integrated solutions for MicroTCA system management. Actel supports the Fusion-based solutions with reference designs, semiconductor intellectual property (IP), software, and customization services that enable quicker time to market for Actel customers with reduced risk, lower costs, and improved availability over existing solutions. The high integration of Actel MicroTCA solutions also provides increased functionality in a fixed form factor.

MicroTCA Power Module Reference Design
Actel Solutions for MicroTCA
  • Power Module (PM) - NOW
  • Advanced Mezzanine Card (AMC) - NOW
  • MicroTCA Carrier Hub (MCH)
  • Cooling Module (CM)
  • Power Supply

Actel reference designs are tested at the MicroTCA interoperability workshops to ensure compatibility with the standard as well as with a variety of MicroTCA systems.

FREE Fusion-Based Reference Designs

MicroTCA Power Module (PM)
Actel has introduced a Fusion-based MicroTCA PM reference design that meets the MicroTCA specification version 1.0 and includes an enhanced module management interface (EMMC). Core8051 and two CoreI2C cores are the foundation for an IP and software platform that includes an IPMI protocol stack per IPMI specification 2.0, which supports the IPMB-0 connection and the power module EMMC interface to the MicroTCA carrier hub. This is the first free and open reference design available for MicroTCA.

MicroTCA Power Module

Advanced Mezzanine Card (AMC)
As in the Power Module reference design, Actel has reduced the part count required for the Fusion-based MicroTCA mezzanine card in a unique reference design platform that includes hardware, software, and intellectual property. The reference design is ready to plug in for evaluation and interoperability testing and conforms to the PICMG® AMC.0 ECR001 RC1.0 specification. It includes a module management controller (MMC) based on Core8051 and CoreI2C with 8051 application code.

 

For FREE reference designs, visit: actel.com/products/solutions/microtca