HOT SWAP PMC CARRIER HAS A LOT TO SHOUT ABOUT IN TELECOMS APPLICATIONS

Released 21 June 2000


The new cPC2PMC from BVM Limited is a 6U Hot Swappable CompactPCI carrier, enabling two PMC modules to be added to the system.  One of the first Hot-Swap carriers to be launched, the cPC2PMC enables a wide variety of different I/O to be swapped in and out of the system without powering down.  The unit has obvious applications in telecoms and other high-availability systems where maximum up-time is the most important requirement.  BVM envisage the cPC2PMC being used in conjunction with its PMCSIO8 octal serial module and the PMC100FX fibre media Ethernet controller module to give redundant networking and communications capabilities.
The module implements two PMC sites, allowing a wide range of I/O functions to be configured, and, in addition, implements the full Hot-Swap specification, allowing it to be removed and inserted into live systems.  A hot swap sequence is initiated by the operation of the micro-switch in the ejector handle.  This asserts the ENUM signal on the CompactPCI backplane causing the hot swap software to unload the device drivers for the PMC modules and the cPC2PMC bridgechip.  The front panel blue LED is then lit, indicating that it is safe to withdraw the module, which can be done without having to shut down the system.  When the replacement module is inserted, first make-last break contacts fitted to the power and ground pins apply power to the board in the correct order and the blue LED is again lit.  The PMC modules are then powered up, the operation of the ejector handle micro-switch completes the insertion and the hot swap software extinguishes the blue LED.
The PMC sites conform to IEEE1386.1 with I/O mapped to the CompactPCI J3 and J4 connector in accordance to CompactPCI specification 2.3R1.0.  Each PMC site has front panel LEDs to indicate site active, I/O and memory reads and writes.  These assist in the debug phase and confirm correct system operation.

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Notes to Editors.

A text file of this release and a 2100 x 1500 300dpi CMYK JPG can be downloaded from www.parkfield.co.uk

For further information contact:

BVM contact:		
Rod Clarke	
Managing Director
BVM Limited
tel:	+ 44 (0)1489 780144
fax:	+ 44 (0)1489 783589
e-mail:	sales@bvmltd.co.uk
Web: 	www.bvm.co.uk

Agency contact:	
Nigel May
Parkfield
Parkfield House, Damerham, Hants, SP6 3HQ
tel:	+ 44 (0)1725 518321
fax:	+ 44 (0)1725 518378
e-mail:	Nigel_May@parkfield.co.uk
Web:	www.parkfield.co.uk


BVM specialise in the design, development and manufacture of Single Board Computers based on Motorola 680x0 and Intel Pentium architectures for stand-alone applications and for use in VMEbus and CompactPCI systems. Individual boards and modules for integration into users' own systems are supplied, and complete systems are designed, supplied and commissioned.  IndustryPack and PMC format modules for configurable I/O are supported on many SBCs, and a wide range of single function modules is also produced. In addition to its standard range of modules the company offers a custom design service ranging from minor modifications to standard designs to complete custom modules.