PICMG releases CompactPCI Serial R3 specification

PICMG has released the third revision of the CompactPCI Serial specification (CPCI-S.0 R3.0), which aims to ensure future viability and scalability for many years. CompactPCI Serial was originally developed as an extension of the open CompactPCI® standard to meet the demand for robust, modular, and powerful computer systems in industrial and embedded applications. The PICMG CompactPCI Serial standard combines high performance, modularity, and robustness, making it a popular standard for industrial applications, automation, and much more – where robustness, interoperability, and the ability to operate in harsh environments with comprehensive connectivity are crucial.

CompactPCI supports serial data transfer rates through PCI Express, USB, and Ethernet. It features a robust design with AirMax connectors and full interchangeability with CompactPCI cards through 3U/6U slot card systems. The CompactPCI Serial R3 specification offers some completely new opportunities compared to R2.

While R2 supported PCI Express up to Gen3 at 8 GT/s, R3 extends support to PCI Express Gen4 at 16 GT/s, effectively doubling the data rate and increasing speed. USB interface support has been increased from USB 3.0 (Gen1) up to 5 Gb/s in R2 to USB 3.1 (Gen2) up to 10 Gb/s in R3, doubling the bandwidth.

In R3 support for 10GBASE-T and 10GBASE-KR Ethernet is introduced, enabling higher bandwidth network speeds. To realize these higher data rates, new AirMax VSe® high-speed connectors for CPU boards are used in R3 instead of AirMax VS® in Release 2. These connectors are fully upward and downward-compatible.

CompactPCI Serial can be combined with existing CompactPCI boards by using a CompactPCI PlusIO system slot card. These hybrid systems provide an ideal migration path from parallel to serial connections. CompactPCI Serial for Space specifically addresses the extreme environmental requirements for outer space.

The release of the Revision 4 specification is currently in preparation. Revision 3 of CompactPCI Serial can be downloaded here.