N.A.T. NAT-MCH Technical Reference Manual - 1 Introduction
NAT-MCH HUB-Module XAUI – Technical Reference Manual
Version 1.2
© N.A.T. GmbH
7
1 Introduction
The NAT-MCH consists of a BASE-Module, which can be expanded with additional
PCBs. The BASE-Module satisfies the basic requirements of the MicroTCA Specification
for a MicroTCA Carrier Hub. The main capabilities of the BASE-Module are:
management of up to 12 AMCs, two cooling units (CUs) and up to four power
modules (PMs)
Gigabit Ethernet Hub Function for Fabric A (up to 12 AMCs) and for the
Update Fabric A to a second (redundant) NAT-MCH
To meet also the optional requirements of the MicroTCA specification, a CLK-Module and
different HUB-Modules are available. With the CLK-Module the following functions can
be enabled:
generation and distribution of synchronized clock signals for up to 12 AMCs
Through the extension of the NAT-MCH with a HUB-Module, hub functions for fabric D
to G can be enabled. With the different versions the customers have the opportunity to
choose a HUB-Module that fits best to their applications. The versions differ in:
max. number of supported AMCs (up to 6 / up to 12)
supported protocols:
o PCI Express
o Serial Rapid IO
o 10Gigabit Ethernet (XAUI)
The features of the individual modules are described in more detail in the corresponding
Technical Reference Manuals.
A general arrangement of the different modules of a NAT-MCH is shown in the following
figure.
Figure 1:
Arrangement of different NAT-MCH Modules
LED Module
Basic Module
CLK Module
Hub Module
This Technical Reference Manual describes the Hub-Module XAUI. In addition to the
CLK-Module it can be mounted on the NAT-MCH BASE-Module. The HUB-Module
XAUI is in a 6 Slot (“x24”) and in a 12 slot (“x48”) option available. With the HUB-
Module XAUI the 3
rd
tongue of the NAT-MCH connector to the MicroTCA backplane is
always installed. With the x48 option, additional the 4
th
tongue is installed. The NAT-
MCH HUB-Module XAUI implements the following major features:
support of Ethernet switching in configurable speeds (1/2.5/10 Gbit/s) for fabrics
D to G of up to 6 AMCs (HUB-Module XAUI x24)