Backplane Cross-Connection for ATCA Blade Peer-to-Peer Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
The Advanced Telecommunication Computing Architecture (ATCA) standard does not facilitate communication between different circuit entities on identical blades, requiring custom wiring for redundancy and interoperability, which is inefficient and increases spare parts inventory and logistics complexity.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a backplane connector system with cross-connected pairs of connectors allows peer-to-peer communication between identical blades, eliminating the need for custom wiring by mechanically and electrically coupling connectors to enable communication between non-corresponding entities on different blades.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If custom wiring is implemented to enable communication between different circuit entities on identical blades, then communication capability is improved, but device complexity and logistics complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of custom-wiring each blade to achieve cross-entity communication, the patent inverts the approach by configuring the backplane with a cross-connection matrix that automatically routes signals between non-corresponding entities. The backplane connector pairs are wired such that connector 1 on one blade connects to connector 2 on another blade, and connector 2 connects to connector 1, enabling peer-to-peer communication without custom blade wiring.
Solution Approach 2:
The backplane serves as an intermediary device that mediates communication between identical blades. The cross-connected backplane connectors act as intermediaries that redirect signals from one blade's connectors to another blade's different connectors, eliminating the need for custom wiring on each blade while enabling the required communication paths.
2Reliability
If custom wiring is implemented for redundancy and interoperability, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing complexity and spare parts inventory increase
Solution Approach 1:
The backplane is designed with universal cross-connection capabilities that serve multiple functions: enabling peer-to-peer communication between identical blades, providing redundancy paths, and supporting interoperability. This single universal backplane design replaces multiple custom-wired blade variants, simplifying manufacturing and reducing spare parts inventory while maintaining reliability through configured redundancy.
3Adaptability or versatility
If identical blades are configured for peer-to-peer communication, then adaptability is improved, but connector wiring complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The backplane connector system is segmented into multiple independent connector pairs, each capable of being cross-connected. This segmentation allows the backplane to provide multiple independent peer-to-peer communication channels between identical blades, enabling adaptability while managing wiring complexity through modular organization of connector pairs rather than a monolithic complex wiring scheme.
Data Source
AI summary
A blade (202a) with first circuit entity (210) having a transmit output (280) coupled to a first connector (260) and a receive input (282) coupled to a third connector (264), and a second circuit entity (212) having a transmit output (284) coupled to the fourth connector (266) and a receive input (286) coupled to a second connector (262). The first, second, third and fourth connectors of the blade (202a) are adapted to connect to a peer-to-peer backplane (104) that electrically connects the blade (202a) to a remote blade (202b) through remote connectors (150, 152, 154, 156) on the backplane (104). The backplane (104) cross-connects the first connector (140) to a remote second connector (152) cross-connects the second connector (142) to the remote first connector (150). The backplane cross-connects the fourth connector (146) to a remote third connector (154) and cross-connects the third connector (144) to a remote fourth connector (156).