The Power of Advanced MC Cards

Advanced Mezzanine (Advanced MC) Cards augment the existing and continued implementation of Advanced Telecommunications Computing Architecture (ATCA). Their “hot swap-ability” quality has the ability to radically reduce operating costs by providing carriers with the ability to upgrade and service working systems with minimum disruption to overall system operations. The great strength of the AMC module is the insistence that telecommunications should be the crucial focus of technological development. Advanced MC cards enhance the salient features of ATCA platforms, including higher bandwidth, hot swap-ability, integrated system management, and higher power capabilities.

Advanced MC Cards meet the PCI Industrial Computer Manufacturers Group’s criterion for hot-swap-ability and field-replaceable mezzanine cards. The specific cards are the PICMG AMC.0 , AMC.1, AMC.2, AMC.3, and AMC.4. Kontron Processor AMCs are compliant with PICMG’s AMC.x specifications, and are capable of tremendous performance and data throughput. Kontron’s board and mezzanine products provide designers with a commercial, flexible off-the-shelf solutions.

Kontron manufactures SAS and SATA based storage modules, I/O AMC modules, and MCH Carrier Hubs. The MCH hubs are the central management and data switching devices in the popular MicroTCA systems. Kontron’s MCH hubs are also integrated into open platforms. Recently, Kontron added the AM4011 as part of the company’s expanding portfolio of Advanced MC cards. The versatile Kontron AM4011 is useful as a main controller, data server, or traffic or media processor. The MicroTCA platforms are regularly used in military, law enforcement, government, transportation, avionics, carrier-grade telecommunications, and video processing applications.

Advanced MC cards are essential. Earlier this year, Kontron’s OM6062 was given the “Editors Choice” award by the staff at EG3.com, a leading technology website. “The Kontron OM6062 represents another example of Kontron’s commitment to the rapidly growing MicroTCA and Advanced MC cards market where meeting the demands for faster time-to-market and leading-edge technology have become a necessity,” said David Pursley, an Applications Engineer at Kontron.

Founded in 1962, world market leader Kontron designs and manufactures embedded computer systems across the first world. It has offices in Germany, Quebec, the United States, and Taiwan. Kontron is listed on the German stock exchange under the symbol “KBC” (TecDAX 30) and is a Premier Member with the Intel Communications Alliance. It remains one of the world’s most recognized suppliers of Advanced Mezzanine Card technology.