MicroTCA™: Compact, Flexible, Economical Shelf Architecture for Telecom Systems

Overview: MicroTCA (Micro Telecommunications Computing Architecture or MTCA.0) is an open system-level chassis specification developed by PICMG (PCI Manufacturers Group) for low-cost, small-form-factor utilizing AdvancedMC modules plugged directly into a backplane. MicroTCA is defined to be complementary to AdvancedTCA targeting edge and access applications, customer premises equipment (CPE) and other applications where cost and size are major constraints including: data centers, industrial control and medical. Emerson Network Power’s Embedded Computing business continues to take an active role in the Primmer subcommittee. It is an early MicroTCA technology provider, and is fully engaged in helping drive the specification in making it a reality for the telecom space.

MicroTCA Background: ATCA and AdvancedMC continue to mature, providing a hot-swappable, multiprotocol switched fabric with a large form factor and high-power capability that make it ideal for today’s high-performance, high density, high-availability, packet-based telecom systems. Together, this duo gives Telecom Equipment Manufacturers (TEMs) a versatile platform for building modular telecom systems in a more cost-effective manner with reduced time to market.

MicroTCA extends Hardware Platform Management functionality, granularity, and hot swappability of modular ATCA/AdvancedMC blades to central office, network edge, and outside plant systems with tight space constraints. MicroTCA’s use of AdvancedMC technology also drives down cost by enabling equipment providers to reuse modules across a broader range of platforms and applications, thereby leveraging higher production volume and economies of scale.

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