U.S. patent application number 11/393067 was filed with the patent office on 2007-10-04 for module to couple to an electrical and an optical backplane in a chassis.
Invention is credited to Robert J. Albers, Edoardo Campini, Hassan Fallah-Adl.
Application Number | 20070230862 11/393067 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38481838 |
Filed Date | 2007-10-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070230862 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Albers; Robert J. ; et
al. |
October 4, 2007 |
MODULE TO COUPLE TO AN ELECTRICAL AND AN OPTICAL BACKPLANE IN A
CHASSIS
Abstract
A chassis includes a plurality of slots to receive modules. The
chassis includes an electrical backplane to couple to a module
received in a first slot of the plurality of slots. The module to
couple via a first communication interface on the module. An
optical backplane is also included in the chassis. The optical
backplane is to couple to the modules via a second communication
interface on the module. The optical backplane is to couple to the
second interface on the module via at least one interconnect
through an opening in the electrical backplane. The interconnect
configured to couple a fabric interface associated with the second
communication interface to a communication channel routed over the
optical backplane.
Inventors: |
Albers; Robert J.; (Folsom,
CA) ; Campini; Edoardo; (Mesa, AZ) ;
Fallah-Adl; Hassan; (Chandler, AZ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
INTEL CORPORATION;c/o INTELLEVATE, LLC
P.O. BOX 52050
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402
US
|
Family ID: |
38481838 |
Appl. No.: |
11/393067 |
Filed: |
March 30, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
385/14 ; 385/129;
385/130; 385/15; 385/88; 385/89; 385/92; 398/101; 398/98;
439/577 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02B 6/4452 20130101;
H04B 10/801 20130101; H04J 14/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
385/014 ;
385/015; 385/088; 385/089; 385/092; 385/129; 385/130; 398/098;
398/101; 439/577 |
International
Class: |
G02B 6/12 20060101
G02B006/12; H04J 14/08 20060101 H04J014/08; H01R 33/945 20060101
H01R033/945 |
Claims
1. A chassis comprising: a plurality of slots to receive modules;
an electrical backplane to couple to a module received in a first
slot of the plurality of slots, the module to couple via a first
communication interface on the module; and an optical backplane to
couple to the module, the module to couple via a second
communication interface on the module, wherein the optical
backplane couples to the second communication interface on the
module via at least one interconnect through an opening in the
electrical backplane, the interconnect configured to couple a
fabric interface associated with the second communication interface
to a communication channel routed over the optical backplane.
2. A chassis according to claim 1, wherein the electrical backplane
couples to the first communication interface on the module through
at least one interconnect configured to couple a fabric interface
associated with the first communication interface to a
communication channel routed over the electrical backplane.
3. A chassis according to claim 1, the optical backplane further
comprising: an optical path to route the communication channel, the
optical path to include at least one optical path selected from the
following group of: a plastic fiber, a glass fiber, a plastic
waveguide and a glass waveguide.
4. A chassis according to claim 3, wherein the optical path
comprises the optical path to route the communication channel to a
communication interface on a switch module received in a second
slot of the plurality of slots, the communication interface on the
switch module to include an interconnect configured to couple the
communication channel to a fabric interface associated with the
switch module's communication interface.
5. A chassis according to claim 4, wherein the optical backplane
comprises the optical backplane configured for the optical path to
route the communication channel from the opening in the electrical
backplane, horizontally along an opposing side of the electrical
backplane to a location at a middle portion of the second slot to
receive the switch module, and then vertically to the communication
interface on the switch module, the communication interface on the
switch module at another location at an upper portion of the second
slot.
6. A chassis according to claim 4, wherein the optical backplane
comprises the optical backplane configured for the optical path to
directly route the communication channel from the opposing side to
the opening in the electrical backplane to the communication
interface on the switch module.
7. A chassis according to claim 3, wherein the optical path
comprises the optical path to route the communication channel to a
communication interface on a mezzanine card mounted at a location
at an opposing side of the electrical backplane to a second slot of
the plurality of slots, the second slot to receive a switch module,
the communication interface on the mezzanine card to include an
interconnect configured to couple the communication channel routed
over the optical backplane to, a fabric interface associated with a
communication interface on the switch module.
8. A chassis according to claim 3, wherein the optical path
comprises the optical path to route the communication channel to a
communication interface on a rear transition module received in a
second of the plurality of slots, the second slot in a location at
the opposing side of the electrical backplane to a third slot of
the plurality of slots, the third slot to receive a switch module,
the communication interface on the rear transition module to
include an interconnect configured to couple the communication
channel routed over the optical backplane to a fabric interface on
the switch module.
9. A chassis according to claim 1, wherein the electrical backplane
and the module received in the first slot operate in compliance
with the Advanced Telecommunications Computing Architecture
specification.
10. A chassis according to claim 9, wherein the opening in the
electrical backplane is at a location corresponding to zone 2 on
the Advanced Telecommunications Computing Architecture
specification compliant electrical backplane.
11. A method comprising: inserting a module in a slot in a chassis,
the module including a communication interface to couple to an
electrical backplane and another communication interface to couple
to an optical backplane, both backplanes located within the
chassis, the other communication interface to couple to the optical
backplane via an interconnect through an opening in the electrical
backplane; coupling in communication the module to another module
inserted in another slot in the chassis, the coupling in
communication via at least one of the module's communication
interfaces; forwarding data between the module and the other
module, the data forwarded through at least one communication
interface coupled to the electrical backplane and/or through at
least one communication interface coupled to the optical
backplane.
12. A method according to claim 11, wherein coupling in
communication via the communication interface to couple to the
electrical backplane includes: coupling a fabric interface
associated with the communication interface to a communication
channel routed over the electrical backplane, wherein the coupling
includes an interconnect coupling in an impedance controlled manner
to a copper-based trace, the copper-based trace to route the
communication channel over the electrical backplane to a
communication interface on the other module.
13. A method according to claim 11, wherein coupling in
communication via the communication interface to couple to the
optical backplane via an interconnect through an opening in the
electrical backplane includes: coupling a fabric interface
associated with the communication interface to a communication
channel routed over the optical backplane, wherein coupling
includes an interconnect coupling in a wavelength division
multiplexing manner to an optical path, the optical path to route
the communication channel over the optical backplane to a
communication interface on the other module.
14. A method according to claim 11, wherein the communication
interface coupled to the electrical backplane is associated with a
fabric interface, the electrical backplane and the fabric interface
to operate in compliance with the Advanced Telecommunications
Computing Architecture specification.
15. A method according to claim 14, wherein the communication
interface coupled to the optical backplane is associated with a
fabric interface, the optical backplane and the fabric interface to
operate in compliance with the Time Division Multiplexing Fabric to
Interface Implementation (TFI-5) specification.
16. A module to be received in a slot in a chassis, the module
comprising: a first communication interface to couple the module to
an electrical backplane in the chassis via an interconnect
configured to couple a fabric interface associated with the first
communication interface to a communication channel routed over the
electrical backplane; and a second communication interface to
couple the module to an optical backplane in the chassis via an
interconnect through an opening in the electrical backplane, the
interconnect configured to couple a fabric interface associated
with the second communication interface to a communication channel
routed over the optical backplane.
17. A module according to claim 16, wherein the interconnect
configured to couple the fabric interface associated with the first
communication interface to the communication channel routed over
the electrical backplane comprises the interconnect configured to
couple in an impedance controlled manner to a copper-based trace,
the copper-based trace to route the communication channel over the
electrical backplane.
18. A module according to claim 16, wherein the interconnect
configured to couple a fabric interface associated with the second
communication interface to a communication channel routed over the
optical backplane comprises the interconnect to include a
two-dimensional, micro electromechanical systems-controllable micro
lens array that is integrated with a
Vertical-Cavity-Surface-Emitting-Laser (VSCEL) array and a
photodiode array, the interconnect to couple in a wavelength
division multiplexing manner to an optical path, the optical path
to route the communication channel over the optical backplane.
19. A module according to claim 18, wherein the fabric interface
included in the second communication interface comprises the fabric
interface to operate in compliance with the Time Division
Multiplexing Fabric to Interface Implementation (TFI-5)
specification.
20. A module according to claim 16, wherein the communication
channel routed over the electrical backplane and the communication
channel routed over the optical backplane are routed to one or more
communication interfaces on another module received in another slot
in the chassis, the module to forward data through the fabric
interface associated with the first and/or the second communication
interface to the other module.
21. A module according to claim 16, wherein the module is to
operate in compliance with the Advanced Telecommunications
Computing Architecture specification and the second communication
interface is at a location on the module corresponding to a data
transport connector in zone 2.
22. A system comprising: a chassis to include a plurality of slots
to receive modules, an electrical backplane, and an optical
backplane; a module received in a first slot of the plurality of
slots; and another module received in a second slot of the
plurality of slots, the other module to include: a first
communication interface to couple the other module to the
electrical backplane via an interconnect configured to couple a
fabric interface associated with the first communication interface
to a communication channel routed over the electrical backplane to
a communication interface on the module received in the first slot;
and a second communication interface to couple the other module to
the optical backplane via an interconnect through an opening in the
electrical backplane, the interconnect configured to couple a
fabric interface associated with the second communication interface
to a communication channel routed over the optical backplane to a
communication interface on one or more modules received in the
plurality of slots.
23. A system according to claim 22, wherein the first communication
interface to couple the other module to the electrical backplane
via the interconnect comprises the interconnect configured to
couple in an impedance controlled manner to a copper-based trace,
the copper-based trace to route the communication channel over the
electrical backplane.
24. A system according to claim 22, wherein the second
communication interface to couple the other module to the optical
backplane via the interconnect through the opening in the
electrical backplane comprises the interconnect to include a
two-dimensional, micro electromechanical systems-controllable micro
lens array that is integrated with a
Vertical-Cavity-Surface-Emitting-Laser (VSCEL) array and a
photodiode array, the interconnect to couple in a wavelength
division multiplexing manner to an optical path, the optical path
to route the communication channel over the optical backplane.
25. A system according to claim 24, wherein the optical path
comprises at least one optical path selected from the following
group of: a plastic fiber, a glass fiber, a plastic waveguide and a
glass waveguide.
26. A system according to claim 24, wherein the module received in
the first slot of the plurality of slots comprises a switch
module.
27. A system according to claim 26, wherein the communication
channel routed over the optical backplane to the communication
interface on one or more modules received in the plurality of slots
comprises the communication interface on a rear transition module
received in a third slot of the plurality of slots, the third slot
in a location at the opposing side of the electrical backplane to
the first slot that has received the switch module, the
communication interface on the rear transition module to include an
interconnect configured to couple to the communication channel
routed over the optical backplane to a fabric interface on the
switch module.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] Modular platform systems are typically used in communication
networks where reliability is increased and cost reduced by the use
of interoperable pieces. Such interoperable pieces may include
modular platform shelves or chassis. Typically, each modular
platform chassis receives and couples in communication various
interoperable pieces or modules. These modules may include circuit
boards or mezzanine cards. These boards and mezzanine cards may
include, but are not limited to, blades, carrier boards, processing
boards, switches, hubs, etc. Other interoperable modules that are
received and coupled in a modular platform chassis may include
components such as fans, power equipment modules (PEM), field
replaceable units (FRUs), alarm boards, etc.
[0002] Some industry initiatives are seeking ways to standardize
the way modules in a modular platform system interoperate. One such
initiative is the PCI Industrial Computer Manufacturers Group
(PICMG), Advanced Telecommunications Computing Architecture (ATCA)
Base Specification, PICMG 3.0 Rev. 2.0, published Mar. 18, 2005,
and/or later versions of the specification ("the ATCA
specification"). Typically modules designed to operate according to
the ATCA specification are received in slots in a modular platform
chassis. These modules may then couple to a backplane via a
communication interface that is associated with a fabric
interface.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] FIG. 1 provides a partial front view of an example modular
platform system with modules to be received in slots in an example
modular platform chassis;
[0004] FIG. 2 provides a partial rear view of the modular platform
chassis with an electrical and an optical backplane;
[0005] FIG. 3 provides a partial side view of the modular platform
chassis with modules received in front and rear slots and the front
slot module coupling to electrical and optical backplanes;
[0006] FIG. 4 provides a diagram of an example fabric
architecture;
[0007] FIG. 5 provides a partial side view of the modular platform
chassis with an example switch/hub module received in a front
slot;
[0008] FIGS. 6A-B provide partial rear views of the modular
platform chassis illustrating example routes for communication
channels over the optical backplane to the switch/hub module
received in the front slot;
[0009] FIG. 7 provides a partial side view of the modular platform
chassis with the switch/hub module, a rear transition module (RTM)
received in a rear slot and an example mezzanine card;
[0010] FIGS. 8A-B provides a partial rear view of the modular
platform chassis illustrating example routes for communication
channels over the optical backplane to the mezzanine card;
[0011] FIG. 9 provides a partial side view of the modular platform
chassis with the switch/hub module and another example RTM received
in the rear slot;
[0012] FIG. 10 provides a partial rear view of the modular platform
chassis illustrating example routes for communication channels over
the optical backplane to the other RTM; and
[0013] FIG. 11 is a flow chart of an example method to insert the
module into the slot in the modular platform chassis to couple the
module to an electrical and an optical backplane.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] As mentioned in the background, modules that are received in
slots in an ATCA compliant modular platform chassis may couple to a
backplane via communication interfaces associated with a fabric
interface. As a result, in one example, these modules may couple in
communication via the fabric interface to each other through one or
more communication channels that are routed over the backplane.
These communication channels may be used to forward data from each
module's fabric interface and then through portions of the
communication channel that are routed over the backplane and/or
through other elements in the ATCA modular platform chassis (e.g.,
switches or hubs). At least a portion of the data, for example, is
forwarded to other modules coupled to the backplane.
[0015] Typically, a single backplane in a modular platform chassis
is limited in the number of communication channels allocated to
forward data from a module that couples to it via a fabric
interface. For example, a type of ATCA compliant modular platform
chassis is designed to receive and couple in communication 16
modules. For this ATCA design, 14 modules or boards may be coupled
in communication through two switch modules. This configuration is
referred to in the ATCA specification as a dual-star fabric
topology. In a dual-star fabric topology, according to the ATCA
specification, no more than one communication channel is provided
to a non hub/switch module to forward data to another module via
its fabric interface when coupled to an ATCA backplane. A single
communication channel may result in a bottleneck for data forwarded
from this non hub/switch module. Additionally, the high throughput
demands (e.g., plurality of Gigabits/second) are pushing the
physical limits of typical electrical backplanes that include
copper-based traces to route communication channels.
[0016] Data bottlenecks are problematic to the throughput of data
forwarded through a module's fabric interface and may limit the
throughput capability of a modular platform system as a whole. The
physical limits of typical copper-based traces included in
electrical backplanes are also problematic to throughput
capabilities. But most of today's standardized modular platform
modules are designed to operate with electrical backplanes and
likely will not operate solely with other types of alternative
backplanes (e.g., optical-based).
[0017] In one example, a chassis includes a plurality of slots to
receive modules. The chassis includes an electrical backplane to
couple to a module received in a first slot of the plurality of
slots. The module couples via a first communication interface on
the module. An optical backplane is also included in the chassis.
The optical backplane is to couple to the modules via a second
communication interface on the module. The optical backplane is to
couple to the second communication interface on the module via at
least one interconnect through an opening in the electrical
backplane. The interconnect configured to couple a fabric interface
associated with the second communication interface to a
communication channel routed over the optical backplane.
[0018] FIG. 1 provides a partial view of an example modular
platform system 100 with modules to be received in slots in example
modular platform chassis 101. As depicted in FIG. 1, modules (e.g.,
front boards) 110 and 160 are to be received in front slots 102A
and 102I from among front slots 102A-P. As described below (FIG.
2), modular platform chassis 101 also includes rear slots 104A-P to
receive modules (e.g., rear transition modules (RTMs).
[0019] In one implementation, modular platform chassis 101 includes
an electrical backplane 140. Electrical backplane 140, as depicted
in FIG. 1, includes communication interfaces 142A-P, 146H and 146I.
Communication interfaces 142A-P couple to communication interfaces
on modules received in front slots 102A-P. For example,
communication interface 142A couples to communication interface 112
on module 110 and communication interface 142I couples to a portion
of communication interface 162 on module 160. In one example,
another portion of communication interface 162 couples to
communication interface 146I.
[0020] Electrical backplane 140, in one example, is also depicted
in FIG. 1 as including power interfaces 145A-P. These power
interfaces, for example, provide power to modules received in front
slots 102A-P. For example, power interfaces 145A and 145I couple to
power interfaces 115 and 165 on modules 110 and 160,
respectively.
[0021] In one implementation, electrical backplane 140 includes
openings 146A-G/J-P. Openings 146A-G/J-P, as described more below,
may have one or more interconnects on a module that couple to an
optical backplane (e.g., see FIG. 3) through these openings. This
coupling may also include all or a portion of a communication
medium (e.g., an optical path) that routes a communication channel
through openings 146A-G/J-P and then over the optical
backplane.
[0022] In one example, modular platform chassis 101 is designed to
operate in compliance with the ATCA specification. Additionally,
electrical backplane 140 and modules received in front slots 102A-P
or rear slots 104A-P may also be designed to operate in compliance
with the ATCA specification, although this disclosure is not
limited to only ATCA complaint modular platform chassis, backplanes
and modules but may also apply to Compact Peripheral Component
Interface (cPCI), VersaModular Eurocard (VME), or other types of
industry standards governing the design and operation of chassis,
backplanes and modules. In addition, this disclosure may also apply
to proprietary chassis, backplanes and modules designed to operate
in a modular platform system.
[0023] In one ATCA implementation, modular platform chassis 101 is
divided into three regions described in the ATCA specification as
"zones." These zones include zones 1-3. According to the ATCA
specification zone 1 is to include power interfaces (e.g., power
interface 145A-P) and is depicted in FIG. 1 as lower portion 105.
Zone 2 is to include data interfaces (e.g., communication
interfaces 142A-P and 146H-I) and is depicted in FIG. 1 as middle
portion 106. Zone 3 is to include an area for RTMs to couple to
modules received in front slots 102A-P and is depicted in FIG. 1 as
upper portion 107.
[0024] The ATCA specification refers to zone 2 as the data
transport connector zone. Typically, ATCA reserves space for five
connectors in zone 2 for data transport. However, hub or switch
modules are usually the only modules that use all five data
transport connectors in zone 2. In one ATCA implementation,
communication interfaces 142A-P includes four data transport
connectors to couple electrical backplane 140 to communication
interfaces on modules received in front slots 102A-P. In addition,
communication interfaces 146H and 146I each include one data
transport connector to provide the fifth data transport connector
for a hub or switch module to be inserted in front slots 102H or
102I, respectively.
[0025] In one ATCA implementation, FIG. 1 depicts that
communication interface 112 on module 110 is to couple to
communication interface 142A on electrical backplane 140 in middle
portion 106 (ATCA zone 2). Also, communication interface 162 on
module 160 is to couple to communication interfaces 142I and 146I
in middle portion 106. Since module 160 couples to the fifth data
transport connector, in one example, module 160 is portrayed in
FIG. 1 as a hub or switch module for an ATCA compliant modular
platform system 100.
[0026] ATCA compliant modules 110 and 160, in one example, may also
couple to an RTM in upper portion 107. Thus, in this example,
module 110 includes a communication interface 117 and module 160
includes a communication interface 167 to couple to an RTM in upper
portion 107 when these modules are received in, for example, front
slots 102A-P.
[0027] In one example, communication interface 112 on module 110
and communication interface 162 each are associated with a fabric
communication interface. The fabric interface, for example, is used
to forward data through a communication channel, a portion of which
is routed over electrical backplane 140. At least some of the data,
for example, may be forwarded to other modules received in front
slots 102A-P and/or rear slots 104A-P.
[0028] In one implementation, an ATCA compliant modular platform
chassis 101 is configured in a dual-star fabric topology. As
mentioned above, a single communication channel is provided to a
non hub/switch module coupled to an ATCA compliant backplane to
forward data via the module's fabric interface to other modules
coupled to electrical backplane 140. So in this example,
communication interface 112 on module 110 couples to communication
interface 142A and data is forwarded though the fabric interface
and then through portions of the communication channel routed over
electrical backplane 140. Since module 160 is depicted as a
hub/switch module, at least a portion of the data, in this
dual-star example, is forwarded through module 160 and then to
other modules (not shown) that are coupled to electrical backplane
140 or to modules located remotely to modular platform chassis 101.
Also, as part of the dual-star topology, a second hub/switch module
(not shown) may be received in slot 102H. The second hub/switch
module, for example, provides redundant and/or load-balancing
switch capabilities to modular platform system 100.
[0029] In one example, the space or location typically used for the
fifth data transport connector for non-hub or non-switch modules is
replaced with an opening (e.g., openings 144A-G or 144J-P) through
an ATCA compliant electrical backplane 140. As described more
below, at least one interconnect couples to optical backplane 150
through an opening in electrical backplane 140. This interconnect,
for example, may couple a fabric interface associated with
communication interface 114 on module 110 to communication channels
routed over optical backplane 150. This fabric interface may be in
addition to or part of the fabric interface associated with
communication interface 112 that is coupled to electrical backplane
140.
[0030] In one implementation, a fabric interface for a module
received in modular platform chassis 101 may be designed to support
one or more packet-based communication protocols. Several
packet-based communication protocols, for example, are associated
with and/or described by sub-set specifications to the ATCA
specification and are typically referred to as the "PICMG 3.x
specifications." The PICMG 3.x specifications include, but are not
limited to, Ethernet/Fibre Channel (PICMG 3.1), Infiniband (PICMG
3.2), StarFabric (PICMG 3.3), PCI-Express/Advanced Switching (PICMG
3.4), Advanced Fabric Interconnect/S-RapidIO (PICMG 3.5) and Packet
Routing Switch (PICMG 3.6).
[0031] In one example, a fabric interface associated with
communication interface 112 or a fabric interface associated with
communication interface 162 may operate in compliance with a
communication protocol described in a PICMG 3.x specification. This
PICMG 3.x specification support, for example, is to facilitate the
forwarding of data from module 110 and through portions of the
communication channels routed over electrical backplane 140.
[0032] In other implementations, a fabric interface for a module
received in modular platform chassis 101 may be designed to support
other types of communication protocols. For example, the
communication interface may support time division multiplexing
(TDM) and/or frequency division multiplexing (FDM). A communication
interface that supports TDM, for example, may operate in compliance
with one or more industry standard associated with interconnects
configured to couple to optical backplanes. One such industry
standard is the Optical Internetworking Forum (OIF), TFI-5: TDM
Fabric to Framer Interface Implementation, published September,
2003 and/or later versions ("the TFI-5 specification").
[0033] In one example, fabric interfaces associated with
communication interfaces on modules that couple to electrical
backplane 140 in modular platform chassis 101 operate in compliance
with one or more PICMG 3.x specifications. In this example, fabric
interfaces associated with communication interfaces on modules that
couple to optical backplane 150 operate in compliance with
TDM-based standard such the TFI-5 specification. Thus, packet-based
communication protocols can be used to forward data from modules
via communication channels routed over electrical backplane 140 and
TDM-based communication protocols can be used to forward data from
modules via communication channels routed over optical backplane
150.
[0034] FIG. 2 provides a partial rear view of modular platform
chassis 101 with electrical backplane 140 and optical backplane
150. In one example, optical backplane 150 is located or mounted
adjacent to openings 144A-G and 144J-P in electrical backplane 140.
These openings are depicted as dashed-lined shapes to indicate
where these openings are located on the side of optical backplane
150 that is towards the front of modular platform chassis 101 or
adjacent to the backside or rear of electrical backplane 140.
Similarly, the back-side of communication interfaces 146I and 146H
on electrical backplane 140 are also depicted as dashed-line
shapes.
[0035] FIG. 2, in one example, depicts modular platform chassis 101
as including rear slots 104A-P. In one implementation, these slots
may receive modules such as RTMs. Once received in a rear slot, for
example, an RTM may couple to a module or front board received in a
corresponding front slot. For example, an RTM received in rear slot
104A would couple to a module received in front slot 102A.
[0036] As mentioned for FIG. 1, electrical backplane 140 includes
communication interfaces 142A-P and 146H-I. In one ATCA compliant
implementation, the rear view of the zone 2 data transport
connectors associated with communication interfaces 142A-P and
146H-I as well as zone 1 power interfaces 145A-P are portrayed in
FIG. 2. This portrayal provides a reference point to where an
example optical backplane 150 may be mounted in modular platform
chassis 101 in a position on the opposite or opposing side to
openings 144A-G/J-P of electrical backplane 140.
[0037] In other implementations, as described below, optical
backplane 150 is not mounted directly behind the openings in
electrical backplane 140. In these other implementations, the
communication channels that are routed over optical backplane 150
include routes (e.g., optical paths) that are routed directly from
a module received in front slots 102A-G/J-P to a communication
interface. This communication interface, for example, may be on
switch module (e.g., module 160) received in front slot 102H or
102, on a mezzanine card mounted on the backside of electrical
backplane 140 or on an RTM received in rear slots 102H-I, although
this disclosure is not limited to routes to communication
interfaces on these types of switch modules, mezzanine cards or
RTMs.
[0038] In one implementation, optical backplane 150 includes
communication interfaces 154A-G/J-P. Communication interfaces
154A-G/J-P, for example, are the beginnings of optical paths that
couple to communication interfaces on at least a subset of modules
received in front slots 102A-G/J-P. In one example, these
communication interfaces couple via one or more interconnects
through openings 144A-G/J-P. As described more below, these
interconnects may be configured or adapted to couple fabric
interfaces included in the communication interfaces on the modules
to communication channels routed over optical backplane 150.
[0039] FIG. 3 provides a partial side view of modular platform
chassis 101 with module 110 received in front slot 102A and a
module, RTM 210, received in rear slot 104A. As described above for
FIG. 1, module 110 includes communication interfaces 112 and 114 to
couple to communication interfaces on electrical backplane 140 and
optical backplane 150, respectively. Also, FIG. 3 shows a RTM 210
coupled to module 110 via communication interface 212.
[0040] In one implementation, module 110, electrical backplane 140
and RTM 210 are each designed to operate in compliance with the
ATCA specification. As a result, communication interface 212 on RTM
210 couples to module 110 via communication interface 117 in ATCA
connector zone 3. These zone 3 communication interfaces, for
example, may be associated with a fabric interface to forward data
over a communication channel between RTM 210 and module 110.
[0041] In one implementation, various interconnects couple the
communication interfaces on module 110 to communication channels
routed over electrical backplane 140 and/or optical backplane 150.
These interconnects are portrayed in FIG. 3 as interconnects 112A-D
and 114A. At least one interconnect from among interconnects
112A-D, for example, couples a fabric interface associated with
communication interface 112 to a communication channel routed over
electrical backplane 140. Interconnect 114A, for example, couples a
fabric interface associated with communication interface 114 to a
communication channel routed over optical backplane 150.
[0042] In one example, interconnects 112A-D are configured to
couple a fabric interface to a communication channel routed over
electrical backplane 140. Interconnects 112A-D, for example, couple
in an impedance controlled manner to copper-based traces included
in communication interfaces 142A of electrical backplane 140. These
copper-based traces, for example, route the communication channel
over electrical backplane 140. Thus, in this example, copper-based
traces are used as a medium to forward data between modules coupled
to electrical backplane 140.
[0043] In one example, interconnect 114A is configured or adapted
to couple a fabric interface associated with communication
interface 114 to a communication channel routed over optical
backplane 150. For example, interconnect 114A includes a
two-dimensional (2-D), micro electromechanical systems
(MEMS)-controllable micro lens array that has been integrated with
a Vertical-Cavity-Surface-Emitting-Laser (VCSEL) array and a
photodiode array. The VCSEL/photodiode arrays, for example, may be
packaged in a flip-chip assembly. In one example, the
VCSEL/photodiode arrays allow interconnect 114A to implement an
electrical-to-optical conversion and conversely an
optical-to-electrical conversion of data forwarded/received on
optical backplane 150.
[0044] The communication channels routed over optical backplane
150, for example, include optical signals that are routed via
optical paths that propagate the optical signal from interconnected
114A. For example, an optical path begins/terminates at
communication interface 154A and includes, but is not limited to,
plastic or glass fibers and/or plastic or glass waveguides. An
optical signal, for example, may be forwarded from interconnect
114A with either single wavelength or wavelength division
multiplexing (WDM). Thus, a module coupled to optical backplane
150, for example, can use the optical signal to forward data from a
module coupled to optical backplane 150.
[0045] In one implementation, interconnects 112A-D for an ATCA
compliant module 110 and electrical backplane 140 are high density,
impedance controlled connectors as described in the ATCA
specification. In this example, based on module 10's insertion in
front slot 102A, interconnects 112A-D couple with communication
interface 142A. As a result, a fabric interface associated with
communication interface 112 is coupled to a communication channel
routed over electrical backplane 140. As mentioned previously,
copper-based traces may be use as a medium to route the
communication channel over electrical backplane 140.
[0046] In one implementation, interconnect 114A is configured to
include the VCSEL/photodiode arrays as described above. In this
implementation, based on module 10's insertion in front slot 102A,
interconnect 114A couples with communication interface 154A for
optical backplane 150. As a result, a fabric interface associated
with communication interface 114 is coupled to a communication
channel routed over optical backplane 150. As mentioned previously,
an optical path (e.g., optical fiber or waveguides) may be used as
a medium to route the communication channel over optical backplane
150
[0047] FIG. 4 provides a diagram of fabric architecture 400. In one
example, fabric architecture 400 portrays the communication
channels routed over electrical backplane 140 and optical backplane
150 in modular platform chassis 101. For example, communication
channels 147A-G/J-P are routed over electrical backplane 140 and
communication channels 157A-G/J-P are routed over optical backplane
150.
[0048] In one implementation, communication channels 147A-G/J-P
include copper-based traces. These copper-based traces, for
example, route communication channels from modules received in
front slots 102A-G/J-P over electrical backplane 140, and to hub or
switch modules received in front slot 102H-I. Thus, in this
implementation, a fabric interface included in communication
interface 112 on module 110 would couple to communication channel
147A when module 110 is received in front slot 102A.
[0049] In one implementation communication channels 157A-G/J-P
include optical paths. As mentioned above, these optical paths
include, for example, plastic or glass fibers and/or plastic or
glass waveguides that route communication channels from modules
received in front slots 102A-G/J-P and possibly through openings
144A-G/J-P, respectively, over optical backplane 150 and to
communication interfaces on hub or switch modules, RTMs or
mezzanine cards.
[0050] FIG. 5 provides a partial side view of modular platform
chassis 101 with module 160 received in front slot 102I. As
mentioned above, in one implementation, module 160 is a hub/switch
module for modular platform system 100. As such, module 160
includes communication interface 162 that couples to communication
interfaces 142I and 146I on electrical backplane 140 via
interconnects 162A-D and 162E, respectively. Similar to
interconnects 112A-D for module 110, in one example, interconnects
162A-E are configured to couple to a fabric interface associated
with communication interface 162 to communication channels routed
over electrical backplane 140.
[0051] In one example, module 160 includes communication interface
167. In one example, communication interface 167 includes
interconnects 167A-G/J-P. These interconnects may be configured or
adapted to couple a fabric interface associated with communication
interface 167 to communication channels routed over optical
backplane 150. This configuration may include the VSCEL/photodiode
arrays in a flip-chip assembly as described above for interconnect
114A for FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 5, communication channels
157A-G/J-P routed over optical backplane 150 may couple to
interconnects 167A-G/J-P, respectively.
[0052] In one implementation, a module (e.g., module 110) may
forward data via one of communication channels 157A-G/J-P. This
data may follow an optical path that is used to route a
communication channel from the module, over optical backplane 150
and to an interconnect included in communication interface 167. In
this implementation, an optical-to-electrical conversion is
completed by at least one interconnect 167A-G/J-P and the data is
then forwarded by module 160 towards its destination, e.g., another
module received in modular platform chassis 101 or remote to
modular platform chassis 101, or processing elements resident on
module 160 (not shown).
[0053] FIG. 6A provides a partial rear view of modular platform
chassis 101 with module 160 received in front slot 102I. As
depicted in FIG. 6A, communication channels 157A-G/J-P are routed
over optical backplane 150 when it is mounted directly behind
openings 144A-G/J-P in electrical backplane 140 (e.g., in middle
portion 106). In the example illustrated in FIG. 5A, communication
channels 157A-G/J-P are horizontally routed to the location
associated with front slot 102I. The communication channels are
then routed vertically to communication interface 167. As mentioned
above, in one example, once module 160 is received in a front slot
of modular platform chassis 101, communication interface 167 is
located in upper portion 107 (e.g. ATCA zone 3).
[0054] In one example, communication channel 157A may couple
communication interface 154A to interconnect 167A and is routed as
portrayed in FIG. 6A or routed directly as depicted in FIG. 6B. As
mentioned above, communication interface 154A for optical backplane
150 includes the beginning or termination of an optical path that
couples optical backplane 150 to a communication interface on a
module received in front slot 102A. This optical path, for example,
provides a medium to route a communication channel over optical
backplane 150 and may forward or propagate a data signal using
plastic or glass fibers and/or plastic or glass waveguides.
[0055] In one implementation, although FIG. 6B depicts direct
communication paths, the communication paths in the aggregate are
an example of optical backplane 150. Thus, optical backplane 150
may consist of communication paths that are grouped as shown in
FIG. 6A or are directly routed as shown in FIG. 6B. This disclosure
is not limited to only these types of direct or bundled
communication channel routings.
[0056] FIG. 7 provides a partial side view of modular platform
chassis 101 with module 160 received in front slot 102I and RTM 760
received in rear slot 104I. FIG. 7 also shows modular platform
chassis 101 including a mezzanine card 702I. In one example,
mezzanine card 702I is mounted behind electrical backplane 140
(towards rear slots 102I) and above an example optical backplane
150. As described in previous figures, this area of modular
platform chassis is middle portion 106 and is referred to in the
ATCA specification as zone 2.
[0057] In one implementation, mezzanine card 702I includes
communication interface 762. Communication interface 762, for
example, includes interconnects 762A-G/J-P. These interconnects may
be configured to couple communication interface 762 to
communication channels routed over optical backplane 150. This
implementation may include the VSCEL/photodiode arrays in a
flip-chip assembly as described above for interconnect 114A in FIG.
3. As shown in FIG. 7, communication channels 157A-G/J-P from
optical backplane 150 may couple to interconnects 762A-G/J-P,
respectively.
[0058] In one implementation, a module (e.g., module 110) may
forward data via one of communication channels 157A-G/J-P. This
data may follow an optical path that is used to route a
communication channel from the module, over optical backplane 150
and to an interconnect included in communication interface 762. In
this implementation, an optical-to-electrical conversion is
completed by at least one interconnect 762A-G/J-P and the data is
then forwarded via electrical path(s) 750 (e.g., routed over one or
more copper-based traces) to communication interfaces on a
hub/switch module received in front slot 102I (e.g., module 160).
That hub/switch module may then forward the data towards its
destination, e.g., another module received in modular platform
chassis 101 or remote to modular platform chassis 101. In one
example, interconnects 762A-G/J-P on mezzanine card 702I may
reverse the process and convert electrical-to-optical to forward
data from module 160 over optical backplane 150.
[0059] In one implementation, mezzanine card 702I, as shown in FIG.
7 is narrow enough to allow for RTM module 760 to couple to module
160 when module 160 is received in front slot 102I. In one example,
a second mezzanine card (not shown) is also mounted behind
electrical backplane 140. The second mezzanine card may also couple
to communication channels 157A-G/J-P and include one or more
interconnects to perform optical-to-electrical conversions and
forward the converted data signal to a module received in front
slot 102H.
[0060] FIG. 8A provides a partial rear view of modular platform
chassis 101 with mezzanine card 702I mounted behind electrical
backplane 140. As depicted in FIG. 8A, communication channels
157A-G/J-P are routed over optical backplane 150. In the example
illustrated in FIG. 8A, communication channels 157A-G/J-P are
horizontally routed to the location associated with mezzanine card
702I. The communication channels are then routed vertically to
communication interface 762.
[0061] In one example, communication channel 157A may couple
communication interface 154A on optical backplane 150 to
interconnect 167A. Possible routes for communication channel 157A
are portrayed in FIG. 8A or FIG. 8B, although routes for
communication channels over optical backplane 150 are not limited
to these routes.
[0062] FIG. 9 provides a partial side view of modular platform
chassis 101 with module 160 received in front slot 102I and RTM 960
received in rear slot 104I. In one example, RTM 960 includes
communication interface 972 to couple to optical backplane 150. In
one implementation, as portrayed in FIG. 9, communication interface
972 includes interconnects 972A-G/J-P. These interconnects may be
configured to implement an optical coupling method to couple
communication interface 972 to communication channels routed over
optical backplane 150. These interconnects may include the
VSCEL/photodiode arrays in the flip-chip assembly described above
for interconnect 114A in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 9, communication
channels 157A-G/J-P routed over optical backplane 150 may couple to
interconnects 972A-G/J-P, respectively.
[0063] In one implementation, a module (e.g., module 110) may
forward data via one of communication channels 157A-G/J-P. This
data may follow an optical path that routes a communication channel
from the module, over optical backplane 150 and to an interconnect
included in communication interface 972 on RTM 960. In this
implementation, an optical-to-electrical conversion is completed by
at least one interconnect 972A-G/J-P and the data is then forwarded
via electrical path(s) 950 (e.g., one or more copper-based traces)
to communication interface 167 on module 160. Front board 160, for
example, then forwards the data towards its destination, e.g.,
another module received in modular platform chassis 101 or remote
to modular platform chassis 101. In one example, RTM 960 may
reverse the process and convert electrical-to-optical data signals
to forward data from module 160 over optical backplane 150.
[0064] FIG. 10 provides a partial rear view of modular platform
chassis 101 with RTM 970 received in rear slot 104I. As depicted in
FIG. 10, communication channels 157A-G/J-P are routed over optical
backplane 150. In the example illustrated in FIG. 10, communication
channels 157A-G/J-P are horizontally routed to the location
associated with communication interface 972 (see FIG. 9). Although
not shown, communication channels 157A-G/J-P, in one example, can
be routed directly to communication interface 972.
[0065] FIG. 11 is a flow chart of an example method to insert a
module into a slot in a modular platform chassis to couple the
module to an electrical and an optical backplane. In one
implementation, the example method is implemented when module 110
is inserted in front slot 102A in modular platform chassis 101. In
this example implementation, electrical backplane 140 in modular
platform chassis 101 operates in compliance with the ATCA
specification. Additionally, communication interface 112 on module
110 operates in compliance with the ATCA specification.
[0066] The process begins in block 1110, where in one example,
module 110 is inserted in front slot 102A of modular platform
chassis 101.
[0067] In block 1120, in one example, module 110 couples to the
electrical and optical backplanes in modular platform chassis 101.
For example, communication interface 112 couples to communication
interface 142A on electrical backplane 140. As mentioned above,
communication interface 112 is associated with a fabric interface
on module 110. Interconnects 112A-D, for example, are used to
couple that fabric interface to a communication channel routed over
electrical backplane 140. The communication channel, for example,
to couple module 110 in communication with other modules received
or inserted in modular platform chassis 101's front slots.
[0068] As described above for FIG. 3, in one example, interconnect
114A is used to couple communication interface 114 on module 110 to
communication interface 154A on optical backplane 150. This
coupling, for example, is through opening 144A on electrical
backplane 140. In one implementation, interconnect 114A is
configured to couple a fabric interface associated with
communication interface 114 to communication channel 157A.
Communication channel 157A, for example, is routed over optical
backplane 150 and to communication interfaces on hub or switch
modules (e.g., module 160), mezzanine cards (e.g., mezzanine card
702I), or RTMs (e.g., RTM 960).
[0069] In block 1130, in one example, data is forwarded between
module 110 and one or more other modules inserted or received in
other slots in modular platform chassis 101. At least portions of
this data, for example, is forwarded through the fabric interfaces
associated with communication interfaces 112 and 114 and then
through portions of the communication channels routed over
electrical backplane 140 and/or optical backplane 150,
respectively.
[0070] In one implementation, a fabric interface associated with
communication interface 112 that couples to electrical backplane
140 utilizes one or more packet-based, communication protocols as
described in the PICMG 3.x specifications. Also, electrical
backplane 140, for example, supports or operates in compliance with
these PICMG 3.x specifications. In one example, a fabric interface
associated with communication interface 114 that couples to optical
backplane 150 utilizes either packet-based (PICMG 3.x) or TDM-based
(TFI-5) communication protocols. This utilization is based, for
example, on what type of communication protocol optical backplane
150 is designed to support (e.g., PICMG 3.x, TFI-5, etc.).
[0071] The process then starts over, for example, when another
module is inserted in a slot on modular platform chassis 101.
[0072] In the previous descriptions, for the purpose of
explanation, numerous specific details were set forth in order to
provide an understanding of this disclosure. It will be apparent
that the disclosure can be practiced without these specific
details. In other instances, structures and devices were shown in
block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the disclosure.
[0073] References made in this disclosure to the term "responsive
to" are not limited to responsiveness to only a particular feature
and/or structure. A feature may also be "responsive to" another
feature and/or structure and also be located within that feature
and/or structure. Additionally, the term "responsive to" may also
be synonymous with other terms such as "communicatively coupled to"
or "operatively coupled to," although the term is not limited in
his regard.
* * * * *