EKF CCK-MARIMBA Mezzanine I/O Expansion Board PMC/XMC Module Carrier

Details

Available as a mezzanine add-on expansion board to the CCG-RUMBA and successor CPU cards, the CCK-MARIMBA provides a number of additional I/O functions. First of all, the CCKMARIMBA itself is a carrier board, suitable for accommodation of either a single width PMC or XMC module. The additional SATA/PATA controller is useful for attachment of mass-storage devices, either on-board mounted, or externally (by cable). Furthermore the CCK-MARIMBA is equipped with a SIO, which provides legacy I/O ports, such as serial, parallel, KB/MS (all available across rear I/O). A secondary Firmware Hub can be configured as alternate- or backup-BIOS.

Another option available is the Trusted Platform Module according to TPM 1.2 for safety critical applications. The CCK-MARIMBA will be attached on top of the CPU carrier board, and typically shares its front panel with the host carrier (usually 8HP front panel width in total). Interconnection between the CCK-MARIMBA I/O module and the CPU carrier board is achieved by two expansion connectors, which comprise the PCIe (PCI Express x 4) and LPC (Low Pin Count) interfaces. As an option, the CCK-MARIMBA is available with a mezzanine module (C20-SATA), which accommodates one or two 2.5-inch SATA hard disk drives (RAID option). Additionally, a CompactFlash card adapter can be mounted on bottom of the CCK-MARIMBA.

The CCK-MARIMBA communicates by means of 2 bottom mount expansion connectors with the host CPU: P-PCIE (PCI Express x 4), and P-EXP (multi-function I/F such as LPC, USB, SMB). The PCI Express interface (connector P-PCIE) is comprised of 4 PCIe lanes, which are derived from the ICH (southbridge chip) on the CPU carrier board. All 4 lanes are routed to the primary port of a 3-port 12-lane PCI Express packet switch, which is the main component of the CCK-MARIMBA. Connector P-EXP combines several other southbridge data channels: The LPC (Low Pin Count) is a multiplexed ISA bus, e.g. enabling the super-I/O (SIO) controller chip to emulate the legacy I/O interfaces; among these are the classic parallel (printer) and serial (COM) ports. Two USB channels are provided, one for the optional USB SSD, and one or both for rear I/O via the J2 connector.

The Trusted Platform Module is an optionally available cryptographic chip, which provides a comprehensive hardware and software solution for safer computing. Conforming to the TPM1.2 standard of the TCG, the TPM is comprised of a 16-bit security controller and additional hardware e.g. to generate 2048 bit RSA keys and true random numbers, thus meeting the highest industry rating for digital security. The CCK-MARIMBA fits on the top side of the CPU board, which is on the right side when viewing the common front panel. A suitable backplane provides its CPCI slots beginning with the CPU carrier board (CPCI system slot) from right to left. The CPCI system must provide additional mounting space to the right side for the CCK-MARIMBA. In addition, a single slot rear I/O backplane would be needed for rear I/O usage, and a custom specific rear I/O transition module.