A PCI Mezzanine Card (PMC) is a printed circuit board manufactured according to the IEEE P1386.1 standard, combining the electrical characteristics of the PCI bus with the mechanical dimensions of the Common Mezzanine Card (CMC) format (IEEE 1386 standard).
In essence, a PMC is a modular plug-in board that offers a standardized way to add functionality to a host board (typically a single-board computer) using the PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus interface.
Key Characteristics of PMC:
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Standardized Format: PMCs adhere to the IEEE P1386.1 standard, ensuring interoperability and compatibility between different vendors. This standardization covers both the electrical and mechanical aspects of the card.
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PCI Interface: PMCs utilize the PCI bus for communication with the host system. This allows for high-speed data transfer and efficient system integration. They can support various PCI bus speeds and widths (e.g., 33 MHz, 66 MHz, 32-bit, 64-bit).
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Mezzanine Card: A mezzanine card is a small circuit board designed to plug directly into a larger board (the host board). This provides a compact and modular way to add functionality without significantly increasing the system's overall size.
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Flexibility and Expandability: PMCs provide a cost-effective and flexible way to add I/O, processing, or other specialized functions to embedded systems. Different types of PMCs are available to perform a wide variety of tasks.
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Ruggedization: PMCs are often used in ruggedized environments. Conduction-cooled versions and other ruggedization techniques increase the reliability of the module in harsh operating conditions.
Applications of PMC:
PMCs find applications in various industries, including:
- Aerospace and Defense: For radar processing, signal intelligence, and mission-critical computing.
- Industrial Automation: For motion control, data acquisition, and process control.
- Telecommunications: For network interface cards, signal processing, and communication controllers.
- Medical Imaging: For image processing and data acquisition in medical devices.
Benefits of Using PMC:
- Modularity: Allows for easy upgrades and customization of systems.
- Standardization: Ensures interoperability and reduces development time.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Provides a cost-efficient way to add functionality compared to designing a custom solution.
- Wide Availability: A wide range of PMCs are available from various vendors.
In summary, a PMC is a standardized mezzanine card utilizing the PCI bus, offering a versatile and cost-effective solution for adding functionality to embedded systems in diverse applications.
