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Why does Rugged MicroTCA require a different screw connection than VME or CompactPCI?

April 26, 2017CompactPCI connection different microtca require rugged screw VME

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Why does Rugged MicroTCA require a different screw connection than VME or CompactPCI?

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With VME and CompactPCI, a pair of connectors is inserted between the daughterboard and the backplane, permitting some tolerance in the connection depth. In other words, when connected, the daughterboard connector does not sit fully on the connector base of the backplane connector and the pair of connectors absorbs the tolerances of the mechanism. In the case of the direct connector (card-edge) used with MicroTCA, the daughterboard is pushed into the backplane connector as far as the stop and held in this position by the interlock on the front panel. Tolerances in the mechanism mean that a gap of up to 1.6 mm can develop between the front of the rack and the front panel. If the front panel is then screwed into place, force is exerted on the PCB and the base of the backplane connector; in the case of high rates of acceleration, this can damage the connector or the electronics beyond repair.