NAT-MCH: MicroTCA (uTCA/MTCA) Carrier Hub

Switching & hub functionality for various system fabrics

Overview
The NAT-MCH is a MicroTCA (uTCA/MTCA) Carrier Hub (MCH) for any standard MicroTCA system. It provides the central management and data switching entity for a MicroTCA system and as such comprises of a base module and numerous optional daughter cards, which can be mounted on the base module.

The NAT-MCH is MTCA.0, MTCA.1, MTCA.2, MTCA.3 and MTCA.4 compliant and delivers switching and hub functionality for the various system fabrics as defined in the AMC.x standard series, including Gigabit Ethernet (GbE), PCI Express (PCIe Gen 3), Serial Rapid I/O (SRIO Gen 2) or 10 Gigabit Ethernet (XAUI) or custom protocols based on the Xilinx Kintex-7 FPGA. The NAT-MCH can also provide centralized clock distribution to all AMCs in the system.

The NAT-MCH is a member of the NAT-MCH family of MCHs, which consists of:

Clocking
The NAT-MCH offers a sophisticated clock distribution module that allows a flexible selection of telecom and non-telecom clocking structures in the frequency range between 1Hz and 100MHz. The on-board Stratum 3/3E type PLL can be locked to a clock coming from any of the 12 AMCs or which is externally provided via the front panel SMA connectors. These front panel SMA connectors can also be used to provide an internal clock to external devices, i.e. for synchronizing several MicroTCA systems to exactly the same clock reference.

With respect to the PCIe clock, the NAT-MCH supports HCSL signal level as required by PCI-SIG. For special low jitter and low latency requirements applications N.A.T. offers the NAT-MCH-CLK-PHYS together with the NAT-MCH-PHYS and NAT-MCH-PHYS80 products.

1GbE and 10GbE (XAUI) Ethernet Switches
The Ethernet switches of the NAT-MCH both incorporate a Layer 2, non-blocking, low-latency Gigabit Ethernet switch, supporting port-based and tagged VLAN, Rapid Spanning Tree as well as a port-based rate control. The NAT-MCH always provides service for 1GbE (Fabric A) and optionally service for 10GbE/XAUI (Fabrics D-G). The implementation is according to the respective MTCA and AMC specifications, including PICMG SFP.1 R1.0, serving up to 13 AMCs (12 AMC + AMC13 in 2nd MCH slot) as well as the update channel from the second MCH in redundant environments. The NAT-MCH also provides uplink ports on the front panel for both fabrics in order to interconnect to other systems.

PCI Express Gen 3 Switch
The PCI Express switching hub allows PCIe Gen 3 connectivity for up to 12 AMCs at PCIe rates from x1 to x4. The PCIe chipsets provide a quality of service (QoS) module and are configurable in terms of a non-transparent port for multi-host support. The PCIe option can provide a PCIe clock at HCSL signaling level by a spread spectrum clock (100MHz mean) or a fixed 100MHz clock. The PCIe hub provides clustering support for six independent clusters with one configurable non-transparent upstream port. Each cluster offers its own transparent upstream port.

SRIO Gen 2 Switch
The NAT-MCH can also be optionally equipped with a Serial Rapid I/O (SRIO Gen 2) switching hub to support very low latency point-to-point connectivity between up to 12 AMCs. The SRIO hub supports x1 and x4 lane configurations. Although it is SRIO Gen 2, the switch module is backwards compatible to SRIO Gen 1 and supports any mixture of SRIO Gen 1 and Gen 2 AMC modules.

Custom Protocol Switch (based on Xilinx Kintex-7 FPGA)
This special hub module combines a fast and low latency SRIO Gen 2 switch with a fully-customizable Xilinx Kintex-7 FPGA. It can be used for switching or multiplexing CPRI (Common Public Radio Interface), OBSAI (Open Base Station Architecture), standard (e.g. SRIO, XAUI) or any customized serial protocols, establishing a highly adaptable and flexible interconnect for up to 12 Advanced Mezzanine Cards (AMC) in a MTCA system.

Using the SFP+ connectors, external signals can easily be brought to the system, be manipulated by the FPGA and then distributed to the AMCs. LTE and WiMax applications and others such as Software Defined Radio (SDR) could benefit, for example, by directly providing antenna signals to a farm of high performance digital signal processor (DSP) AMCs. Other applications, such as test and measurement equipment, requiring both a manipulation of the data stream and low latency switching at the same time will benefit from the unique design of the NAT-MCH-FPGA, for example, by reducing the slot count and thus saving costs or releasing slots for additional functionality.

Apart from the high speed serial connections, the Kintex-7 FPGA has access to two independent DDR3 memories (up to 4Gbit each), a low jitter PLL and a Gigabit Ethernet connection to the MCH base module switch. This allows you to implement complex user functionality and therefore can save a full AMC slot.

Management
The NAT-MCH incorporates a MicroTCA Carrier Management Controller (MCMC) which supports and manages up to 12 AMCs plus AMC13 in the 2nd MCH slot of a redundant system, 2 cooling units and 1-4 power modules. The support of a 13th AMC requires a redundant system where the redundant MCH slot is used by this AMC.

Special care has been taken to support numerous aspects of system architectures, such as E-Keying, redundancy, load sharing, clocking, fail-over scenarios and system integrity. External system or shelf managers can conncet to the NAT-MCH via the Ethernet front panel ports. For remote control, N.A.T. provides the Java-based application NATView. Based on the HPI recommendation of the Service Availability Form (SA Forum,now merged with PICMG), NATView accesses the NAT-MCH via Remote Management Control Protocol (RMCP) as required by the MicroTCA.0 specification.

Redundant Environments
The NAT-MCH fully supports redundant management and power environments. Frequent exchange of the internal databases with the secondary MCH and a heart beat mechanism ensure an immediate switch-over from the primary to the secondary MCH whenever it becomes necessary (PCIe fat pipe switch over may require additional precautions). The NAT-MCH-PHYS can handle up to four power modules (such as NAT-PM-DC840 or NAT-PM-AC600) for N+1 configurations.

Software Support and Updates
Apart from the Java GUI NATview, the NAT-MCH also supports external management solutions which are based on the Remote Management Control Protocol (RMCP), such as the open-source tool ipmitool. Furthermore, using the NAT-MIB the NAT-MCH can also be integrated into environments based on the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP). The NAT-MCH can be configured using either uploadable text based script files or via the integrated WEB interfaces using a standard web browser. Finally, the integrated debug and configuration facilities can be accessed via a serial console or using Telnet.

Customers can download the latest firmware archive visiting the download page in the services section. In order to be automatically notified about future firmware updates please subscribe to our firmware RSS feed.

Overview about mezzanine modules
Please follow this link for an overview about the various mezzanine modules which are available for the NAT-MCH family of products.

Family of MCH products
The NAT-MCH is a member of the NAT-MCH family of MCHs which consists of:

NAT-MCH supporting PCIe, SRIO (RapidIO), XAUI, GbE, USB, JTAG-Switch
NAT-MCH-PHYS
NAT-MCH-PHYS80 with Zone-3 connector for connection to MCH-RTMs with optional LLRF backplane management support, optional optical PCIe uplinks
NAT-MCH-RTM-PCIEx16-UPLNK (copper PCIe uplink)
NAT-MCH-RTM with options -BM, -FPGA and COMex-E3 (quad-core Xeon, Core-i7, -i5 and -i3 on request)
NATview

Key features

Technical details

Documentation

Block diagram

Order code

Applications/Solutions

The NAT-MCH is a powerful management and data switching entity for all MicroTCA.0 systems:

Management for
- 12 AMCs + optional AMC13 in 2nd MCH slot
- 4 power modules including N+1 redundancy
- Update channel to secondary MCH

GigaBit Ethernet switching (Fabric A)

Optional PCI Express (Gen 3) switching (Fabrics D-G)

Optional SRIO (Gen 2) switching (Fabrics D-G)

Optional 10GbE (XAUI) switching (Fabrics D-G)

Front panel uplinks
- 2x 1GbE (load sharing supported)
- Optional two CX-4 (SRIO and XAUI) or two SFP+ (XAUI) uplinks
- 2x SMA for external CLK support (bi-directional)
- USB console

Clock generation and distribution by sophisticated clock module NAT-MCH-CLK

Configuration options
- Console (USB, RS232 or Telnet)
- Script File
- Web browser

Host based Java GUI for any operating system capable of executing Oracle Java Run-Time Environment (JRE) v1.7 or higher, i.e. Linux, Mac OS-X or Windows

CPU and Memory

NXP (Freescale) ColdFire MCF54452 CPU @ 266MHz
DDR2 RAM: 32/64MB
FLASH: 16/32/64MB

IPMI and Compliance

13 AMCs
2 cooling units
1-4 power modules
PICMG AMC.0
PICMG 2.9
Update to 2nd MCH

Supported Fabrics and Compliance
Fabric A: Gigabit Ethernet

12 AMCs + optional AMC13 in 2nd MCH slot
PICMG AMC.2 R1.0
PICMG SFP.1 R1.0

Fabric D-G (click for more information)

Serial Rapid I/O Gen 2, x1 or x4 (PICMG AMC.4)
PCI Express Gen 3, x1 or x4 (PICMG AMC.1 R1.0)
10GbE (XAUI) (PICMG AMC.2)
Customized serial protocol (Xilinx Kintex-7 FPGA)
12 AMCs

Clock Distribution (click for more information)

Telecom: Stratum 3/3E PLL with reference from either 1 of the 12 AMCs or external clock via front panel, MLVDS signaling
PCIe: Spread Spectrum Clock (100MHz mean) or oscillator (100MHz fixed), HCSL signaling

Carrier Manager

Management of up to 13 AMCs, 4 cooling units and 1-4 power modules
Supports redundant architectures and fail-over procedure
Support configurable emergency shudown of AMCs or entire system

Shelf and System Manager

For detached or stand-alone operation both managers are available on-board, hook-in for external managers via 1GbE port at front panel

Operating System and API

O/S: OK1
API: HPI compliant

Indicator LEDs

3 standard AMC LEDs
12 bi-colour LEDs for AMC slot stati
2 bi-colour LEDs for cooling units
2 bi-colour LEDs for power modules

Front Panel Connectors

2x 1GbE for management connection and Fabric A system up-link (load sharing supported)
1GbE system up-link for Fabric A
External clock reference (bi-directional)
USB debug connector (console)
Fat Pipe uplink for Fabric D-G (SRIO and XAUI)

Title	Description	Format	Size	Rev #	Date Last Modified
nat-mch_ds	Data sheet and NAT-MCH family overview	pdf	1.179 KB	1.4	06-07-2012
nat_mch_man_usr	NAT-MCH Users Manual	pdf	2.9 MB	1.38	12-11-2019
nat_mch_ethx_man_usr	User's Manual for 1G/10G Ethernet Switches	pdf	3.5 MB	30	19-02-2020
nat_mch_base_v3x_man_hw	Hardware Manual for base board v3.x	pdf	1.1 MB	2.10	23-04-2015
nat_mch_clk_v41_man_hw	Hardware Manual for CLK module v4.x	pdf	904 KB	1.3	30-06-2014
nat_mch_clk_phys_man_hw	Hardware Manual for CLK module PHYS	pdf	1.2 MB	1.4	19-02-2020
nat_mch_clk-e1t1_v10_man_hw	Hardware Manual for CLK module E1/T1	pdf	874 KB	1.3	31-08-2015
nat_mch_pciex48_v2x_man_hw	Hardware Manual for PCIexpress x48 hub v2.x	pdf	876 KB	1.3	19-02-2020
nat_mch_sriox48_v2_man_hw	Hardware Manual for SRIO x48 hub v2.x	pdf	768 KB	1.5	08-01-2016
nat_mch_xauix48_v1x_man_hw	Hardware Manual for 10GbE/XAUI hub v1.x	pdf	734 KB	1.2	30-06-2014
nat_mch_base_v3x_usbdrv_man_sw	USB Driver Installation Manual for base board v3.x	pdf	804 KB	1.0	22-06-2012

In case the documentation you are looking for is not listed above please contact us using the contact form.

For software support and firmware downloads please visit the download page in the services section. Thank you.

Product Code: NAT-MCH - [Options]

Option	Function	Description
-Base12	Base module for 12 AMCs	MCH basic management module for 12 AMC boards without Hub functionality for Fabric A NOTE: this option also replaces former option -Base6
-GbE	Gigabit Ethernet at Fabric A	Gigabit Ethernet Hub for Fabric A with uplink on front panel and update link to 2nd MCH
-CLK123	Telecom Clock Module - Stratum 3/3E	Telecom clock module supporting CLKs 1,2 and 3. CLK2 of one of the 12 AMC modules or the front panel clock input can be selected as reference clock input for CLK1/3 NOTE: former product name -TCTCXO
-CLK12F	Telecom Clock Module - Stratum 3/3E with PCIe Spread Spectrum Clock (HCSL)	Clock module combining Telecom CLKs 1 and 2 with a PCIe spread spectrum or 100MHz fixed mean clock at CLK3 (HCSL) to all AMCs. CLK2 of one of the 12 AMC modules or the front panel clock input can be selected as reference clock input for CLK1. NOTE: former product name -TCTCXO-SSCH
-CLK00F	PCIe Spread Spectrum Clock - HCSL	Clock Module supporting a PCIe spread spectrum or 100MHz fixed mean clock at CLK3 (HCSL) to all AMCs. NOTE: former product name -SSCH
-CLK-PHYS	Physics Clock Module	Clock Module providing special clock functionality (CLK1-2) dedicated to Physics applications and a PCIe spread spectrum or 100MHz fixed mean clock at CLK3 (HCSL) to all AMCs. CLK2 of one of the 12 AMC modules or the front panel clock input can be selected as reference clock input for CLK1.
-PCIEx48	PCIe Hub Module for Fabric D-G	PCIe Hub module with support for 12 AMC modules. NOTE: this option also replaces former option -PCIEx24
-SRIOx24	Serial Rapid Hub Module for Fabric D-G	Serial Rapid I/O Hub module with support for 6 AMC modules
-SRIOx48	Serial Rapid Hub Module for Fabric D-G	Serial Rapid I/O Hub module with support for 12 AMC modules
-XAUIx48	10GbE Hub Module for Fabric D-G	10GbE Hub module with support for 6 AMC modules, based on FULCRUM FM2224 NOTE: this option also replaces former option -XAUIx24
-XAUIx48i	10GBE Hub Module for Fabric D-G	10GbE Hub module with support for 12 AMC modules, based on FULCRUM FM4224 NOTE: this option also replaces former option -XAUIx24i
-UPLNK-CX4	Uplink Module for copper based uplinks	uplink module providing fat pipe uplink ports at front panel (options SRIO and XAUI only) by CX-4 connectors
-UPLNK-SFP+	Uplink Module for fibre based uplinks	uplink module providing fat pipe uplink ports at front panel (option XAUI only) by SFP+ connectors NOTE: SFP+ transceivers are not part of this option and can be ordered separately
Front Panel Options
-FP0S	MTCA.0 compliant front panel	single width full size
-FP1S	MTCA.1 compliant front panel	single width full size
-FP1D	MTCA.1 compliant front panel	double width full size

Accessories:

Product	Function	Description
-CABF10	fibre uplink cable for SRIO or XAUI	active optical cable (AOC) for CX4 uplink, length 10m (other lengths on request)
-CABC5	copper uplink cable for SRIO or XAUI	passive copper cable for CX4 uplink, length 5m (other lengths on request)
-CAB-USB2RS232	converter cable to connect to USB debug port	USB to RS232 converter cable
-CABDBG	converter cable to connect to USB debug port	USB to mini-USB converter cable

Software:

For software support and firmware downloads please visit the download page in the services section. Thank you.

High-Density-Audio-Conferencing, MicroTCA-Solutions-for-Wireless-Networks, Whitepaper (NATvision)