Kontron VM162 - Manual (Page 14)

VM162/VM172 Chapter 1 Introduction
Page 1- 4 © PEP Modular Computers Juli 23, 1997
1.3 Controller eXtension Connector
Although the VM162/172 adds a new dimension to computer architecture with its direct IndustryPack
interface, it is also a continuation of the successful range of PEP’s CPU boards with communication pro-
cessors and CXC capability. The CXC extends the already abundant industrial I/O capability of the CPU
and also allows custom design according to the guidelines laid-down in the CXC specification.
Introduced in 1990, PEP’s Controller eXtension Connector (CXC) concept enables a mezzanine Input/
Output extension on the VME or on distributed Input/Output systems based on CXC as a backplane bus.
The CXC is based on an open specification allowing unprecedented flexibility in meeting customer re-
quirements.
PEP has named these mezzanine plug-in modules Controller eXtension Modules (CXM). These 96-pin
CXMs are designed to operate with CXC based host modules which includes the VM162/172.
Designed primarily to operate in harsh industrial environments, this versatile modularity provides not
only a cost-effective engineering solution but also allows customers a near exhaustive selection of sy-
stem configurations through a selection of over 30 base CXMs providing analog, digital and other I/O
extensions such as SCSI and fieldbus connection (PROFIBUS, CAN, LON and Bitbus). Hence, a fea-
ture of the VM162/172 is that the ‘raw’ serial signals from the ‘QUICC’ SCC2, SCC3 and SCC4 chan-
nels being internally wired to the front panel as well as to the CXC interface.
Network interfacing is provided if required by ordering the relevant front-panel which comes complete
with the appropriate SI6-piggyback, serial port connectors and 50-pin D-Sub IndustryPack connector.
Naturally, to cater for those customers who merely wish to take advantage of the computing power and
CXC capablility that the VM162 offers, blank front-panels without the networking options have been
devised.
1.4 Front Panel and I/O Configuration
The illustrated front-panels show the possible connections of the SCC1 communications channel for
Ethernet, RS485 or blank. In addition, the front panels are available with mini-D-Sub connectors instead
of RJ45 connectors for the 4 standard serial channels.
The 50-pin, subminiature SCSI 2 style D-Sub connectors for emerging IP signals offer improved EMI
protection (compared with the on-board flat cable connector.) Each IP module has its own shielded con-
nector for state-of-the-art industrial cabling.
All front-panels feature a user, watch-dog and halt status LED, reset and abort button switches and
where possible, the status of the Ethernet communication.