PASSIVE & ACTIVE INDUSTRIAL COMPUTER BACKPLANES

Impedance Matched Layouts Multi-Layer for Low Noise Buffered PCI slots PCI-Express PCI-X 32 & 64-Bit PCI/ISA Segmented Custom Designs Available Matched SBC's for Reliable Performance
	All Chassis Plans backplanes are made in the US for superior support, reliability and long -term availability.	BPG8032 20-Slot x16 PCIe PCI-Express Backplane

 

Because of the inherent variations in configurable backplanes, please call us at 858-571-4330 or e-mail us to discuss your requirements. We offer a wide variety of custom backplanes that may not be shown on this page.

Please see the Backplane Primer at the bottom of this page if you have questions about passive backplane useage.

The Backplane Reference Manual and PCI Express Backplane Reference Manual can be downloaded and provide complete technical information for all of our backplanes.

 

Chassis Plans Passive and Active Backplanes allow for more than 8 slots (up to 20), a large mix of ISA, PCI, PCI-X and PCI Express slots, and easy processor card access. For full PC functionality, with the benefit of increased I/O expandability, Chassis Plans' full line of ISA, PCI, PCI X and PCI Express back planes are the perfect solution. Available in 4 to 20-Slot options –ranging from ISA, PCI Express PICMG Bus, to passive, active and segmentable systems, these unique backplanes combine with Chassis Plans' complete line of Single Board Computers and Industrial Chassis products to create a rugged, reliable platform for all hostile operating environments. Chassis Plans’ passive back planes are widely used in industries that require I/O expandability - including telecom, instrumentation and process control groups.

Combo Class (Server & Graphics) PCI Express Gen 2
BPG8032 20-slot form factor supports one combo or graphics-class SHB Supports up to seventeen high-end video and graphics processing cards with high speed and low-latency x16 PCIe 2.0 links Supports PCI Express Gen 2.0 or 1.1 option cards Latest PCIe 2.0 switch technology and backplane layout minimizes data latency Sixteen PCIe x16 (electrical and mechanical) slots, one x4 slot Two 10/100/1000Base-T backplane Ethernet ports Four USB 2.0 backplane I/O connections Long life cycle availability of 7+ years Five year factory warranty Designed, manufactured and supported in the US
BPG7087 14-slot form factor supports one combo or graphics-class SHB Supports up to four high-end video and graphics processing cards with high speed and low-latency x16 PCIe 2.0 links Supports PCI Express Gen 2.0 or 1.1 option cards Latest PCIe 2.0 switch technology and backplane layout minimizes data latency Four PCIe x16 (electrical and mechanical) slots, six PCIe x16 mechanical with x4 electrical slots One 10/100/1000Base-T backplane Ethernet port Two USB 2.0 backplane I/O connections Long life cycle availability of 7+ years Five year factory warranty Design, manufactured and supported in the US
BPC7041 14-slot PICMG 1.3 form factor Supports JXT6966 or JXTS6966 Doubles the available PCI Express Bandwidth Nine x16 PCIe and one x8 mechanical slots* PCIe Gen 2 and 1.1 link detection One 10/100/1000 Ethernet Port Four USB 2.0 connections Five year factor warranty Made in the US * x16 is x4 electrical and x8 is x1 electrical
BPC7009 14-slot PICMG 1.3 form factor Supports JXT6966, JXTS6966 and any Chassis Plans Server or Graphics Glass SHN Three x16 and 11 x8 PCIe mechanical slots Three PCIe x8, seven PCIe x4 and one PCIe x1//4 electrical slots PCIe Gen 2 and 1.1 link detection One 10/100/1000 Ethernet Port Four USB 2.0 connections Five year factor warranty Made in the US * x8 is x16 mechanical and x4 is x8 mechanical
Server Class PCI Express
BPX6610 1 x8 PCI Express (x16 mechanical)* 1 x8 PCI Express (x8 mechanical) 4 x4 PCI Express (x8 mechanical)* 2 PCI-X 64-bit/100MHz 4 PCI-X 64-bit/66MHz 1 SHB (PICMG 1.3) Four USB 2.0 Two 10/100/1000 Ethernet 12.3" wide * x8 is x16 mechanical and x4 is x8 mechanical
BPX6620 1 x8 PCI Express* 1 x4 PCI Express* 2 PCI-X 64-bit/133MHz 8 PCI-X 64-bit/100MHz 1 SHB (PICMG 1.3) 12.3" wide * x8 is x16 mechanical and x4 is x8 mechanical
BPX 3/8 1 x8 PCI Express* 1 x4 PCI Express* 4 PCI-X 64-bit/66MHz 4 PCI 64-bit/33MHz 1 SHB (PICMG 1.3) 11.1" wide * x8 is x16 mechanical and x4 is x8 mechanical
BPX6571 1 x8 PCI Express* 1 x4 PCI Express* 16 PCI-X 64-Bit/66MHz 1 SHB (PICMG 1.3) 16.4" wide * x8 is x16 mechanical and x4 is x8 mechanical
BPX6806 18 x16 PCI Express (Mechanical) 4 x8 PCI Express (Electrical) 14 x4 PCI Express (Electrical) 1 SHB (PICMG 1.3) 16.4" wide
BPX 3/14 2 x4 PCI Express* 2 PCI-X 64-bit/133MHz 12 PCI-X 64-bit/100MHz 1 SHB (PICMG 1.3) 16.4" wide * x4 is x8 mechanical
BPX6719 1 x8 PCI Express (x16 mechanical) 1 x8 PCI Express 1 x4 PCI Express* 1 PCI-X 64-bit/1330MHz 2 PCI-X 64-bit/100MHz 1 SHB (PICMG 1.3) Four USB 2.0 One 10/100/1000 Ethernet 6.8" wide *Requires optional IOB31. x8 mechanical
BPX5 2 x8 PCI Express* 2 x4 PCI Express* 1 SHB (PICMG 1.3) 5.25" wide * x8 is x16 mechanical and x4 is x8 mechanical
BPX3/2 2 x8 PCI Express* 2 PCI-X 64-bit/133MHz 1 SHB (PICMG 1.3) 4.193" wide * x8 is x16 mechanical
BPX6736 2U Design 1 x8 PCI Express* 1 x8 PCI Express 2 x1 PCI Express 1 SHB (PICMG 1.3) 3.150" wide * x8 is x16 mechanical x1 ix x8 mechanical
BP6FS6605 Six Segments 1 x16 PCI Express /Segment* 1 x4 PCI Express in 3 Segments 6 SHB (PICMG 1.3) 16.4" wide * x16 is x8 electrical for Server Class SHB. 3 segments provide x4 in a x8 mechanical. Standalone SHB operation or built-in Ethernet Fabric interconnection
Graphics Class PCI Express
BPG6615 1 x16 PCI Express 4 x4 PCI Express (x8 mechanical)* 2 PCI-X 64-bit/1000MHz 4 PCI-X 64-bit/66MHz 1 SHB (PICMG 1.3) Four USB 2.0 Two 10/100/1000 Ethernet 12.3" wide * x4 is x8 mechanical
BPG6600 1 x16 PCI Express 1 x8 PCI Express 2 PCI-X 64-bit/100MHz 4 PCI-X 64-bit/66MHz 4 PCI 32-bit/33MHz 1 SHB (PICMG 1.3) 12.3" wide
BPG6544 1 x16 PCI-Express 1 x8 PCI-Express 1 PCI-X 64-bit/133MHz 4 PCI-X 64-bit/66MHz 2 PCI 32-bit/33MHz 2 ISA 1 SHB (PICMG 1.3) 12.3" wide
BPG6714 1 x16 PCI Express 1 x4 PCI Express* 1 PCI-X 64-bit/1330MHz 2 PCI-X 64-bit/100MHz 1 SHB (PICMG 1.3) Four USB 2.0 One 10/100/1000 Ethernet 6.8" wide *Requires optional IOB31. x8 mechanical
BPG4 2 x4 PCI Express* 1 x16 PCI Express 1 SHB (PICMG 1.3) 5.25" wide * x4 is x8 mechanical
BPG2/2 1 x16 PCI Express 2 PCI-X 64-bit/133MHz 1 SHB (PICMG 1.3) 4.193" wide
BPG6741 2U Design 1 x16 PCI Express 2 x1 PCI Express* 1 SHB (PICMG 1.3) 3.15" wide * x1 is x8 mechanical
PCI-X
BP 1/1/2/4/4 1 64-bit/133MHz PCI-X Slot 2 64-bit/100MHz PCI-X Slots 4 64-bit/66MHz PCI-X Slots 4 64-bit/33MHz PCI Slots 1 SBC Slot 12.3" wide
64-Bit PCI / ISA (Compatible with PCI-X Cards)
BP3/16-64 2 ISA Slots 16 64 bit/33MHz PCI Slots 1 CPU Slot 16.4" wide
32-Bit PCI / ISA
BP3/16 2 ISA Slots 16 PCI Slots 1 CPU Slot 16.4" wide
BP7/6 6 ISA Slots 6 PCI Slots 1 CPU Slot 12.3" wide
BP3/10 2 ISA Slots 10 32-bit/33MHz PCI Slots 1 CPU Slot 12.3" wide
Segmented Cluster Computing
BP2S6929 PCI Express PICMG 1.3 Two Segments 3 x16 PCI Express /Segment* 4 64-bit/100MHz PCI-X /Segment Supports Independant Power per Segment 16.4" wide * x16 is x8 electrical for both Server and Graphics Class SHBs Custom order backplane. Please call for details.
BP4FS6890 PCI Express PICMG 1.3 Four Segments Graphics & Server Class Version 2 x16 PCI Express /Segment* 1 x8 PCI Express in 3 Segments 4 SHB (PICMG 1.3) 16.4" wide * x16 is x8 electrical for Server Class SHB. x8 is x4 electrical for both classes Server class provides 1 x16 connector Standalone SHB operation or built-in Ethernet Fabric interconnection option
BP6FS6605 PCI Express PICMG 1.3 Six Segments 1 x16 PCI Express /Segment* 1 x4 PCI Express in 3 Segments 6 SHB (PICMG 1.3) 16.4" wide * x16 is x8 electrical for Server Class SHB. 3 segments provide x4 in a x8 mechanical. Standalone SHB operation or built-in Ethernet Fabric interconnection
BP2S19 19 Slots - Two Segments 6 ISA Slots 3 PCI Slots 1 CPU Slot 5 ISA Slots 3 PCI Slots 1 CPU Slot 16.4" wide
BP2S13 13 Slots - Two Segments 3 ISA Slots 3 PCI Slots 1 CPU Slot 2 ISA Slots 3 PCI Slots 1 CPU Slot 12.3" wide

Model Name	Model Number	Total Slots	PCI Express Slots				PCI-X Slots			PCI Slots			ISA Slots
			(Electrical)				64-Bit/ 133MHz	64/ 100	64/ 66	64/ 66	64/ 33	32/ 33
			X16	X8	X4	Exp
PCI Express
Multiple SHB Segments (Split Backplane)
BP4FS6890	S6890-105	4 Segments, each segment provides for the SHB and one or two x16 slots and one x8 slot
BP6FS6605	S6605-105	6 Segments, each segment provides for the SHB and one x16 slot. Three of the segments also provide one x8 slot.
Server Class
BPX6806	S6806-001	18	-	4	14	1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
BPX6719	S6719-004	8	-	2	1	1	1	2	-	-	-	-	-
BPX6610	S6610-010	13	-	2	4	-	-	2	4	-	-	-	-
BPX6620	S6620-004	14	-	1	1	1	2	8	-	-	-	-	-
BPX6571	S6571-007	19	-	1	1	-	-	-	16	-	-	-	-
BPX3/14	S6467-004	18	-	-	2	1	2	12	-	-	-	-	-
BPX3/8	S6377-004	11	-	2	-	-	-	-	4	-	4	-	-
BPX5	S6510-007	6	-	2	2	1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
BPX3/2	S6526-007	5	-	2	-	-	2	-	-	-	-	-	-
BPX6736	S6736-007	4	-	2	-	2#	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Graphics Class
BPG6714	S6714-004	7	1	1	-	1#	1	2	-	-	-	-	-
BPG6615	S6615-010	12	1	1	-	1#	-	2	4	-	-	-	-
BPG6600	S6600-004	14	1	-	1	1#	-	2	4	-	-	4	-
BPG6544	S6544-004	14	1	-	1	1#	1	-	4	-	-	2	2
BPG4	S6537-007	5	1	-	2	1#	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
BPG2/2	S6532-007	4	1	-	-	-	2	-	-	-	-	-	-
BPG6741	S6741-007	3	1	-	-	2#	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
#Slot connected to expansion slot may operate as a x1 PCI Express link
Model Name	Model Number	Total Slots	CPU Slots				PCI-X Slots			PCI Slots			ISA Slots
							64-Bit/ 133MHz	64/ 100	64/ 66	64/ 66	64/ 33	32/ 33
PCI-X
BP1/1/2/4/4	S6120-000	12	1				1	2	4	-	4	-	-
64-Bit PCI/ISA
BP3/16-64	S5696-000	19	1				-	-	-	-	16	-	2
32-Bit PCI/ISA
BP3/16	S5457-000	19	1				-	-	-	-	-	16	2
BP3/10	S5937-000	13	1				-	-	-	-	-	10	2
BP7/6	S5491-000	13	1				-	-	-	-	-	6	6
Segmented
BP2S19	S5577-000	19	2				-	-	-	-	-	6	11
BP2S13	S5574-000	13	2				-	-	-	-	-	6	5

Backplane Primer
If you are unfamiliar with passive backplanes, this short primer should offer some clarification.

Why Use a Passive Backplane?

Why use a passive backplane and Single Board Computer? The three primary reasons are: access to more expansion slots, availability of ISA slots, and significantly lower MTTR (Mean Time To Repair).

In general, motherboards are limited to a maximum of eight slots - and even that type of availability is difficult to find.  Passive Backplanes provide up to twenty slots. A 17" wide, rack mount chassis can accommodate a maximum of twenty slots, but one can build a backplane with more than twenty if the designated chassis is wide enough to accommodate the board. Also, with a smaller backplane, you can get a more narrow system using an SBC.

Intel and Microsoft decreed some time ago that ISA slots would no longer be supported. New motherboards only provide PCI slots. If you have an application that is served by a plug-in I/O, which is only available in ISA form factor, you are limited to looking for used or old stock motherboards or switching to a passive backplane. A passive backplane can provide up to twenty ISA slots. However, one or two of these slots would be occupied by the SBC, leaving eighteen available ISA card slots.

An SBC can be removed from a system by unplugging the cables, removing one screw, and pulling the card. None of the I/O cards need to be removed. A motherboard is buried under practically all of the componentry, thereby requiring total system disassembly to remove the motherboard. All I/O cards have to be removed and all of the screws holding the motherboard removed. If your application requires low MTTR, the only option is a total system replacement if you have a motherboard installed, or to use an SBC, installed in a passive backplane.

An additional factor in considering a passive backplane would be continued availability of an inherently stable design. Motherboards are consumer commodity items with limited availability. There is no guarantee how long you will be able to continue to source a specific motherboard. Single Board Computers and Passive Backplanes have much longer product life cycles. An example of the benefit of a passive backplane of SBC can be drawn from the process of acquiring FDA approval in the medical field. FDA approval is an expensive process. Every time you change a component such as the motherboard, you have to resubmit for approval.

One factor that differentiates passive backplanes and SBC’s from a standard motherboard is cost. Motherboards are made en masse and are very cheap. Passive backplanes and SBCs are made in much smaller quantities and cost considerably more than a motherboard.

Structure

A Passive Backplane provides the slots, but not the smarts, of a motherboard. Various motherboards provide for anywhere from one to eight I/O card expansion slots. The motherboard also provides the processor, processor support chip sets, memory, I/O, etc. A passive backplane needs the smarts provided by a plug-in Single Board Computer (SBC) to function. A passive backplane with an SBC installed is equivalent to a standard motherboard.

As with motherboards, passive backplanes provide a mix of I/O slots. These can be all ISA, a combination of ISA and PCI, or all PCI. Because of signal loading requirements, backplanes with PCI slots will also provide bridge chips. So, in the true sense of the word, these are not "passive" backplanes, but "active". For simplicity, they are all grouped as "passive" backplanes.

Single Board Computers can be had with a wide variety of features, including processor type and speed, available memory, video, I/O, etc. Regarding a passive backplane, the only concern will be the connection between the SBC and the backplane. An SBC looks like any other plug-in card. Hanging from the bottom will be an ISA connector and possibly PCI and PICMG connectors if the board supports PCI.

Note that a PCI SBC will work in an all ISA slot backplane. An ISA-only SBC will work in an ISA/PCI backplane, but will not provide any PCI support (PCI slots will not be active). The ISA signals are carried on the ISA edge connectors and the PCI signals are carried and controlled by the PICMG edge connectors.

It should be noted the PCI Express bus structure is entirely new regarding the CPU connectors. The PCI Express SHB boards, such as the NLT and NLI, will only fit in a PCI Express backplane. Loss of functionality isn’t the concern – these boards simply will not fit in the connectors.

PCI Express can be described as parallel serial. Each channel provides packets of data serially, but in parallel data streams. The more channels to a connector, such as x8 or x16, the higher the available bandwidth to that connector. The SHB has a limited number of channels, some of which are used internally, some to external PCI Express slots, and others to bridge chips for driving PCI and PCI-X slots. See the PCI Express Backplane Reference Manual for a complete explanation of PCI Express backplane structure and use.

An ISA-only backplane can have the SBC installed in any slot. A PCI and PCI-Express backplane will provide dedicated SBC slot(s) and the SBC must be installed in one of these for the system to work properly.

Segmented Backplanes

Segmented or split backplanes provide for multiple independent SBCs to be used in the same backplane. Each SBC has a group of dedicated slots and only power and mechanical support are shared. In theory (and practice), a 20-slot backplane could be split into 10 segments, which would allow ten SBCs and ten I/O cards to be installed in a single 4U chassis. Because the SBCs share power, each SBC cannot be individually turned on/off. However, each SBC can be provided with its own reset switch. Imagine the processing power available with ten 3GHz dual-Xeon SBC's in a single 4U enclosure!

Custom Backplanes

As with our Custom Chassis units, Chassis Plans can provide you with custom backplanes with any slot configuration mix, any number of segments, or any special mechanical features. It is possible to add circuitry to the backplane to provide functionality not available in a plug-in card or to conserve I/O slots. There is a fifty piece minimum order for custom backplanes and NRE charges will apply. We have over thirty custom designs available with no NRE charges applicable. Contact the Chassis Plans sales department today with your custom requirements and receive a quick quotation!