FMC Community

Recently, there has emerged a greater need for different front panel IO functionality within systems. Typically, this front panel IO functionality was fixed on 3U or 6U form factor cards, or it was configured with PMC or XMC modules. Previously, 3U and 6U form factor card design used a fixed front panel IO, which addressed a particular function. Changing the front panel IO functionality meant replacing the 3U or 6U cards. PMC and XMC modules provided configurable front panel IO for 3U and 6U form factor cards. However, PMC and XMC modules use much of the 3U and 6U carrier card area.

FPGA Mezzanine Card, or FMC, as defined in VITA 57 and FMC+, as defined in VITA 57.4, provide specifications describing an I/O mezzanine module with connection to an FPGA or other device with reconfigurable I/O capability. The low-profile design allows use on popular industry standard slot card, blade and motherboard form factors, including VME, VPX, CompactPCI, AdvancedTCA, MicroTCA, PCI, PXI, and many other low-profile motherboards. The compact size is highly adaptable to many configuration needs and compliments existing common low-profile mezzanine technology such as PMC, XMC, and AMC.

Purpose

The purpose of the FMC Community is to establish an ecosystem of interested parties that promotes and creates name recognition, as well as grow adoption of the FMC specifications and technology. The alliance is responsible for educating, training, and promoting the capabilities of the FMC family of specifications and informing the broader community and press.

Scope

The FMC Community is focused on the advancement of the FMC family of technology other related activities on the FMC roadmap. The FMC Community promulgates the specifications emerging from the VITA Working Groups to develop a relevant ecosystem.

Companies that develop FMC products are encouraged to contact VITA to join the FMC Community.