CompactPCI Plus is the successor to CompactPCI and the PICMG 2.30 CPLUS I/O specification allows a "soft" migration path from CompactPCI to the future of serial protocols. Both specifications - each still at the draft stage - represent the logical further development of CompactPCI, supported by today's data transport mechanisms - PCI Express (PCIe), SATA, USB II & III and Ethernet BASE-T.

Schroff has now developed a system, including backplane, that can be used as a hybrid for both CompactPCI and CompactPCI Plus. Since many applications boards are still based on CompactPCI, but new developments will in future assume CompactPCI Plus, the possibility of mixing the two standards in one system is of considerable benefit.

Mechanical construction of the hybrid system is similar to that of the new 8 slot CompactPCI 3+1 system from Schroff with integrated 1 U fan drawer. Power is provided by a 19" PSU with an output capacity of 250 W and rear IEC mains input.

The hybrid backplane provides conventional CompactPCI slots on the left and CompactPCI Plus slots on the right. The PICMG 2.30 CPLUS I/O slot positioned in the centre joins the two worlds together. In contrast to CompactPCI, the peripheral CompactPCI Plus slots need only a relatively small, low-cost connector with six contact rows. It carries power, high-speed signals and, where used, monitoring and control lines. The system, based on the PICMG 2.30 CPLUS I/O, can support up to 7 parallel peripheral slots as previously, and up to 4 serial peripheral CompactPCI Plus slots. The restriction to 4 slots results from the number of contacts available in the P2 connector. However, here also the number of slots can be increased if required.