Packaging & Interconnections: CompactPCI Extender Boards Facilitate Card Testing/Debugging

Sept. 20, 2004

New rear CompactPCI extender boards are designed to bring a circuit card completely out of a card cage or enclosure for testing or debugging. As a result, access is possibe to both sides of the test board. Injector/ejector latches with ergonomic handles make it easy to insert and remove cards. They also hold the board firmly to the chassis, increasing connection reliability. This is done without using set screws, which can be inconvenient. Extender boards come in VME, VME64x, CompactPCI, and VXI form factors. Pricing for the system accessories start under $100.00, with a one- to two-week lead time.

Bustronic Inc.www.bustronic.com(510) 490-7388

About the Author

Roger Allan

Roger Allan is an electronics journalism veteran, and served as Electronic Design's Executive Editor for 15 of those years. He has covered just about every technology beat from semiconductors, components, packaging and power devices, to communications, test and measurement, automotive electronics, robotics, medical electronics, military electronics, robotics, and industrial electronics. His specialties include MEMS and nanoelectronics technologies. He is a contributor to the McGraw Hill Annual Encyclopedia of Science and Technology. He is also a Life Senior Member of the IEEE and holds a BSEE from New York University's School of Engineering and Science. Roger has worked for major electronics magazines besides Electronic Design, including the IEEE Spectrum, Electronics, EDN, Electronic Products, and the British New Scientist. He also has working experience in the electronics industry as a design engineer in filters, power supplies and control systems.

After his retirement from Electronic Design Magazine, He has been extensively contributing articles for Penton’s Electronic Design, Power Electronics Technology, Energy Efficiency and Technology (EE&T) and Microwaves RF Magazine, covering all of the aforementioned electronics segments as well as energy efficiency, harvesting and related technologies. He has also contributed articles to other electronics technology magazines worldwide.

He is a “jack of all trades and a master in leading-edge technologies” like MEMS, nanolectronics, autonomous vehicles, artificial intelligence, military electronics, biometrics, implantable medical devices, and energy harvesting and related technologies.