OL1.JAN–PCI-SC
PCI spec now encompasses expansion connector
Last June, the Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) specification was
introduced as the basis for a high-performance, peripheral component-level
interface to the CPU bus. Now the specification is broadening in scope to
include an expansion connector in response to designers' cries for a
standard PCI bus connector. (For more on the PCI standard itself, see page
00 .) The connector specification calls for the local bus connectors to
be placed parallel to existing system bus connectors along the system back
plate. Through use of a shared slot, a PCI connector will be able to share
the system bus slot on the motherboard with a system bus connector. This
way, system vendors can include a PCI connector in existing EISA/ISA and
Micro Channel system configurations without adding or removing any
existing expansion slots (see diagram). To allow the PCI cards to support
all three form factors, the cards will incorporate two slot covers for the
back panel, one for Micro Channel and the other for EISA/ISA, and a
plastic extender piece to meet the EISA/ISA card length requirement.
Connectors made to the PCI specification will be similar in style to Micro
Channel connectors made by companies such as AMP and Burndy. The card-edge
connector will have 0.050-in.spacing and be made in a 120-pin version for
32-bit systems and a 178-pin version for 64-bit systems. For more
information, contact Mike Bailey at PCI, Hillsboro, OR, at 503-696-2403,
or . –Spencer Chin
CAPTION:
The PCI connector specification places the local bus connectors parallel
to existing system bus connectors along the system back plate. A
shared-slot arrangement enables the PCI connector to share the system bus
slot on the motherboard with a EISA/ISA or Micro Channel connector.
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