Protection Block for MicroTCA(TM) backplanes

The MicroTCA™ specification defines modules with the option of multiple mating interfaces like the MCH module for system management and switching. There are four different pitches defined for the module interfaces and the backplane connectors respectively, the basic unit is called horizontal pitch (HP) and is 5.08 mm (0.2 inch).

Compact-Size	3 HP	15.24 mm
Mid-Size	4 HP	20.32 mm
Full-Size	6 HP	30.48 mm
MCH	1.5 HP	7.62 mm

Any MCH (or other multiple mating interface modules) with more than two mating interfaces (2x MCH-pitch 1.5 HP = Compact-Size pitch 3 HP) could unintentional mate with connectors of the adjacent slot or could be plugged into the wrong slot. Even though the pin-assignment and e-keying for the MCH is defined, it can cause system failures or even destroy hardware if a MCH is inserted into two adjacent AMC Compact-Size slots. For other multiple mating interface modules, this situation is even worse, because neither e-keying nor pin assignment is specified in MTCA.0.

MicroTCA™ backplane with protection blocks
To prevent errors in case of misinsertion, MTCA.0 R1.0 chapter 2.13 outlines protection blocks that occupy the space between two adjacent connectors in a Compact-Size slot. Furthermore this protection block can be used for keying functions of multiple mating interface modules.
HARTING designed a protection block fully independent of the backplane and sub rack design. The HARTING protection block is clipped between two connectors, hence no fixing features (holes, clips...) need to be designed into the backplane or the sub rack mechanics. The assembly is done quick and easy by hand. It can even be installed easily after the backplane is mounted with a simple flat-head  crewdriver, an easy removal is possible in a similar way. The keying block can be placed into four different positions, hence a keying of multitongue modules by using tongues with a cutout is possible.

The free space between the backplane connectors is occupied by the protection block


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