CP-TA Update: First Interoperability Documents Available
By Sven Freudenfeld, CP-TA

The Communications Platforms Trade Association (CP-TA) is making great strides towards delivering certified interoperable building blocks to the communications platform industry. When CP-TA launched last year, members set out to solve key thermal, manageability, and data transport interoperability issues. CP-TA has now issued the first release of its Interoperability Compliance Document (ICD) and Test Procedure Manual (TPM) for PICMG’s AdvancedTCA specification. This release is consistent with the SCOPE Alliance AdvancedTCA profile. We may characterize the ICD and TPM as follows:

• The ICD defines requirements to build interoperable communications platforms.
• The TPM defines procedures to test compliance with the requirements.

Together, the two allow vendors to design and deliver interoperable open specification-based building blocks. The ICD is free to download. The TPM is free to CP-TA contributor members and is available to non-members for a fee. Both documents can be downloaded at www.cp-ta.org/certification.

CP-TA has also worked closely with industry partners to develop interoperability test tools for the ICD and TPM. These tools will enable vendors to speed design and increase their confidence in interoperability. CP-TA has selected Polaris Networks’ ATCA™-Tester (polarisnetworks.net) as the IPMI Manageability Test Tool for the certification test suite. It meets the requirements for manageability certification laid out in the Interoperability Compliance Document and Test Procedure Manual. For thermal interoperability, CP-TA has selected Degree Controls” Chassis Scan and Blade Profiler (degreec.com). It characterizes airflow through an AdvancedTCA shelf, as specified by the ICD and TPM. The Blade Profiler system measures the airflow impedance of an AdvancedTCA Front board, assuring that it complies with the flow impedance requirements of the ICD.

Members are also currently defining thermal, manageability, and data transport for PICMG’s AdvancedMC specification. Contact CP-TA at info@cp-ta.org to learn how you can get involved.

Sven Freudenfeld is Marketing Group Work Chair for CP-TA. You can reach him at sven.freudenfeld@ca.kontron.com.