NAT-MCH Users Manual Version 1.10

NAT-MCH – Users Manual
4 Operation
The NAT-MCH should be operated in a MTCA R1.0 compliant uTCA shelf with forced air
cooling only. This manual describes the operation of the following NAT-MCH PCB versions
and firmware releases:
NAT-MCH V1.1 Firmware V2.1 and later
NAT-MCH V2.0 Firmware V2.1 and later
NAT-MCH V2.1 Firmware V2.1 and later
4.1 System Startup and Redundancy Operation
After power-up the NAT-MCH tries to read the backplane FRU information and locates the
available power modules. The NAT-MCH determines the primary and the secondary power
module according to the role of the power module. In parallel the MCH tries to locate a
second MCH in the system and if one exists, it starts the negotiation process to assign primary
and backup roles to the MCHs.
If a second MCH is found in a redundant system, the primary MCH immediately starts
backing up its internal database to the redundant MCH on a frequent basis via the GbE
backplane link.
To run the MCH in redundant configuration the GigaBit Ethernet option (-GbE) is mandatory.
4.2 AMC Module Startup Sequencing
After the NAT-MCH has completed its initial startup sequence it scans the system for
available AMC modules. For any slot which is populated by an AMC module, a green LED
on the face plate is lit. For all AMC modules found in the system, the MCH reads in the FRU
information and sensor data records. If power negotiation is successful, it directs the power
module to power up the AMC modules either in the activation sequence defined in the
“Carrier Activation and Current descriptor“ record of the backplane FRU device –or- if the
record is not found, according to the site number.
4.3 Local Shelf Manager
The local Shelf manager of the NAT-MCH provides management of the following resources
within a uTCA system:
• Sensor Event Log (SEL)
• Temperature management and Cooling Unit control
Version 1.10 © N.A.T. GmbH 18