Mezzanine Standard, VITA 93 QMC, Embraces Broad Utilization Across Industries
The VITA 93.0 QMC standard, initially developed for military and avionics applications, is making waves beyond its original domain. This innovative standard is finding its place wherever rugged, small form factor (SFF), high-density mezzanine connectors are essential.
Expanding Horizons
The applications of VITA 93.0 QMC are far-reaching, encompassing:
- Rugged computing systems in industrial automation and outdoor environments, where reliable, dense, and high-speed interconnects are paramount.
- Advanced telecommunications infrastructure, including 5G and 6G networks, where compact and high-performance connectors support complex system designs.
- Emerging fields like quantum computing and artificial intelligence (AI) hardware, which demand high-density and precise interconnect solutions.
- Test and measurement systems, requiring durable and miniaturized connectors for reliable data and signal transmission.
A Speedy Evolution
The rapid development of VITA 93 was due to a combination of factors. The starting point and cooperation of major industry players accelerated the process, as did the applicability of QMC for industrial and commercial applications. In just a year after the study group's inception in July 2022, a detailed report was available in 2023.
Key Features
The VITA 93.0 QMC standard offers several advantages:
- High-Speed Signal Handling: QMC connectors are designed to manage high-speed signals such as PCIe Gen 5.
- Rugged Construction: The four mounting holes in QMC connectors ensure reliable operation in high shock and vibration environments.
- Scalability: QMC uses a pair of mated connectors, offering better scalability compared to the varying edge connector pinouts in M.2 modules.
- Versatile Power Supply: Definitions include 3.3-V and 12-V DC power, JTAG interface, and I2C interface for card management.
- Space-Efficient Design: VITA 93.0 QMC provides a more compact and high-speed alternative to some existing rugged mezzanine standards like VITA 57 FMC and VITA 42 XMC.
- Flexible Integration: QMC cards can work with front- and rear-I/O systems, making them compatible with many military and avionics systems based on other VITA standards like OpenVPX.
- Bandwidth Boost: Each slot in a QMC carrier board houses a set of connectors, allowing for a mixture of QMC cards and more bandwidth.
Future Applications
As the various standards associated with VITA 93 continue to work through the finalization stage, addressing details like cooling and form factors, the potential applications for VITA 93 QMC modules are vast. They are expected to be used in environments that require rugged connectors and high-speed connections, such as industrial vehicles and commercial drones.
Presentations at the 2025 Embedded Tech Trends conference highlighted working examples that will meet the finalized standards for VITA 93, further demonstrating the versatility and relevance of this innovative standard in commercial rugged embedded systems, telecom networks, high-performance computing applications, and automation technologies.
[1] Source: Trends in Rugged Embedded Systems
In the realm of data-and-cloud computing, advanced technology is expected to employ VITA 93 QMC modules in high-performance computing applications and automation technologies. As the standard matures, it may also find its niche in commercial rugged embedded systems and telecom networks, offering a solid foundation for the rapid expansion of these industries.
