ALPHA CPCI-2IPC Series Modules

Technical Dossier

Product Details And Specifications

ALPHA CPCI-2IPC Series: Comprehensive Module Range and Technical Overview

The ALPHA CPCI-2IPC series represents a line of CompactPCI (CPCI) passive backplane and bus motherboard modules engineered for deployment in high-availability industrial computing environments. These modules serve as the structural and electrical backbone of 6U CompactPCI chassis systems, providing the passive bus interconnect infrastructure required for CPU boards, I/O modules, communication adapters, and power supply units to operate within a unified rack-mounted enclosure.

Installed across heavy industrial sectors including petrochemical processing plants, nuclear power station control rooms, offshore oil refinery distributed control systems (DCS), and railway signaling infrastructure, the CPCI-2IPC-6U and its variants are recognized for their compliance with the PICMG 2.0 CompactPCI specification. Their passive architecture eliminates active failure points on the backplane itself, making them a preferred choice for long-lifecycle industrial deployments where mean time between failures (MTBF) is a primary procurement criterion.

The Evolution of CPCI-2IPC Architecture

The CompactPCI standard (PICMG 2.0) was ratified in 1995 as an industrial adaptation of the PCI bus, adopting the Eurocard mechanical form factor (3U and 6U) to meet the ruggedization demands of process automation and telecommunications. The ALPHA CPCI-2IPC series emerged within this ecosystem as a passive backplane solution targeting 6U chassis configurations, which accommodate the larger board real estate required for CPU modules with integrated memory and multi-port I/O.

Early CPCI-2IPC variants supported 32-bit/33 MHz PCI bus operation with up to 8 peripheral slots. Subsequent revisions introduced 64-bit bus support and 66 MHz operation, doubling theoretical bandwidth to 533 MB/s. As CompactPCI PlusIO (PICMG 2.30) and CompactPCI Serial (PICMG CPCI-S.0) emerged in the 2010s, the CPCI-2IPC series entered a mature/end-of-life phase for new system design. However, the installed base across legacy DCS and SCADA platforms in chemical and energy industries ensures continued demand for spare and replacement units through at least the 2030s. Systems originally commissioned in the 2000–2012 window are now in active maintenance cycles, making lifecycle extension sourcing the primary procurement driver for this series.

CPCI-2IPC Full Catalog & Functionalities (SKU List)

Backplane / Bus Motherboard Modules

• CPCI-2IPC-6U: 6U CompactPCI passive backplane, 8-slot, 32/64-bit PCI bus, PICMG 2.0 compliant
• CPCI-2IPC-6U-4S: 6U CompactPCI passive backplane, 4-slot configuration, reduced chassis footprint
• CPCI-2IPC-6U-8S: 6U CompactPCI passive backplane, 8-slot, extended I/O slot density variant
• CPCI-2IPC-6U-HS: 6U CompactPCI backplane with hot-swap support per PICMG 2.1 R2.0
• CPCI-2IPC-3U: 3U CompactPCI passive backplane, 8-slot, for compact chassis deployments
• CPCI-2IPC-3U-4S: 3U CompactPCI passive backplane, 4-slot, low-profile rack integration

CPU / System Slot Modules

• CPCI-2IPC-CPU-P4: 6U CompactPCI single-board computer, Intel Pentium 4 processor, system slot
• CPCI-2IPC-CPU-C2D: 6U CompactPCI SBC, Intel Core 2 Duo, dual-channel DDR2, system slot
• CPCI-2IPC-CPU-i7: 6U CompactPCI SBC, Intel Core i7 (Sandy Bridge), DDR3, PCIe x16 bridge
• CPCI-2IPC-CPU-ATOM: 6U CompactPCI SBC, Intel Atom N270, low-power embedded control

I/O Modules

• CPCI-2IPC-DIO-32: 6U CompactPCI digital I/O module, 32-channel isolated DI/DO, 24 VDC
• CPCI-2IPC-AIO-16: 6U CompactPCI analog I/O module, 16-ch AI (±10 V / 4–20 mA), 4-ch AO
• CPCI-2IPC-COM-4S: 6U CompactPCI serial communication module, 4× RS-232/422/485 ports
• CPCI-2IPC-GBE-2P: 6U CompactPCI dual-port Gigabit Ethernet module, Intel 82571 controller

Power Supply Modules

• CPCI-2IPC-PSU-200W: CompactPCI-compatible 200 W power supply module, 5 V / 3.3 V / 12 V rails
• CPCI-2IPC-PSU-300W: CompactPCI-compatible 300 W redundant power supply, hot-swap capable

Sourcing Hard-to-Find & Obsolete CPCI-2IPC Parts

The ALPHA CPCI-2IPC series is classified as a mature/end-of-life product line. ALPHA (and its regional distribution network) no longer accepts new system design registrations for this series. Factory production of certain variants — particularly the CPU modules and analog I/O boards — has been discontinued, with no announced pin-compatible successors that fit existing 6U chassis without mechanical or firmware modification.

DriveKNMS maintains a dedicated inventory of CPCI-2IPC spare and replacement modules sourced through authorized secondary market channels, decommissioned system buybacks, and verified distributor overstock. Our procurement scope covers:

• New-old-stock (NOS) units in original factory packaging with full traceability documentation
• Refurbished units that have passed full functional and electrical validation
• Emergency cross-shipment for unplanned downtime events with 24–72 hour dispatch capability
• Long-term supply agreements (LTSA) for facilities operating CPCI-2IPC-based DCS platforms through 2035+

Quality Control for the CPCI-2IPC Range

CompactPCI backplane and bus motherboard modules present specific validation challenges due to their passive bus architecture and high-density connector systems. DriveKNMS applies the following test protocol to all CPCI-2IPC units prior to dispatch:

• Backplane continuity and isolation test: All PCI bus signal lines (AD[63:0], C/BE[7:0], PAR, PAR64, FRAME#, IRDY#, TRDY#, DEVSEL#, STOP#, PERR#, SERR#) are verified for continuity to each slot connector and isolation from adjacent signals using a dedicated bed-of-nails fixture.
• Connector integrity inspection: All 2mm Hard Metric (IEC 61076-4-101) connectors are inspected under 10× magnification for bent pins, oxidation, and mechanical deformation. Connector insertion force is measured against PICMG 2.0 specification tolerances.
• Hot-swap controller validation (HS variants): For CPCI-2IPC-6U-HS units, the PICMG 2.1 hot-swap controller IC and associated FET inrush current limiting circuitry are tested under load using a programmable electronic load.
• Functional system-level burn-in: Each backplane is installed in a reference 6U chassis with a known-good CPU module and exercised under full bus load for a minimum of 4 hours at 50°C ambient, with PCI bus error counters monitored in real time.
• Final documentation package: Each shipped unit includes a test report, serial number record, and (where available) original factory calibration certificate.