Abstract: A backplane has a plurality of interface slots that each couple to a number of buses. Depending upon the embodiment, these buses include a power distribution bus, a digital ground bus, an earth ground bus, a system timing bus, a time division multiplexed bus, a system control bus, a hardware resource bus, a media data bus, and one or more network distribution buses. Various modules can be interfaced with the backplane and function independently and/or dependently upon one another, including shelf controllers, switches, and application boards. In one embodiment, the backplane can include two backplanes, wherein the second backplane further provides connections between such modules and one or more external connectors.

Abstract: A system for detecting a board-insertion power-on versus a chassis power-on is disclosed. By using recessed circuit board sense contacts, recessed chassis sense contacts, or equivalent, a circuit can detect when power reaches a circuit board's power contacts before the circuit board sense contacts mate with corresponding chassis sense contacts. On the other hand, if a circuit board is fully seated when chassis power is first applied, the circuit will not detect that power has reached the power contacts before the sense contacts are mated, resulting in a different output. The circuit can include a latch, the output of the latch representing either a board-insertion power-on or a chassis power-on. The output of the latch can be used to modify a software or hardware condition or state, resulting in improved operation.

Abstract: A backplane has a plurality of interface slots that each couple to a number of buses. Depending upon the embodiment, these buses include a power distribution bus, a digital ground bus, an earth ground bus, a system timing bus, a time division multiplexed bus, a system control bus, a hardware resource bus, a media data bus, and one or more network distribution buses. Various modules can be interfaced with the backplane and function independently and/or dependently upon one another, including shelf controllers, switches, and application boards. In one embodiment, the backplane can include two backplanes, wherein the second backplane further provides connections between such modules and one or more external connectors.

Abstract: A system for detecting a board-insertion power-on versus a chassis power-on is disclosed. By using recessed circuit board sense contacts, recessed chassis sense contacts, or equivalent, a circuit can detect when power reaches a circuit board's power contacts before the circuit board sense contacts mate with corresponding chassis sense contacts. On the other hand, if a circuit board is fully seated when chassis power is first applied, the circuit will not detect that power has reached the power contacts before the sense contacts are mated, resulting in a different output. The circuit can include a latch, the output of the latch representing either a board-insertion power-on or a chassis power-on. The output of the latch can be used to modify a software or hardware condition or state, resulting in improved operation.