HyperTransport consortium approves HTX expansion spec

Sunnyvale (CA) - The HyperTransport Technology Consortium today announced the first HyperTransport technology expansion connector specification. The new EATX Motherboard/Daughtercard Spec defines an interface and form factor specification for a high-performance EATX motherboard connector and HyperTransport add-in cards.

The new HTX slot standard is intended to accelerate the deployment of HyperTransport technology in the high-performance systems market by defining a standard HyperTransport expansion interface for use with popular motherboards and add-in cards, the consortium said.

The HyperTransport HTX Motherboard/Daughtercard specification defines an 8- or 16-bit HyperTransport interface with an up to 1.6 gigatransfer/second data rate (800 MHz clock rate) and includes all of the defined HyperTransport control signals including a synchronous reference clock. The connector signals include both 12V and 3.3V power signals, a SMBus interface (3.3V), optionally supports JTAG and enables the use of 4-layer motherboards and daughtercards with conventional PCB technology.

The new HTX specification is optionally compatible with the standard Extended ATX(12" x 13") motherboard form factor. The daughtercard mechanical envelop is compatible with standard PCI cards to fit in existing chassis designs. The HTX components are designed to be used in both riser-based (1U) and pedestal, rack-mount (3U and greater)
and proprietary systems, according to the consortium.