VITA 93 QMC serves as a Common Mezzanine Specification for Various Applications
The VITA 93 QMC mezzanine standard, developed specifically for small-form-factor electronics, is making waves in various non-military and non-avionics sectors [1][2]. This standard, designed for embedded platforms with rugged requirements, is particularly beneficial in commercial, industrial, and rugged environments where electronics reliability is often challenged by factors such as shock, vibration, and harsh conditions.
Key Applications
Industrial Automation and Control Systems: The QMC standard provides flexible I/O expansion and high-speed interfaces (PCIe Gen6) suitable for factory floors and harsh industrial environments [1][2].
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data Processing: Larger QMC modules support GPGPUs or AI accelerators, enabling edge AI processing in commercial and industrial scenarios requiring compact, rugged solutions [1].
Telecommunications and Data Centers: The small form factor and high bandwidth make QMC ideal for compact, flexible deployment where space is limited and environmental conditions may be challenging [1][2].
Medical Devices: Rugged mezzanine modules can be used in portable or mobile diagnostic and monitoring equipment needing reliable expansion and cooling options [1][2].
Transportation and Automotive Systems: Applications can benefit from QMC’s shock/vibration resistance for onboard computing and monitoring systems in rail, automotive, and marine environments [1][2].
Industrial IoT (Internet of Things): Edge computing devices in harsh environments can integrate rugged QMC modules for sensor interfaces, communication, and processing [1].
Flexible Design and Cooling Options
The QMC standard supports multiple module sizes scaled by width, allowing flexible combinations of I/O bandwidth and board space. Cooling options include convection and conduction to meet thermal management needs across these applications [2].
Comparable to M.2 Standard, Yet More Scalable
VITA 93.0 QMC is comparable to the M.2 standard with higher-speed, rugged connectors and better scalability [2]. Unlike M.2 modules, the QMC definitions include a pair of mated connectors instead of different edge connector pinouts, ensuring compatibility across various applications.
Additional Features
The QMC definitions include 3.3- and 12-V DC power, JTAG interface, and I2C interface for card management [2]. Thermal interface material for QMC connectors is provided by the carrier manufacturer. The pair of connectors in QMC includes a PCIe side and a general I/O connection for high-speed serial communication.
Versatile Compatibility
QMC cards can work with front- and rear-I/O systems, which is important for many military and avionics systems based on OpenVPX [2]. Additionally, the standard provides variable stacking specifications, unlike most mezzanine standards.
Air-cooled and Conduction-cooled Solutions
Air-cooled solutions for QMC cards can use a heatsink, while conduction-cooled implementations incorporate the card with a heatsink that mates with a cooling structure [2].
Looking Forward
Beyond military and avionics, VITA 93 QMC is likely to be used in environments such as industrial vehicles and commercial drones, where rugged, high-speed, small-footprint expansion is crucial in harsh environmental conditions and space constraints [1][2]. The rapid development of the VITA 93 standard, with a detailed report available in 2023 and working examples presented at the 2025 Embedded Tech Trends conference, suggests a bright future for this versatile standard.
References
[1] VITA Technologies, Inc. (2023). VITA 93.0 QMC Standard. Retrieved from https://www.vita.com/standards/vita-93-0-qmc-standard/
[2] Vitech Systems Group, Inc. (2023). VITA 93.0 QMC: A Rugged, High-Speed Mezzanine Card Standard. Retrieved from https://www.vitechpg.com/news/vita-93-0-qmc-rugged-high-speed-mezzanine-card-standard/
- The manufacturing industry could leverage the VITA 93 QMC standard for industrial automation and control systems, benefiting from its flexibility in I/O expansion and high-speed interfaces.
- In commercial and industrial scenarios requiring edge AI processing, larger QMC modules can accommodate GPGPUs or AI accelerators for artificial intelligence and data processing tasks.
- Data centers and telecommunications networks might find the small form factor and high bandwidth of QMC ideal for compact, flexible deployments, particularly in challenging environmental conditions.
- Portable or mobile medical diagnostic and monitoring equipment could use rugged mezzanine modules in rugged mezzanine modules for reliable expansion and cooling options.
- The transportation and automotive sectors could apply the QMC standard in rail, automotive, and marine environments, taking advantage of its shock and vibration resistance in onboard computing and monitoring systems.
- In harsh industrial environments, edge computing devices can integrate rugged QMC modules for sensor interfaces, communication, and processing in the Industrial IoT.
- The QMC standard supports multiple module sizes, offering flexibility in terms of I/O bandwidth and board space for various industrial applications.
- Cooling options for QMC modules range from convection to conduction, ensuring thermal management needs are met across all applications.
- The QMC standard is comparable to the M.2 standard but offers better scalability and interoperability with various applications, thanks to its pair of mated connectors.
- QMC cards can work with both front- and rear-I/O systems, which is essential for many military and avionics systems based on OpenVPX.
- The VITA 93 QMC standard provides variable stacking specifications, setting it apart from most other mezzanine standards.
- In air-cooled solutions for QMC cards, a heatsink is used, while conduction-cooled implementations incorporate the card with a heatsink that mates with a cooling structure.
- The rapid development of the VITA 93 standard suggests a promising future, with a detailed report available in 2023 and working examples projected to be presented at the 2025 Embedded Tech Trends conference.
- VITA 93 QMC is not limited to the traditional military and avionics sectors, and it's likely to be used in industrial vehicles and commercial drones needing rugged, high-speed, small-footprint expansion in harsh environmental conditions and space constraints.
- Investors in the finance industry may be interested in the potential of the VITA 93 QMC standard in various sectors, offering opportunities for venture-capital investments in related businesses.
- Homeowners and investors focused on personal finance and wealth management might consider real-estate investments in properties equipped with smart home devices that implement the QMC standard, such as wearables and home automation systems.
- In the lifestyle and dining sectors, restaurants and bars might benefit from QMC-based point-of-sale (POS) systems, integrating food and beverage management, and payment options.
- Outdoor living enthusiasts could find QMC-enabled smart home devices particularly useful in harsh outdoor environments, tackling challenges like shock, vibration, and extreme temperatures.
- Food and drink manufacturers could use QMC-based solutions for product monitoring, quality control, and energy management in their production lines, leading to greater efficiency and sustainability.
- The food industry could leverage QMC-based cooking equipment for baking, cooking, and beverage preparation, allowing for smart temperature control, timer settings, and recipe optimization.
- QMC-enabled devices could revolutionize the global cuisines sector by providing energy-efficient, connected cooking appliances for home and professional use, enabling optimized preparation of dishes from various cultures.
- In a world with increasing focus on healthy living and lifestyle, QMC technology could be applied to personal-finance apps, offering deals and discounts on fitness equipment, healthy food products, or adventure travel packages centered on outdoor living and cultural exploration.
