Express 5-G3 Backplane

The Datapath Express5-G3 backplane provides 5 x8 lane PCI Express slots, all implemented as x16 physical connectors. For high density and high performance display controller systems. The Express5-G3 can be used with a standard PICMG 1.3 SBC as a stand alone system or in combination with multiple backplanes to provide a PCI Express expansion system for a standard PC.

Connecting Multiple Express5-G3 Backplanes

Star Configuration
All PCI Express slots in the master chassis (containing the SBC) can be populated with a HLink-G3 card. Each HLink-G3 is then connected to an expansion chassis using an ExCable-G3 and SLink-G3 card. This configuration provides a high number of available PCI Express slots supporting low latency. The Express5-G3 can also be used to connect a mixture of multiple Datapath Express5-G3 and Express11-G3 backplanes.

Each HLink and SLink card are factory installed into a system as a pair. When connecting systems please ensure that the cards labelled Link1 are joined using the ExCable, cards labelled Link2 are also joined together etc. In the event that this is not possible, please re-install the Datapath driver to reset the pairings.

Daisy Chain Configuration
Multiple Express5-G3 or Express11-G3 can also be daisy chained. For larger systems Datapath recommends a Star Topology as illustrated above.
If using both an Express 11-G3 and an Express 5-G3 in an extended system, Datapath recommends using the Express 11 within the “main chassis” and the Express 5 in the “Expansion Chassis”. In order to maximize available bandwidth, we also recommend using a single Express 11-G3 backplane in a single chassis rather than 2 x Express 5 backplanes in two chassis.