Can MicroTCA Replace 3U CompactPCI for Industrial Applications?

Physically, a standard MicroTCA chassis has a low profile which appears similar to a 3U cPCI card rack, and for space-constrained industrial applications, this is an appealing feature. There are, however, very definite differences between the two technologies, and based on these differences it looks as though MicroTCA will find a place in applications with higher traffic capacities, engineered interconnect, and more controlled environments, while 3U CompactPCI will continue to serve applications with lower traffic needs which must survive in harsh and/or mobile environments. The MicroTCA specification will create a very interesting potential migration path from 3U CompactPCI to MicroTCA for industrial users.