Configurable baseboard to power a mezzanine card and method

A baseboard, comprising:

• the baseboard having a first side and a second side;
• wherein the first side and the second side define a first key opening;
• a first key pad located on the first side, wherein the first key pad is grounded;
• a second key pad located on the second side, wherein the second key pad is aligned with the first key pad via the first key opening, wherein the second key pad is coupled to a first voltage source, and wherein the second key pad is electrically isolated from the first key pad;
• a mezzanine card interface coupled to the baseboard;
• and
• a keying mechanism coupled to interface with the baseboard through the first key opening, wherein coupling the keying mechanism to the baseboard shorts the second key pad to the first key pad and initiates a first key signal, and wherein the first key signal operates to permit a first operating voltage to power the mezzanine card interface.

A method of selecting an operating voltage, comprising:

• providing a baseboard having a first side and a second side, wherein the first side and the second side define a first key opening and a second key opening, wherein the first key opening corresponds to a first operating voltage, and wherein the second key opening corresponds to a second operating voltage;
• if a keying mechanism is coupled to the baseboard through the first key opening, a first key signal operating to permit the first operating voltage to power a mezzanine card interface;
• and
• if the keying mechanism is coupled to the baseboard through the second key opening, a second key signal operating to permit the second operating voltage to power the mezzanine card interface.

A method of configuring a baseboard to power a mezzanine card interface, comprising:

• the baseboard having a first side and a second side, wherein the first side and the second side define a first key opening and a second key opening, wherein the first key opening corresponds to a first operating voltage, and wherein the second key opening corresponds to a second operating voltage;
• if a keying mechanism is coupled to the baseboard through the first key opening, a first key signal operating to permit the first operating voltage to power the mezzanine card interface;
• and
• if the keying mechanism is coupled to the baseboard through the second key opening, a second key signal operating to permit the second operating voltage to power the mezzanine card interface.

A method of configuring a baseboard, comprising:

• on the baseboard, providing a first keying system corresponding to a first mezzanine card interface, wherein the first mezzanine card interface is configured for a first bus, and wherein the first keying system is configured to one of a first operating voltage and a second operating voltage;
• communicating a first key signal to a power control circuit if the first keying system is configured to the first operating voltage;
• communicating a second key signal to the power control circuit if the first keying system is configured to the second operating voltage;
• on the baseboard, providing a second keying system corresponding to a second mezzanine card interface, wherein the second mezzanine card interface is configured for the first bus, and wherein the second keying system is configured to one of the first operating voltage and the second operating voltage;
• communicating a third key signal to the power control circuit if the second keying system is configured to the first operating voltage;
• and
• communicating a fourth key signal to the power control circuit if the second keying system is configured to the second operating voltage.

A method of configuring a baseboard, comprising:

• on the baseboard, providing a first keying system corresponding to a first mezzanine card interface, wherein the first mezzanine card interface is configured for a first bus, and wherein the first keying system is configured to one of a first operating voltage and a second operating voltage;
• communicating a first key signal to a power control circuit if the first keying system is configured to the first operating voltage;
• communicating a second key signal to the power control circuit if the first keying system is configured to the second operating voltage;
• on the baseboard, providing a second keying system corresponding to a second mezzanine card interface, wherein the second mezzanine card interface is configured for a second bus, and wherein the second keying system is configured to one of the first operating voltage and the second operating voltage;
• communicating a third key signal to the power control circuit if the second keying system is configured to the first operating voltage;
• and
• communicating a fourth key signal to the power control circuit if the second keying system is configured to the second operating voltage.

A method of configuring a baseboard, comprising:

• on the baseboard, providing a first keying system corresponding to a first mezzanine card interface;
• configuring the first keying system to transmit a first voltage configuration signal to a power control circuit;
• on the baseboard, providing a second keying system corresponding to a second mezzanine card interface;
• configuring the second keying system to transmit a second voltage configuration signal to the power control circuit;
• determining if the first voltage configuration signal and the second voltage configuration signal indicate an operating voltage compatibility between the first mezzanine card interface and the second card interface;
• and
• if the operating voltage compatibility is indicated, the power control circuit powering the first mezzanine card interface and the second mezzanine card interface.