Methods and apparatus for a redundant board assembly

A method of producing a first board sub-assembly, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing a first card having a first and second end, said first end being configured to interface with a backplane;
• and
• providing a second card configured to removeably attach, mechanically and electrically, to said second end of said first card, said second card being configured to communicate with said first card and said backplane;
• identifying a set of components to be attached to said board assembly;
• isolating a first set of components that require conformance to a first certification level;
• said first certification level being a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) certification level;
• isolating a second set of components that require conformance to a second certification
• level;
• attaching said first set of components to said first card;
• attaching said second set of components to said second card;
• and
• configuring said second card to communicate with a second board sub-assembly having a first functionality and to compensate for a loss of functionality when said second board sub-assembly exhibits a second functionality that is different than said first functionality.

A redundant board assembly comprising:

• a first board sub-assembly and a second board sub-assembly, said first and second board sub-assemblies each having a first functionality;
• a module interconnect card configured to mechanically and electronically interconnect said first and second board sub-assemblies;
• said first board sub-assembly configured to compensate for a loss of functionality when said second board sub-assembly exhibits a second functionality that is different from said first functionality;
• and
• said first board sub-assembly further comprising:
• a first card having a first end configured to interface with a backplane and a second end, wherein the first card includes a first set of components conforming to a first certification level;
• and
• a second card configured to removeably attach, mechanically and electrically, to said second send of said first card, said second card being configured to communicate with said first card and the backplane, wherein the second card includes a set of components conforming to a second certification level.