Abaco Systems / Ramix PMC663 Dual 10/100baseTX PMC Ethernet Controller w/ Cables

The Abaco Systems / Ramix PMC663 is a dual 10/100Base-TX PMC Ethernet controller engineered for embedded networking applications requiring high-performance, deterministic data transport. This PCI mezzanine card delivers two independent 10/100 Mbit/s Ethernet ports, each supporting full-duplex operation across both speed classes. A dedicated DMA engine with deep FIFO buffering sustains full-bandwidth throughput while minimizing host PCI overhead. The on-board PCI/PCI bridge maintains compliance with PCI Rev. 2.1 and IEEE 1386 standards, ensuring reliable integration into carrier boards.

Technical Specifications

• Model: PMC663 (variants: PMC663J, PMC663J4)
• Interfaces: Two 10/100Base-TX Ethernet ports with RJ45 connectors
• Data Rates: 10 Mbit/s and 100 Mbit/s per port
• Duplex Mode: Full-duplex operation at both 10 and 100 Mbit/s
• Host Interface: PCI Rev. 2.1 compliant PCI/PCI bridge
• Standards: IEEE 1386 (PMC form factor)
• Architecture: DMA engine with deep FIFO buffers

– Key Features

• Auto-negotiation for automatic bandwidth and duplex mode configuration
• Direct peer-to-peer connectivity between two PMC663 boards via crossover cable yields a full-duplex 400 Mbit/s dedicated data path
• Hub and switch compatibility for multi-node network topologies
• Software drivers for VxWorks, pSOS, LynxOS, and other operating systems
• Driver-level control over auto-negotiation enables custom link tuning
• Full-duplex operation eliminates collisions and determinism variability typical of shared-medium Ethernet

– Typical Applications

• Embedded real-time systems requiring dual Ethernet interfaces
• Point-to-point high-speed data links between PMC-based platforms
• Networked rugged or mobile platforms using PMC architecture
• PCI-based systems with stringent determinism requirements

– Compatibility & Integration

The PMC663 integrates with any IEEE 1386–compliant carrier board. Ramix-supplied drivers interface directly with host operating system LAN protocol stacks, eliminating custom network abstraction layers. Auto-negotiation is user-configurable via driver control, allowing engineers to lock link parameters when required.