The Abaco Systems P32F-1-3 is a PCI-to-VMEbus adapter card that bridges two distinct bus architectures, enabling bi-directional communication and unified system operation. It maps VMEbus address space transparently into the PCI host bus address space, handling memory and I/O translation directly in hardware without software overhead. The adapter supports dual bus mastership, high-speed DMA transfers up to 35 MB/s, and can function as a VME system controller when installed in slot 1, eliminating the need for separate controller hardware.
Technical Specifications
• Bus Interface: PCI to VMEbus
• Form Factor: 6U VMEbus card
• Compliance: IEEE 1014C
• Power Requirements: 3.5 A at 5 V; +3.3 VDC
• Optional Shared Memory: Up to 8 MBytes dual port RAM
– Key Features
• Bi-Directional Bus Mastership — Enables independent bus control from both PCI and VMEbus sides
• Transparent Memory and I/O Mapping — Maps discontiguous remote addresses to contiguous local addresses without processor intervention
• Direct Memory Access (DMA) — Up to 35 MB/s transfer rate with 4 to 16 MByte block sizes; supports dual port RAM mode
• Interrupt Handling — Seven VME interrupts passed directly between buses; eliminates polling; includes programmed and error interrupts
• VME System Controller Mode — Provides VME clock, system reset, and bus error timeout; supports four-level priority, four-level round-robin, or single-level arbitration
• Independent Bus Operation — Timing linked only during active transfers; no bandwidth impact during idle periods
• Data Checking — Interface validation between cards
• Low Latency — 1.8 µsec latency across cable
– Typical Applications
Legacy VMEbus system integration with modern PCI architectures; high-performance embedded real-time systems requiring independent bus isolation; applications demanding DMA-accelerated inter-system communication.
– Compatibility & Integration
Connects directly to PCI host systems and VMEbus backplanes. Operates as a 6U VMEbus card. Optional dual port RAM supports direct memory access without bus contention.
