Abaco Systems / VMIC VMIPCI-5588-511 High-Speed Fiber-Optic 1.2 Gbaud Reflective Memory with Interrupts

The Abaco Systems VMIPCI-5588-511 is a high-speed fiber-optic reflective memory interface card that enables deterministic, low-latency data distribution across networked systems. Operating at 1.2 Gbaud over fiber-optic paths, it delivers data transfer rates up to 29.5 Mbyte/s in standard mode or 14.8 Mbyte/s with redundant transmission for enhanced error suppression. The PCI-form-factor board broadcasts writes from local SDRAM to remote nodes without I/O overhead, supporting up to 256 nodes across distances reaching 10 km on single-mode fiber. Interrupt-driven architecture allows any node to signal any other node or the entire network with a single command.

Technical Specifications

• Serial Connection Speed: 1.2 Gbaud
• Data Transfer Rate (Standard): Up to 29.5 Mbyte/s
• Data Transfer Rate (Redundant Mode): Up to 14.8 Mbyte/s
• On-Board Memory: 256 Kbyte to 16 Mbyte SDRAM, user-configurable
• Node Capacity: Up to 256 nodes per network
• Maximum Inter-Node Distance (Single-Mode Fiber): 10,000 meters (10 km)
• Maximum Inter-Node Distance (Multimode Fiber): 300 meters (1,000 feet)
• Maximum Inter-Node Distance (Twinax Cable): 30 meters
• Form Factor: PCI, single-slot

– Key Features

• Fiber-optic reflective memory architecture eliminates software overhead for inter-node transfers
• Transmit and Receive FIFOs buffer peak data rates to optimize CPU and bus performance
• Hardware interrupt generation to any node or all nodes via single command
• Error detection and redundant transmission mode to suppress data corruption
• Support for multiple fiber types—single-mode, multimode, and twinax interconnects

– Typical Applications

Real-time distributed systems requiring synchronized data access across geographically dispersed nodes, military/aerospace test and telemetry networks, and high-availability industrial systems where deterministic memory sharing is critical.

– Compatibility & Integration

Functions within PCI-based host systems. Related modules include VMIVME-5588, VMIPMC-5588, VMIVME-5588DMA, and associated 5565-series reflective memory products.