The Astronics/Ballard Technology LP1553-3C is a PCI interface board that bridges standard computer systems with MIL-STD-1553B avionics data buses. This card enables seamless integration of aerospace and military legacy systems into modern test, development, and simulation environments by offloading all protocol processing to a dedicated DSP core, freeing host CPU resources.
## Technical Specifications
• Interface Type: PCI
• Protocol: MIL-STD-1553B
• On-Board RAM: 256KB to 1MB
• Time-Stamp Resolution: Programmable 32-bit
• Front Connector: BNC type
• Form Factor: PCI Card
## Key Features
The LP1553-3C supports multiple operational modes within a single interface. Operate as Bus Controller (BC), Remote Terminal (RT), or Bus Monitor (BM). The card handles single-terminal emulation through multi-terminal simulation without requiring firmware changes. Programmable data buffers and deep built-in memory maintain data integrity across high-message-rate scenarios. Concurrent monitoring allows passive bus observation while simultaneously executing BC or RT functions. Advanced variants include selective protocol error injection for fault tolerance testing.
Dedicated DSP processing eliminates protocol overhead from the host, enabling the PC to focus on application logic. Flexible message buffering schemes adapt to varying traffic patterns and capture requirements.
## Typical Applications
This interface supports aerospace avionics development, military system integration, MIL-STD-1553B bus simulation, protocol conformance testing, and real-time data acquisition from fielded aircraft and defense platforms.
## Compatibility & Integration
OS drivers ship for Windows 95/98/NT/Me/2000/XP. Linux and VxWorks driver support is available separately. The BTIDriver API supports C/C++, C#, Visual Basic, VB.Net, and LabVIEW development environments. Ballard’s CoPilot 1553 graphical software provides BC schedule creation, RT simulation, and bus monitoring without custom code. The LP1553-3C is part of the dual-redundant LP1553-3x series and supports future feature upgrades. Manufactured by Astronics/Ballard Technology under AS9100 and ISO 9001 certification.
