The Seagate/Dot Hill/Ciprico RF3513 RIMFIRE VME Interface Module is a specialized VMEbus interface controller designed for high-performance storage connectivity in 68xxx-based computer architectures. This module bridges SMD-compatible disk drives to VMEbus systems, delivering burst transfers at 30 Mbytes/second and sustained throughput between 4 and 7.5 Mbytes/second. It manages up to four concurrent drive operations with intelligent head motion optimization and supports multiple formatting modes including spiral formatting with inter-track and inter-cylinder skewing.
Technical Specifications
• VMEbus transfer rate: 30 Mbytes/second maximum
• Disk drive interface rate: 24 MHz (SMD)
• Cache throughput: 6 Mbytes/second
• Sustained data throughput: 4–7.5 Mbytes/second
• Data transfer widths: 8, 16, or 32-bit
• Address widths: 24 or 32-bit
• Maximum concurrent drives: four SMD, SMD-E, or HSMD drives
• Internal registers: 58 for configuration and status control
• Local interrupt lines: seven with 8-level priority encoding
• Total interrupts mapped: 29 through VIC068A controller
• VMEbus timing: internal digital delay line with 1/2-clock granularity
• Programmable metastability delay and data acquisition delays
• Timeout timers for local bus and VMEbus transactions
• Block transfer support: interleaved over VMEbus
• DMA capability: local bus master with programmable burst count, transfer length, and interleaved period interval
• Arbitration modes: single-level, priority, round robin with fair request option
– Key Features
• Full VMEbus master/slave capability with complete interrupt support (interrupter and handler)
• Direct connection to 68xxx processors; mappable to non-68xxx architectures
• Supports read, write, write posting, and block transfers
• Proprietary gate arrays optimize system bus utilization
• Intelligent disk drive control for head motion optimization and access minimization
• Overlapped seeks across concurrent drive operations
– Compatibility & Integration
Designed for VME-based systems requiring high-bandwidth storage interfacing. Compatible with SMD-family disk drives. Integrates with 68xxx processor families through direct connection or non-68xxx systems via address mapping.
