Abaco Systems / SBS V32F-3 VMEbus to PCI Bus Adapter with DMA (VME Card Only)

The Abaco Systems SBS V32F-3 is a VMEbus to PCI bus adapter that bridges two distinct bus architectures, enabling transparent address space extension and bidirectional bus mastership. The card integrates a DMA controller for high-speed inter-bus data transfer and can function as a VME System Controller when installed in slot 1, eliminating the need for separate system management hardware.

– Technical Specifications

Bus Interface: VMEbus to PCI Bus

DMA Performance: 35 MB/s in controller mode with minimal processor overhead.

Memory Configuration: Optional dual-port shared RAM up to 8 MB, accessible independently without occupying the opposite bus.

Memory and I/O Mapping: Transparent address mapping translates contiguous local addresses to discontiguous remote addresses across buses. Bidirectional bus mastership enables mapping from both VMEbus and PCI sides. Once configured, mapping operations occur entirely in hardware with zero software overhead. C language pointer access to remote resources is supported.

Bus Arbitration: Four-level priority arbitration, four-level round-robin arbitration, and single-level arbitration modes.

VME System Controller Functions: Provides VME system clock and system reset. Includes bus error global timeout functionality. Capable of remote VME bus reset for fault recovery.

Interrupt Routing: Direct interrupt pass-through between buses. All seven VME interrupt levels can be monitored and acknowledged from the host system.

– Key Features

• Dual-port RAM option eliminates cross-bus memory contention
• Contiguous-to-discontiguous address remapping through hardware
• DMA support for both mapped memory and dual-port RAM
• VME system clock and reset provisioning
• Multi-level priority and round-robin arbitration
• Asynchronous VME interrupt handling at all seven levels

– Typical Applications

Legacy VMEbus system modernization, real-time hybrid computing environments, distributed control systems requiring deterministic inter-processor communication, and VME-based instrumentation requiring PCI peripheral integration.

– Compatibility & Integration

This VME card half integrates into GE Fanuc 618-3 and 620-3 series systems. Operates as a standalone VME adapter or as a system controller when slot 1 installation is available.