Astronics / Ballard Technology PC1553-3C MIL-STD-1553 Interface

The Astronics/Ballard Technology PC1553-3C is a MIL-STD-1553B interface card for ISA-based IBM-PC/AT systems, enabling avionics, military, and aerospace applications to interface with MIL-STD-1553 buses. The card provides dual-redundant channels supporting concurrent operation as bus controller, remote terminal, or monitor, with integrated error injection and extensive monitoring capabilities.

## Technical Specifications

• **Interface:** MIL-STD-1553B
• **Host Bus:** ISA (IBM-PC/AT compatible)
• **Channels:** Dual-redundant MIL-STD-1553
• **On-board RAM:** 256 KB to 1 MB (configuration dependent)
• **Time-Stamp:** Programmable 32-bit
• **Characteristic Impedance:** 70.0 to 85.0 ohms at 1.0 MHz (per MIL-STD-1553B)
• **Discrete I/O:** 8 avionics-level input/output discretes
• **Connectors:** BNC front connectors (select variants)
• **Dimensions:** 3.0 × 4.45 × 0.97 inches (76 × 113 × 25 mm)
• **Weight:** Under 5 oz (140 g)

## Key Features

• Supports all MIL-STD-1553 message types
• Single and multiple terminal configurations
• Error injection capability (advanced models)
• Transformer and direct-coupled stub options; transformer coupling required for Army/Air Force applications, optional for Navy
• Power on/off noise: ±250 mV peak line-to-line (transformer coupled), ±90 mV peak line-to-line (direct coupled)
• Unused terminal connections feature minimum 75% shielding coverage

## Compatibility & Integration

• Windows, Linux, and Solaris OS driver support
• Universal BTIDriver API for C/C++, C#, VB, VB.NET, and LabVIEW
• Software compatible with PC1553-2
• Translation DLLs available for legacy Ballard devices
• Optional CoPilot analysis and test software

**Note:** The PC1553-3C is obsolete per manufacturer status; availability through third-party suppliers may vary.