Abaco Systems / SBS P32F-1-3 PCI Bus to VMEbus Adapter (PCI Card Only)

The Abaco Systems P32F-1-3 is a PCI-to-VMEbus adapter card that bridges two distinct bus architectures, enabling bi-directional communication and unified system operation. It maps VMEbus address space transparently into the PCI host bus address space, handling memory and I/O translation directly in hardware without software overhead. The adapter supports dual bus mastership, high-speed DMA transfers up to 35 MB/s, and can function as a VME system controller when installed in slot 1, eliminating the need for separate controller hardware.

Technical Specifications

• Bus Interface: PCI to VMEbus


• Form Factor: 6U VMEbus card


• Compliance: IEEE 1014C


• Power Requirements: 3.5 A at 5 V; +3.3 VDC


• Optional Shared Memory: Up to 8 MBytes dual port RAM

Key Features

• Bi-Directional Bus Mastership

Enables independent bus control from both PCI and VMEbus sides

Transparent Memory and I/O Mapping

Maps discontiguous remote addresses to contiguous local addresses without processor intervention

Direct Memory Access (DMA)

Up to 35 MB/s transfer rate with 4 to 16 MByte block sizes; supports dual port RAM mode

Interrupt Handling

Seven VME interrupts passed directly between buses; eliminates polling; includes programmed and error interrupts

VME System Controller Mode

Provides VME clock, system reset, and bus error timeout; supports four-level priority, four-level round-robin, or single-level arbitration

Independent Bus Operation

Timing linked only during active transfers; no bandwidth impact during idle periods

Data Checking

Interface validation between cards

• Low Latency - 1.8 µsec latency across cable

Typical Applications Legacy VMEbus system integration with modern PCI architectures; embedded real-time systems requiring independent bus isolation; applications demanding DMA-accelerated inter-system communication.

Compatibility & Integration Connects directly to PCI host systems and VMEbus backplanes. Operates as a 6U VMEbus card. Optional dual port RAM supports direct memory access without bus contention.