Abaco Systems / VMIC VMIPCI-5588-401 High-Speed Fiber-Optic 1.2 Gbaud Reflective Memory with Interrupts

The Abaco Systems VMIPCI-5588-401 is a high-speed fiber-optic reflective memory PCI card operating at 1.2 Gbaud serial communication rate. This single-slot 5 V PCI card enables deterministic, synchronized data sharing across up to 256 networked nodes by automatically mirroring memory writes across all connected systems. The architecture eliminates processor overhead during network operation, making it ideal for real-time embedded systems demanding low-latency data coherence.

Technical Specifications

• Network Speed: 1.2 Gbaud serially over fiber-optic


• On-Board Memory: 4 MB; series supports 256 Kbyte to 16 Mbyte configurations


• Maximum Network Nodes: Up to 256


• Maximum Node Separation: 10,000 meters (single-mode fiber); 1,000 feet (multimode fiber)


• Data Transfer Rate: 29.5 Mbyte/s standard; 14.8 Mbyte/s with redundant transfer mode


• PCI Target Burst Rate: Up to 44 Mbyte/s


• PCI Master DMA: Up to 132 Mbyte/s maximum; 33 Mbyte/s sustained; 44 Mbyte/s standard


• Memory Configuration: Supports block protection via software control


• Fiber Type: Multimode fiber (Tx/Rx); single-mode fiber option for extended distance


• Connectors: ST/PC fiber-optic connectors


• PCI Interface: 5 V, single slot, standard length

Key Features

• Hardware interrupt generation to single nodes or entire network via single command


• Error detection and redundant transmission mode for error suppression


• Zero processor involvement for network operations


• Configurable endian conversions supporting multiple CPU architectures


• Software-addressable digital output for optical switch integration or custom signaling

Typical Applications Real-time systems requiring synchronized multi-node memory access, deterministic inter-process communication, and high-bandwidth reflective memory networks.

Compatibility & Integration Interoperable with VMIVME-5588 and VMICPCI-5588 series products. Device drivers and IP stack support provided for Windows NT environments (VMIPCI/SW-RFM1).