Abaco Systems / VMIC VMIVME-4120-000 16-Channel D/A Current or Voltage Output Board

The Abaco Systems / VMIC VMIVME-4120-000 is a 16-channel Digital-to-Analog (D/A) output board for VMEbus systems. It delivers high-resolution 12-bit analog outputs configurable via jumper selection for either voltage or current operation. The board is housed in a double-height 6U Eurocard form factor and complies with VMEbus specification ANSI/IEEE STD 1014-1987 and IEC 821 and 297.

All 16 channels settle to 1 LSB within 1.7 ms maximum, supporting both default and fast refresh rates to accommodate demanding control and simulation requirements.

Technical Specifications

• 16 channels, 12-bit resolution


• Maximum settling time to 1 LSB: 1.7 ms (voltage and current)


• Refresh rates: 588 Hz (default, settling to 0.01 percent) or 1,600 Hz fast mode (settling to 0.2 dB or 2.3 percent) Voltage Output Ranges (Jumper-Selectable)


• Unipolar: 0 to +5 V, 0 to +10 V


• Bipolar: ±2.5 V, ±5.0 V, ±10.0 V


• Total error: ±0.05 percent of full-scale range


• Output impedance: 0.33 Ω


• Output load current: 5 mA maximum at full accuracy


• Monotonic over full temperature range


• Short-circuit protection: indefinite to common; momentary to ±25 V


• Accepts straight binary and offset binary codes Current Output Ranges (Jumper-Selectable)


• 4 to 20 mA, 0 to 20 mA, 5 to 25 mA (additional ranges: 4 to 12 mA, 0 to 10 mA, 5 to 15 mA)


• Nonlinearity: 0.01 percent of span


• Initial offset error: 7 µA


• Offset versus temperature: 0.0005 percent of span/°C


• Initial span error: 0.05 percent of span


• Span error versus temperature: 0.0025 percent of span/°C


• Load resistance: 600 Ω maximum at 20 mA; 480 Ω maximum at 25 mA Interfaces and Power


• VME P1 and P2 connectors (VMEbus)


• Output connector: P3 (32-pin DIN) front panel


• Power: 2.5 A typical at +5 VDC; 4.0 A maximum at +5 VDC


• Reset behavior: All outputs disconnected at power-up or reset; current outputs set to minimum selected range value

Key Features

• Jumper-configurable voltage or current outputs eliminate circuit board redesign


• Multiple selectable ranges provide flexibility across industrial control, test automation, and simulation platforms


• Guaranteed monotonicity ensures predictable D/A conversion across temperature extremes


• Dual refresh rates balance update speed with settling accuracy

Typical Applications Industrial process control, automated test equipment, hardware-in-the-loop simulation, multi-channel instrumentation.

Compatibility & Integration Designed for VMEbus-based systems requiring ANSI/IEEE STD 1014-1987 and IEC 821 and 297 compliance. Supports address modifier codes for nonprivileged and supervisory short I/O operations.