Abaco Systems / VMIC VMIVME-5588DMA-400 Enhanced High-Speed DMA Fiber-Optic 1.2 Gbaud Reflective Memory with Interrupts

The VMIVME-5588DMA-400 is a high-speed DMA fiber-optic reflective memory board for VMEbus systems that enables transparent, real-time data sharing across distributed networks. Operating at 1.2 Gbaud serial data rate, this single-slot 6U module delivers network transfer rates of 29.5 Mbyte/s (non-redundant) or 14.8 Mbyte/s (redundant) while supporting up to 256 independent nodes. Direct Memory Access eliminates CPU overhead during block transfers, and configurable SDRAM from 256 Kbyte to 16 Mbyte accommodates diverse application requirements.

The board implements software-transparent data transfer with transmit and receive FIFOs to optimize performance during peak bandwidth demands. Node-to-node interrupts enable any system on the network to signal one or all connected nodes with a single command. Error detection and redundant transmission modes suppress communication faults in critical applications.

Technical Specifications

• Serial Data Rate: 1.2 Gbaud


• Network Transfer Rate (Non-Redundant): 29.5 Mbyte/s


• Network Transfer Rate (Redundant): 14.8 Mbyte/s


• Maximum Nodes: Up to 256 independent systems


• Configurable On-board SDRAM: 256 Kbyte to 16 Mbyte


• VMEbus Access: A24:A32:D64:D32:D16:D8 memory addressing


• Form Factor: Single-slot 6U VMEbus board

Key Features

• Direct Memory Access (DMA) support for block transfers with minimal CPU involvement


• Software-transparent data transfer requiring no explicit I/O overhead


• Transmit and receive FIFOs buffer data during peak throughput conditions


• Node-to-node interrupt capability with single-command distribution to all network nodes


• Error detection and redundant transmission mode for fault suppression


• Multimode fiber to 1,000 ft (300 m), single-mode fiber to 10 km (6.2 miles), and coaxial cable to 30 m connectivity options

Typical Applications Real-time distributed computing systems requiring low-latency, high-throughput inter-node communication across physically separated platforms.

Compatibility & Integration Supported on Solaris 2.x, SGI IRIX 4.x and 6.x, VxWorks, and DEC UNIX 4.x. Windows NT integration available via GE Fanuc VMEbus CPU boards with VMISFT-9420. VMIVME/SW-RFM1 driver provides programmed I/O, DMA, and TCP/IP protocol support.