Abaco Systems / VMIC VMIVME-6016-000 16-Channel Intelligent Asynchronous Serial Controller

The Abaco Systems VMIVME-6016-000 is a single-slot, 6U Eurocard VMEbus serial controller that manages 16 independent asynchronous channels with an on-board 25 MHz zero-wait-state 68020 microprocessor. The dedicated processor handles all character I/O and buffering, reducing host overhead. Each channel operates at independently programmable baud rates from 50 to 38,400 bit/s, delivering aggregate throughput up to 300,000 bits per second using on-board ring buffers.

Technical Specifications

• 16-channel asynchronous serial controller, single-slot 6U form factor


• On-board 25 MHz zero-wait-state 68020 microprocessor


• Baud rate range: 50 to 38,400 bit/s per channel (independently programmable)


• Aggregate throughput: 300,000 bits per second (30,000 characters per second)


• VMEbus interface controller: VIC068 with jumper-enabled system controller functions


• VMEbus compliance: ANSI/IEEE STD 1014-1987, IEC 821 and 297


• RS-232 compatible signal levels


• Front panel: RJ-11 6-pin telecom jacks (one per channel)

Key Features

• Dedicated ring buffers on-board for transmit and receive with programmable sizing per channel


• User buffer configuration: ring or linear format, on-board or VMEbus global memory resident


• Configurable total user buffer space: 128, 256, 512, or 1,024 Kbyte


• Flow control modes: XON/XOFF, any/XOFF, CTS/RTS, user-defined character


• Programmable interrupt priority, level, and vectors


• Interrupt triggering: end-of-buffer, user-defined character, receive timeout, flow control, transmit complete


• BREAK signal generation and detection with programmable duration


• Error reporting: parity, framing, overrun, break, and flow control errors


• Per-channel signaling: RXD, TXD, RTS, CTS, DCD, and signal ground

Typical Applications Industrial automation environments requiring high-channel-density serial connectivity with minimal host processor involvement. Data acquisition systems demanding configurable buffering and flow control across multiple independent asynchronous ports.

Compatibility & Integration VMEbus master access supports MA32:MBLT32 with optional MBLT capability (VME64 compatible). Operates within standard VMEbus electrical and mechanical specifications.