Abaco Systems / VMIC VMIVME-7589-936 Single-Slot Pentium Processor-Based VMEbus CPU

The Abaco Systems / VMIC VMIVME-7589-936 is a single-slot VMEbus CPU board engineered for industrial computing. Built around an Intel Pentium MMX processor running at 166–233 MHz, it delivers superscalar instruction execution with two pipelined integer units and dedicated floating-point capability. The board integrates a PCI-to-VMEbus bridge (Tundra Universe chip) for seamless connectivity within VMEbus Specification Rev.

C.1 systems.

Technical Specifications

• Processor: Intel Pentium MMX; 166–233 MHz; superscalar dual-issue architecture with separate instruction and data caches; 32-bit addressing, 64-bit data bus


• L2 Cache: 512 Kbyte synchronous burst static RAM with near-zero wait state operation


• System Memory: One 168-pin DIMM SDRAM module; up to 128 Mbyte; dual-ported to VMEbus


• Storage: 8 Mbyte flash memory (secondary IDE); 32 Kbyte battery-backed SRAM (ISA memory space)


• Graphics: Cirrus Logic CL-GD5480 PCI controller with 2 Mbyte synchronous DRAM; resolutions to 1,500 × 1,200 × 256 colors, 1,280 × 1,024 × 256 colors, or 800 × 600 × 16M colors (non-interlaced)


• Networking: DEC 21143 PCI Ethernet; 10BaseT and 100BaseTX via RJ45


• Serial Interfaces: Two 16550-compatible channels, front-panel mounted, 16-byte FIFO, up to 56 kHz baud rate


• Parallel Port: Enhanced parallel port, front-panel accessible


• Firmware: System and video BIOS in reprogrammable flash; boot-from-flash option


• Peripherals: PS/2 keyboard and mouse or dual USB connectors (configurable); small speaker for PC/AT audio


• Front Panel: Reset switch; status LEDs for +5 V power, VMEbus SYSFAIL, IDE activity, LAN activity, and LAN mode indication

Key Features

• Single VMEbus slot form factor


• Dynamic branch prediction and instruction/data cache hierarchy


• SRAM contents preserved across power loss


• PCI-to-VMEbus bridge architecture

Typical Applications Industrial control, embedded computing in VMEbus systems, and real-time signal processing where Pentium-class performance and VMEbus integration are required.

Compatibility & Integration Complies with VMEbus Specification Rev. C.1. SDRAM DIMM compatibility with standard 168-pin modules. Front-panel serial and parallel connections require VMIACC-0045 adapters or equivalent connectors.