VMIVME-4150 is a 12-bit analog output board
The VMIVME-4150 is a 12-bit Analog Output Board which provides 12þisolated high
quality 12-bit analog output channels on a single 6U form factor VMEbus board. Each
channel is electrically isolated from all other channels and from the VMEbus. Listed
below are some features of the VMIVME-4150 :
• 12 fully isolated analog outputs
• 1.000 Vpk isolation, channel-to-channel and channel-to-bus
• 12-bit resolution
• Bipolar voltage output ranges selectable as ±2.5. ±5. or ±10 V
• Unipolar voltage output ranges selectable as 0 to 2.5 V, 0 to 5 V, or 0þtoþ10 V
• 10 mA load capacity for voltage outputs over full ±10 V range
• Available with 4 to 20. 0 to 20. or 5 to 25 mA current loop outputs
• 0.05 percent accuracy for voltage outputs, 0.08 percent for current loop outputs
• 4. 8. or 12-channel configurations
• Optical data coupling provides full galvanic isolation
• Static readback data registers simplify program control
• Front panel access for field connections
• Program-controlled connect/disconnect operation of voltage outputs facilitates
system testing
The VMIVME-4150 internal organization is illustrated in the functional block diagram
shown in Figure 1.2-1. The board will operate with sustained isolation voltages as
high as 1.000 Vpk. Bipolar output voltage ranges are selectable as ±2.5. ±5. or ±10þV.
Unipolar output voltage ranges are selectable as 0 to 2.5 V, 0 to 5 V, or 0þtoþ10þV, and
full 10þmA loading is supported throughout these ranges. 4. 8. or 12 channel
configurations are available.
Voltage outputs may be disconnected under program control during system testing,
and are disconnected automatically during reset. Optional current-mode outputs
support applications that require standard 4 to 20. 0 to 20. or 5 to 25 mA analog
current loops. Compliance of the current mode outputs is 9 V if the loop supply
originates on the board, or 27 V with an external loop power supply. A front panel
LED (Fail) is provided. The LED light is on during system reset and can be turned
OFF under user software control.
Optical data coupling, serial data transfers, and isolated D/A converters are used to
produce twelve galvanically isolated analog output channels. Each channel contains
a serial 12-bit Digital-to-Analog (D/A) converter which generates a signal voltage in
response to commands from the VMEbus. The D/A converter voltage then drives an
output module which is factory configured for a specific voltage or current output
option. Power for each channel is supplied as ±15 VDC by an isolated DC/DC
converter. A functional block diagram of the VMIVME-4150 board is shown in
Figure 1-1 on page 19.
VMIVME-4150
VMEbus Interface
Communications with the VMEbus is controlled with a single Electrically
Programmable Logic Device (EPLD), as shown in Figure 1-1 on page 19. Data and
control registers are distributed among three Channel-Control EPLD’s. The control
logic EPLD responds to data transfer requests from the VMEbus, and directs the flow
of data between the bus and the internal data and control registers. Data Transfer
Acknowledge (DTACK*) is generated when a transfer from the bus has been
completed, or when data is ready to be transferred to the bus. Transfers proceed
normally if address pipelining is present, but the board will respond only to the first
address in the pipeline sequence. The VMEbus interface logic will not respond to
transfer requests in which the BERR*, DTACK*, LWORD*, or IACK* control line is
asserted.
VMIVME-4150
Channel Control
Control of data transfer to the output D/A converters is partitioned into three
identical 4-channel groups, with a single EPLD assigned to each group. This method
of partitioning permits the board to be populated with only those devices required to
support the 4. 8. or 12-channel optional configuration.
As shown in Figure 1-1 on page 19. the EPLD which controls channels 00 through 03
also contains the Board Identification Register (BIR) and part of the Control/Status
register (CSR). This EPLD detects the presence of one or both of the other two
channel-control EPLD’s, and adjusts the distribution of the CSR accordingly.
Each channel-control EPLD contains four data registers which receive the channel
data words from the VMEbus, and provides an independent data serializer for each
channel. Figure 1-2 on page 20 illustrates the movement of data within a single
control channel. A data transfer to any 16-bit channel data register from the bus
initiates the serializing process which moves the data to the serial output D/A
converter. Data in each register is right-justified with 12 significant bits.
Only the 12 significant data bits in each channel are serialized for transfer to the
associated D/A converter. The three digital signals required to produce the transfer
are shown in Figure 1-3 on page 20. The board selection (BDSEL L) initiates the
transfer sequence. The CLOCK line provides the primary timing, and clocks the
information present on the DATA line into the serial D/A converter, MSB first
through LSB last. The output of the converter does not change during the serial
transfer. When the serial transfer has been completed, the LOAD signal performs a
parallel transfer of data to an output latch in the converter, and the output voltage
responds to the new data.