OmniBus VME™ Interface for Serial

Description

Ballard's OmniBus products connect computers or networks to one or more avionics databuses or other interfaces. OmniBus Serial refers to RS-422, RS-232, and RS-423 serial capabilities available for all OmniBus platforms. Separate web pages provide information on OmniBus platforms (PCI, cPCI, VME, USB/Ethernet) and protocols (MIL-STD-1553, ARINC 429, ARINC 708, ARINC 717, CSDB, and discrete IO).

OmniBus products are built around an intelligent platform that can host one or more protocol modules. This flexible architecture accommodates mixed protocols, high channel counts, and unsurpassed processing power. An on-board PowerPC® processor can be programmed by the user to offload the host or for stand-alone operation. Each module has its own DSP dedicated to protocol processing.

OmniBus Serial products are used to interface with equipment using RS-422, RS-232, and RS-423 asynchronous communications. OmniBus Serial modules have four independent universal asynchronous receiver transmitters (UARTs), each having one transmitter and one receiver. A combination of software programming and connection wiring configures each port for balanced RS-422 or for unbalanced RS-232 or RS-423. User software controls the baud rate, word encoding, and other parameters. Each transmitter and receiver has a large 4 Kbyte FIFO with a programmable threshold for event triggering. Software can interact with the interface through polling or interrupts. The OmniBus Serial page contains complete information on serial functionality for OmniBus products.

ARINC 429 channels may be combined with OmniBus Serial ports on the same module. Applications for OmniBus products include testing, simulation, and operational uses of avionics databuses. The high channel count, multi-terminal capability, and on-board PowerPC processor provide the power necessary for flight simulators and system integration laboratories. An OmniBus product may also be used as a data server or as a stand-alone converter from one protocol to another.

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Example Configurations

Serial Configurations for 2 Modules

• Up to 8 Serial UARTs
• 8 Serial UARTs plus 8R/8T ARINC 429 channels
• 4 Serial UARTs plus 12R/12T ARINC 429 channels
• 4 Serial UARTs plus 4R/4T ARINC 429 channels and 2R/2T ARINC 708 channels
• 4 Serial UARTs plus 4R/4T ARINC 429 channels and 1 or 2 MIL-STD-1553 channels

• Up to 16 Serial UARTs
• 4 Serial UARTs plus 28R/28T ARINC 429 channels
• 4 Serial UARTs plus 8R/8T ARINC 429 channels plus 4R/4T ARINC 717 channels plus 2T/2T ARINC 708 channels and 1 or 2 MIL-STD-1553 channels

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Software

The easiest way to operate an OmniBus VME card is with Ballard's CoPilot software running on a Windows computer. CoPilot is an intuitive, interactive program that simplifies the simulation and testing of avionics systems. CoPilot auto-detection, engineering units conversion, and other features increase user productivity. The Plus version of CoPilot adds graphical displays, a powerful scripting engine, and playback. Because CoPilot can host multiple devices, channels, and databuses (MIL-STD-1553, ARINC 429, ARINC 708, and serial), it is the ideal tool for OmniBus. CoPilot may be purchased separately or bundled with OmniBus hardware.

Software developers can use the Application Program Interface (API) to quickly develop an application. Although each OmniBus product can be easily configured and run with only a few API calls, the comprehensive library includes a broad range of functions for specialized needs. All OmniBus products run Ballard's universal BTIDriver™ API, so applications developed for one platform or product can be easily ported to another.

Windows 2000/XP drivers are included as well as source-level drivers for interfacing to the OmniBus VME board. A software development kit (SDK) is available to implement applications for the on-board PowerPC processor. Contact Ballard for availability of drivers for other operating systems (Linux, VxWorks®, etc.).

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Ordering Information

The OmniBus VME card can be ordered in many combinations of modules and features. The complete order number for an OmniBus VME card is a combination of the main model number, module number(s), and options. Ballard Technology also offers a variety of cables and other accessories that interface with our products as well as various databuses. Please contact Ballard Technology for specific ordering information.

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