VM-USB VME Controller with USB-2 interface
VM-USB VME Controller with USB-2 interface
The VM-USB is a VME master with high speed USB2 interface. Enhanced functionality is given by the programmable internal FPGA logic which provides a VME command sequencer with 4kB stack and 28kB data buffer. Combined with the 4 front panel I/O ports this allows VME operation and data acquisition / buffering without any PC or USB activity.
All VM-USB logic is controlled by the XILINX Spartan 3 family FPGA. Upon power-up the FPGA boots from a flash memory. The configuration flash memory can be reprogrammed via the USB port, allowing convenient updates of the firmware.
Main features
- Low-cost FPGA based VME master with high speed USB2 interface, auto-selecting USB2/USB1
- 4 user-programmable NIM/TTL I/O port (LEMO) with pre-defined functions as trigger, counter, gate and delay generator, pulser, time stamp
- Built in VME list sequencer for DAQ readout mode, readout triggered either via USB link, IRQ, or by a trigger signal into NIM input
- system controller capability with slot-one bus arbitration and/or interrupt handling.
- Full interrupt capability, VM-USB responds to all 7 interrupt requests IRQ1-7 and can generate any of the 7 interrupts.
- All logical operations are performed by a Spartan 3 series FPGA (XC3S400)
- 4 firmware / configurations selectable on front panel rotary switch for FPGA boot upon power-up, all four sectors of the firmware / configuration flash are reprogrammable via USB.
- 2 NIM/TTL input and 2 NIM/TTL output ports with user-programmable functionality including trigger, counter, delay-gate-generator, pulser.
- 4 user-programmable diagnostic LED's
- VME sequencer: Internal FPGA can be programmed to operate as command sequencer with 4kB command stack and 28kB for data buffering (FIFO or dual-port RAM), stack is programmable via USB or VME.
- Read-out modes
- Single word transfer D16, D24, D32, block mode BLT
- Addressing modes A16, A24, A32
- Autonomous (intelligent) readout pursuant to user-programmed stack. May include conditional readout controlled by the content of a hit register. May include multiple, conditional command stacks, action triggered by either USB, VME or external signal
- Total block memory of 32-kBytes that can be divided between the data buffer (FIFO) with programmable level of transfer trigger and command stack in a way different from the default 28/4 split.
- Microsoft Windows (XP…W8 32-bit/64) and Linux support, LabView VI's (version 7.1 and higher),
- supported by scientific data acquisition software packages:
|
Item |
Description |
|
VM-USB |
VM-USB, USB cable, CD-ROM |
|
Specifications: |
|
|
Packaging |
single wide 6U VME module |
|
Interface |
USB2 / USB1 auto-detecting / ranging, Connector: USB type B |
|
Inputs |
2 user inputs, NIM / TTL level jumper selectable, LEMO connectors |
|
multiplexed, firmware dependent functionality |
|
Outputs |
2 multiplexed outputs for VME, USB and DAQ signals/ TTL level jumper selectable, LEMO connectors, function firmware dependent |
|
Display |
4 programmable User LED’s (green, red, green, yellow) |
|
3 USB status LED’s (USB1, USB2, Failure) |
|
VME master modes |
A16, A24, A32, D8, D16, D24, D32, BLT32, BLT16 |
|
System Controller |
bus arbiter and / or interrupt handler |
|
Firmware |
Software upgradeable, 4 firmware locations |
|
Selection via 8 position switch (P=program, C=use) |
|
Performance |
D32 via USB (EASY-VME): 128 kB/s |
|
D32 with data buffering: 9...13MB/s (depending on slave module) |
|
BLT: 10...15MB/s (depending on slave module) |
