Page Content
A429-IPM
Intelligent ARINC 429 IndustryPack® IP Module
Product Highlights
- 2 Tx and 4 Rx channels
- On-module computing resources (20 MHz CPU, 1MB RAM | EPROM) for maximum performance
- Modular IP concept – common user interface for PC104, ISA, PCI, cPCI, VME, VXI or PXI platforms
- Already used in airborne controllers (Internet server)
- Extensive firmware functions for any kind of ARINC 429 application
Application Scope
Avionics maintenance, lab testing, integration and troubleshooting require multi-I/O equipment which offers highest performance as well as large-scale flexibility. Modern avionics equipment uses different types of analog and discrete I/O in combination with a variety of serial bus communication protocols like RS-232/422/485, ARINC 429/629 or MIL-STD-1553. In order to integrate various I/O types on a single interface card (e.g. VME, VXI, PCI or PC/104 AT-bus card) the so-called IP standard (IndustryPack®) provides the perfect solution. The entire range starting from low-cost PC-based ATEs (Automated Test Equipment) or STTE (Special-to-Type Test Equipment) up to high-end VME or VXI Simulation Systems benefit from the IP Module concept since it allows combining different interface types on a single carrier board.
IndustryPack® Standard
Different from the numerous proprietary “daughter module” concepts, the IP standard formally defines the mechanical, host bus electrical, and logical definition of I/O space, memory space, identification space, interrupts and reset functions. Standard IndustryPack® carrier boards typically have 2 or 4 single-size IP slots (up to 6 possible).
Intelligent A429IPM
TechSAT’s intelligent A429IPM ARINC 429 IP Module features 2 non-multiplexed Tx and 4 Rx channels. Standard ARINC 429 industry chip sets are used. The heart of the A429IPM is its 20 MHz SAB C165 Microcontroller. Together with the 1 MByte on-module SRAM and the 1 MByte Flash EEPROM the microcontroller takes care of all real-time bus-handling tasks such as maintaining refresh rates, updating dynamic data, filtering and buffering receive data. The host carrier is relieved from any of these bus-related tasks and thus can focus on the application itself. The on-module intelligence allows employing the A429IPM even on dumb, non-intelligent low-cost carrier boards for any kind of backplane, including PC/104, ISA, PCI, VME and even VXI. The A429IPM can operate together with other IndustryPack® modules on the same carrier board. In addition to the ARINC 429 channels a total of 2 configurable I/O signals (timers, interrupts, discrete IN/OUT) are integrated. They can be accessed via the 50-pin I/O signal connector. A 1 Hz synchronization I/O signal is provided, either as master or slave.
A429IPM Firmware / Software
The A429IPM firmware can be either downloaded into the RAM or stored in the Flash EEPROM. It features more than 50 functional interface modules. Starting from simple functions such as a configuration command up to enhanced dynamic data update functions such as the autonomous sine/ramp/list functions, any functional entity is represented by an individual interface function. The software interface is available for Windows XP, 2000, NT, ME, 98 / 95 (driver and/or DLL), and DOS (static libraries) and for numerous carriers. General functions to access IP resources (I/O space, ID space and memory spare) for any type of IP module are part of the interface software. On request the A429IPM firmware can be customized for specific applications. Easy field upgrade of the A429IPM firmware is provided.
Mechanical Outline
The A429PCI assembly consists of a standard desktop full length PCI interface board that can hold up to 4 intelligent ARINC 429 IP modules (or 6 on its extended version). The user selects 1 of 4 fixed addresses on the PCI bus. The 50 l/O-lines of each module are brought out on its own 50-pin 0.1 inch flat cable connector. Each IP slot is fused individually.
