GE VMIVME-4116 3U VMEbus High-Density Analog Output Module

Description

The GE VMIVME-4116 anchors the analog output stratum in VME hierarchies, a double-height board that performs 16-bit D/A conversion on eight independent channels using monolithic DACs, interfacing via the VME P1/P2 backplane for data transfer from host CPUs or A/D siblings at up to 1 MB/s burst rates. It populates in slots 1-21 of standard crates, drawing +5 V system power to energize logic and ±15 V for analog sections, where double-buffered latches capture update strobes to synchronize outputs, preventing glitches during multi-channel writes. In flow, it accepts offset binary words via VMEbus reads/writes, applies gain/offset calibration (±1/2 LSB typical), then buffers signals through voltage op-amps to P3 connectors, achieving differential linearity under ±0.003% FSR while routing any channel to a test bus for backend verification with VMIC ADCs.

This board slots into the I/O periphery of automation stacks, pairing with VMIVME-4130 input mates for closed-loop control or PMC carriers for FPGA extensions, supporting self-diagnostics through mode bits that zero outputs on reset or enable test patterns for settling validation. The GE VMIVME-4116 thrives in forced-air-cooled enclosures, with jumper-selectable modes for unipolar/bipolar operation and its low crosstalk (<-90 dB) suiting multi-axis motion in HIL rigs. Rated for mechanical endurance in 5g vibes, it implicitly aids protocols like VxWorks message queues for timed updates, fitting hybrid VME/Ethernet setups via host bridges. By democratizing DAC dominion—simplifying calibration with onboard pots—it fluidizes the signal chain, from setpoint broadcasts to waveform generation, empowering engineers to sculpt responses with surgical grace rather than wrestle with ripple quirk