I/O boards from GE enhance functional density

According to the company, The VME-6500 6U multi function I/O board can deliver in a single chassis slot the analogue and digital I/O capabilities that could previously have occupied four slots, and can therefore make a significant contribution to enhanced performance and functional density. The board is said to respond to the requirement to place data acquisition hardware as close as possible to the sensors with its ability to operate over wide temperature ranges and to withstand shock and vibration. Features include eight analogue input channels, eight analogue output channels, 16 digital input channels and 16 digital output channels. Each analogue input channel is equipped with a 16bit ADC (analogue to digital converter), and each analogue output channel with a 16bit DAC (digital to analogue converter). Analogue inputs are software programmable to provide flexibility in sample rates, gains, filters and current ranges. Analogue outputs are similarly flexible with programmable voltage and current rates, together with waveform generation. According to GE, digital input channels are capable of multiple voltages and current ranges, and feature programmable input thresholds and de-bounce times. Digital outputs are claimed to support high voltage and current drivers, and are protected for short circuit, over current and over temperature conditions.