NI VME-MXI-2 User manual

VME-MXI-2
User Manual
January 1996 Edition
Part Number 321071A-01
© Copyright 1996 National Instruments Corporation.
All Rights Reserved.

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Important Information
Warranty
The VME-MXI-2 is warranted against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of one year from the
date of shipment, as evidenced by receipts or other documentation. National Instruments will, at its option,
repair or replace equipment that proves to be defective during the warranty period. This warranty includes
parts and labor.
The media on which you receive National Instruments software are warranted not to fail to execute
programming instructions, due to defects in materials and workmanship, for a period of 90 days from date of
shipment, as evidenced by receipts or other documentation. National Instruments will, at its option, repair
or replace software media that do not execute programming instructions if National Instruments receives
notice of such defects during the warranty period. National Instruments does not warrant that the operation
of the software shall be uninterrupted or error free.
A Return Material Authorization (RMA) number must be obtained from the factory and clearly marked on
the outside of the package before any equipment will be accepted for warranty work. National Instruments
will pay the shipping costs of returning to the owner parts which are covered by warranty.
National Instruments believes that the information in this manual is accurate. The document has been
carefully reviewed for technical accuracy. In the event that technical or typographical errors exist, National
Instruments reserves the right to make changes to subsequent editions of this document without prior
notice to holders of this edition. The reader should consult National Instruments if errors are suspected. In
no event shall National Instruments be liable for any damages arising out of or related to this document or
the information contained in it.
EXCEPT AS SPECIFIED HEREIN, NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS
OR IMPLIED, AND SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. CUSTOMER’S RIGHT TO RECOVER DAMAGES CAUSED
BY FAULT OR NEGLIGENCE ON THE PART OF NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS SHALL BE LIMITED TO
THE AMOUNT THERETOFORE PAID BY THE CUSTOMER. NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS WILL NOT BE
LIABLE FOR DAMAGES RESULTING FROM LOSS OF DATA, PROFITS, USE OF PRODUCTS, OR
INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY THEREOF.
This limitation of the liability of National Instruments will apply regardless of the form of action, whether in
contract or tort, including negligence. Any action against National Instruments must be brought within one
year after the cause of action accrues. National Instruments shall not be liable for any delay in performance
due to causes beyond its reasonable control. The warranty provided herein does not cover damages,
defects, malfunctions, or service failures caused by owner’s failure to follow the National Instruments
installation, operation, or maintenance instructions; owner’s modification of the product; owner’s abuse,
misuse, or negligent acts; and power failure or surges, fire, flood, accident, actions of third parties, or other
events outside reasonable control.
Copyright
Under the copyright laws, this publication may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form, electronic or
mechanical, including photocopying, recording, storing in an information retrieval system, or translating, in
whole or in part, without the prior written consent of National Instruments Corporation.
Trademarks
NI-VXI™ is a trademark of National Instruments Corporation.
Product and company names listed are trademarks or trade names of their respective companies.
WARNING REGARDING MEDICAL AND CLINICAL USE OF NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS PRODUCTS
National Instruments products are not designed with components and testing intended to ensure a level of
reliability suitable for use in treatment and diagnosis of humans. Applications of National Instruments
products involving medical or clinical treatment can create a potential for accidental injury caused by product
failure, or by errors on the part of the user or application designer. Any use or application of National
Instruments products for or involving medical or clinical treatment must be performed by properly trained
and qualified medical personnel, and all traditional medical safeguards, equipment, and procedures that are
appropriate in the particular situation to prevent serious injury or death should always continue to be used
when National Instruments products are being used. National Instruments products are NOT intended to be
a substitute for any form of established process, procedure, or equipment used to monitor or safeguard
human health and safety in medical or clinical treatment.

FCC/DOC Radio Frequency
Interference Compliance
This equipment generates and uses radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in strict
accordance with the instructions in this manual, may cause interference to radio and television reception.
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the following two regulatory agencies:
Federal Communications Commission
This device complies with Part 15 of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Rules for a Class
A digital device. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful interference in commercial environments.
2. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired
operation.
Canadian Department of Communications
This device complies with the limits for radio noise emissions from digital apparatus set out in the Radio
Interference Regulations of the Canadian Department of Communications (DOC).
Le présent appareil numérique n’émet pas de bruits radioélectriques dépassant les limites applicables aux
appareils numériques de classe A prescrites dans le règlement sur le brouillage radioélectrique édicté par
le ministère des communications du Canada.
Instructions to Users
These regulations are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference from the
equipment to radio reception in commercial areas. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is
likely to cause harmful interference, in which case the user will be required to correct the interference at
his own expense.
There is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. However, the chances
of interference are much less if the equipment is installed and used according to this instruction manual.
If the equipment does cause interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by
turning the equipment on and off, one or more of the following suggestions may reduce or eliminate the
problem.
• Operate the equipment and the receiver on different branches of your AC electrical system.
• Move the equipment away from the receiver with which it is interfering.
• Reorient or relocate the receiver’s antenna.
• Be sure that the equipment is plugged into a grounded outlet and that the grounding has not been
defeated with a cheater plug.
Notice to user: Changes or modifications not expressly approved by National Instruments could
void the user’s authority to operate the equipment under the FCC Rules.
If necessary, consult National Instruments or an experienced radio/television technician for additional
suggestions. The following booklet prepared by the FCC may also be helpful: How to Identify and
Resolve Radio-TV Interference Problems. This booklet is available from the U.S. Government Printing
Office, Washington, DC 20402, Stock Number 004-000-00345-4.

© National Instruments Corporation v VME-MXI-2 User Manual
Table
of
Contents
About This Manual
Organization of This Manual........................................................................................xi
Conventions Used in This Manual................................................................................xiii
How to Use This Manual..............................................................................................xiii
Related Documentation ................................................................................................xiv
Customer Communication............................................................................................xiv
Chapter 1
Introduction
VME-MXI-2 Overview................................................................................................1-1
What You Need to Get Started .....................................................................................1-1
MXI-2 Description........................................................................................................1-2
VME-MXI-2 Description..............................................................................................1-2
Front Panel Features.......................................................................................1-5
Optional Equipment......................................................................................................1-5
Chapter 2
Functional Overview
VME-MXI-2 Functional Description ...........................................................................2-1
Chapter 3
VME-MXI-2 Configuration and Installation
Configure the VME-MXI-2..........................................................................................3-1
VMEbus A16 Base Address...........................................................................3-3
VME-MXI-2 Intermodule Signaling..............................................................3-4
MXIbus Termination......................................................................................3-6
Configuration EEPROM ................................................................................3-8
Onboard DRAM.............................................................................................3-10
Install the VME-MXI-2................................................................................................3-12
Connect the MXIbus Cable ..........................................................................................3-13

Table of Contents
VME-MXI-2 User Manual vi © National Instruments Corporation
Chapter 4
Register Descriptions
Hard and Soft Reset......................................................................................................4-1
Register Description Format.........................................................................................4-1
VXIbus Configuration Registers ..................................................................................4-2
VXIbus ID Register (VIDR) ..........................................................................4-4
VXIbus Device Type Register (VDTR).........................................................4-5
VXIbus Status Register (VSR).......................................................................4-6
VXIbus Control Register (VCR)....................................................................4-8
VXIbus Offset Register (VOR)......................................................................4-10
Extender Logical Address Window Register (VWR0)..................................4-11
Extender A16 Window Register (VWR1)......................................................4-13
Extender A24 Window Register (VWR2)......................................................4-15
Extender A32 Window Register (VWR3)......................................................4-17
VXIbus Interrupt Configuration Register (VICR) .........................................4-19
VXIbus Utility Configuration Register (VUCR) ...........................................4-21
VXIbus Subclass Register (VSCR)................................................................4-24
VME-MXI-2 Status Register (VMSR) ..........................................................4-25
VME-MXI-2 Control Register (VMCR)........................................................4-28
VMEbus Lock Register (VLR) ......................................................................4-31
VME-MXI-2 Logical Address Register (VLAR) ..........................................4-32
VMEbus Interrupt Status Register (VISTR)..................................................4-33
VMEbus Interrupt Control Register (VICTR) ...............................................4-35
VMEbus Status ID Register (VSIDR)............................................................4-37
VMEbus Interrupt Acknowledge Register 1 (VIAR1) ..................................4-38
VMEbus Interrupt Acknowledge Register 2 (VIAR2) ..................................4-39
VMEbus Interrupt Acknowledge Register 3 (VIAR3) ..................................4-40
VMEbus Interrupt Acknowledge Register 4 (VIAR4) ..................................4-41
VMEbus Interrupt Acknowledge Register 5 (VIAR5) ..................................4-42
VMEbus Interrupt Acknowledge Register 6 (VIAR6) ..................................4-43
VMEbus Interrupt Acknowledge Register 7 (VIAR7) ..................................4-44
VMEbus A24/A32 Registers........................................................................................4-45
DMA Interrupt Configuration Register (DMAICR)......................................4-47
DMA Interrupt Enable Register (DMAIER)..................................................4-50
DMA Interrupt Status/ID Register (DMAISIDR)..........................................4-52
VME-MXI-2 Status/Control Register 2 (VMSR2/VMCR2) .........................4-54
Shared MXIbus Status/Control Register (SMSR/SMCR)..............................4-56
DMA Channel Operation Register (CHORx)................................................4-60
DMA Channel Control Register (CHCRx)....................................................4-63
DMA Transfer Count Register (TCRx)..........................................................4-65
DMA Source Configuration Register (SCRx)................................................4-67
DMA Source Address Register (SARx).........................................................4-70
DMA Destination Configuration Register (DCRx)........................................4-72
DMA Destination Address Register (DARx).................................................4-75

Table of Contents
© National Instruments Corporation vii VME-MXI-2 User Manual
DMA Channel Status Register (CHSRx).......................................................4-77
DMA FIFO Count Register (FCRx)...............................................................4-80
Chapter 5
System Configuration
Planning a VMEbus/MXIbus System Logical Address Map.......................................5-2
Base/Size Configuration Format....................................................................5-4
High/Low Configuration Format....................................................................5-6
Steps to Follow When Planning a System Logical Address Map..................5-7
Worksheets for Planning Your VMEbus/MXIbus Logical Address Map....................5-16
Alternative Worksheets for Planning Your VMEbus/MXIbus Logical
Address Map.................................................................................................................5-21
Planning a VMEbus/MXIbus System A16 Address Map ............................................5-24
Worksheets for Planning Your VMEbus/MXIbus A16 Address Map .........................5-34
Multiframe RM Operation............................................................................................5-40
Configuring the Logical Address Window ....................................................5-40
Configuring the Logical Address Window Example.......................5-41
Configuring the A24 and A32 Addressing Windows ....................................5-44
Chapter 6
VXI
plug&play for the VME-MXI-2
VME-MXI-2 VXIplug&play Soft Front Panel ............................................................6-1
Installing the Soft Front Panel........................................................................6-1
Using the Soft Front Panel .............................................................................6-2
Board Settings ................................................................................................6-3
Logical Address Select and Logical Address ..................................6-3
Address Space and Requested Memory...........................................6-4
A16 Write Post and A24/A32 Write Post........................................6-4
Interlocked .......................................................................................6-5
VME Bus Settings..........................................................................................6-7
System Controller ............................................................................6-7
Bus Timeout.....................................................................................6-8
Arbiter Type.....................................................................................6-8
Arbiter Timeout................................................................................6-9
Fair Requester..................................................................................6-9
Request Level...................................................................................6-9
Transfer Limit..................................................................................6-9
Auto Retry........................................................................................6-10
MXI Bus Settings...........................................................................................6-10
System Controller ............................................................................6-11
Bus Timeout.....................................................................................6-11
Transfer Limit..................................................................................6-11
Auto Retry........................................................................................6-12

Table of Contents
VME-MXI-2 User Manual viii © National Instruments Corporation
Parity Checking................................................................................6-12
Fair Requester..................................................................................6-12
VME-MXI-2 VXIplug&play Knowledge Base File....................................................6-13
Appendix A
Specifications
Appendix B
Programmable Configurations
Appendix C
VME-MXI-2 Front Panel Configuration
Appendix D
Differences and Incompatibilities between the VME-MXI
and the VME-MXI-2
Appendix E
Configuring a Two-Frame System
Appendix F
DMA Programming Examples
Appendix G
Mnemonics Key
Appendix H
Customer Communication
Glossary
Index

Table of Contents
© National Instruments Corporation ix VME-MXI-2 User Manual
Figures
Figure 2-1. VME-MXI-2 Block Diagram................................................................2-2
Figure 3-1. VME-MXI-2 Parts Locator Diagram ....................................................3-2
Figure 3-2. A16 Base Address Selection..................................................................3-4
Figure 3-3. VME-MXI-2 Intermodule Signaling Settings.......................................3-5
Figure 3-4. MXIbus Termination.............................................................................3-7
Figure 3-5. EEPROM Operation..............................................................................3-9
Figure 3-6. SIMM Size Configuration .....................................................................3-10
Figure 3-7. MXI-2 Cable Configuration Using an External Device and
a VME-MXI-2.......................................................................................3-13
Figure 5-1. VMEbus/MXIbus System with Multiframe RM on a PC .....................5-3
Figure 5-2. VMEbus/MXIbus System with Multiframe RM in a VMEbus
Mainframe..............................................................................................5-3
Figure 5-3. Base and Size Combinations..................................................................5-5
Figure 5-4. Address Range Allocation for Different Size Values............................5-6
Figure 5-5. Example VMEbus/MXIbus System......................................................5-8
Figure 5-6. Logical Address Map Diagram for Example VMEbus/MXIbus
System....................................................................................................5-11
Figure 5-7. Worksheet 1: Summary of Example VMEbus/MXIbus System..........5-13
Figure 5-8. Worksheet 2 for MXIbus #1 of Example VMEbus/MXIbus System....5-14
Figure 5-9. Worksheet 3 for MXIbus #2 of Example VMEbus/MXIbus System....5-15
Figure 5-10. Worksheet 4 for MXIbus #3 of Example VMEbus/MXIbus System....5-15
Figure 5-11. Logical Address Map Diagram for Your VMEbus/MXIbus System....5-16
Figure 5-12. Worksheet 1: Summary of Your VMEbus/MXIbus System................5-17
Figure 5-13. Worksheet 2 for MXIbus #1 of Your VMEbus/MXIbus System..........5-18
Figure 5-14. Worksheet 3 for MXIbus #2 of Your VMEbus/MXIbus System..........5-19
Figure 5-15. Worksheet 4 for MXIbus #3 of Your VMEbus/MXIbus System..........5-20
Figure 5-16. Alternative Worksheet: Logical Address Map for Example
VMEbus/MXIbus System......................................................................5-22
Figure 5-17. Alternative Worksheet: Logical Address Map for Your
VMEbus/MXIbus System......................................................................5-23
Figure 5-18. A16 Space Allocations for all Size Values............................................5-25
Figure 5-19. Example VMEbus/MXIbus System Diagram .......................................5-28
Figure 5-20. Example A16 Space Address Map Diagram.........................................5-29
Figure 5-21. Worksheet 1: Summary of A16 Address Map Example ......................5-30
Figure 5-22. Worksheet 2 for MXIbus #1 of A16 Address Map Example................5-31
Figure 5-23. Worksheet 3 for MXIbus #3 of A16 Address Map Example................5-33
Figure 5-24. A16 Space Address Map Diagram for Your VMEbus/MXIbus
System....................................................................................................5-34
Figure 5-25. Worksheet 1: Summary of Your A16 Address Map............................5-35
Figure 5-26. Worksheet 2 for MXIbus #1 A16 Address Map....................................5-36

Table of Contents
VME-MXI-2 User Manual x © National Instruments Corporation
Figure 5-27. Worksheet 3 for MXIbus #2 A16 Address Map....................................5-37
Figure 5-28. Worksheet 4 for MXIbus #3 A16 Address Map....................................5-38
Figure 5-29. Worksheet 5 for MXIbus #4 A16 Address Map....................................5-39
Figure 6-1. VME-MXI-2 VXIplug&play Soft Front Panel .....................................6-2
Figure 6-2. VME-MXI-2 VMEbus Settings ............................................................6-7
Figure 6-3. VME-MXI-2 MXIbus Settings..............................................................6-10
Figure C-1. VME-MXI-2 Front Panel Layout..........................................................C-2
Figure C-2. MXI-2 Connector ..................................................................................C-3
Figure E-1. A Two-Frame VME System..................................................................E-2
Figure E-2. A16 Base Address Selection..................................................................E-3
Tables
Table 3-1. VME-MXI-2 DRAM Configurations....................................................3-11
Table 4-1. VME-MXI-2 VXIbus Configuration Register Map..............................4-2
Table 4-2. VME-MXI-2 VMEbus A24/A32 Register Map....................................4-46
Table 5-1. Base and Size Combinations .................................................................5-5
Table 5-2. Example VMEbus/MXIbus System Required Logical Addresses........5-8
Table 5-3. Amount of A16 Space Allocated for all Size Values............................5-24
Table 5-4. Example VMEbus/MXIbus System Required A16 Space....................5-28
Table 5-5. Logical Address Assignments for Example VMEbus/MXIbus
System....................................................................................................5-42
Table C-1. MXI-2 Connector Signal Assignments..................................................C-3
Table C-2. MXIbus Signal Characteristics..............................................................C-5
Table F-1. Address Modifier Codes........................................................................F-12

© National Instruments Corporation xi VME-MXI-2 User Manual
About
This
Manual
The VME-MXI-2 User Manual describes the functional, physical, and
electrical aspects of the VME-MXI-2 and contains information
concerning its operation and programming.
Organization of This Manual
The VME-MXI-2 User Manual is organized as follows:
• Chapter 1, Introduction, describes the VME-MXI-2, lists what you
need to get started, lists optional equipment, and introduces the
concepts of MXI-2.
• Chapter 2, Functional Overview, contains functional descriptions
of each major logic block on the VME-MXI-2.
• Chapter 3, VME-MXI-2 Configuration and Installation, contains
the instructions to configure and install the VME-MXI-2 module.
• Chapter 4, Register Descriptions, contains detailed information on
some of the VME-MXI-2 registers, which you can use to configure
and control the module’s operation.
• Chapter 5, System Configuration, explains important
considerations for programming and configuring a
VMEbus/MXIbus system using VME-MXI-2 mainframe
extenders.
• Chapter 6, VXIplug&play for the VME-MXI-2, describes the
contents of the VXIplug&play disk that came with your
VME-MXI-2 kit. The disk contains a VXIplug&play soft front
panel and a VXIplug&play knowledge base file.

About This Manual
VME-MXI-2 User Manual xii © National Instruments Corporation
• Appendix A, Specifications, lists various module specifications of
the VME-MXI-2, such as physical dimensions and power
requirements.
• Appendix B, Programmable Configurations, describes some
features of the VME-MXI-2 that are configured by programming
an onboard EEPROM through software rather than by onboard
switches or jumpers.
• Appendix C, VME-MXI-2 Front Panel Configuration, describes
the front panel and connectors on the VME-MXI-2 interface
module. This material contains the information relevant to
VXIplug&play Specification VPP-8, VXI Module/Mainframe to
Receiver Interconnection.
• Appendix D, Differences and Incompatibilities between the
VME-MXI and the VME-MXI-2, describes the differences and
incompatibilities between the first-generation MXIbus-to-VMEbus
interface, the VME-MXI, and the VME-MXI-2. This information
may be helpful for users of the VME-MXI who are moving to the
VME-MXI-2.
• Appendix E, Configuring a Two-Frame System, describes how
to configure a system containing two mainframes linked by
VME-MXI-2 mainframe extenders.
• Appendix F, DMA Programming Examples, contains two example
programs for using the DMA controllers on the VME-MXI-2. If
you are using a version of the National Instruments NI-VXI
software that has remote DMA controller functionality, this
information is not necessary because you can make use of the
VME-MXI-2 module’s DMA controllers from the NI-VXI
high-level function calls.
• Appendix G, Mnemonics Key, contains an alphabetical listing of
all mnemonics used in this manual to describe signals and
terminology specific to MXIbus, VMEbus, VXIbus, and register
bits. Refer also to the Glossary.
• Appendix H, Customer Communication, contains forms you can
use to request help from National Instruments or to comment on
our products and manuals.

About This Manual
© National Instruments Corporation xiii VME-MXI-2 User Manual
• The Glossary contains an alphabetical list and description of terms
used in this manual, including abbreviations, acronyms, metric
prefixes, and symbols.
• The Index contains an alphabetical list of key terms and topics in
this manual, including the page where you can find each one.
Conventions Used in This Manual
The following conventions are used in this manual:
italic Italic text denotes emphasis, a cross reference, or an introduction to a
key concept.
bold italic Bold italic text denotes a note, caution, or warning.
monospace Lowercase text in this font denotes text or characters that are to be
literally input from the keyboard, sections of code, programming
examples, and syntax examples. This font is also used for the proper
names of disk drives, paths, directories, programs, subprograms,
subroutines, device names, functions, variables, filenames, and
extensions, and for statements and comments taken from program code.
bold Bold text in this font denotes the messages and responses that the
monospace computer automatically prints to the screen.
<> Angle brackets enclose the name of a key on the keyboard—for
example, <PageDown>.
- A hyphen between two or more key names enclosed in angle brackets
denotes that you should simultaneously press the named keys—for
example, <Control-Alt-Delete>.
Abbreviations, acronyms, metric prefixes, mnemonics, symbols, and
terms are listed in the Glossary.
How to Use This Manual
If you will be installing your VME-MXI-2 into a system with a VXIbus
Multiframe Resource Manager, you only need to read Chapters 1
through 3 of this manual. If you have more than two VME-MXI-2
modules extending your system, you will find useful system
configuration information in Chapter 5. Appendix E is a quick

About This Manual
VME-MXI-2 User Manual xiv © National Instruments Corporation
reference for users who have a system containing two mainframes
linked by VME-MXI-2 modules. If your system does not have a
VXIbus Resource Manager, you can find programming information and
descriptions of the VME-MXI-2 hardware in Chapters 4 and 5.
Related Documentation
The following documents contain information that you may find
helpful as you read this manual:
• ANSI/IEEE Standard 1014-1987, IEEE Standard for a Versatile
Backplane Bus: VMEbus
• ANSI/IEEE Standard 1155-1993, IEEE VMEbus Extensions for
Instrumentation: VXIbus
• ANSI/VITA 1-1994, VME64
•Multisystem Extension Interface Bus Specification, Version 2.0
(available from National Instruments Corporation)
• VXI-6, VXIbus Mainframe Extender Specification, Rev. 1.0,
VXIbus Consortium
Customer Communication
National Instruments wants to receive your comments on our products
and manuals. We are interested in the applications you develop with
our products, and we want to help if you have problems with them. To
make it easy for you to contact us, this manual contains comment and
configuration forms for you to complete. These forms are in
Appendix H, Customer Communication, at the end of this manual.

© National Instruments Corporation 1-1 VME-MXI-2 User Manual
Introduction
Chapter
1
This chapter describes the VME-MXI-2, lists what you need to get
started, lists optional equipment, and introduces the concepts of MXI-2.
VME-MXI-2 Overview
The VME-MXI-2 interface is a mainframe extender for the VMEbus.
It extends the VMEbus architecture outside a VMEbus mainframe via
MXI-2, the second-generation MXIbus (Multisystem eXtension
Interface bus). A VMEbus mainframe equipped with a VME-MXI-2
can be connected to other MXIbus devices such as other VMEbus
mainframes, MXIbus instruments, or MXIbus-equipped personal
computers. The VME-MXI-2 interface module uses address mapping to
transparently translate bus cycles on the VMEbus system bus
(VMEbus) to the MXIbus and vice versa.
What You Need to Get Started
VMEbus mainframe
VME-MXI-2 interface module
MXI-2 cable
VXIplug&play diskette

Chapter 1 Introduction
VME-MXI-2 User Manual 1-2 © National Instruments Corporation
MXI-2 Description
MXI-2 is the second generation of the National Instruments MXIbus
product line. The MXIbus is a general-purpose, 32-bit, multimaster
system bus on a cable. MXI-2 expands the number of signals on a
standard MXI cable by including all VMEbus interrupts, VXIbus
triggers, VXIbus CLK10, and all of the VMEbus utility bus signals
(SYSFAIL*, SYSRESET*, and ACFAIL*).
Because MXI-2 incorporates all of these new signals into a single
connector, the standard VME-MXI-2 can extend the interrupts and
utility signals not only to other mainframes, but also to any computers
and devices equipped with MXI-2.
In addition, MXI-2 surpasses the data throughput of previous-
generation MXIbus products by defining new high-performance
protocols. MXI-2 is a superset of MXI. All accesses initiated by
MXIbus devices will work with MXI-2 devices. However, MXI-2
defines synchronous MXI block data transfers that surpass previous
block data throughput benchmarks. The new synchronous MXI block
protocol increases MXI-2 throughput to a maximum of 33 MB/s
between two MXI-2 devices. All National Instruments MXI-2 boards
can initiate and respond to synchronous MXI block cycles.
Note: In the remainder of this manual, the term MXIbus refers to MXI-2.
VME-MXI-2 Description
The VME-MXI-2 module is a double-height, single-width VMEbus
device with optional VMEbus System Controller functions. The
VME-MXI-2 can automatically determine if it is located in the first slot
of a VMEbus chassis and if it is the MXIbus System Controller.
The VME-MXI-2 module’s register set is based on VXI-6, VXIbus
Mainframe Extender Specification, Rev. 1.0. As a result, you can use
the VME-MXI-2 with a VXI-MXI-2 to connect VXI mainframes to
VMEbus mainframes.
The VME-MXI-2 converts A32, A24, A16, D64, D32, D16, and
D08(EO) VMEbus bus cycles into MXIbus bus cycles and vice versa.
The VME-MXI-2 has four address windows that map into and out of
the VMEbus mainframe. These four windows represent the three

Chapter 1 Introduction
© National Instruments Corporation 1-3 VME-MXI-2 User Manual
VMEbus address spaces (A32, A24, and A16) plus a dedicated window
for mapping the VXIbus configuration space (the upper 16 KB of A16
space).
The MXIbus is a multidrop system bus that connects multiple devices
at the hardware bus level in a software-transparent manner. Multiple
VMEbus mainframes with VME-MXI-2 interfaces can be connected to
form a single multiframe VMEbus system. An external PC with a
MXIbus interface can also be connected to a VMEbus mainframe with
a VME-MXI-2. This configuration makes the PC function as though it
were an embedded VMEbus controller that is plugged into the VMEbus
mainframe.
Multiple MXIbus devices are tightly coupled by mapping together
portions of each device’s address space and locking the internal
hardware bus cycles to the MXIbus. The window address circuitry on
each MXIbus device monitors internal local bus cycles to detect bus
cycles that map across the MXIbus. Similarly, external MXIbus cycles
are monitored to detect MXIbus cycles that map into the VMEbus
system. MXIbus devices can operate in parallel at full speed over their
local system bus and need to synchronize operation with another device
only when addressing or being addressed by a resource located on
another MXIbus device. The MXIbus device originating the transaction
must gain ownership of both the MXIbus and the local bus in the target
MXIbus device. All hardware bus cycles are then coupled across the
MXIbus and local buses before the transfer completes.
The VME-MXI-2 has the following features:
• Interfaces the VMEbus to the MXIbus (32-bit Multisystem
eXtension Interface bus)
• Extends VMEbus to multiple mainframes, external MXIbus-
equipped instruments, and external MXIbus-equipped PCs
• Allows multiple VMEbus mainframes to operate as a single
VMEbus system
• Supports the VME RETRY* signal to resolve deadlock conditions
• Supports D64, block, and synchronous MXI cycles for high-
performance data transfers
• Two independent DMA controllers for data transfer
• Can extend VMEbus interrupt levels and utility signals to the
MXIbus
• Can operate in either one of two modes: parallel or interlocked

Chapter 1 Introduction
VME-MXI-2 User Manual 1-4 © National Instruments Corporation
• Allows for optional or user-installable onboard DRAM up to
64 MB, which can be shared with the VMEbus and MXIbus
• Conforms to the VMEbus specification
• Conforms to VXI-6, the VXIbus Mainframe Extender Specification
•Conforms to the MXI-2 specification
• Supports automatic first slot detection
• Supports automatic MXIbus System Controller detection
• Supports automatic MXIbus termination
• Has no restrictions on physical location of devices
The VME-MXI-2 generates all the support signals required by the
VMEbus:
• VMEbus System Controller functions:
– 16 MHz system clock driver
– Data transfer bus arbiter (PRI or RR ARBITER)
– Interrupt acknowledge daisy-chain driver
• VMEbus miscellaneous services:
– VMEbus timeout (BTO)
– Pushbutton system reset switch
• VMEbus master capabilities:
– Access to A16, A24, and A32 address space
– D08(EO), D16, D32, and D64 accesses
– Release-on-Request bus requester (programmable bus
request level)
– Optional FAIR VMEbus requester
• VMEbus slave capabilities:
– A16, A24, and A32 address space
– D08(EO), D16, D32, and D64 accesses
• VMEbus interrupter
– ROAK or RORA (programmable)
– Responds to D16 or D32 IACK cycles
The VME-MXI-2 does not have support for the serial clock driver or
power monitor VMEbus modules.

Chapter 1 Introduction
© National Instruments Corporation 1-5 VME-MXI-2 User Manual
All integrated circuit drivers and receivers used on the VME-MXI-2
meet the requirements of both the VMEbus specification and the
MXIbus specification.
Front Panel Features
The VME-MXI-2 has the following front panel features:
• Three front panel LEDs
–SYSFAIL LED indicates that the VMEbus SYSFAIL line is
asserted.
–MXI LED indicates when the VME-MXI-2 is accessed from
the MXIbus.
–VME LED indicates when the VME-MXI-2 is accessed from
the VMEbus.
• MXIbus connector
• System reset pushbutton
Optional Equipment
• Type M1 MXI-2 Cables—
Straight-point connector to straight-point connector; available in
lengths of 1, 2, 4, 8, or 20 m
• Type M2 MXI-2 Cables—
Straight-point connector to right-angle daisy-chain connector;
available in lengths of 1, 2, 4, 8, or 20 m
• Type M3 MXI-2 Cables—
Right-angle point connector to right-angle daisy-chain connector;
available in lengths of 1, 2, 4, 8, or 20 m
• Type M4 MXI-2 Cables—
Straight-point connector to reverse right-angle daisy-chain
connector; available in lengths of 1, 2, 4, 8, or 20 m
• Onboard DRAM options of 4, 8, 16, 32, or 64 MB

© National Instruments Corporation 2-1 VME-MXI-2 User Manual
Functional Overview
Chapter
2
This chapter contains functional descriptions of each major logic block
on the VME-MXI-2.
VME-MXI-2 Functional Description
In the simplest terms, you can think of the VME-MXI-2 as a bus
translator that converts VMEbus signals into appropriate MXIbus
signals. From the perspective of the MXIbus, the VME-MXI-2
implements a MXIbus interface to communicate with other MXIbus
devices. From the perspective of the VMEbus, the VME-MXI-2 is an
interface to the outside world.
Figure 2-1 is a functional block diagram of the VME-MXI-2.
Following the diagram is a description of each logic block shown.