DIGITAL PCI32-VME64 Adapter Hardware

This document is the Hardware Owner's Guide for the DIGITAL PCI32-VME64 adapter, dated April 1997. It describes the configuration and installation procedures for this high-speed adapter, which interfaces DIGITAL AlphaServer systems with VME applications. The adapter consists of two main modules: a PCI Bus Bridge Module (PBM) that installs into a standard PCI slot, and a VMEbus (6U) Bridge Module (VBM) for a VME backplane, connected by a 3-meter interconnect cable. Key features include memory mapping for transparent communication between PCI and VME address spaces, support for Direct Memory Access (DMA) in both slave and master modes, Programmed I/O, and Memory Mapped I/O. The adapter can function as a VMEbus system controller, supporting 7 interrupt levels, and allows independent operation of both buses. The guide details specifications like data transfer rates, address modes, and mapping register sizes. Installation involves a complete system shutdown, setting specific jumpers (System Controller on VBM, Sparse Memory Address on PBM for window size selection), installing appropriate extender brackets for the PBM, mounting both modules, connecting the interconnect cable, and then powering on and verifying the installation. Restrictions include unsupported PCI slot configurations and the requirement for the VME64 module to remain powered while the host OS is running to prevent system crashes. The adapter is supported by OpenVMS Alpha and DIGITAL UNIX operating systems via specific driver software.