PC429-2/1R1T Ballard Technology ISA Interface for ARINC 429 Module

The Ballard Technology PC429-2 Series ISA Interface for ARINC 429 is a low-cost ARINC 429 interface board for ISA computers. The boards come in two configurations: with one transmit and one receive channel or two transmit and two receive channels. The PC429-2 is also available with up to four channels in a customer specified combination of receive and transmit channels. Each channel operates independently at either high or low speed under the control of an on-board processor. The user can operate the PC429-2 board through a variety of programming languages.

he use of proprietary gate arrays has given the PC429-2 a level of functionality for test applications that goes beyond that possible with off-the-shelf 429 components developed for flight applications. Our approach maximizes performance and reliability while minimizing the component count and the price. Gate arrays are used for the encoders, decoders, and for a unique powerful interface to the host PC. The on-board processor allows the PC429-2 to run without intervention by the host PC. In normal operation, the PC429-2 automatically transmits words on transmit channels and continuously receives words on receive channels. The host PC can access specific transmitted or received words by writing to or reading from the appropriate memory location on the PC429-2. A special feature of the PC429-2 is its ability to selectively record bus activity along with a time-tag. This forms a sequential record that can be analyzed later by the user.