Description
GE VMIVME-2170A Product Description
Product Overview
GE VMIVME-2170A is a 32-channel optically isolated digital output board designed for VMEbus-based industrial computing and control systems. Originally developed within the VMIC/GE Fanuc Embedded Systems product family and now documented by Abaco Systems, the board integrates VMEbus interface logic, data-control logic and four 8-bit output registers to provide 32 isolated high-level digital outputs.
The GE VMIVME-2170A is intended to convert commands from a VMEbus host processor into isolated field-level switching signals. Its outputs support 2.5 mA or 300 mA configurations, with externally supplied pull-up voltage and field-configurable pull-up resistors. Optical isolation helps eliminate ground loops and improves immunity in electrically noisy industrial environments.
Within legacy VME automation, data-acquisition and equipment-control architectures, VMIVME-2170A provides a practical interface between the processor and external actuators, relays, indicators and discrete control circuits. Its compact double-Eurocard format and 8-/16-bit VME data-transfer capability make it suitable for high-density discrete output applications.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Product Model | VMIVME-2170A |
| Manufacturer | GE / VMIC / GE Fanuc Embedded Systems |
| Product Type | VMEbus Digital Output Board |
| Number of Outputs | 32 optically isolated outputs |
| Bus Architecture | VMEbus |
| Output Type | Open-collector style |
| Output Current | 2.5 mA or 300 mA, configuration dependent |
| Output Voltage | Up to 30 V normal mode |
| Output Mode | Source or sink capability, configuration dependent |
| Isolation | Optical isolation |
| Sustained Isolation | 1,000 V maximum |
| Pulsed Isolation | 6,000 V for 1 second |
| Data Transfer | 8-bit / 16-bit |
| Output Registers | 4 × 8-bit registers |
| Board Address | 14-bit DIP-switch selectable |
| Pull-Up Resistors | Field configurable |
| Pull-Up Voltage | Externally supplied |
| Data Polarity | Positive-true or negative-true |
| VME Transfer Modes | Supervisory / nonprivileged short I/O |
| Form Factor | Double Eurocard |
| Operating Temperature | 0 to +55°C |
| Storage Temperature | -20 to +85°C |
| Typical Application | Digital control, industrial automation, data acquisition |
The exact output current, polarity and pull-up configuration depend on the factory option/order code. Abaco’s specification confirms a 5–30 VDC I/O voltage range, 32 output channels and VME interface.
Main Features and Advantages
32-Channel Isolated Digital Output
The VMIVME-2170A provides 32 independently controlled digital outputs organized into four 8-bit output registers. This high channel density allows a VME processor to control numerous field devices without requiring multiple low-density interface cards.
High Electrical Isolation
Optical couplers isolate the output circuits from the VMEbus and provide substantial protection against ground-potential differences. The documented isolation capability reaches 1,000 V sustained and 6,000 V for one second, making the board suitable for electrically demanding control environments.
VMIVME-2170A
Flexible Output Configuration
The board can be ordered with 2.5 mA or 300 mA output capability. The low-current version provides mutually isolated outputs, while the high-current version groups outputs into isolated groups. Positive-true and negative-true logic configurations are also available.
Field-Configurable Pull-Up Resistors
The VMIVME-2170A uses externally supplied pull-up voltage and supports user-selectable pull-up resistor networks. This allows the output interface to be adapted to different external circuit requirements while maintaining isolation from the host VME system.
High Noise Immunity
The optical isolation and external field-power architecture help prevent field-side disturbances from propagating directly into the VMEbus electronics. This makes the board particularly useful for control panels containing motors, contactors, relays and other electrically noisy equipment.
Direct VMEbus Integration
The board supports both 8-bit and 16-bit VME data transfers and provides supervisory and nonprivileged short-I/O transfer modes. A 14-bit onboard DIP-switch address selection simplifies integration into established VME systems.
Legacy System Maintenance Value
The VMIVME-2170A is a legacy VME product, and specialist sources identify it as no longer in production. Its continued availability through industrial surplus and refurbishment channels makes it relevant to maintaining existing VME-based control and data-acquisition systems where replacing the entire architecture would be costly or disruptive.
Application Fields
GE VMIVME-2170A is primarily used in VMEbus-based industrial automation, equipment control, data acquisition and embedded control systems where multiple isolated digital output signals must be generated from a central processor.
In power generation, the board can control or signal the operating states of auxiliary equipment, relays, contactors, indicators and discrete interlock circuits. Its electrical isolation is particularly valuable where the VME processor and external equipment operate at different ground potentials.
In oil and gas and petrochemical systems, VMIVME-2170A can be used for discrete control of valves, solenoids, relays, alarms and auxiliary equipment. The external pull-up architecture provides flexibility when interfacing with field circuits using different supply arrangements.
In industrial manufacturing, the module can drive machine-control relays, pneumatic or hydraulic solenoids, stack lights, interlocks and other binary actuators. The 32-channel architecture is useful for equipment requiring a relatively large number of discrete commands.
The board is also applicable to SCADA equipment, transportation systems, test and measurement platforms, defense-related VME systems and legacy process-control installations. The documented application areas specifically include VMEbus digital control, elimination of system ground loops, operation in high-electrical-noise environments and control of components at multiple electrical potentials.
For replacement projects, it is important to verify the complete part number, especially the output-current option, logic polarity and pull-up configuration. For example, VMIVME-2170A-110 represents a specific factory configuration and should not automatically be treated as electrically identical to every VMIVME-2170A variant.
Related Products
- VMIVME-2170A-110 — Specific factory-configured version of the VMIVME-2170A; verify output-current and polarity options before replacement.
- VMIVME-2120 — Related VMEbus digital output board for high-voltage control applications.
- VMIVME-2131 — Related VME digital output hardware for applications requiring a different output architecture.
- VMIVME-2200 — VMEbus relay-control board suitable for applications requiring relay contacts rather than optically isolated transistor outputs.
- VMIVME-2210 — Related digital output relay board for VME-based control systems.
- VMIVME-1150 — 64-channel optically isolated digital input board, providing the corresponding input-side interface for VME systems.
- VMIVME-1110 — High-voltage digital input board for VMEbus field-signal acquisition.
- VMIVME-2510B — Related VME digital I/O board for lower-voltage logic applications.
- VME-2170A — Current product-family designation used by Abaco Systems for the same 32-bit optically isolated digital output architecture.
