DDC introduces the BU-65591U multiprotocol USB 2.0 interface
-- Test & Measurement World, 6/6/2008 12:00:00 PM
Data Device Corporation (DDC) has unveiled the BU-65591U, a lightweight USB 2.0 device that provides two dual-redundant 1553 channels, four ARINC 429 receive channels, two ARINC 429 transmit channels, seven digital discrete I/Os, and an IRIG-B time-synchronization input.
In addition to the combined 1553/429 device, DDC offers 1553-only and 429-only versions. An extension to DDC’s BU-65590U, the BU-65591U is aimed at lab applications that require an interface to MIL-STD-1553 or ARINC 429 data buses, while the BU-65590U provides the same functionality in a more rugged package for flight-line use and embedded systems.
“The high channel count and mix of 429 and 1553 in a USB device make it an ideal portable solution for avionics labs that use MIL-STD-1553 or ARINC 429 data buses,” said Mike Hegarty, DDC’s MIL-STD-1553 marketing manager.
The USB avionics device includes both 1553 and 429 C software development kits (SDKs) and drivers for Windows 2000 and Windows XP. These SDKs allow users to integrate DDC’s 1553 and 429 I/O into a C source code application. A common SDK exists across all operating systems, allowing the programmer portability across different platforms.
The high-level functions abstract all low-level hardware accesses and memory allocation such that specific hardware knowledge is not required. Graphical bus analysis and simulation tools for both MIL-STD-1553 and ARINC 429 are also available in addition to ARINC 615 data-loading software. The graphical bus analysis and simulation tools allow users to simulate, monitor, and troubleshoot 1553 and 429 data buses simultaneously or independently without the need for custom software coding.
Data Device Corporation, www.ddc-web.com.
