A Multifunction, VME-Based I/O Controller with 32 Programmable Channels of Analog to Digital Conversion for an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
Melanie M Robertson · Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) · 1992
Faster, more powerful processors are being incorporated into embedded computer system to execute increasingly complicated algorithms in real time resulting in a need to transfer more data between the embedded computer and external sensors and servos at a faster rate. To meet these real time requirements, while decreasing the size of the embedded computer hardware, a multifunction, VME-based I/O controller and A/D conversion system was designed, developed, and tested which controls 16 channels of pulse width modulated output, 32 single-ended input channels of A/D conversion with programmable gain and offset capability, and 8 discrete output channels on a single, 6U Versa Module (VME) card. The system is controlled by the Motorola IC68332 32-bit microcontroller and performs 32 channel A/D conversion to be integrated rate and 16 channels of PWM at a better than 50 Hz rate. This 1/0 system was specifically designed to be integrated into the flight control computer of an research vehicle and pushes state-of-the-air in functionality for real-time, embedded VME-based I/O system.