The DNA-429-566 is a 12 channel (6 TX, 6 RX) ARINC-429 communication interface. The board is fully compliant with the ARINC 429 spec and supports both high speed (100 kHz) and low speed (12.5 kHz) operation. The channel speed is software selectable in banks of either two channels. Data integrity, even when all channels are set in high speed mode is assured with the use of 256 word FIFOs on all RX and TX channels.

Receive channels include the ability to filter on Labels so that only data from selected channels is captured. The filter may be set to forward data from between one and 255 Labels, or may be disabled so all data is captured, regardless of source. The user may also select on a label by label basis whether all data is forwarded or only data which has changed since the last transmission. Each channel may be set such that data Receive filtering is also supported based on the Source/Destination Identifier (bits 9 & 10). Words that match the desired SDI are forwarded while those that do not are ignored. Each received word may be time stamped with the date and time of reception (10 µs resolution). Parity errors may either be flagged and errant data trapped at the board level, or RX channels may be configured to
forward data with an illegal parity bit.

Transmit channels may be set to transmit asynchronously or based upon a hardware controlled scheduler. Each channel supports a transmission table that allows up to 256 unique schedules. Transmission schedule resolution is 100 microsecond. There is also a TX mode where a label is transmitted only upon receipt of data from a preprogrammed label.

Asynchronous (non-scheduled) data may be sent with three priorities. High priority data is sent immediately upon completion of the current transmission, regardless of scheduled messages. Data sent with standard priority is transmitted during times when no scheduled data is being sent. Finally, the lowest priority is data streamed from a 256 word FIFO which is sent when no scheduled, high or standard priority data is being transmitted.

Software for the DNA-429-566 is provided as part of the UEI Framework. The framework provides a comprehensive yet easy to use API that supports all popular Windows programming languages as well as supporting programmers using Linux and most real-time operating systems including QNX, RTX, RT Linux and more. Finally, the framework supplies complete support for those creating applications in LabVIEW, MATLAB/Simulink, DASYLab or any application which supports ActiveX or OPC servers.