PH-ESS Group
Modular Bus Standards

Note: ANSI/VITA standards are available in pdf format on the CERN intranet (links, below). IEEE, IEC and other standards documents normally have to be purchased from the responsible body. For CERN only, please contact C.Parkman.

VMEbus, VME64, VME64x BASE STANDARDS
  • VME64 (ANSI VITA 1-1994, ISO/IEC15776)
  • VME64 Extensions "VME64x" (ANSI VITA 1.1-1997) 
  • VMEbus (IEEE1014-1987, IEC60821, EN60821) - now superseded by VME64
VMEbus MECHANICAL STANDARDS 
  • Basic
    • IEEE1101.1-1998 
      IEEE Standard for Mechanical Core Specifications for Microcomputers Using IEC 60603-2 Connectors
  • VME64x additions 
    • IEEE1101.10-1996
      IEEE Standard for additional Mechanical Specifications for Microcomputers Using the  IEEE 1101.1 Equipment Practice
  • Rear transition modules 
    • IEEE1101.11-1998
      IEEE Standard for Mechanical Rear Plug-in Units Specifications for Microcomputers Using the IEEE 1101.1 and the IEEE 1101.10 Equipment Practice
  • 9U form factor 
RELEVANT DRAFT VITA STANDARDS
  • 2eSST Source Synchronous Transfer protocol (VITA 1.5-1999) [Draft standard for trial use].
    2eSST has been standardised as "2eSST Source Synchronous Transfer, ANSI/VITA 1.5-2003"
OTHER ANSI/VITA STANDARDS & RELEVANT DOCUMENTS
MEZZANINE STANDARDS
OTHER
  • Terminology 
  • Racks & subracks basic 
    • IEC297-1
      Dimensions of mechanical structures - Part 1 panels and racks
    • IEC297-2
      Dimensions of mechanical structures - Part 2 cabinets and pitches of rack structures
    • IEC297-3
      Dimensions of mechanical structures - Part 3 subracks and associated plug-in units
    • IEC297-3 Amendment 1
  • Local extensions 
    • CERN V430 "Jaux"
      Additional 30 pin connector mounted between P1/J1 and P2/J2 for -5.2V, -2V, +15V, -15V, slot geographical addressing and conversion control signals 
DIMENSIONED DRAWINGS

To aid designers in the use of the VME64x standard, EP-ESS Group has produced a series of detailed dimensioned drawings of the VMEbus and transition modules. These contain information extracted from the IEEE1101.1, 1101.10, 1101.11 and VITA 1.1, 1.3 and 23 ("VME64xP") documents (see above).

Important note: the recommended depths for transition modules in subracks in LHC experiments are for 6U, 160mm and for 9U, 220mm.
VMEbus (front) modules Rear (transition) modules
(non-standard depths)
  • 6U (ps | pdf) Non standard 120mm
  • 9U (ps | pdf) Non standard 400mm
ARTICLES, TUTORIALS & PRESENTATIONS
  • VMEbus FAQs

    • Frequently Asked Questions from the VITA web site.
  • VME64 Extensions (VME64x) and VME64 Extensions for Physics (VME64xP) 

    • Tutorial given at the ESONE SysComms'98 Conference and Exhibition held at CERN on March 27, 1998 by Bob Downing (FermiLab and VSO) and Jan Buytaert (CERN). 
    Contains information on the standards and their practical implementation.     
LINKS TO RELEVANT STANDARDS BODIES
ESS Group Webmaster Updated 10 April 2008
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