The F215 is a universal interface board based on 3U CompactPCI. The physical layer can be realized individually for each channel by means of SA-Adapters.
SA-Adapters are small universal boards providing the line drivers for legacy serial I/O, fieldbus interfaces and other small I/O functions. Most SA-Adapters use 9-pin D-Sub connectors which are accessible at the front panel. Alternatively, the adapter can be connected to the front panel via ribbon cable. The SA concept allows to add additional I/O interfaces to the F215, enhancing flexibility with regard to the line transceivers and isolation requirements.
Two SA-Adapters can be mounted directly on the F215, the other maximum six adapters need more front-panel space and are connected to the carrier via ribbon cable. The F215 comes in a standard configuration with five pre-defined functions on 8 HP: two CAN interfaces, two UARTs and one 8-channel digital I/O interface. SA-Adapters are not included in the delivery, because different types are available, e.g. for the UARTs. They can be ordered as needed.
The board’s I/O functions are realized by means of an FPGA, making it a very flexible, inexpensive solution for dedicated serial I/O. The card can become “everything” from a customized I/O combination to a specialized 8-port CAN card or even an intelligent I/O board including a Nios soft core, on 4, 8 or 12 HP. The FPGA is loaded automatically after power-up from a 4 MB serial Flash. It is also possible to access this Flash from the CompactPCI bus to update its contents.
The F215 is designed for use in rugged environments. For example, all components are soldered-on and are specified for an operating temperature of -40 to +85°C.
