Most of your PMC Modules indicate that the PCI bus is 5 volt compliant, 3.3 volt tolerant. What does this mean?
Answer: For all our PMC modules other then those listed as PMC-DX modules, our PCI bus interface chip is an Altera FPGA and is powered by 3.3V. The Altera FPGA generates a Voltage Output High (Voh) of 2.4V minimum. This Voh of 2.4V is sufficient to call the board compliant with 5V PCI.
Since we do drive only to 3.3V we are also tolerant in 3.3V systems. However we do not use termination diodes as is required by the standard to be 3.3 PCI bus compliant. Because of this Acromag PMC modules should be able to operate without problem in both 5V and 3.3V backplanes. Currently the keying of the PMC modules allow plug into either 3.3 or 5V systems.
The Altera FPGA does have diodes available in the FPGA device. We could for larger project programmably enable the diodes. Once the diodes are enabled the board could only be used in a 3.3V system.
Acromag's PMC-DX board use a PLX bus interface that is compliant with both 5V and 3.3V.
Where can I find retired products user manuals?
Retired products user manuals can be found by using the top bar navigation, Products > Retired Products. Or click here.
COTS Applications
Question:
What does Acromag offer for COTS applications?
Answer:
Acromag I/O boards can be ordered with extended temperature ranges and conformal coating. We also have an extensive program to manage component obsolescence. Call factory for details.
Environmental Issues
Question:
What is Acromag's position on environmental issues?
Answer:
Acromag Inc. is a company that is very sensitive to the environment. We strive everyday to improve our world and leave it better for future generations. We are interested in the initiatives lead by the European Union (EU) and plan to be an active participant in supporting their programs.
For more information, see our page on Environmental Issues
Managed Product Life Cycles, End-Of-Life Procedures
Question:
I am beginning a design that will need to be implemented and supported over the next seven years. What is Acromag's policy on the end-of-life of their products?
Answer:
Great lengths are taken to accommodate the needs of our OEM and military customers that demand stable designs with long product life cycles. Our goal is to design for an expected life cycle of ten years or more. Acromag design engineers achieve this 10-year goal by starting with careful selection of parts and the availability of second-source suppliers. When necessary, Acromag has made "lifetime" buys for parts that have been discontinued to ensure that we can still supply boards for our existing customer base years into the future. And in other cases, Acromag has redesigned boards to maintain form, fit, and functional equivalency.
Acromag works hard to maintain close relationships and consult with our customers to provide long range notification when a products nearing retirement. Customers are typically contacted twelve to eighteen months prior to discontinuing a model. Although Acromag makes every effort to accurately estimate a product's end of life, it is not always possible. Constant changes in part availability are an ongoing challenge. Acromag tries to maintain generous part inventories to compensate for cyclical short-term part shortages. In addition, Acromag keeps very close relations with their major suppliers to help prevent forced product terminations due to unforeseen part shortages or discontinued components.
In addition, Acromag maintains the documentation to repair products for a minimum of 7 years from the date of EOL. Acromag also attempts to maintain an inventory of parts to repair boards for this period. Unfortunately, this is not always possible due to the degradation of some part over time.
