Introduction.

This application note provides relevant information for users of DDC’s MIL-STD-1553 products. While the questions relate primarily to our 1553 data bus component products (mostly the ACE and derivative series), the answers to many questions are also applicable for users of our 1553 boards.

Note that all of the questions in this note were actually asked by at least one of our customers. In many cases, the same question has been posed by a number of customers.

The application note is divided into nine sections, which are listed below. In addition, many of the sections are divided into subsections.

1. Data Bus Standards: MIL-STD-1553, MIL-STD-1760, STANAG-3838.
   This section covers issues relating to these standards, along with the 1553 RT Validation Test Plan.
   
   
2. ACE and Mini-ACE™.
   This is the longest section. It includes questions and answers on the MIL-STD-1553 ACE/Mini-ACE™’s general characteristics; operation of the BC, RT, and Monitor modes; interrupts, troubleshooting, and self-test. Since the 1553 Enhanced Mini-ACE™ is a superset of the ACE and Mini-ACE™, most of the questions and answers in this section are also applicable for the Enhanced Mini-ACE™ and PCI Enhanced Mini-ACE™. In addition, the issues addressed in this section are also applicable to the MIL-STD-1553 SP’ACE.
   
   
3. Enhanced Mini-ACE™, and
4. PCI Enhanced Mini-ACE™
   The questions and answers in these two sections relate to DDC’s two latest generations of 1553 components. This includes discussions about the upgrade path from ACE/Mini-ACE™ to Enhanced Mini-ACE™.
   
   
5. Rad Hard/Space 1553 Components.
   This section includes questions and answers on the BU-61582 SP’ACE and the BU-65621 space grade BC/RT/MT chip.
   
   
6. RT (Remote Terminal) Components.
   This section includes questions on the BUS-65112, BUS-65142, and the BU-61703/5 Simple System RT.
   
   
7. Power/Thermal Questions
   This section includes questions/answers on current and power specifications, transceiver duty cycle, dual redundancy, and thermal issues.
   
   
8. Transformers
   This section includes transformer layout related information, along with a table of all of Beta Transformer Technology’s (BTTC’s) transformers for the Mini-ACE™, Enhanced Mini-ACE™, and PCI Enhanced Mini-ACE™.
   
   
9. Connectors, Cables, and Breadboarding Sockets (1553 boards / components).
   This includes information on mating connectors for DDC’s MIL-STD-1553 boards, and a breadboarding socket for the ACE and Enhanced Mini-ACE™.