NCAR/RAF VMEbus Interface for the Particle Measuring Systems Optical Array Grey Probe

This interface was developed at the NCAR Research Aviation Facility in order to provide an interface between the Grey Probes and the Aircraft Data Systems flown on the RAF aircraft. The RAF Aircraft Data Systems are designed around the VMEbus which is a computer bus widely used for industrial and instrumentation computers.

There were no commercial interface boards available which met our needs, so a custom board has been developed. This Technical Note does not attempt to describe the operation or design of the Grey Probe other than the data and interface signals. It is assumed the reader has a basic understanding of the Grey Probe and its interface signals.