Switched Serial Fabric Strategies for VMEbus

The VMEbus, well into a third decade of widespread deployment, continues as the dominant bus structure for high-performance embedded systems. In an industry characterized by a steady succession of new device offerings with speed and density increases every few months, VMEbus has retained this leadership position not simply because it was based on a sound electrical and mechanical architecture. Indeed, the major reason for its longevity has been a series of performance and feature enhancements promoted and nurtured by a broad base of VMEbus vendors. Before we discuss VXS, the latest enhancement, we will first review some basics of switched fabrics.