The VMIVME-6015 is a quad-channel, multifunctional Serial Input/Output (SIO) peripheral interface board, designed to satisfy a wide variety of serial data communications requirements in VMEbus systems. The basic function of the VMIVME-6015 is a serial-to-parallel, parallel-to-serial, controller; however, it is software configurable so that its "personality" may be optimized for any given serial data communications application.

The VMIVME-6015 is capable of handling asynchronous protocols, synchronous byte-oriented protocols (such as IBM Bisync) and synchronous bit-oriented protocols (such as HDLC and IBM SDLC). This SIO controller can also be used to support virtually any serial protocol for applications other than data communications (cassette or floppy disk interface, for example).

The VMIVME-6015 can generate and check Character Recognition Codes (CRCs) in any synchronous mode and may be programmed to check data integrity in various modes. The controller also has facilities for modem controls and in applications where these controls are not needed the modem controls may be used for general purpose I/O.

The VME-6015 is designed with two MK68564 SIO dual-channel multifunctional peripheral circuits that support a self-test capability. When the loop mode bit is set in the command register, the loop mode is activated to support Built-in-Test functions.