Each 1553 channel can emulate as a Bus Controller (BC), a Remote Terminal (RT) or a Bus Monitor (MT). Standard features include 64KB of RAM per 1553 channel, transformer & direct coupling, triggers, extensive BC & RT frame structures, RT Status Bit & Mode Code responses, along with advanced BC functionality. The advanced BC architecture provides a high degree of flexibility & autonomy by providing message schedule control, minimizing host overhead for asynchronous message insertion, facilitating bulk data transfers, double buffering, message retry bus switching strategies, data logging & fault reporting. The choices of RT buffering & interrupt options provide robust support for synchronous & asynchronous messaging, while ensuring data sample consistency & supporting bulk data transfers. The interface includes a message monitor mode & a combined RT/MT mode where the MT will monitor all 1553 communications on the bus including the 1553 Channel's assigned RT addresses. The Bus Monitor Mode provides for Selective Message Monitoring & Combined RT/Message Monitor Mode. A combined RT/MT mode allows the device to run in both modes of operation at the same time on the bus.

The device includes 16 (digital 5V) discrete that are individually programmable as inputs or outputs (Open/Ground Discrete). The discrete outputs can be used for a variety of purposes, including triggering events, indicating status & general-purpose use.