Description
1. Unboxing & Physical Snapshot
- Model & Brand: Motorola / Emerson Network Power / Artesyn Embedded Technologies (VMEbus Computer Systems Division) — MVME3100 (High-Performance VMEbus Single Board Computer)
- Physical Dimensions: Standard single-slot VMEbus module form factor (VME64 compatible), measuring approximately 233 mm high x 160 mm deep x 20 mm thick (compatible with standard 3U/6U VME chassis slots via transition modules).
- Estimated Shipping Weight: 1.6 kg (3.5 lbs) packed inside heavy anti-static cleanroom packaging, shock-absorbing structural foam, and a reinforced export carton.
- What’s in the Box: MVME3100 CPU board assembly, front panel extraction handles, onboard battery-backed real-time clock, and safety/compliance insert (note: VME backplane chassis and MVME721 transition modules are ordered separately).
2. Product Introduction
Bridging the gap between legacy VMEbus infrastructure and modern high-speed data transfer demands requires robust, high-performance computing architecture. Operating as an advanced single-board computer within Motorola and Emerson’s migration ecosystem, the MVME3100 replaces older processor boards (such as the MVME2300, 2400, or 2700 series) while preserving core investments in VME chassis and backplanes.
Engineered around a Freescale / NXP MPC8540 PowerQUICC III System-on-Chip (SoC) featuring a PowerPC e500 core (running up to 833 MHz), ECC-protected DDR SDRAM, dual Gigabit Ethernet ports, and the Tundra Tsi148 bridge supporting 2eSST data transfer rates up to 320 MB/s, this board handles intense real-time processing. Plant automation engineers, defense contractors, and system integrators rely on this exact VME controller to execute mission-critical control, image processing, and data acquisition without rewriting legacy application foundations.
3. Core Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
| Product Series | Motorola / Emerson / Artesyn MVME3100 VMEbus Platform |
| Model / Part Number Variants | MVME31006E-1152 (667 MHz / 256MB RAM) / MVME31006E-1263 (833 MHz / 512MB RAM) |
| Microprocessor | Freescale / NXP MPC8540 PowerQUICC III (32-bit PowerPC e500 core) |
| Clock Frequency | 667 MHz or 833 MHz options |
| Main System Memory | Up to 512 MB Double Data Rate (DDR1) ECC SDRAM (166 MHz) |
| Flash Memory | 64 MB or 128 MB soldered on-board flash memory |
| VMEbus Interface | Tundra Tsi148 PCI-X to VMEbus bridge with 2eSST support (320 MB/s max transfer) |
| Expansion Slots | Dual 33/66/100 MHz PMC-X modular interface slots (IEEE P1386.1 compliant) |
| Communication Ports | 2\times10/100/1000Mbps Gigabit Ethernet, 1\times Fast Ethernet, USB 2.0, dual SATA ports, up to 5 EIA-232 serial links |
| Operating Temperature | 0^\circC to +55^\circC (32^\circF to 131^\circF) with forced air cooling (extended options vary) |
| Storage Temperature | -40^\circC to +85^\circC (-40^\circF to +185^\circF) |
4. Global Compliance & Industry Certifications
VMEbus computer hardware deployed in industrial process control, rail transit, and defense infrastructure must comply with strict electrical and environmental standards.
- Certifications: CE Conformity, VITA standards compliance (VME64, VME64 Extensions, 2eSST), and ISO 9001 factory manufacturing quality protocols.
- Safety Relevance: The ECC memory protection, hardware watchdog timers, and thermal monitoring circuits prevent silent data corruption and system crashes during continuous 24/7 industrial execution.
- Audit Note: Keep board revision logs, Real-Time Operating System (RTOS) Board Support Package (BSP) documentation, and battery replacement history records accessible in your CMMS to satisfy system reliability audits.
5. Long-Term Storage & Asset Preservation Guide
Legacy single-board computers stored in warehouse stockrooms face lithium battery degradation, memory cell wear, and electrostatic discharge (ESD) vulnerabilities over extended storage cycles (—requiring careful environmental control to preserve deployment readiness). Preserve your asset by executing these procedures:
- Maintain indoor warehouse climates where storage temperatures stay between +10^\circC and +30^\circC while keeping relative humidity strictly below 60% non-condensing.
- Keep the board permanently sealed inside its original factory anti-static moisture-barrier bag alongside active desiccant packs until the exact rack installation window.
- Inspect the onboard Maxim real-time clock lithium backup cell voltage every 2–3 years to prevent electrolyte leakage and damage to surrounding circuitry.
6. Physical Installation Prerequisites
Proper slot alignment, static discharge precautions, and total chassis power isolation are mandatory when installing or replacing VMEbus computer boards.
- Clearance Space: Ensure proper card-cage slot spacing and adequate airflow clearance above and below the VME module to maintain thermal dissipation across the PowerPC processor.
- Grounding Requirements: Always wear an approved ESD wrist strap connected directly to the VME chassis grounding stud before handling or sliding the board into the backplane.
- Power Isolation: De-energize and lock out (LOTO) the entire VME chassis power supply before inserting or extracting the MVME3100 to prevent backplane bus transceiver damage or data corruption.
7. Buyer’s FAQ (Logistics & Compliance Focus)
Q: What Harmonized System (HS) Tariff Code applies to this Motorola/Artesyn VME board for international shipments?
A: Industrial digital data processing units, electronic controller cards, and VMEbus computer modules typically classify under HS code 8471.50.0150 or 8538.90.8180. Always verify final classifications with your customs broker.
Q: Does the MVME3100 support standard real-time operating systems (RTOS)?
A: Yes, it provides out-of-the-box Board Support Package (BSP) compatibility with major industrial platforms including VxWorks, Linux, and OS-9.
Q: What is the Country of Origin (COO) for trade compliance record-keeping?
A: Motorola and Artesyn/Emerson embedded computer boards are manufactured in certified production hubs (primarily the United States), requiring accurate origin declarations on commercial import paperwork.
Q: Is specialized shock-resistant transit insurance required for international cargo delivery?
A: Yes, because legacy multi-layer printed circuit boards, high-density edge connectors, and mezzanine PMC slots are sensitive to heavy drop impacts and transit vibration, full-value freight insurance is strongly recommended.
