Description
At-A-Glance Executive Brief
- Model: MVME162-032
- Brand: Motorola (VME legacy platform)
- Part Type: Double-height VMEbus Single Board Computer (SBC / embedded controller)
- Lifecycle status: Legacy industrial VME spare; stocked for brownfield industrial control, test equipment and telecom retrofits & maintenance
- System compatibility: VMEbus chassis; executes real-time control firmware, VME I/O management, SCSI storage access, Ethernet and serial communication to host/DCS systems
- Weight: ~0.45 kg
Technical Introduction
Failure of MVME162-032 results in complete loss of the VME rack master controller. The board cannot boot firmware, access VME I/O modules, run control programs, or communicate via Ethernet/serial ports. Critical CPU fault alarms trigger, all control and data acquisition functions stop, leading to downtime for legacy industrial, test or telecommunications systems.
Motorola MVME162-032 is a legacy double-height VMEbus single-board computer built around a 25MHz MC68LC040 32-bit CPU with integrated MMU and 8KB internal cache (no floating-point unit). This variant is equipped with 8MB parity DRAM, 512KB battery-backed SRAM, 1MB onboard flash memory for firmware storage, plus battery-backed NVRAM and RTC for retaining configuration and timekeeping. Onboard peripherals include two EIA-232-D serial ports, DMA-capable SCSI, Ethernet, and four IndustryPack (IP) mezzanine expansion slots for custom I/O modules. The integrated VMEchip2 ASIC provides full VMEbus master/slave functionality, DMA burst transfers, interrupt handling, six 32-bit timers and a hardware watchdog timer for system fail-safe supervision. It supports booting from flash or SCSI disk and can run multiple embedded real-time operating systems. Widely deployed in legacy industrial automation, test instrumentation, telecom infrastructure and older DCS front-end racks. Plant reliability teams stock MVME162-032 to restore VME-based control systems during scheduled outages or unexpected CPU failures.
- Best Suited For
- VMEbus chassis embedded control systems
- Real-time industrial control, data acquisition, test instrumentation and legacy telecom platforms
- Direct drop-in replacement for existing Motorola MVME162-032 VME single board computer hardware
Core Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Part Number | MVME162-032 |
| Manufacturer | Motorola |
| Product Type | VMEbus Single Board Computer / Embedded Controller |
| CPU | MC68LC040 @25MHz, 8KB cache, MMU, no FPU |
| DRAM | 8MB parity-protected DRAM |
| SRAM | 512KB battery-backed SRAM |
| Flash | 1MB on-board flash |
| NVRAM/RTC | 8K×8 NVRAM, battery-backed real-time clock |
| VME Interface | VMEchip2, A32/D32/D64, VME master/slave, DMA |
| Serial Ports | 2 × EIA-232-D |
| Onboard Peripherals | SCSI DMA, Ethernet, 6×32-bit timers, watchdog timer |
| Expansion | 4 × IndustryPack (IP) mezzanine slots |
| Form Factor | Double-height VME card |
| Backplane Power | +5V, +12V, -12V |
| Operating Temperature | 0℃ ~ +70℃ |
| Humidity | 5–90% RH non-condensing |
| Mounting | Slot mount in VME chassis |
| Weight | ~0.45 kg |
| Environmental Details | Please refer to the OEM datasheet for complete environmental tolerances. |
Field Engineer’s Tech Notes
- Confirm VME backplane type, firmware revision, boot parameters and IndustryPack mezzanine compatibility before replacement; mismatched firmware may cause boot failure or VME bus communication errors.
- Fully power down the VME rack and implement lockout/tagout before board removal; this SBC does not support hot swap.
- Inspect VME edge connector for bent pins and oxidation; poor connector contact is a common root cause of boot and intermittent bus faults. Inspect the onboard backup battery for signs of electrolyte leakage.
- After installation, verify power-up and firmware boot, run DRAM/flash memory tests, validate VME bus master/slave operation, SCSI, Ethernet and serial communication, test watchdog timer, load application configuration, confirm host/DCS communication and clear faults before returning the system online.
- ESD protection is mandatory when handling the PCB and edge connectors.
- Periodically check backup battery health; battery leakage is a common failure mode and can permanently damage PCB traces and components.
Adaptive QA & Testing Protocol
Each MVME162-032 SBC is bench tested on a VME test chassis. We verify multi-rail backplane power-up, firmware boot, DRAM/flash/NVRAM memory verification, VME bus master/slave handshake, SCSI, Ethernet and serial port functionality. Watchdog and timer functions are validated. PCB, edge connector, battery compartment and solder joints are visually inspected for corrosion, battery leakage, scratches or thermal damage. Full test reports are available upon request.
Buyer’s FAQ
Q: What is Motorola MVME162-032 used for? A: It is a double-height VMEbus single-board computer (SBC), serving as the main embedded controller for legacy VME industrial, test and telecom systems to run real-time control and data acquisition software.
Q: What warranty applies for refurbished and NSFP MVME162-032? A: Refurbished and NSFP units carry a 12-month hardware warranty. Coverage excludes ESD damage, VME backplane surge damage, battery leakage corrosion, firmware mismatch and IP mezzanine incompatibility.
Q: What lead time should I expect? A: Stocked units ship 3–7 business days. If inventory is depleted, we source surplus Motorola MVME162-032 boards.
Q: Is MVME162-032 hot-swappable? A: No. Full rack power-down is required for removal and installation.
Start Chat
Send an Email
